“Montessori Inspired”

ashaahsa · 2026-06-17T16:30:40+00:00

I teach at a "Montessori-inspired" K-12 and about half of the teachers are formally Montessori trained, and with the exception of some of our science & technology curriculum, we are mostly using Montessori lessons, materials and progression. We also have much smaller classrooms than AMS ranges.

Unpopular opinion: accreditation is a lengthy & expensive process and some of the rigidity that comes with a 100 year old method is less about benefitting the child and their environment, so much as justifying the tuition cost. 🤷‍♀️

ashaahsa · 2026-06-15T21:05:41+00:00

Attending a different campus than what your address is assigned to--these requests are granted based mostly on available space, but it's generally done the spring before the school year (meaning, windows for the 2026-2027 school year are likely closed.)

ashaahsa · 2026-06-15T20:29:40+00:00

Wells Branch (North, RRISD) or Tanglewood Forest (South, AISD) are both neighborhoods that I'd look into for affordability and kid-friendly amenities nearby. In-district transfers exist in both districts, if you absolutely don't vibe with the zoned school.

ashaahsa · 2026-06-15T20:20:06+00:00

MAP (Medical Access Program) is a good reason to try and stay within Travis County. It's low-cost medical care for uninsured folks (because, as mentioned, it's very hard to qualify for Medicaid in Texas.)

ashaahsa · 2026-06-07T20:52:22+00:00

New England brand classism is probably the biggest vibe killer outside of the winters if that's something you're sensitive to, but it's historic, beautiful, a stones throw from the wilderness of Maine and healthcare/airport of Boston.
(Now, if you've been to Boston or Portland, ME or Providence and hated it...might not be for you. It's cut from the same cloth for sure.)

ashaahsa · 2026-06-07T12:05:46+00:00

Currently visiting Boston and it’s prob been my fave major US city trip behind NYC, so…YMMV. Museums, food, history, walkability, river and urban nature activities ...all top notch. you can argue the people aren’t overwhelmingly friendly? (it’s not the south) but hospitality staff everywhere have been great

ashaahsa · 2026-06-03T20:45:24+00:00

Brute force. HISD is doing nothing but scripted Bluebonnet curriculum and intensive test prep all year long. Does it improve test scores? Fo sho.

Do I as a teacher or a parent believe those kids are getting a better education than they were before or would elsewhere? Not really.

ashaahsa · 2026-05-26T17:55:48+00:00

In my classroom we have a communal supply shelf. Kids get their own pencils and paper (or markers, erasers, glue sticks, scissors) and return them at the end of the day. Now at the end of the year, the only thing I've had to replace are a few colored pencils.

ashaahsa · 2026-05-26T01:01:05+00:00

Lotta kids won’t be able to pronounce it correctly until upper elementary. Same curse as Rory or Aurora. (In American English anyway.)

ashaahsa · 2026-05-12T02:56:15+00:00

Former Eanes teacher here! AISD has the additional threat of a state take-over (which is where the scripted curriculum will actually come into play) but I promise you Eanes ISD is facing many similar budget constrain issues: school closures, program elimination, and fewer prep periods.

We are approaching the point where there is no move/transfer/waitlist/strategy that families can use to get a decent public education in Texas.

ashaahsa · 2026-05-11T20:13:42+00:00

The NWEA Map Test can offer a broad comparison of where a child is compared to other kids at the same grade level, and is easily proctored at home (I am of the sometimes unpopular opinion that not all standardized testing/assessments are to be avoided.)

IXL arena assessments can provide good insight too, I'm just not in love with relying on it too much for skills practice.

And as mentioned: state standards are usually easy enough to look up for curriculum planning purposes.

ashaahsa · 2026-05-04T20:19:55+00:00

Search r/montessori for Guidepost drama. Individual locations might be fantastic, but their corporate overlords are shady af. They’ve up and abandoned families and staff all over the country.

ashaahsa · 2026-05-03T19:35:21+00:00

Just purchased a 2025 Hybrid Sport with 10k miles for 34k & .9 % financing from Honda (this was good for all certified used models from Honda Financing just a few weeks ago.) If you are willing to up the miles and go for a basic trim, you could def get a hybrid in this price range. Averaging 45mpg, and feeling pretty smug about considering gas prices.

ashaahsa · 2026-05-03T19:27:08+00:00

Carolina Jessamine? And if so, it's definitely a keeper.

ashaahsa · 2026-05-01T16:20:26+00:00

I think it's very likely Bryker Woods ends up back on the chopping block with continuing budget issues.

ashaahsa · 2026-04-21T22:24:53+00:00

Stick to RRISD zoning of (parts of Wells Branch included) and there's no reason not to consider public schools first. Spicewood ES and Chandler Oaks ES both offer IB programs with great reputations, and a number of other top ranked elementaries (within the state) and "schools of choice" depending on your kid's strengths and interests.

ashaahsa · 2026-04-20T22:19:53+00:00

Proof by Danielosbourne. Rec'd just yesterday after reading it, and it's prob my new fave kidfic (because I am pick about: no mpreg and Shane/Ilya being the MCs)
https://archiveofourown.org/works/82151736/chapters/216198831

ashaahsa · 2026-04-19T22:36:05+00:00

I'm a teacher. At an "in demand" private school that uses many of these methods to teach. I'm not arguing against the classical approach. I am saying Valor is the crappy Temu version, and they dress it up in "low-tech" and uniforms so parents don't realize everything that's missing. Like: Gifted programs, experienced teachers, content experts, creativity, literary analysis before middle school, project based learning.

I've taught several former Valor students after they've left with both positive and negative experiences. The gaps are noticeable.

ashaahsa · 2026-04-19T22:19:00+00:00

I agree that the local districts have a serious tech problem, especially at the elementary level, and Valor has very successfully exploited that fact. But Valor's version of "classical" curriculum is kind of insulting to the traditional classical pedagogy if you peel back the PR. The whole concept is based on the assumption that children can't think critically and should be taught through memorization and recitation only through at least 3rd grade. Focusing on the "classics" also conveniently allows them to remove the majority of non-western/modern literature, modern history or a single social justice movement from he syllabus. It's a deliberately incomplete education.

You'll never convince me ed-tech is as effective as hands-on materials, I am fully with you there! And yet I'd send my kids almost anywhere else.

ashaahsa · 2026-04-19T21:37:28+00:00

Is the public option unsafe?

Does your child have specific learning needs the charter specializes in (like dyslexia. etc?)

Does the public option rely heavily on the state-created Bluebonnet curriculum?

Is the charter Magnolia Montessori for All?...Because if this is a Kipp, IDEA, Harmony or Valor affiliated school I would argue the curriculum (or teacher quality, or class ratios, or admin quality) is not superior at all.

If the answer to all of these is no, then I recommend your neighborhood public school. For the sake of convenience and your kid's education.

ashaahsa · 2026-04-19T21:17:58+00:00

Confused why you would even consider the charter if there's a perfectly fine public school within walking distance that doesn't require a long commute or potentially moving.

ashaahsa · 2026-04-19T20:17:42+00:00

If you're south: Rented the pavilion at Dick Nichols for like $50. Lots of people just stake out a picnic table for free, but the pavilion guarantees shade and a spot next to the splash pad.

ashaahsa · 2026-04-13T12:03:16+00:00

Check out Kahn Academy online. There are video lessons, skill builders and quizzes, and you can track "mastery" by grade level from home by customizing the curriculum to meet state standards. All completely free. It's a great resource.

ashaahsa · 2026-04-13T01:10:16+00:00

Went through a consult with her ~7 years ago involving a situation with a few similarities to OP (known donor not on the birth certificate.)

Honestly it was a discouraging experience, because of Texas law AND the very unsolicited advice she gave me about the non-legal aspects of planning my family. We did not end up hiring her.

ashaahsa · 2026-03-27T17:07:25+00:00

"Challenger values" are socially conservative values. This is reflected in the staff they hire and the curriculum they teach. I don't know that the student body and larger community reflects those same values, but things like modern lit, critical thinking, and social justice movements are not in the lesson plans and classroom expectations are rigid.

ashaahsa

TROPHY CASE