Is Private School Right for My Child?

Private schools have smaller classes.  Period.  Smaller classes mean more individual attention, more student engagement, more opportunities to be challenged, less falling through the cracks, and more flexibility in curriculum to address student needs.

At Montgomery School, teachers can adapt each day’s classroom agenda to give time and space for students to wonder why and joyfully explore new material.

No two students learn the same way, so it stands to reason that kids need different ways to understand new content and do their best.  Private schools are equipped to recognize and provide for different learning styles with a variety of approaches to introducing subject matter.

Montgomery School teachers combine traditional classroom instruction with lots of hands-on projects, outdoor education, and discussion-based courses in order to give students multiple ways to learn foundational content.  Additionally, teachers who know their students well are always available to push a little harder and/or provide a little extra help as needed. 
 

Building trust between teachers and students is a key factor in the most effective educational experiences.  When teachers and students (and their parents/guardians) are true partners, learning is a collaborative, supportive process in which students have the confidence and motivation to try harder.

Montgomery School teachers know just how much to push and how much to support each student’s growth.  As a dedicated PreK–8 school, elementary grade specialists understand the developmental needs of their students and forge the essential relationships that help young learners thrive. 

Everyone needs to belong.  Private schools are often characterized by the abiding connections between all members of the community.  A welcoming culture of inclusivity ensures that all students feel valued and respected.

Montgomery School is an open and joyful “family,” in which students always find a place to belong and parents are always welcome.  Participation at every level is encouraged—not only to make the school a vibrant center of learning, but also to embrace the many talents and histories that combine to make it whole.

When teachers aren’t tied to a one-size-fits-all curriculum or teaching to a test, they have the flexibility to fire up the imagination of their students in all sorts of ways. Hands-on projects, collaborative work, research in the field, applied learning to the real world…these are all meaningful ways to teach and learn for maximum and lasting impact.

Montgomery School’s campus is situated on 60 beautiful acres that give teachers and students a vast landscape for learning. Outdoor education is a central part of the school’s program and teachers routinely take advantage of the unique resource. Additionally, teachers create a learning environment that relies on full participation and builds the confidence that empowers kids to raise their hands and speak up.
 

When budgets are cut, the “extras” are usually the first things to go.  Private schools consider activities like art and athletics to be essential parts of the complete educational experience.  Not only do private schools maintain robust programming across all disciplines, but they also provide a wide range of opportunities for gifted students to challenge themselves, abundant extra-curricular activities, and access to perspective-changing off-campus adventures.

Montgomery students are always exploring.  Whether through academic, artistic, athletic, or service initiatives, children start seeing themselves as complete learners and contributors right from the start.  Moving seamlessly from the classroom to outdoors and back again is all in a day’s work—a joyful rhythm that supports inquiry beyond the syllabus.

If a private school is not specifically designed for students with learning differences, it is often credited for the ability to assure a high degree of academic achievement.  Private schools have the luxury of focusing on the task at hand and increasing academic expectations rather than devoting precious administrative and faculty resources to basic class management.  Because they are not tied to a publicly funded curriculum, private schools can broaden the scope of content taught and vary the way it is delivered.

Montgomery School prepares young students with the highest level traditional educational foundation.  Every day, children are challenged to try a little harder and raise the bar of their own learning.  Teachers support their journeys to make sure they are doing their very best and are always ready for the next step.

Private schools recognize each student’s needs both in and out of the classroom and they devote time and resources to address them.  The small student-teacher ratio allows time to build the life skills that help ensure success like collaboration, creativity, communication, and character.

Montgomery School is committed to addressing all the educational needs of young learners.  While preparing students with a strong academic foundation, the school also considers carefully the unique social and emotional growth of children in grades PreK–8.  The Character Curriculum, Outdoor Ed Program, and Design Thinking cross-disciplinary approach to learning, give students the space and resources to develop their minds, bodies, and souls. 

Parents often cite safety as a key benefit of private schools and many schools underscore student safety as their highest priority.  What good is an ‘A’ on an AP exam if students aren’t protected?  Private schools devote both time and money to ensure that children are safe—physically and emotionally.  That’s not to say they go to school in a bubble.  Rather, private schools create environments in which it is safe to make mistakes and learn from them.

Montgomery’s 60-acre campus is inherently secure.  It is made more so with a fully integrated security system that includes outdoor cameras and controlled building access, so students have the space and freedom to run around and be kids.  While they are always supervised, children never feel restrained.  Every day they get to practice spreading their wings as they build confidence—knowing that they are safe and supported.

Private schools create communities of like-minded individuals.  Does that mean everyone has to agree with everyone?  Absolutely not.  Rather, it means that teachers, students, and parents, all believe in the school’s mission and value system.   Part of choosing the best private school is making sure that your priorities align with the school’s priorities.  Once you do that, being surrounded by families who also share those priorities will uphold the important work of educating your child(ren).

Montgomery School’s mission is to ignite each child’s love of learning and foster their individual talents during the most formative years in order to prepare them for future success.