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.