Q - What is Montessori?
A - Dr. Maria Montessori, Italy 's first woman to
graduate in medicine, originated the Montessori
philosophy. Dr. Montessori believed that children learned
best by doing, not by passively accepting the ideas and
preexisting knowledge of others. The Montessori method
requires the active personal pursuit of many different
experiences: physical, social, emotional and cognitive.
"It is a holistic (m ulti-leveled experiential journey of discovery,
expression and mastery where all students and teachers learn and
grow together ) approach to education, respecting the child, their
experiences and way of learning. It takes the child into an enriched
environment and provides a trained … teacher to assist the child in
their search for knowledge. " A Montessori Parent
A Montessori classroom is full of multi-aged children at various stages
of development, learning from and with each other, using the
specialized Montessori materials.
Q - What is RAM?
A - Richmond Association for Montessori (RAM) is a
non-profit organization operating under the Societies
Act of BC. RAM is comprised of Montessori parents
who volunteer their time.
The goals of RAM are to support and promote the
Montessori Program in the Richmond Public School
District . These goals are achieved through fund raising
in order to purchase Montessori materials and to
support Montessori teacher education and to promote
the Montessori alternative program to the Richmond
School Board.
Q - Why is it important to join RAM?
A - Without RAM, the public Montessori program would
not exist and could not continue. Parent involvement and
financial support is very important to maintaining the
Montessori program in Richmond Public Schools.
Q - In which school is the public Montessori
Program offered?
A - At present Garden City and Manoah Steves
Elementary Schools both offer kindergarten through
Grade 7 Montessori Programs. McKinney Elementary
offers kindergarten to Grade 4. Every year, one more
grade will be added at McKinney . There is no secondary
High School program offered in Richmond.
Q - What is the difference between the educational
program offered at neighbourhood schools and the
Montessori program?
A - The Montessori program incorporates the philosophy
and materials developed by Maria Montessori
(See Question 1). Both programs follow the BC Provincial
Curriculum.
Q - What is the financial commitment to the
Montessori Program? (i.e fees to buy books, teaching
tools, monthly fee)
A - Because the program is part of the Richmond Public
Schools, there is no required monthly fee. However,
parents are expected to participate in fund raising or
make donations to purchase Montessori materials. For
the program to continue, those parents who can afford it
are asked to contribute $150 each year, in addition to the
annual membership fee of $50. The school district
provide the classroom space and teachers. The district
also supplies all classrooms with the same materials (that
are supplied in the neighborhood program classrooms).
Montessori classrooms have special, and expensive,
Montessori materials that make all the difference to the
program. The parents whose children are in the program
provide these Montessori materials through the
fundraising activities. Therefore, parents are encouraged
to participate in and contribute to fundraising efforts that
aid in purchasing Montessori classroom materials.
Q - How much does it cost to equip a Montessori
classroom?
A - It costs approximately $20,000 to equip a single
Montessori classroom with the minimum necessary
materials.
Q - How can I apply to get into the program?
A - RAM hosts an information night for parents in
January/early February. At this time, parents may submit
an application form for their child to participate in the
program. All available spaces are filled through a lottery
draw of those applications. Unsuccessful applicants are
placed on a Wait List according to their lottery draw
number and are called in order as vacancies occur
throughout the year. All grade levels are filled from the
Wait List.
Q - Do the teachers teaching in the Montessori
classes have additional training in Montessori?
A - Yes. In addition to the required education by the public
school system, all teachers have gone through additional
Montessori training.
Q - Can children continue in the Montessori program
in high school?
A - Richmond does not offer Montessori beyond grade 7.
Children leaving the Montessori program in grade 7 may
attend their neighbourhood high school or apply for any of
the special programs offered by the district's high schools.
Q - What ESL support is available?
A - Children in the Montessori program are eligible to
receive the same level of support as any other child in the
Richmond Public Schools. This includes ESL, speech and
language, counseling, learning assistance and other
support services available.
Q - Can I apply now for the next school year?
A - No. In February, applications are taken for the coming
school year only. (See Question 9)
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