A Unique Educational Experience: My Journey with Montessori Schooling

My family decided to homeschool me from kindergarten until 9th grade, but we also had a unique educational experience with Montessori schooling, which is worth sharing considering the diverse range of educational approaches available today.

Home Schooling from Kindergarten to Ninth Grade

During those eight years, my family favored homeschooling. We chose it because it provided a more personalized and flexible learning environment. For instance, we could cater to my individual pace and interests, which allowed me to progress at a comfortable speed. While homeschooling was fulfilling, it wasn't without challenges. One of the key lessons I learned was the importance of finding the right fit for each child's learning style.

Montessori Schooling: A Remarkable but Unsuccessful Experiment

When my child was four, we decided to try out Montessori schooling, hoping it would provide a more structured and challenging environment. However, this choice proved to be a significant learning experience, both for my son and for us as parents.

Challenges of Montessori for an ADHD Child

Our super-smart, ADHD son began his adventure in Montessori when he was four. He was bored at daycare and needed a challenge. According to the Montessori model, kids progress at their own pace and guide their own learning based on what interests them. However, for our son, this approach wasn't suitable. ADHD kids, especially at such a young age, struggle with self-direction, and the Montessori model virtually eliminates external guidance and oversight.

As a result, my son often wandered around, getting into trouble by distracting the other kids. The main lesson he learned was how to seek adult attention through misbehavior. This behavior led him to receive excessive one-on-one attention from adults and engage in activities that, while fun for him, were not conducive to his education. Teachers often sent him to the year 1-3 classroom as a form of punishment, but he liked it because he could learn new material that was less dull.

Parent-Teacher Conference Fallout

During the first parent-teacher conference, the teacher expressed concerns about my son's reading skills, citing his inability to read picture books. We insisted that he read chapter books at home, but the teacher refused to believe us. To settle the matter, we brought him to the conference and asked him to read a randomly selected book from the shelf. He easily read it, but the teacher did not apologize for her grave misjudgment.

In the roughly eight months he spent at the Montessori school, the teachers never gave a positive remark about him, a fact that I promise is not an exaggeration. To avoid listening to the endless lectures about his misdeeds every day, we would play rock-paper-scissors to decide who would pick him up at the parking lot.

Transition to Public School

When my son hit 4.5, we had him tested and enrolled him in regular public school kindergarten. This structure was far different from Montessori, emphasizing hands-on teaching and positive reinforcement for success. However, public school eventually failed us as well. The teachers were required to focus on helping struggling students, leaving our child, who was far above grade level, ignored and undervalued. We were asked to make him sit quietly and wait, which was impossible for him given his ADHD diagnosis.

Thankfully, the story has a happier ending. Our son now attends a high-achieving private high school on an academic scholarship and has developed a strong sense of self-discipline. This experience taught us the importance of finding the right educational fit for each child.

Conclusion

Every child is unique, and the right educational environment can make a significant difference in their development. My family's journey with homeschooling and Montessori schooling shows that what works for one child may not work for another. It's crucial to explore different options and make informed decisions based on each child's specific needs.

Additional Resources

For further insights into different educational approaches, you may want to read my blog about my experiences at an all-boys boarding school. While I am late with another installment, I will publish it soon. You can also explore resources on homeschooling, Montessori schooling, and alternative education to find the best fit for your child.