Baltimore Montessori Public Charter Elementary School

I currently have 3 children at Baltimore Montessori. They are in both lower and upper elementary. We are very happy with the school overall. I feel that both the teachers and administartion truly care about the well being of every child. The school strives to teach not just academics but social and physical well being as well. The whole child. I think it meets this goal. The children are not taught to the test - if this is what you want, and you are not willing to teach to the test a little at home - than this may not be the school for you. We love this school because our children are not only getting a fantastic base for all the traditional subject areas, they are also getting truly amazing lessons in art, music, community and being inspired to make a good contribution to society.
--Submitted by a parent

A 3 star school that could b/c a 5 star school. B/c of the intelligence & dedication of the school leadership & the talents of many staff, there is a good chance it will. My 2 daughters b/g attending 3 years ago. Much good will & effort has been hampered by the realities of starting a new public school, of absorbing children w/ a wide range of social & learning delays whose parents sought this school out in droves because of its progressive approach, &, I think, b/c of some dogmatism about Montessori practices devised for a world no longer in existence. The Upper El. curriculum should be updated to provide kids w/ the kind of intellectual anchors & frameworks that were not needed before the web-age. More direction needs to be given today than was 100 years ago so that students may construct a framework of core knowledge, concepts & skills enabling them to understand their complex, fast-changing world. The plethora, subjectivity & superficiality of information today make it crucial that thoughtfully sequenced & linked knowledge be offered. Use of the best textbooks would assist this & would reify the value of books in the Google Age. Self-directed learning w/in parameters.
--Submitted by a parent

I am very happy with this school. It is very well organized and they strive to make sure each child's needs are met. As a parent of one returning child in the Children's House and a new student going to the 3rd, I feel that Baltimore Montessori Charter is a Community Building School that wants to teach the children what they need to be successful workers, enthusiastic life long learners, problem solvers, and young people who have a desire to give back to their community and build a better future. Not a limited future ; but a future that is uniquely their own. I believe this school can and will allow room for pioneers and visionaries to grow and give something inovative solutions to problems of today and tomorrrow.
--Submitted by a parent

It amazes me that this school is allowed to expand to include middle school-aged children. A previous responder talked about the changing demographics, but he stopped short of saying that more Black children are enrolling and that throws a wrench in the plans of the founders who wanted to cater to well-to-do white children from the surrounding affluent neighborhoods. The staff has not demonstrated cultural competence and instead of meeting the needs of the Black children, the staff labels these children as problems, angry, disobedient and frustrated. The demographics of the school on the City School s website says it all. How is it that a public school in a poor Black neighborhood end up with a majority white affluent population? Most of the White families are pulling their children out in droves because the school is not living up to the Montessori philosophy. The slots are filled by poor Black children and even more Whites pull their children out. Pattern? When you look at the MSA scores, only the Black students are failing especially the Black males that get labeled. What is wrong with that picture? At this rate, the school only has a few more years of existence.
--Submitted by a parent

I don't feel these posting are inaccurate. The test scores speak for themselves, the children are not learning and/or thriving as they should. I found some staff to be racist, students were being bullied with staff present and the ratio of children being transferred out of this school is as high as staff turnover. Do the math!!! This school is well known by North Avenue, because of the numerous complaints!!! If you dont' care about your child's education this is a GREAT school. If you do, don't even bother stopping - a true waste of time!!
--Submitted by a parent

The mission is great. The initial plan was terrific. However, it is changing as the demographics are changing. The school is great for the younger ages, however once kids reach an age where they need to know certain work techniques it is not happening. There is the love of learning but also the actual process that needs to happen. There are a lot of new teachers (which is good & bad). New teachers have to learn how to be receptive to parents. A better city school but not a huge gem in the rough.

There are some wonderful things about BMPC, but also very serious flaws that threaten to undermine its mission. They are currently failing to meet the needs of a great many students. Certainly the faculty are dedicated and work hard. But many faculty are inexperienced, with an irrational devotion to principles that are not working in the classroom. Frankly, some faculty believe in their approach to the point of arrogance, dismissing parents' concerns, even blaming us for the problems. Some children do well, especially in the younger grades. Some kids really enjoy the school, and so their parents are thrilled. But, there is a serious failure to teach skills and work habits. They neglect anything that requires repeated, consistent practice. Parents have no way to meaningfully track their kids' progress other than the MSA! Reports provide only a subjective impression of whether the child can work independently in an area. But teachers do not know if students are LEARNING, or even if they are finishing any work. My kids are HAPPY there, but the school is a failure so far. The open classroom and individual work plan is so promising, but their implementation shockingly naive. So sad.
--Submitted by a parent

I have two children in the school since it opened 3 years ago. They are happy and engaged. Their teachers are truly interested in developing them as integrated human beings. There is almost no test preparation, but rather the time and attention for true education and the development of my children's own interests. The lack of the 5th star is because there has been some, possibly needless, staff turnover and upheaval. But growing pains are to be expected and the environment has now settled. We are looking forward to the opening of the MS.
--Submitted by a parent

Honestly, there is so much inaccurate information in some of these reviews, that I'm surprised they haven't been pulled. This is a completely unmoderated site and a great example of why the internet can be both a boon and a bust. It is so obvious that these slanderous reviews are from the same person!! If you are honestly interested in this school, do yourself a favor and attend one of the information sessions/open houses held in January/February. If your child is fortunate enough to be offered a space in this school, come back and meet with the director, then have your child shadow for a day and meet the teachers. See this school in action firsthand and decide for yourself if it's the right fit for your family.
--Submitted by a parent

My child was picked on, not just once but to be exact-6 times by the same girl since the beginning of March 2011. She told the administrators about it, they stated that they are taking it seriously and will make sure that her parents will be informed about it. But then, she started picking on my daughter again. The person who was in charge during that time was informed. But she stated that since she did not see that the girl hit my daughter in her left leg, my daughter has to go to peer mediation. I was flabbergasted. Disciplining a student at this school passes through a student and not through an adult. Correct me, if I am wrong, then when does an adult intervene? This is a school setting and these are children. Children need guidance and since they have very limited experience in life, I feel that an adult should have talked to both students to find out the truth. This school is truly a waste of tax payers money. the school calls their teachers guide, but they sure don't guide their children. They let their children get away with anything. The good children are leaving and they are left with chaotic children who badly need guidance.
--Submitted by a parent