Bowie Montessori Childrens House

I had my children enrolled at the school for four years. In the earlier years the founder and headmistress, while suffering from declining health, was still able to foster the traditions and culture that originally made this school a success. When she was finally in her end stages of her condition, I am sad to say I was among the voices that thought the incoming administrative staff was a good idea. After the passing of the founder and subsequent ascension to power of the current administration, I learned of my mistake. In the very first parent association meeting, the administration informed us that parent input was not welcome at the school because it always comes with strings attached. Things rapidly declined from there. The following year, a number of highly experienced teachers were forced out, many of them nearing retirement anyway. This was supposedly because of a change in Maryland Law that requires certification by a Montessori body by 2015. With five years to go to that deadline, the administration proceeded to force out teachers because they were not AMI certified, but rather AMS, despite the fact that these same teachers had made the school in the first place.
--Submitted by a parent

I have seen Montesorri soar and fall through a window. This has been a painful year in this school for our family and we should not have experienced it. In fact, NO ONE shoud have experienced it. I am relieved to FINALLY get out of this school.
--Submitted by a parent

My 2nd grade son has been here for 1 year. It fits him and his style of learning. As a parent, I also provide him additional workbooks that are more traditional teaching so that he gets both the montesorri and public school style of learning. He has learned multiplication, division, fractions, etc. He reads a book in class and copies a page for handwriting each day which also incorporates sentence structure learning and identification. He learns poem structures. He learns about the world, countries, nature, etc. He gets play time daily, drama by older students, american history costume program, science experiments, garden growing, animals in classes, etc. Each quarter, the parents come in 15 min slots & kids demonstrate in class what they are learning so there is no mystery and you can assert for yourself what your kid is learning. They are introducing standardized testing options which I like too. Music teacher afterschool option to teach kid instruments. My experience has been good. "Some" teachers leaving (one retiring) but in my field folks leave jobs too. Looks like from their background, the new teachers are young with Masters Degrees so still tops public school crop.
--Submitted by a parent

As a prospective parent trying to decide between the two AMI schools in the Bowie area, I find the comments on Great Schools confusing. They are inconsistent with each other and what the schools or former/existing parents say. We've made our decision, but I recommend parents in a similar situation ask the following questions: How is communication between the school and home handled? Is there a Parents' Association? What is its role? Does its meetings have minutes? Is there a school newsletter? Are there room parents? What is their role? How much volunteer or fundraising work are parents expected to do? How many school-wide family or parent activities take place a month? How often are parents allowed to visit their child's classroom during school hours? Can you visit other classrooms? Are there any conditions? Can parents walk around the school grounds during school hours? What security measures are in place? Cameras? Parental restrictions? Are there Montessori parent education classes? Is babysitting ever provided? What extra curricular activities or electives are included? Spanish? Piano lessons? Gymnastics? Chess? Dance? Then, based on the answers, go with your gut...
--Submitted by a parent

A school with beautiful grounds , pleasant little class rooms & a diverse population of students that attracts more parents . How ever times have changed and the new administration even though spruced up the grounds disregarded the parents and created enough tensions to lose good , well known and experienced staff . A painful year for present parents , a lot of whom have not got what they expected in terms of education for their children. Donot let the grounds allure you; ask for why teachers have left ? why extra activities like gym , music , drama , dance , PE are not part of their program? A high end day care for children still in their initial years of schooling! If this is what you are looking for then its perfect . For some thing more first look at other programs. Finally parents are not the ones who can be heard as they are taught to be scared of higher authorities!
--Submitted by a parent

I really wanted to love this school. Initially, I was impressed with the beautiful campus and wonderful, kind teachers who had been the heart and soul of the school for decades. Although communication with the administration was limited, my child was learning so much in the classroom that I didn't mind. However, many of the teachers have left or are leaving, and communication with the administration has deteriorated. My child was learning so much but now doesn't want to go to school. We will not be returning next year.
--Submitted by a parent

BEWARE ! If you are a potential parent then don't waste your time here; if you are a present parent then get out fast .Please do not waste your money or your child's time! This school is on its down fall. With a change of administration this school is now run by an administration that totally disregards the parents or its experienced staff. The experienced and reputed teachers are leaving or have already been forced to leave. The internal school politics , the lack of an understanding administration and finally the stepping down of good staff makes you wonder if you, as a parent are really as wise as you think ! If you still feel that this is the school for your precious ones then make sure you get the right teacher and you are not paying only to make your child work in the early mornings on the road directing traffic, shoveling snow, raking leaves and much more. Because at the end of the day , it will be your little ones that will compete for high school and face the SAT.
--Submitted by a parent

Do not send your child to this school beyond Kindergarten. My child did great initially under one pre-k thru 1st grade teacher who is no longer there. My child was so ill prepared and needed so much support after leaving this school. Your child will slip through the cracks if you are not careful. Have an independent standardized test to confirm your child's progress or you will pay dearly for not being on top of things. Only a few if any children are able to get into good private high schools after 8th grade. Perhaps if your child is a genius this school is ok. If not, you will suffer later with your decision.
--Submitted by a parent

I have two kids at BMCH, and they both love it, it is an awesome opportunity to learn and get ahead. The headmaster Mrs. Riley is leaving, but has left the school in good hands. We will miss her. BMCH is an awesome school for the Montessori experience. The philosophy of the Montessori Education is for Life.
--Submitted by a parent

Both my children have attended BMCH for at least three years in the primary program with different teachers. Generally speaking, it APPEARS that the Montessori Philosophy is being appropriately implemented at BMCH. I say it 'APPEARS' to be implemented because during the three + years we have never been allowed in a classroom during the school day, been given any information about curriculum, or had a clear and comprehensive discussion about my children's progress. The administration is run like a dictatorship and communication with parents has always been condescending and minimal. The teachers are micromanaged by the administration and I never feel like I am having an open and honest discussion. Students come and go for different reasons but one common thread is parent dissatisfaction with communication between school and families and the lack of tolerance for children that do not immediately fit some predetermined profile.
--Submitted by a parent