What is unique about the Boyd School?
| We are a warm, welcoming community in which children and adults find friendship and support. We are a school born from a spirit and force of parents and teachers who believe in the Montessori principles and support a child/family-centered environment. We want our children to grow into autonomous, caring, responsible citizens, life-long learners and problem-solvers. Our school is a place where all are encouraged to ask questions, broaden their understanding of themselves, and the world around them. |
 |
What are your staff qualifications?
Each classroom has a certified Montessori teacher to direct the class and a trained assistant to work with her/him. In order to maintain our American Montessori Society full affiliate status, our teachers must trained at an accredited Montessori teacher training program. We feel this is a very important standard. Most staff members have a Bachelor's Degree and many staff members have completed their Master's Degree. All employees at The Boyd School are required to complete at least 8 hours of continuing education each school year. We encourage and support financially as much training as an employee might want to pursue. It just makes us a better school and enriches the lives of the children. We also require that ALL staff are trained yearly in CPR, First Aid and Health Screening.
^ top
Do you wear uniforms?
Yes, and we love it! In the fall of 2000, it became mandatory for the elementary class to wear the Boyd School uniform. It is available to all other students to wear and we see it more and more each day. We find for most parents it eliminates two problems in the morning---deciding what to wear and getting dressed. It is also less expensive than purchasing other types of clothes. We are very proud of our students when we go away from the school for field trips---not only is their behavior "the best", they also look great in their uniforms! Lands End is our official uniform company.
^ top
Do you provide transportation?
No, we do not provide transportation to and from homes. We believe that we are in a partnership with parents in the education and development of their children. We like to see our families on a regular basis, which is why we have parents, nanny, siblings etc., come into our school to drop off and pick up each day.
^ top
 |
Do you go on field trips?
Yes, field trips are an important part of our school curriculum. We live in an area rich in science, history and culture and love to take full advantage of the opportunities. We have several types of field trips and they are as follows:
In-House Field Trips:
This is when we invite someone to come to visit us. We have had puppet shows, storytellers, a marine biologist, raptor society, humane society, the fire department, reptile study, ocean creatures, Native American Indians, and a world of other activities. This enables us to enrich the curriculum but we don't have to transport everyone away from school.
^ top |
Trips Away From School
Large--Entire School Field Trips: We usually take two of these a year--in the past they have been in the fall to Cox's Farm for the Pumpkin Patch and in the spring to Kidwell Farm at Frying Pan Park to see the young animals. These are fun but require planning for the execution of a successful day. William's Bus Lines is used to transport students.
Small--This is when we take only one class or just a small group of elementary students to see a performance at the Kennedy Center or to study a particular subject at a museum.
There are too many of this type of trip to list. We tend to take kindergarten and elementary students on more of this type of trip. If it is a very small group, we go by car but if it is a larger group, we use William's Bus Lines.
Over Night --We take elementary students once or twice a year for an over night field trip. Last year, the children went to Jamestown for two days. Parents went along as chaperones and the children had a great time.
Extended- Last year, we engaged an archeologist for a week to study Dinosaurs with the elementary students, this meant we went with him every day for a week so that the students were engaged each day with a different activity related to the study. It was fabulous.
^ top
| What about discipline?
There are very few discipline problems in a Montessori classroom. Our classrooms are little communities and there are certain simple rules that enable everyone to live together peacefully. We like to refer to our environments as having "freedom within limits". If someone has hard time following the rules, we ask them to stop, refocus and return to when they are ready ---sometimes it takes 30 seconds, sometimes it is 30 minutes depending on the child. This is very different from a teacher imposed "time out". We do not have "time out" in our school. In extreme cases, we will meet with the parents and we work together to help the child. If we do not feel we, as a school are equipped to handle the situation, we will refer the parents/child to other professionals. We have a stated discipline policy in our Parent Handbook and adhere to it for the best interest of all children enrolled in our school.
^ top |
 |
Do we take kindergarten and elementary students who have not been in a Montessori classroom before?
We like to give every child the opportunity to be successful in our school and we do admit children who have not had Montessori previously. We have had many successful experiences with children who have come into our school from traditional classrooms and you would never guess that they had not always been in Montessori. If we feel a child would not be successful in our school, we tell the parents why we don't feel it would be the best place for the child and we help the parents to find a place that would be more appropriate.
^ top
Do you allow Parent Participation?
We love and encourage parent participation. However, our school is not a parent cooperative or a parent board school, so we do not require that you spend a certain amount of time working at the school. We have parents who substitute in classrooms, we have parents who come in to share their cultural background, parents who help with school activities and chaperone for field trips----if you have an idea about how you would like to be a part of the school, we will make it happen.
^ top
 |
Do you allow parents to visit in the classrooms?
Our school has an "Open Door Policy" which means you can come to visit any time you wish. We ask that you do not come in the month of September when we are working to establish the classes. After the teacher has had time to get to know the students, the students have gotten to know the teacher and the other students, and the work cycle is established, then we are ready for visitors and observations. We encourage parents to come and see what their children are doing at school.
^ top |
What is the tuition like?
Our school maintains a highly qualified staff, in beautifully equipped classrooms, with a Montessori program that is enhanced by quality extra curricular activities. We invite you to come and visit our school and our classrooms so you can see, first hand and view the quality in education that we provide. Because our school is very family oriented and we strive to serve the needs of each family, we like to talk to you about what your needs and expectations are for your child. Our budget is set, and tuition for the following year is established each year in January. When you come to visit our school, we will provide you with tuition and fees information.
^ top
What about snacks and lunch at The Boyd School?
At The Boyd School, we are very conscious that nutritious foods enhance the performance and good health of your child. Our food program emphasizes whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and a balanced selection from all food groups. Children are provided two snacks (morning and afternoon) each day. Our lunch is provided by Good Foods. It is because of our deep concern for growing strong and healthy children, that all children are encouraged to eat the foods provided by the school. Children who have allergies or who are vegetarians are allowed to bring other foods from home. The cost of the lunch/snacks is included in your tuition, which is something that you will not find at most other schools. Our lunch each day is relaxed, a very social/ family-like event, in which we all participate in preparation, serving and clean-up.
^ top
If I am interested in enrolling, what is the next step?
The first step is to call the school to set up a time to visit the school. Each school takes appointments and classroom observations one or two days a week (depending on the season), so please call in advance. If you are unable to make your appointment, please call the school to reschedule---chances are someone is on the wait list for that day and would be eager to take your place. When you come to visit, we will give you a tuition and fees schedule, an application and a Parent Handbook. The Handbook contains a lot of information that you are required, by Social Services, to read before you sign a contract with the school. Applications are accepted on an on-going basis. Admission is on a "first come, first served basis" and a waiting list is maintained for future openings.
^ top