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FAQs About
Discovery School
What is so special about Discovery School? Discovery School, the only Montessori preschool in Topeka, has been educating Topeka preschool children for 30 years. The Montessori approach encourages the individual development of each child, at his own pace, through his interaction within a carefully prepared environment. Discovery School is training tomorrow's leaders. Montessori children are excellent problem-solvers who observe carefully, concentrate effectively, and exchange ideas freely. In this way, Discovery School strives to build the foundation for a lifetime of learning. Are you accepting new students? Is there a waiting list? Please call the school at 785-234-6746 to check current availability. If both morning and afternoon sessions are full, we will gladly put your name on a waiting list and contact you when a spot opens up. Due to job transfers, we sometimes have unexpected openings throughout the year. We do accept students up until January 1st if space is available. May we come visit? Visitors are always welcome; please call ahead to visit our classroom. Parents have access to the school at anytime. Visits to observe your child are highly encouraged. Where is the school located? Discovery School (1701 SW Collins) is located on the second floor in the southwest corner of the First Congregational Church at 17th & Collins. Visitors are always welcome and we invite you to come see first-hand how special our school is. Is Discovery School church-affiliated? No. Discovery School made its home in The First Congregational Church due to arrangements that Barbara Thiele, a church member and one of the school's founders, made in 1975. The church, which is centrally located in Topeka, continues to generously provide affordable space to the school. (More info) How is the school financed? Discovery School is a non-profit corporation funded through student tuition. Donations and gifts provide some equipment and supplies. Financial Aid is available through the Fundraising Account to families with unexpected financial needs. Donations and gifts are tax-deductible. Is Discovery School a cooperative where parents have to help? Discovery schools Board of Directors is made up of parents. Parents can and do help, but on a voluntary basis. Some are on the Board; others help in their own special way when they can. Parents do provide snacks on a rotating basis, which is about once a month throughout the school year. Parents head the fundraising efforts at the school and volunteer for a variety of services to help the Director and teachers throughout the year. Parents do provide snacks on rotating basis, which occurs about 4 times a year.
What is Montessori? Dr. Maria Montessori pioneered research in the field of early childhood education and developed specialized classroom methods to meet the needs of each child. She was born in 1870 and was the first woman in Italy to receive a medical degree. Her educational philosophies and techniques spread throughout the world. Dr. Montessori believed the best way to teach young children was to cooperate with their natural inquisitiveness and ability to acquire knowledge through the senses. She developed special teaching materials and teaching techniques to allow young children to more readily develop their full potential. The multi-sensory Montessori materials are unique to Montessori schools. The curriculum, under the direction of specially trained teachers, allows children to experience the joy of learning and enhances self-esteem. Among the benefits of a Montessori education: an abiding curiosity, a sense of order, a positive attitude toward school, and habits of concentration, initiative, and persistence. What will my child learn at a Montessori school? Each child progresses at his/her own rate - no child is ever prodded to do work for which he is not ready. The environment is "prepared" to allow each child exposure to: 1) academics - math and number concepts, science, geography, reading skills; 2) social skills - involving care of self and the environment, cooperation, respect for self and others, group interaction; 3) cultural exposure to art, artists, music/musicians, crafts, imaginative expression; 4) physical education – including creative movement, large and small motor development; 5) larger group interactions - music, singing, fingerplays, and story time. What is the Montessori "prepared" environment? The Montessori classroom is commonly referred to as a "prepared environment." The care and attention given to creating this special learning environment reinforces children's independence and intellectual development. The specially designed materials are displayed on the low open shelves and children can select "work" that interests them. They learn to complete what they begin and clean up afterwards. This allows each child to become self-directed, learning responsibility and progressing at his/her own rate. Teachers serve to present materials to the children, introduce new concepts and "lessons" and to carefully observe the progress of each child and keep a detailed record of his/her activities and development. Why are Montessori classes not separated by age? Younger children benefit by learning from the older ones; and older children learn consideration for others and good feelings of self worth by helping younger ones. This helps contribute to Montessori children generally being more self-confident, outgoing, and self-reliant. Montessori is based on a profound respect for the child's personality. He works from his own free choice and is allowed a large measure of independence. This forms the basis of self-discipline. As each child progresses at his own pace, he develops confidence in his abilities.
How old should my child be when he enrolls? We have found that we can best meet a child's needs if s/he attends Discovery School for at least two years. The best age for your child to start attending Discovery School is between 3 and 3 1/2 years. Does my child need to be toilet trained? Yes. Discovery School does not have facilities to change diapers. Pull-ups are allowed. How many days a week will my child attend school? Students ages 3 – 3 1/2 attend three consecutive days a week (your choice, M,T,W or T,W,R). Then when deemed appropriate by parents and teachers, the student may advance to four days (M-Th). In addition to attending school M-Th, Kindergarten prep students (4-year-olds who will be attending Kindergarten in the coming fall) come for a special session on Friday mornings. What hours will my child be in school? We have two separate sessions: morning and afternoon. If your child attends the morning session, he will come 8:45-11:15 a.m. If he attends the afternoon session, he will be in school 12:45-3:15 p.m. What is the difference between the morning and afternoon sessions? The same curriculum is taught each day (M-Th) in both the morning and afternoon. In general, due to nap schedules, the students in the morning session tend to be a bit younger. A variety of children ages 3 – 5 attend both sessions. What feedback will I get about my child? Parent-Teacher conferences are held with teachers in the fall and spring to discuss each child's progress. If you have special questions or concerns, please speak with the teachers at any time. Will my child be bored when s/he begins public school? We do not duplicate the program offered by public education. We strive to offer each child a sound foundation for success in the future by developing qualities of responsibility, love of learning, self-expression, consideration for others and good self-esteem. How does my child enroll? There are 24 spaces available in each of the morning and afternoon sessions. For more information, please read about enrollment. Please contact Cathy
Brennan, Discovery School Director, at dsatopeka@att.net
or (785) 234-6746 if you have additional questions or would like an enrollment
packet.
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