Curriculum Questions

Are teachers credentialed?
How experienced are they? On what basis does the school hire teachers and administrators?
An approved Montessori Training Center certifies all teachers (guides) at Undercroft Montessori School . Guides are hired on the basis of their love of teaching and children, their years of experience, their commitment to excellence, and their ability to be team players. Assistant guides are selected on the basis of their understanding of the principles of child development and their ability to observe the child. Assistants (aides) received on-site training from Houston Montessori Training Center . Assistants are then trained by their partner in the classroom.

The majority of our faculty has several years of experience and we are proud of our extremely low turnover. The current administrator has been with Undercroft since 1991.

Are teachers regularly evaluated? By whom?
Teachers practice self-evaluation on a daily basis. Peer coaching is encouraged at Undercroft. Teams solve problems. There are observations by the advisors and administrator and a formal evaluation each year of each staff member. Consultants are brought in to evaluate the program as a whole.

What is the average class size?
The average class size is twenty students. It is important to remember, especially in the primary classrooms, that each class has a balance of ages. While a classroom of 20 four-year-olds might be difficult, a classroom of 7 three-year-olds, 6 four-year-olds, and 7 five-year-olds is easily managed. Dr. Montessori recommended class sizes of 25 to 35 students to better facilitate peer tutoring and grouping.

What is the teacher/student ratio?
In both the primary and elementary classrooms, there are one Montessori-trained guide and one Undercroft-trained assistant. Thus, the ratio is approximately 1 to 11. In the primary classrooms, the youngest children either go home or go to nap room at 11:30. The ratio then drops to approximately 1 to 7.

Are there aides in classes? Specialist teachers?
There is one full-time assistant in each classroom. The primary classes have specialists for music and art. In the elementary and middle school program we have specialists for music, art, physical education and Spanish.

Does the school use a particular curriculum or method of instruction, such as Slingerland, Carden Waldorf or Montessori?
Undercroft Montessori School has utilized the Montessori method of instruction since it was founded in 1964. The elementary classrooms were added in 1981. Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952) is credited with the development of the open classroom, individualized education, manipulative learning materials, teaching toys, and programmed instruction. A key component of Montessori is learning respect for self and others. What later became known as the "Montessori Method" was derived from Dr. Montessori 's observation and work with Rome's most disadvantaged children. She often said, "I studied my children, and they taught me how to teach." Montessori's prime productive period lasted from the opening of the first Children's House in 1907 until the mid-1920's. During this time, she continued her study of children and developed a vastly expanded curriculum and methodology. Montessori schools were established throughout Europe and North America, and Dr. Montessori gave up her medical practice to devote all her energies to advocating the rights and intellectual potential of all children. Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1948, Dr. Montessori was acknowledged as the world's leading educator, but today there is growing consensus that many of her ideas were decades ahead of their time. Educators trained in the Montessori method continue to observe children and expand the curriculum begun by Dr. Montessori over 90 years ago.

Are there enrichment classes, such as foreign language, computer science, music, art, and PE?
We offer programs in art, music, Spanish and physical fitness in varying degrees of intensity according to the level of the child. Computer skills are used at developmentally appropriate levels within the integrated curriculum of the classrooms.

Is religious instruction part of the curriculum?
Undercroft celebrates a diverse, multi-cultural environment. It was founded as a non-sectarian school. If religious discussion occurs, it is in the context of a book or time period that is being studied. Another example is that if a child brings up a particular religion’s holiday, the holidays of others' religions are mentioned at the same time. Peace education is a significant component of our curriculum.

How are students assessed, and how do parents get results?
Undercroft utilizes an observational and portfolio assessment style. Guides are trained in the art of observation to assess students through constant observations and interactions. After being given individualized instruction on a lesson, at his/her own pace, a student masters a skill, demonstrates the skill, then moves on to the next portion of the curriculum. Students are not given grades such as A, B, or C since each child is compared to his/her self, not to the group as a whole. The progress reports are done in a narrative fashion and explain the concepts explored and mastered.

The portfolio assessment is presented to parents/guardians at parent/guide conferences that are held two to three times per year. Additional conferences are held throughout the year at the request of the parent or the guide. Undercroft strongly encourages parents to observe in their child's classroom for at least twenty minutes twice per school year. At Undercroft we feel that it is developmentally inappropriate to give standardized testing to children before their third year in lower elementary. Standardized testing is considered merely an additional tool that supplements a guide’s yearlong observations of each child.

How do students score on national tests?
Since we believe that the scores on standardized tests are merely a snapshot of a portion of a whole child's abilities on one particular day, we do not publish our national (Stanford Standardized Test) test scores. Also, our testing groups are so small that an individual’s performance on the test has an inordinate influence on the total group’s scores. Parents receive only their individual child's test results. However, it should be noted that our median test scores tend to run 2 - 4 grade levels above current placement. The higher the level completed in the Montessori program, the higher the scores tend to run in comparison to other children.

What provisions are made for gifted children?
The Montessori method is geared to individual children. The child advances at his/her own pace through each strand of the curriculum. For example, if the materials contained within his/her classroom no longer challenge a child, materials are borrowed from the next level (such as lower elementary for a primary student). Also, for example, a child who is excellent at math may need to spend extra time in the language area to read fluently. Thus, the child’s entire academic needs can be met while the child gets his/her social needs met by remaining with peers.

Does the school provide appropriate help for learning-disabled children?
The Montessori method was first developed at the beginning of this century for children termed mentally deficient. After one year of working with the materials that Montessori designed, the children tested "normal" on standardized tests. The world was amazed but Montessori was appalled... Her question was to the effect of "What can our 'normal' children do after working with these materials?"

The beauty of the Montessori method is that children progress at their own rates. Thus, if children with learning disabilities need extra time working on a concept until they master that concept, they are free to do so. Also, progress to the next level within the school is made when the child is academically and developmentally ready. The calendar does not dictate when our children move to the next level although it is used as a guideline. The curriculum overlaps at each level to accommodate the needs of the individual children within that level. The faculty willingly and gladly works with the child's doctor and specialist to incorporate unique methods for that child into the classroom.

Are textbooks up-to-date?
As a general rule textbooks are not used in Montessori classrooms. The integrated, multi-cultural curriculum uses highly developed hands-on materials in a Montessori-prepared environment. We offer academic development in the entire spectrum of mathematics, language, science, history and the creative and performing arts. Upper elementary uses Saxon math textbooks for review and homework. Each classroom develops additional materials and works to further enhance the area of study and to increase the students’ mastery of that area. Montessori students also learn through research. The research begins through the use of prepared materials (cards) and advances to the utilization of resource materials from the public and school libraries and the Internet.

What level of parental participation is desired or required?
The minimum level of participation desired of parents is that parents communicate regularly with their child about his/her school experience, that they read the newsletters and notices sent home and that they participate in the parent-teacher conferences. The school needs to be kept informed of changes in a child's home life that might affect his/her performance in the classroom. The parents are the primary teachers of a child and we consider it a team effort to educate the child. Beyond the minimum requirements listed above, parents can become involved at any level they desire. We have parents who volunteer by offering weekly cooking, reading or fitness sessions in the classrooms. Parents can substitute as assistants in the classroom, drive for field trips, help out in the office, coordinate fund-raisers or special functions, serve on the Board of Directors, beautify the school grounds or repair books in the library. The list is nearly limitless and all assistance is greatly appreciated.

Parents are the owners of Undercroft Montessori School . As the owners, at a yearly corporation meeting, they elect a board of directors that governs the school and hires one employee, the administrator. The administrator is responsible for the entire daily operations of the school.

What dollar amount does the school spend per year on each child's education?
The tuition is set after the expenses for the coming year have been forecast. Thus, the tuition charged approximates the cost to educate a child. Approximately 75% of the tuition dollars are used for the compensation of staff. The annual giving campaign funds and other fund-raisers cover non-budgeted expenses such as a heater unexpectedly “dying” or additional playground equipment.