WEMS at a Glance - West End Montessori School

Head of School
Asst. Head of School
Office Manager
Year Established
Affiliation
License
Grades
Enrollment
School Year
Summer Program
Janet Gallagher, MS
Michele Mohar, MS, AMS certified
Melinda Bell, MBA
1997
AMS Full Member School
Virginia Department of Social Services
Toddler – Upper Elementary
125
10 months, September – June
June 20 – August 26
Lead Teachers
Erika Beckwith, BA, AMS certified
Kelley Granger, AMS certified
Amanda Lheritier, AMS certified
Michele Mohar, MS, AMS certified
Catie Niemoller, BA, AMS certified
May Paraiso, BA, AMS certified
Natasha Siva, BA, AMS certified
Carrie Stevens, BA, AMS certified
Suzanne Trottier, BA, AMS certified
Vickie Turnamian, AMS certified
Assistant Teachers
Michelle Blessing, AMS certified
Jamie Custer, BA AMS certified
Ellen DePue, BA
Mary Freed, BA, AMI/AMS certified
Ingrid Girardi, BA
Kristina McCullough, BA, AMS intern
Kelley Rauscher, BA, AMS certified
Art
Elementary Music
Enrichment
Music Together®
Outdoor Environment
Science
Spanish
Kelley Rauscher, BA, AMS trained
Dr. David Esleck, PhD
Guitar, Piano, Violin, Chess, Technology
Ellen DePue and Suzanne Trottier
Jen Perkins, AMS certified
Mary Freed
Jazmin Torres, BA
Program Schedule and Annual Tuition
A non-refundable $600.00 deposit is required with a signed contract to guarantee your child's enrollment.
This is in addition to the total tuition due.
Montessori Early Arrival M-F 7:30 – 8:30 am
2 Day AM $525
3 Day AM $660
4 Day AM $700
5 Day AM $850
Toddler (12 months and independently walking-36 months) M-F 8:45-11:45 am
3 Day (includes $300 materials fee)
4 Day (includes $400 materials fee)
5 Day (includes $500 materials fee)
$5,600
$6,400
$6,700
Toddler Extended Day (must be 2 to stay past 2:45 pm)
M-F 11:45 – 5:30 pm; Half PM is 11:45-2:45; Full PM is 11:45-5:30
2 Day Half PM $1,600
2 Day Full PM $2,700
3 Day Half PM $2,100
3 Day Full PM $3,400
4 Day Half PM $2,500
4 Day Full PM $4,100
5 Day Half PM $2,800
5 Day Full PM $4,600
Early Childhood (2.5-6 year olds) 8:30 am – 12:15 pm
3 Day: TU-TH; includes $400 materials fee
5 Day: M-F; includes $500 materials fee
$5,900
$7,000
Early Childhood + Afternoon Class (5-6 year olds)
M-F 8:30 am – 12:15 pm and T-F 12:30 – 2:45 pm; includes $600 materials fee
$9,000
Elementary (grades 1-6)
M-F 8:15 am – 2:45 pm; includes $700 materials fee
$9,500
Early Childhood/Elementary l and Extended Day
M-F 12:30 – 5:30 pm; Half PM is 12:30-3:00 or 3:00-5:30 pm; Full PM is 12:30-5:30
2 Day Half PM $1,250
2 Day Full PM $2,10
3 Day Half PM $1,650
3 Day Full PM $2,900
4 Day Half PM $2,000
4 Day Full PM $3,500
5 Day Half PM $2,300
5 Day Full PM $4,300
Fees
Application (non-refundable)
Plan B Tuition Payment Plan
Drop in AM
Drop in Toddler Half PM
Drop in Toddler Full PM
Drop in EC/EL Half PM
Drop in EC/EL Full PM
Extended Day Rest Mat
$50
$5/month
$10/day
$30/day
$60/day
$25/day
$50/day
$15
Discounts
Plan A Tuition Payment Plan
Plan A Extended Day Payment Plan
Plan B Extended Day Payment Plan
Younger Sibling(s)
2%
10%
5%
2%
Q: What is the difference between Montessori and traditional education?
A: Montessori emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through listening,
watching, or reading. Every concept is presented with a hands on material for the child to
work with and internalize the concept. Children in Montessori classes learn at their own,
individual pace and according to a facilitated choice of activities. Learning is an exciting
process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of
learning. Montessori classes place children in three-year age groups (3-6, 6-9, 9-12 and so
on), forming communities in which the older children spontaneously share their knowledge
with the younger ones.
Q: Is it true that a child is allowed to do whatever he wants for as long as he wants?
A: A child may choose to work with any activity in which he/she has had a lesson. A child may
ask for a lesson. If the work the child chooses is inappropriate for his/her developmental
stage, the teacher will direct the child to an activity which has elements that have drawn the
child’s interest and which is a foundation for what the child wants to do.
Q: How does the teacher know when to direct a child to new activities?
A: The Montessori teacher’s training is different from that of traditional early childhood and
elementary teachers in that a great deal of emphasis is on observation. The teacher
spends a part of everyday just observing the children, and the assistants are asked to share
their observations with the teacher as well. Other ways for the teacher to know that a child
is ready for a new lesson include the child asking for a lesson and information supplied by
parents and caregivers. The teacher is but a partner in the child’s education, and
communication among all of those concerned with the child’s development allows the
teacher to design the environment to meet each child’s needs.
Q: How are a child’s mistakes corrected?
A: Most Montessori activities have a “control of error” built into the work. For example, on a
cylinder block each piece fits correctly in only one particular hole. In a classification
exercise each category has the same number of objects. A pitcher to be filled by a child
has a piece of colored tape inside to show the child to what level the pitcher should be filled
to have the best chance of successfully walking from the sink to the work area without
spilling the contents.
Q: Is Montessori good for both learning disabled and gifted children?
A: Montessori is designed to help all children reach their fullest potential at their own unique
pace. A classroom whose children have varying abilities is a community in which everyone
learns from one another and everyone contributes. Moreover, multi-age grouping allows
each child to find his or her own pace without feeling "ahead" or "behind" in relation to
peers. Lessons are individualized allowing students who are advanced work ahead and
those who need extra time and help are given it along with the encouragement they need
to succeed.
Q: I want my child to be academically well prepared. Will WEMS do this?
A: Definitely. Our goal is to assist each child to become a confident, independent learner and
to reach his or her highest academic potential. In addition to the basics, our students learn
problem-solving strategies, critical-thinking, conflict resolution, communication and
leadership skills. They learn how to learn and are able to use these skills for the rest of
their academic careers.
Q: How will my child fit into a traditional program when he or she leaves WEMS?
A: Montessori students are noted for their independent thinking, self-confidence and ability to
assume responsibility and leadership. The longer they are in our programs the stronger
these characteristics grow.