John Hanson Montessori School

School Improvement Plan – Executive Summary

2009-2010

Sherra Chappelle, Principal

Phone: (301)-749-4052
Fax: (301)-749-4054

Mission

The mission of Prince George’s County Public Schools is to

ensure that all students acquire information and skills and the
ability to apply their knowledge to become lifelong learners
and productive citizens in a diverse/global society.

This mission is best accomplished through a structure of

child-centered learning communities characterized by: equity
and access to a quality education that includes strong
instructional leadership; high expectations for the
achievement of all students; a rigorous curriculum; frequent
monitoring of student performance; extending learning
opportunities for students failing to meet academic standards;
well trained, certified teachers in all classrooms; enhanced
resources; families who are empowered to assist in providing
a quality education for every child; a school climate conducive
to building positive relationships; a safe and orderly school
environment fostering enhanced school pride.

Prince George’s County Public Schools

 Section I: Executive Summary

A. School Overview
John Hanson Montessori School is a public PK-8 school located in the southern area of Prince
George’s County. (John Hanson shares its facility with the French Immersion program.) Most of the 450
students were admitted to the program through the lottery process held by the school system; others
were admitted who had proven Montessori experience from the year prior to entering. The latter group
was also only admitted if there was space availability at their entry level. Of those students, 90% are
African American, 4% are Asian, 3% Hispanic, 2% white, and 1% Native Americans. Students are
transported via one of the30 buses that bring students to the school. (Three year olds are half day
students and do not ride the buses.)

Admission to the program begins at ages three or four. Students usually remain the program through 8th
grade. Currently, there are seven PK-K classes, six classes of grades 1-3, five classes grades 4-6, and
five content classroom teachers for middle school. In addition to the classroom teachers, John Hanson
also has teachers for Special Education, Vocal and Instrumental Music, Physical Education, Spanish,
Art, and Dance.

The school’s mission is to use Montessori principles and classroom rigor to provide opportunities which
spark creativity and a love for learning in children. We also seek to inspire our students to make choices
that lead to appropriate academic and social development. In short, our goal is to educate the whole
child. In Paula Polk Lilliard’s book, Montessori Today, a parent of a Montessori child described the
Montessori experience of his children by saying: “They are competitive. All kids are, but it is different.
They get along so well and they are so confident. They are almost adult-like in their attitudes toward
others. They care about the world. They have even involved me in a community-service project for the
homeless.” Another observed, “ . . . these children were independent and confident in the classroom,
and their creativity, happiness, and love of learning were evident. I remember being particularly
surprised by the children’s unusual kindness and concern for each other and the care with which they
handled the objects of their environment. In fact, I had never seen children so young behave with the
same degree of self-discipline and responsibility.” As part of reinforcing the concept of “caring about
the world”, the school was recertified as a Green School in the spring of 2009. This has led to a budding
partnership with Elevation Burger at the National Harbor, a restaurant that serves natural foods and
uses LEE products.

An outside consultant firm, Cambridge Education, conducted a quality audit at John Hanson in May,
2008. Criteria reviewed included: Achievement, Curriculum, Learning, Teaching and Assessment for
Learning, After observations and interviews with teachers, students, and parents, The Quality Review
Report indicated that John Hanson was advanced in five of the six categories, and proficient in the
sixth, partnerships with parents and community. Although there were 105 members of the PTSA, and
many parents who regularly volunteer, we will be working to form more community partnerships.
Currently, there are 119 members of the PTSA; the goal is to have at least 150 involved members.

The school met Adequate Yearly Progress on the Maryland School Performance Tests (MSA), and the
middle school Algebra students all scored Advanced on the High School Assessment.

B. MAJOR INITIATIVES
One of the major initiatives for the coming year will be continued collaborative planning and instruction
that supports the Principles of Learning (clear expectations, accountable talk, socializing intelligence
and academic rigor) in Montessori classrooms. In addition, the staff will continue using the book,
Strategies that Work by Stephanie Harvey and Anne Goudvis. This book study is being used as a
reference to enhance the teaching of reading. The Reading Specialist will work collaboratively with
teachers with modeling and co-teaching identified strategies. Two technology based programs will be
utilized to support teachers in reading and math, Study Island for grades 2-8 and Accelerated Reader

School Improvement Plan, 2009-2010 1 John Hanson Montessori School

 Section I: Executive Summary

for middle school students. The programs will support the school’s data driven decisions in guiding
each students’ reading. Everyone in the building will also be involved in Learning Walks to improve
teaching and learning.

Vertical planning will take place quarterly, so that teachers can have a clearer idea of what is expected
by 8th grade and their role in the end product process.

In addition to Montessori training, teachers are expected to be certified by the state. All of the
Montessori teachers have Standard or Advance Professional Certificates issued by the state of
Maryland.

C. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Parents continue to be involved in the school. We have a very active PTSA that sponsors, in addition to
monthly meetings, an End of the Summer Bash, two after school programs, TaeKwando and Mad
Science, Market Day, Teacher Appreciation, and the June Jamboree. Volunteers are abundant as they
help at the Book Fair, chaperone field trips, plan enrichment activities with teachers, tutor, read to
students, and network on behalf of the school.

D. SAFE AND ORDERLY ENVIRONMENT

The Montessori curriculum includes activities to create a peaceful environment. There is also a School
Code that is enforced to help students with the importance of the decisions that they make. There are
cameras throughout the building to monitor students and visitors to the building. All visitors are
expected to sign in at the Security Desk or at the main office and obtain a Visitor’s Pass before going to
classrooms. The secretaries are conscientious about requesting current identification before allowing
visitors to walk the building. A Security Counselor is available to monitor the cameras and to walk the
building and grounds to alert administration of issues that might arise.

The Professional School Counselor, Parent Liaison are also available to help students who challenge
the safe and orderly environment that we are trying to maintain.

E. STRATEGIES TO ATTRACT (AND RETAIN) HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHER

There is ongoing training and/or refresher courses that are made available to teachers through our local
Montessori training sites. Three teachers benefited from additional Montessori training at the Barrie
School during the summer (2009). There is in-house professional development on Montessori
principles for the assistants and other support personnel. Professional Development is planned in
conjunction with the other two Montessori schools in our county.

Teachers also plan collaboratively, discuss student work, assessment results, and share ideas at
bimonthly meetings. As a team, informed decisions are created that ultimately improve instruction.

School Improvement Plan, 2009-2010 2 John Hanson Montessori School