Frequently Asked Questions

How many spaces will be available in each classroom?
Placement in each classroom is dependent on the number of returning students and the number enrolled at each grade level. It is the goal to have each grade level equally represented. The Lower Elementary Classrooms will have a maximum enrollment of 25 students.

When will a Montessori Kindergarten be added?
There are no plans at this time or in the future to add a Montessori Kindergarten. The Montessori program is designed for a multi-age class, with kindergarten children at age 5 combined with 3 and 4 year olds. Currently it is against the Idaho state law to use any state funds to provide educational opportunities to children 4 and younger.

If a child attends a Montessori program as a 3 and 4 year old, then a public kindergarten, will the child be considered as having Montessori experience for enrollment to the public Montessori program? Yes

Will there be preference given to siblings?
Preference will be given within the lottery category.

Will an open enrollment form be required each year?
Students, who are accepted and who attend Liberty for one full year, are considered part of the Liberty school boundary and do not need to reapply each year. However, this doesn't qualify for transportation if you reside outside of the school boundary.

Will on-site after school care be available?
Yes, Just For Kids before and after school care program is on-site and available to all Liberty Families. For more information contact the Program Coordinator, MaryAnn Wallinger, at 854-6720.

Can we visit the school and classroom if we are interested in the Montessori Program at Liberty?
While we encourage parent involvement in the school setting, conducting visits/observations during the school day is a disruption to the learning process. We do provide a family night in May for all Montessori families enrolled for the upcoming school year. If you have questions, please call the school and speak with the principal or assistant principal.

How does a Montessori typical day compare to a traditional?
The Montessori class is full of activity with students working either individually or in small groups. The students individually select their work and have an uninterrupted 3 hours in the morning to focus on their work. The teacher is available for questions and some guidance, but the work is self-directed. The afternoon is available to accommodate Library, PE, Music, and other special needs as requested. Conversely, the traditional day is more broken up, all students work on the same lessons during the same time period each day as directed by the teacher. The students in the Montessori have the choice of working at desks and tables, or on a mat on the floor, whereas the traditional students typically work in their desk. Unlike the traditional classes, there is no competitiveness among the Montessori students as they work to increase knowledge of self and their peers.

How are public testing guidelines followed in the Montessori program?
The Montessori program participates in all required assessments with the 1st- 3rd taking the IRI, Idaho Reading Indicator test and 3rd also taking the ISAT. The Upper Elementary Classroom will participate in the Idaho State Achievement Test (Grades 4th, 5th, and 6th), Direct Math Assessment (4th and 6th Grades) and the Direct Writing Assessment (5th Grade).The Montessori curriculum is similar to the public even if not taught in the same order so that by the end of the third grade they have been presented equal or more information than their traditional counterparts.

Do you partner with private Montessori's in the area?
During the 2007-2008 school year, Christel Norhausen from Rose Hill Montessori supported and provided on-site expertise. Eagle, Park Center Montessori and Lakewood Montessori also participated in providing assistance to the success of the program.

All Montessori staff members including the principal and assistant principal have observed classrooms at Lakewood Montessori and Rose Hill Montessori to gain insight and knowledge into a successful Montessori classroom.

In addition, principal Betty Hoogland, visited public Montessori classrooms in Phoenix, Ariziona in January 2008. Phoenix Public Schools have had Montessori classrooms as a part of their programs for over 20 years.

Are there volunteer opportunities available?
Yes, we welcome volunteers to our classrooms and our school. Please contact Lead Teachers Anne Desaulniers and Tenley Gagner-Lutz for specific times and days. In addition, our PTA is in need of volunteers for reading, Art Mom and special events at school.

All volunteers are required to follow the Boise School District Volunteer procedures of signing in and out at our office.

Is there a teacher for the computer lab?
Yes the computer lab is classroom teacher directed, and the students attend once per week for 30 minutes. We do not have a technology teacher, yet this would be an excellent time for a parent with a technology background to volunteer.

What reading program is used in the Montessori classroom?
There is access to the different programs available through the Boise School District. Generally the children are allowed to read at their own level and choose their own reading material. The grammar and language program follows the Montessori curriculum. The lessons are consistent with current theory and practice of teaching children how to read and write; a linear process of curriculum accommodating individual learning styles.

Why was the Montessori program brought to Liberty?
The program allows a choice for parents. Liberty was selected because of the high population of Montessori students in the area and Liberty had available space.

As a parent of a child without a Montessori background, how do I assess if my child would benefit?
Here are some suggestions: explore the internet to learn about the Montessori Method and determine if you agree with its philosophy; watch a video about the method with your child to help assess if your child would fit in this program by analyzing if your child's personality and learning style would work with the methodology.

What are some creative solutions to obtain Montessori experience if you can't afford it?
Obtain some Montessori materials and work with your child at home; read about it with your child and practice the methodology. Consider attending part-time if your budget allows, most Montessori's offer a part-time choice. It is also highly recommended to contact your local legislatures in the House and Senate to show your interest in the State providing public lower/primary educational opportunities.

Liberty Public Meetings - Spring 2007

What is the enrollment priority?
The first priority goes to students within the Liberty boundary with prior Montessori experience, then to those without, per the 80/20 ratio. Next priority goes to those outside the Liberty boundaries with prior Montessori experience, then to those without, per the 80/20 ratio.

Will families in the Montessori Program be required to reapply annually?
No. Preference will also be given to siblings of participating Montessori students.

Will there be a separate PTA for the Montessori strand?
No. Montessori parents will participate in the Liberty Elementary PTA.

Are there other Montessori strand schools housed within a traditional public school?
Yes. There are a number of successful models like the one we are piloting across the nation and we are seeking to benchmark best practices from them.

Will children outside of the Liberty boundaries only be accepted after those within it?
Yes.

How does Montessori work with kids who have special needs?
Maria Montessori originally developed her methods for children with special needs. These methods are currently widely used by Special Ed teachers. Each of these children has a unique set of needs that should be considered on an individual basis. The Montessori approach may or may not be the best approach and should be considered on a case by case basis.

Will the teachers be certified?
They will be Montessori certified and they may or may not be hold an Idaho Teaching Certification. If we hire someone without a current Idaho teaching certificate, they will work toward this per the BSD guidelines.

Is a BA required for Montessori certification?
Yes, it is for all elementary teachers.

How does Montessori fit in with testing requirements?
This is something we have addressed since the beginning. While the scope of the Montessori curriculum matches up with that of the traditional school, the sequence does not. Montessori students complete a three-year curriculum at their own pace and therefore may not always have received the curriculum that is being tested at the time the test is administered. By the end of sixth grade, the Montessori students will have received all of the same curriculum that their traditional track peers have received. Nationally, Montessori students have scored at or above the level of their traditional school peers.

To what would you attribute the high math and science scores within Montessori classrooms?
Montessori subjects are presented to the student first in a concrete form and progress to the abstract. The student internalizes each subject fully, and gains a solid foundation of math and science principles. This probably accounts for the high math and science scores found in a number of studies.

Are the 3rd grade materials going to be the highest materials offered, or will more advanced materials be available – for instance to a 3rd grader who is more advanced in a certain subject?
We will be purchasing all the materials for 1st - 6th grade. Students who have mastered a subject and show interest in further study will be introduced to the next level of materials. 1st - 3rd grade teachers Montessori training prepares teachers to challenge accelerated students.

Will the district pay for the Montessori materials?
Yes.

Will parents have to pay anything extra?
Nothing that the other Liberty parents don't have to pay. Liberty has a budget for field trips and some other expenses, so there will be very few, if any, additional expenses for the parents.

Is there a process at the end of the year to determine if the pilot is successful and will continue?
The district has approached this as a program that will grow. Other special programs, such as the Harbor Method , have been slow to start, but were supported by the district as they grew into successful strands. The factors to evaluate success of the program are being carefully identified.

Where do enrollment forms get turned in or mailed to?
Completed enrollment forms may be delivered directly to Liberty Elementary, or mailed to the school:
Liberty Elementary School, 1740 S. Bergeson, Boise, ID 83706.

Montessori Home | Mission & Philosophy | Choosing the Montessori Program | Staff

Contact Liberty Principal Bill McKitrick or Lead Teachers Tenley Gagner-Lutz and Amy Eiden