A summary of the consulting work and market research in support of a Public Montessori Middle School/High School in the Grand Rapids Public Schools.

1. Montessori Secondary Program
Progress Report and Stakeholder Workshop
May 3, 2011
Grand Rapids Public Schools Montessori Task Force

2. Overview of Montessori Task Force Process/Proposals
 In 2009, Superintendent Bernard Taylor, Jr. commissioned
the Montessori Task Force
 Montessori Task Force identified issues/recommendations
• Establishing clearly defined Montessori choice within GRPS
• Providing stable leadership, staff and facilities to support Montessori
• Engaging internal and external advocates for Montessori
• Increasing enrollment to the secondary level to justify resources and long
term sustainability
 Montessori Task Force conducted study/ market survey
• Hired consultants (Gena Englefriend/Ben Moudry)
• Conducted market/feasibility survey (Jacokes & Associates)
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3. Report: Typical Public Montessori MS/HS
 Grades 7-12 in multi-year cohorts
 Student population range from 210 to 670
 90%+ graduation rates and +90% college enrollment rates
 Program in urban centers of at least 100K population
 School demographic reflects the larger community
 Robust elementary programs to feed MS/HS school
 Successful methods to integrate Non-Montessori students
 High parental involvement
Public programs in Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Redlands and
St. Paul are models for our efforts in Grand Rapids
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4. Report: Key Montessori MS/HS Design Elements
 Montessori trained leadership
 Teachers and staff are Montessori adolescent
education certified (AMI, AMS or NAMTA)
 School organized in 3 year cohorts:
• Middle School: Grades 7/8/9
• High School: Grades 10/11/12
 Facilities configured to support Montessori practices
 A community based, student centered approach to learning
All of this can be accomplished while meeting
Local, State and Federal public education standards
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5. Report: Key Montessori MS/HS Program Qualities
 Real and meaningful intellectual and physical work
 Rooted in field studies, humanities in relation to lifeʼs purpose
 Character development
 Core disciplines focusing on experiential & project based learning
 Opportunities for entrepreneurial leadership
 Physical and artistic self-expression
 A connection to earth-centered experiences
Montessori encourages students to engage in their own
unique potentials to realize their fullness as a person
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6. Report: Desired Outcomes of a Montessori Program
 Academically prepared for college a/o adult work experiences
 Equipped with ʻSoft Skillsʼ competencies:
• Communication skills
• Conflict resolution and negotiation
• Personal effectiveness
• Creative problem solving
• Strategic thinking
• Team building
• Influencing and selling skills
 Lives life as engaged citizen at a local and global level
A true Montessori MS/HS applies the methodology into
adulthood and prepares our children for the larger world
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7. Market/Feasibility Survey Results
 COI/Montessori Phone Survey and On-Line Montessori Only Survey
by Lee Jacokes & Associates
• 404 Phone Interviews (Random, Weighted Sample of GRPS parents)
• 91 On-Line Surveys (Montessori only)
• 2/3rd Minority Parents
• 60% low income
 Key results
• 55% Awareness of Montessori (Most well known program)
• 28% Not familiar with any COI
• 58% Interested in enrolling in Montessori (near 3-way tie for first)
 46% said “theme” was factor in interest
 Academic standards and extracurricular activities are concerns
• Both surveys show strong agreement about value of Montessori school characteristics
• Race/income variables accounted for in data
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8. Market/Feasibility Survey Results
 Montessori Experiences
• 92% Prepare students to be responsible citizens
• 87% Prep for College/Post-Secondary
• 87% Emphasize Compassion/Cooperation
• 87% Ability to hold self and others accountable
• 85% Match students educational development
• 72% Provide advanced academic work
 Montessori—Enrolling in Future/Attractive Characteristics
• 92% Believe Montessori preps for college admission
• 87% Expect Montessori trained and certified staff
• 75% Expect long-term adherence to Montessori method
• 57% Less interested if all Montessori programs are consolidated on one campus
• 47% Concerned when students with no previous Montessori experience admitted
• 32% Concerned when program shared with another HS
• 26% Concerned if no extracurricular activities are available
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9. Market/Feasibility Survey Results
Findings
 Is there interest? Yes, with caveats
 Substantial agreement on Montessori principles; no consensus on
“conditions”—may need to adjust to accommodate
 Survey results suggest a higher interest in Montessori for
low-income Black Americans and Hispanic parents
 Obstacles: Lack of awareness; uncertainty about preparation for
college admission
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10. Montessori Task Force & GRPS Recommendations
1. Dedicated principal/assistant principal/lead teacher over all Montessori programs
2. Provide stable Montessori trained staff with certification
3. Located within Central High School with dedicated space
4. Electives, where necessary, shared with other programs
5. Set expectations for prospective parents, teachers and administration on process,
steps, calendar for enrollment
6. New students, non-Montessori students to participate in orientation
7. Staff and program will maintain membership in one or more professional Montessori
organizations
8. Establish an Advisory Council
9. Secure external resources to support Montessori requirements
10. Enrollment is grown over 4 years to 360-460
11. Marketing is focused and targeted to elementary grades
12. Curriculum development meets state/district standards
13. Procedures to meet district standards and approval
Montessori Secondary Program Progress Report and Stakeholder Workshop | May 3, 2011 CC 2011 GRPS. Share with attribution. 9

11. How can you help?
 Join the conversation online:
• Web: www.montessorigr.org
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/montessorigr
• Twitter: @montessorigr
• Slideshare: www.slideshare.net/montessorigr
 Please make a financial contribution:
http://www.montessorigr.org/contribute/
 Subscribe to our email newsletter for updates on our progress.
A new school will be realized faster if parents
and the community pitch in to make it happen
Montessori Secondary Program Progress Report and Stakeholder Workshop | May 3, 2011 CC 2011 GRPS. Share with attribution. 10

12. Letʼs Talk