Petition to Expand APS Montessori Elementary Class
Monique O'Grady 0

Petition to Expand APS Montessori Elementary Class

129 people have signed this petition. Add your name now!
Monique O'Grady 0 Comments
129 people have signed. Add your voice!
52%
Maxine K. signed just now
Adam B. signed just now

This request builds on the success and growing popularity of the Montessori program in Arlington. * Whereas, Montessori is entering its 39th year in Arlington Public Schools; * Whereas, Montessori currently serves more than 500 public school children; * Whereas, APS Montessori has historically maintained long waitlists for preschool and kindergarten students; * Whereas, Montessori has historically seen rising enrollment at its first grade entry point; * Whereas, Lower Elementary Montessori classrooms plan to expand from 23 to 25 students in 2009-2010 to accommodate Drew's rising 1st grade students and expected outside demand; * Whereas, such a plan will throw off the required multi-age classroom balance; * Whereas, under that plan the Lower Elementary classrooms will continue to face space constraints in the 2010 - 2011 year, unable to accommodate that year's rising Montessori first graders; * Whereas, the number of private Montessori preschool classrooms in Arlington has doubled in the last two years, preparing more highly qualified students to continue in the public school program; * And whereas, the Montessori program has grown from a preschool program to one that serves students through middle school: We ask Arlington Public Schools to immediately grow the Montessori program by: 1. Adding an additional classroom to meet the demand for new Montessori kindergartners and first graders at Drew in the 2009-2010 school year, and 2. Creating a plan for growth to further expand the Montessori program in the 2010-2011 school year and beyond. This will: * Meet the growing demand for the program, * Release pressure on the increasing number of overcrowded schools, and * Build on the APS Strategic Plan goals of highly successful programs that eliminate the achievement gap.

Sponsor

Arlington Montessori Action Committee (AMAC) is an organization of Montessori parents and educators whose primary goal is to promote and expand Montessori education. We are proud of our vibrant and diverse Arlington Public School Montessori program that currently serves more than 500 students. AMAC was formed in late 2006 by several Arlington Montessori parents from different schools as a way to build community and to formalize years of Montessori advocacy. AMAC is not affiliated with any one school, but serves as a way for all Montessori advocates, public and private, to support Montessori education. AMAC invites you to visit http://www.arlingtonmontesssori.org to learn more about Montessori, and participate in AMAC meetings and events.

Links

http://www.arlingtonmontesssori.org
Share for Success

Comment

129

Signatures