BIG BOOK OF SCHOOLS
2022
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MONTESSORI OR TRADITIONAL PRE-K? nashvilleparent.com
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PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND CHARTER SCHOOLS IN CINCINNATI AND NORTHERN KENTUCKY
VISIT THE SUMMIT Virtual Montessori Information Sessions (Ages 18 months - K) February 3, March1 and April 7 • 8:30 a.m.
Call to schedule a personal tour. RSVP required. Please call (513) 871-4700 ext. 261 or email admissions@summitcds.org
BIG BOOK OF SCHOOLS
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Montessori or Traditional PreK?
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Private School Primer Big Book of Schools Big Book of Schools
2022
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Magnets and Public School 2022 3
Observe, Then Listen to Your Gut! PUBLISHER Stewart Day stewart@daycommedia.com
EDITOR IN CHIEF Susan Swindell Day susan@daycommedia.com
EDITOR Amanda Hayward amandahayward@daycommedia.com
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Amanda Ciani amandaciani@daycommedia.com
PRODUCTION Tim Henard timhenard@daycommedia.com
ACCOUNT MANAGERS Theresa Cicchinelli theresa@daycommedia.com
2021 - 2022 Edition
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ou can spend a lot of time Googling potential schools for your child, but skip the stress and just gather the information. More important than anything you can read online is going for a visit. It’s the single most important aspect of school choice. When you walk in the door of a prekindergarten, for instance, make sure it is all about children’s projects and not designed to simply please adults. Also, take note: Is the classroom pin-drop silent? Should it be? Mostly, kids should be engaged with one another and their teacher because that’s where the most learning takes place. It’s also good if the classroom looks like a healthy mix of kids from different backgrounds — kids learn a lot from their friends and it makes for a much more interesting experience when there are differences. If you have a chance to talk to the teacher, make sure you are conversing with someone thoughtful and who’s not just winging it. Good teachers are the key and if you have doubts at all, that’s your gut checking in and yes, you should listen to it. In choosing any school, the bottom line is simple: Watch closely what’s happening in the classroom, talk to your child’s potential teachers and if you’re not satisfied, keep going. It’s that simple.
— the editors
THE BIG BOOK OF SCHOOLS is published by DAYCOM MEDIA, INC. Although every precaution has been taken to ensure accuracy of published material, DAYCOM MEDIA cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. Editorial and business offices are located at 10945 Reed Hartman Hwy., Ste. 323, Cincinnati, OH, 45242. The phone number is 513-322-5052. THE BIG BOOK OF SCHOOLS is copyright 2022 by DAYCOM MEDIA, INC., a member of the Family Magazine Syndicate. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.
© 2022 DAY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
OPEN HOUSE DATES Visit the schools. While the following schools are holding date-specific open houses, all schools offer personal tours upon request, so if the school you’re interested in is not on this list, you can still request a tour by calling them. Calvary Christian
Cincinnati Waldorf School
Central Montessori Academy
Covington Classical Academy
513-541-0220 | cincinnatiwaldorfschool.org 6743 Chestnut St., Cincinnati, Oh Feb. 8, 7 p.m.
859-356-9201 | ccsky.org 5955 Taylor Mill Road, Covington, Ky Feb. 26, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m
513-742-5800 | centralmontessoriacademy.com 1904 Springdale Road, Cincinnati, Oh Feb. 27, 12 - 2 p.m.
Cincinnati Christian Schools
859-693-9203 covingtonclassicalacademy.org/admissions/open-house 525 Scout St., Covington, Ky Feb. 27, 1 p.m.
513-892-8500 | cincinnatichristian.org Elementary Campus, 7350 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, Oh Junior High & High School Campus, 7474 Morris Road, Fairfield, Oh In-School Open House Dates: Home-school Partnership Program, Feb. 10, 9 - 11 a.m. JH/SH Campus, Feb. 17, 9 -11 a.m. Elementary Campus, March 10, 9 - 11 a.m. Pre-K and K (Early Education), March 22, 9 - 11 a.m.
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Summit Country Day School
513-871-4700 | summitcds.org 2161 Grandin Road, Cincinnati, Oh Virtual Montessori Information Preview (18 - K) Feb. 3, March 1 and April 7, 8:30 a.m.
BigBook BookofofSchools Schools Big
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hristian iC
JH/SH Campus • February 17, 9-11AM Elementary Campus • March 10, 9-11AM Pre-K and K (early education) • March 22, 9-11AM
Schools
Cincinnat
Home School Partnership Program February 10, 9-11AM
Est. 1971
Click on the campus to watch a video!
ElEmEntary Campus 7350 Dixie Hwy., Fairfield
Junior/sEnior HigH Campus 7474 Morris Rd., Fairfield
admissions offiCE 513.892.8500 cincinnatichristian.org Big Book of Schools 1221.indd 1
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feature
By Susan Day
TRADITIONAL PRE-K or Montessori?
Montessori is child-lead exploration while traditional preschools put the teacher front and center.
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hat you see when you enter a Montessori preschool classroom: calm, children of mixed ages, “working” with solid, unusual materials. What you won’t see? Legos and traditional toys that usually fill out the realm of a young child’s environment or distracted children running about. Not that you’ll see that at traditional preschools, but Montessori is different. Montessori was first developed in 1897 by Italian physician and educator, Maria Montessori, who made it her life’s work to study
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children very closely. She developed a theory of human development based on the idea that children instinctively know what they need to learn, and that, when they are surrounded by the right materials, they can teach themselves independently. Montessori preschool classrooms usually look quite different from “traditional” preschool classrooms. For one thing, kids ages 3 to 6 all work in the same room, so the younger ones can learn from the older and the older can develop a sense of leadership and authority. (When children go through Montessori preschools, they stay with the same teacher over the three years.) The classrooms also use specifically designed Montessori materi-
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als, so you probably won’t see Lego bricks and dress-up corners. (More on that later.) And although children might do certain activities as a large group, they tend to work alone or in very small groups. Montessori is all about the child — meeting the child where his needs are — and having an environment prepared for the child so they can be successful independently and have that opportunity to concentrate on what they need to, according to the the American Montessori Society (AMS). Montessori education is developmentally based and designed to motivate children from within. Up to 80 percent of an early childhood Montessori day is self-directed, whereas in more traditional schools, adults direct most of the day, according to AMS. Benefits of a Montessori With Montessori, everything a child does is education and children are encouraged to follow their interests while still getting a wellrounded curriculum. Children learn to ask questions, make decisions and seek challenges, notes the AMS, noting that Montessori children often can transition to a traditional classroom with ease. A typical day in the early childhood and toddler classroom will have a two-to-three-hour work cycle, morning snack, group time, morning recess, lunch, rest time and an afternoon work cycle before dismissal. And all Montessori schools have their own personalities and can vary quite a bit. Be sure to visit several of them when seeking one for your child. Traditional Preschool In a traditional preschool, the teacher is the central figure in the classroom and she guides children through various station activities, group activities and through the day’s schedule. In a Montessori classroom, the teacher follows the lead of the child who are permitted to follow their own interests. When choosing between the approaches for your child, be sure to visit many schools in order to see for yourself and take your child’s needs into consideration. In a 2017 study published by the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, colleagues compared educational outcomes among 141 preschoolers who had been randomly chosen via lottery to attend either a Montessori preschool or a traditional preschool. The two groups weren’t academically any different when they started school, but by the end of the three-year study, the kids who had gone through Montessori preschools were more academically advanced and had better social skills than those who went to a traditional school. The Montessori students also reported enjoying school more. Ultimately, whether it’s a traditional preschool, supplemented with Montessori but not entirely Montessori or Montessori through and through, the best preschool for your child is one that feels good and right to you and your child. Are the children happy and relaxed? Does the classroom atmosphere feel positive and conducive to learning, and do the teachers seem warm and responsive? Like most things in parenting, this requires a gut check, so listen to yourself and make a decision that way. Susan Day is the editorial director for Cincinnati Family magazine.
LOCAL MONTESSORI SCHOOLS AZALEA MONTESSORI SCHOOL 4502 Carter Ave., Norwood, Oh 45212 513-449-0653 | wildflowerschools.org Call to schedule a tour. CENTRAL MONTESSORI ACADEMY 1904 Springdale Road, Cincinnati, Oh 45231 513-742-5800 | centralmontessoriacademy.com Call to schedule a tour. COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL 7537 Burton Drive, Liberty Township, Oh 45044 513-777-0808 | cmontessori.com Open House: Feb. 6 from 1 - 3 p.m. CHILDREN’S MEETING HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL 927 O’Bannonville Road, Loveland, Oh 45140 513-683-4757 | cmhschool.com Call to schedule a tour. FARMVIEW MONTESSORI GARDEN 3501 Tylersville Road, Hamilton, Oh 45011 513-737-0479 | farmviewmontessori.com Call to schedule a tour. KENNEDY HEIGHTS MONTESSORI CENTER 6620 Montgomery Road, Unit 1, Cincinnati, Oh 45213 513-631-8135 | kennedyheightsmontessori.org Call to schedule a tour. MERIDIAN MONTESSORI 2063 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati, Oh 45230 513-570-4034 | meridian-learning.org Schedule a tour via the website menu tab. MERCY MONTESSORI CENTER 2335 Grandview Ave, Cincinnati, Oh 45206 513-475-6700 | mercymontessori.org Open House: Feb. 6 from 1 - 3 p.m. Virtual Meet-Ups: Feb. 8 at 9 a.m.; Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m.; March 8 at 9 a.m. and March 9 at 6:30 p.m. MONTESSORI CENTER ROOM 2505 Riverside Dr., Cincinnati, Oh 45202 513-321-3282 | montessoricenterroom.com Call to schedule a tour. MONTESSORI KIDS UNIVERSE OF MASON 997 Reading Road, Mason, Oh 45040 513-466-8007 | montessorikidsuniverse.com Schedule a tour via the website menu tab. THE NEW SCHOOL MONTESSORI 3 Burton Woods Lane, Cincinnati, Oh 45229 513-281-7999 | newschoolmontessori.com Call to schedule a tour. SUMMIT COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL 2161 Grandin Road, Cincinnati, Oh 45208 513-871-4700 | summitcds.org Virtual Montessori Information Preview (18 - K): Feb. 3, March 1 and April 7, 8:30 a.m. Register on their website.
Big Book of Schools
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Experience the Beneets of a St. Xavier Education Our mission is to assist young men in their formation as leaders and Men for Others through rigorous college preparation in the Jesuit tradition.
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PRIVATE SCHOOL PRIMER
Choosing, planning, affording ... and a few steps to getting your child into private school. by Susan Day
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ou put a great deal of effort into checking out the basics of a private school education such as costs, location, academics and specializations, but that’s only a part of the picture, says Dona Matthews, an educational specialist and co-author of Beyond Intelligence: Secrets for Raising Happily Productive Kids (House of Anansi; 2014). “There is no one size fits all,” says Matthews. “No matter if it’s one of the best schools, it’s a question of looking at the best fit for your child,” she adds. Matthews suggests parents look at the whole child when matching to the right school. Does your child have a special talent or specialized interest you want to make sure is nurtured? What is your child’s personality like?
Big Big Book Book of of Schools Schools
In addition, look at the culture of the school from the leadership on down. “How well do they communicate?” Matthews asks. “Is the leadership stable, and what is their reputation?” Matthews also says you should visit the schools on your short list repeatedly. “Beyond open houses, go for a tour, talk to teachers and other people who aren’t trying to promote the school,” Matthews says. “Go with your child on a shadow day to see how he feels about it.” Also, use the school’s social media. Get a real feel for day-to-day happenings on their Facebook and Twitter pages. Matching your child to the right school takes time. Get started early and do your homework for the best outcome.
WHY CHOOSE PRIVATE?
CAN YOU AFFORD PRIVATE SCHOOL? While you may think that affording private school is impossible for your family, there are ways to make it happen. Here are great tips from The National Association of Independent Schools:
Many parents cite the following reasons for choosing private school for their kids: • CLASS SIZE: The kids get more one-on-one help and develop strong relationships with their teachers.
• Every independent school has its own policies about who receives financial aid, what type and how much. You cannot know if your family qualifies for aid until your submit an application that allows evaluation of your situation.
• RELIGIOUS: We are Catholic and so our kids attend Catholic school.
• To determine your eligibility for financial aid, you must submit an application form and financial statements to the schools of your choice.
• STRONG CONNECTION BETWEEN PARENTS AND SCHOOL: Our whole family is known at our school. Our kids realize they are part of a community of learning that matters to all of us.
• FOCUS ON LEARNING: Not necessarily on testing; broader academic offerings.
• There is no income limit that automatically make your family ineligible for financial aid. • Financial aid officers take into account your income, assets and expenses, including educational costs for other children. • Your financial “need” is the gap between how much financial officers determine what your family can afford and the cost of tuition and fees. • Types of financial aid include grants, merit scholarships, tuition loans by a private lender, tuition payment plans and sibling discounts. • Many families combine financial aid options for their children.
WHAT YOU NEED Schools require an application before making a decision. Here are the items that are typically required, although all schools are different. Be sure to keep track of those application deadlines! • Completed application form • Most recent academic transcript with grades • Past standardized testing results • Teacher recommendations or observations • Results of standardized admission test and/or a school-administered entrance exam • Notes from a formal interview with your child Keep a running list of the schools you’re applying to and the application fees, too. That way you send the right amount to the right school. Private school application fees can run anywhere from $75 – $250 or more.
TESTING Most schools want to test a student’s ability to perform inside and outside the classroom to determine if they have the appropriate program for that student. It also helps place the student in the right program/class within the school if selected. Your child could be tested in either the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) or the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). Each of these tests focus on quantitative and verbal skills. Both have online registration several times throughout the year on their websites to take the test and you can get more info about them from there, too. If you feel you still need help with anything, contact the admission office of the school you’re applying to. They are there to help you.
PARENT/CHILD INTERVIEWS When you set up an interview with a private school, you’re setting up valuable time to learn more about the school while the school learns more about your child. However, you will have limited time, so set your priorities. Select questions that focus on both educational aspects as well as about the teachers. When you have about eight questions, consider asking the same ones at each school. This will help you better compare them. Many schools will also want to interview your child. Be sure to help him with this by doing “mock” interviews at home and helping him to put together his responses.
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CENTRAL MONTESSORI ACADEMY EXPERIENCE • LEARN • LIVE
Toddler, Preschool and Elementary in Northwest Cincinnati We are an independent Montessori school nurturing and developing young scholars from toddler through sixth grade. Schedule a tour today and see how a Montessori education fosters self growth, independence and a natural love for learning.
Central Montessori Academy 1904 Springdale Road Cincinnati, OH 45231
centralmontessoriacademy.com • 513-742-5800
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MAGNET SCHOOLS are public schools
Ensuring your kids have a spot at their school of choice is a lot less complicated these days. Here’s what you need to know when choosing the best magnet school for your kids. By Amanda Hayward & Bonnie Jean Feldkamp
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or parents new to elementary school enrollment, understanding the different elementary school options can be challenging. A neighborhood school is the school where a child is assigned according to their home address. Each child within the geographic boundaries of Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) is guaranteed a spot in one of these schools. Magnet schools, on the other hand, are alternative options within the CPS district that have a specific focus, or are guided by a certain teaching philosophy and require an application for a child to enroll. Magnet schools have limited spots and there’s no guarantee kids will get in.
Magnet Schools The first magnet schools emerged during the 1960s in response to desegregation happening in public schools across the nation as a direct result of the civil rights movement. Many white parents fled to the suburbs in resistance to having their child re-assigned to a school in the name of integration. The first alternative schools were not yet called magnet schools, but the idea was the same. It was believed that if par-
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Big Big Book Book of of Schools Schools
ents and students had a choice in the school they attended, according to the programming or teaching approach, parents and students would be more invested in education and the school would be more successful and more naturally diverse as a result. To find common ground in the interest of learning was key. This concept grew into what we understand today to be a magnet school. According to Frances Russ, communications officer at CPS, students often choose magnet schools so that they can challenge themselves in fields that appeal to their interests. “Magnet schools are public schools that have specialized curricula in areas such as the sciences, leadership or foreign languages,” she continues. “The term ‘magnet’ refers to the idea of attraction. Students are drawn to a magnet school because of its academic focus.”
CPS Programs CPS’ Magnet Programs exist at the elementary school level from preschool to eighth grade. Schools with program focus are citywide, meaning, that as long as you live within the CPS district you can apply to these schools. The programs include: the arts, foreign language, gifted and STEM (science, technology, engineering, math). Schools guided by teaching philosophy include Montessori, Paideia, elementary college preparatory and fundamental academy. These schools are divided between east and west areas and are organized according to what community school a child’s
assigned to, making it less confusing when exploring the different magnet options. However, if a child or parent happens to like one of the east or west schools better than the one in their geographical area, the child may still apply for that school of interest, as long as it’s understood that the parent’s responsible for transportation.
What’s Right for Your Child? After you’ve determined what schools interest you, calling the school and scheduling a visit is one important step to take. “Parents are invited to visit a magnet school to get a better understanding of the curriculum and how it will be taught at each school,” says Russ. “Also, parents should get input from their children, as it is important for them to be happy at the school.” When it comes down to it, parents know their kids best, Russ emphasizes. Saying that, choosing the right school will revolve around your kids’ interests and skills. Magnet schools typically offer a unified curriculum based on a special theme or method of instruction, says Russ. So what about siblings? Siblings of children already enrolled in a magnet program get priority above new students when applying to a magnet school. However, that convenience does not replace the importance of knowing the school is the right fit for your child. “Siblings of in-district students already enrolled in magnet schools may apply to the sibling’s magnet schools,” says Russ. “The entering stu-
dent must meet the magnet’s eligibility requirements, if any, and live within the CPS district at the same address as the current student.” The sibling who is currently attending the magnet school must be in grades pre-k - fifth grade (or, at AMIS, AWL, Roberts or Roselawn, to seventh grade), Russ continues. In this case, if the sibling has left the magnet school when the applying sibling is entering, sibling priority will not be given.
The Lottery Parents can fill out a lottery application from any computer. There’s no need to stand in any lines; you can fill out an application any time between enrollment dates and still be entered into the lottery. Once students are selected, parents will be notified of their child’s enrollment. The goal is to notify all parents by the end of the calendar year. New this year: CPS has expanded their lottery application period, and you can now select up to three Magnet schools and programs, ranked by preference. Also, parents or guardians who live within CPS’ 91-square-mile district can apply for their elementary-age children to attend Magnet schools or programs in their geographic area: east, west or citywide. If your kids were already enrolled in a CPS Magnet elementary school, their seat is reserved for the 2022/2023 school year. Amanda Hayward is the editor of Cincinnati Family Magazine and a mom of three. Bonnie Jean Feldkamp is a freelance writer and mother.
KNOW MORE ABOUT CINCINNATI PUBLIC SCHOOLS Cincinnati Public Schools educates children in preschool through 12th grade: Neighborhood Elementary Schools (grades K – 6 and K – 8; preschool at most) Assigned to a child based on the child’s home address. Magnet Elementary Schools (grades K – 6 and K – 8; preschool at most) Selected by parents via online lottery application. Neighborhood Schools with Magnet Programs (grades K – 6 and K – 8; preschool at most) Neighborhood program assigned by child’s home address; Magnet program selected by parents via online lottery. High Schools (grades 7–12) Selected by students and parents via online lottery application (and paper application for upper grades). Combination Schools (grades K – 12; 3 – 10) Cincinnati Digital Academy; Oyler School; Riverview East Academy; Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Children (grades 3 – 10); and School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) Entrance by various ways depending on the school.
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