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Board OKs Two New Schools ; Consolidated Montessori to Open in 2008; Charter Career School Planned for This Fall

Posted on: Friday, 10 March 2006, 18:00 CST

By Scott Elliott selliott@DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON -- Two new schools -- a charter high school and a citywide Montessori elementary school -- were approved Thursday by the Dayton school board.

The Montessori school will take over the Patterson Career Center in 2008 when the programs housed there move to a new career technology high school. The new school will consolidate the district's Montessori programs, serving 600 children in kindergarten to grade eight and replacing three Montessori schools.

The current district-run Montessori schools -- Jefferson at 1231 Euclid Ave., Franklin at 2617 E. Fifth St. and Horace Mann at 715 Krebs Ave. -- will drop the Montessori theme and convert to traditional neighborhood schools over the next two years.

"These are two new exciting programs for our parents and our students," school board President Gail Littlejohn said.

The Dayton Technology Design High School will eventually serve 500 students in grades nine to 12 ranging in age from 16 to 22. The school will be a "conversion" charter school -- district run rather than independent like most charter schools. It will open this fall at 136 S. Ludlow St. and offer programs in computer technology, business and humanities.

Littlejohn said the school is aimed at students at risk to drop out or others who don't feel they fit in at traditional high schools.

The consolidation of Montessori programs was driven partly by a staff shortage, Superintendent Percy Mack said. Hiring Montessori- trained teachers can be a challenge, and that meant schools sometimes were not fully staffed with certified Montessori teachers.

Mack said the consolidated school will make it easier to ensure all teachers have the specialized Montessori training.

The curriculum is based on the theories of Maria Montessori, a doctor who observed child learning styles in the early 1900s, and emphasizes self-guided learning through hands-on activities and multi-age classrooms.

Donna LaChance of Franklin, a parent and member of the district's Montessori steering committee, said parent surveys showed those families interested in Montessori would likely move with the program to the consolidated school. The surveys also revealed that most of those who wanted to stay in the neighborhood were not concerned by a curriculum change.

"We're pleased to see the district is taking action," she said. "It says to us Montessori will remain a viable choice option in the district."

Source: Dayton Daily News

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