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Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Directors

Board denies Montessori charter application amid broader magnet program debate.

Written by Annabelle Chipps

PPS directors unanimously voted to deny an application for Three Rivers Wildflower Montessori to become a publicly-funded charter school during a legislative meeting on Feb. 25.

This came just over a week after Director Tracey Reed, of Greenfield,  said the existing Pittsburgh Montessori School should be eliminated if the Future-Ready Facilities Plan is passed.

The facilities plan proposed eliminating most of Pittsburgh’s K-5 magnet programs. Reed said that while she deeply believes in the Montessori method, that program should be considered alongside other magnets for fairness.

About 20 students, parents and teachers spoke during a public hearing meeting on Feb. 23 in support of the Montessori method, an alternative education style with an emphasis on student autonomy and specialized pacing across 3-year age groups.

Parents described research about the academic benefits of Montessori schooling and said their students have become more focused and social since starting the program. They also referenced Pittsburgh Montessori’s waitlist, which one parent said has thousands of students on it.

First-grader Charlie Britanik said during the public hearing he enjoys Montessori materials, the emphasis on nature and having the same teachers for several years at a time.

Raeed Chowdhury, whose child attends Pittsburgh Montessori, said during the Feb. 23 meeting it is the only fully public Montessori school in Pennsylvania and that it consistently ranks in the top 20% of schools statewide.

“What we should really be talking about is expanding the program and building on its success,” Chowdhury said. “If the district wants to attract and retain families, you need programs that families want, and you already have one.”

Connections to this story

Elected officials:
Tracey Reed
Topics:
Education
Governments:
Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Directors

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