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Contact

Welcome: We Are Eager to Meet You at One of Our Campuses!


Huntington Beach

HuntingtonBeach@LePortSchools.com
Annamaria Salzetti
Office (714) 907-4672
Fax (714) 377-6308

Irvine - Lake

Irvine@LePortSchools.com
Erin Riehle
Office (949) 336-1346
Fax (949) 551-9021

Irvine - Orchard Hills

IrvineOrchardHills@LePortSchools.com
Jami Jacobi
Office (866) 694-6268

Irvine - San Marino

IrvineSanMarino@LePortSchools.com
Rochelle Domingo
Office (949) 777-5185
Fax (949) 833-0339

Irvine - Spectrum

IrvineSpectrum@LePortSchools.com
Susan Miscione
Office (714) 660-4136

Mission Viejo

MissionViejo@LePortSchools.com
Rayda Simmons
Office (949) 544-1047
Fax (949) 462-9868

Choosing a School

How to Choose a Montessori

The Montessori primary (age 3-6) classroom environment is very different from other preschools, and many parents find it hard to know what to look for when choosing a Montessori school. This video highlights key attributes of a well-run, authentic Montessori preschool: the classroom environment, the teaching approach and the children's behavior and capabilities.

Answers to Key Questions: Why? What? How? Who? What For?

Our checklists will help you compare LePort to other schools you are considering:

Deciding on a school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent—and it is a difficult one. Many parents struggle to identify the right questions to ask—and to figure out the things to look for during a visit. And educators sometimes intimidating technical language does not help the matter.

At LePort, we believe in plain talk and openness: the better you know us, the more you will like what you see. Call us to set up a tour – and be sure to ask the five questions that matter most:  

  • What is the educational goal you want to achieve for your child – and does it line up with the school's? I.e., WHY does the school teach? Is it social adjustment? Memorization of knowledge? Success at state-mandated tests of basic skills, or college entrance exams? Acquiring the knowledge and skills needed for mature life? You need to have a destination in mind—to judge how to get there and whom to entrust your child to for his education.

  • What is the school's curriculum – what subjects do they teach, and what knowledge and skills do they want to impart to your child? I.e., WHAT do they teach? Does the school have a clear, written curriculum in each subject? How much time do they spend on reading, writing, mathematics, literature, history, geography, science—i.e., the core knowledge areas that each student has to master? How much time is spent on test preparation—vs. teaching actual meaningful content? Ask to see syllabi for key subject areas—and to review some sample text books, novels and workbooks. This is the road map for your child's education: be a knowledgeable consumer and don't blindly entrust your child to an "expert"!

  • What is the schools' basic approach to pedagogy? I.e., HOW do they teach? Do they motivate the students by making meaningful, academically challenging content relevant and interesting—or do they rely primarily on extrinsic motivations (stickers, toys, grades)? How do they tailor their teaching to each child's unique context of background knowledge, skills and interests? Is their school environment conducive to learning—are their classrooms clean, orderly and beautiful? Make the time to observe a few classes—with different teachers, in different grades, across subject areas. In our analogy, this is the vehicle your child will take to get to his goal – and the right choice is critical to ensure he arrives at his destination safely, happily and on time.

  • How does the school select teachers – and how does it help them become the best educators possible? I.e., WHO teaches? Does the school rely on teacher credentialing alone, or do they have more demanding standards? Does the school have systems in place to help teachers succeed—from in-class observations and feedback, to regular training programs and mentors? Speak to a few teachers—ask them about their training, why they chose teaching—and for an example of what they are teaching right now, and how they ap-proached structuring the lesson. In our analogy, you need to make sure that the driver, pilot or captain of the classroom ship has the qualifications he needs for his type of vehicle—and that he is motivated to go all the way.

  • What do children actually learn and remember – and how do they develop as young people? I.e., WHAT does the school DELIVER? It is critical to look beyond test scores—which are often narrowly-focused on basic skills distorted by excessive test prep exercises. Look at children's work binders, review actual tests teachers have given in class, ask for a sample report card, talk to a student or two. What type and level of knowledge and thinking does the school expect? What type of grading and feedback do teachers provide? How is incomplete or incorrect work handled—can it just disappear, or are there systems in place to ensure children master the required content? By understanding what current students are learning and how they develop, you can better judge where your child will be, once he finishes his journey at this school.

We hope you will ask us these questions—and explore our web site to learn where we stand on each of them. They are the compass you need to select the right school for your child.

Testimonials

We Share a Passion For Education, A Commitment To Teach Knowledge For Life—And To Live What We Preach

Our parents are our best supporters: read for yourself what they have to say about LePort; why they think Knowledge for Life is right for their children; and what they view as LePort's unique approach to the What, How and Who of teaching.

Unless marked otherwise, testimonials are written anonymously by LePort parents writing on www.greatschools.net and other online review sites. Some testimonials are excerpted for conciseness, and edited for grammar and punctuation. None of the meanings have been changed. Testimonials with names or initials were given directly to LePort Schools by parents or students.

Montessori Toddler and Preschool

What we deliver

I cannot say enough about LePort Montessori! Both my daughters cannot wait to go to school in the morning, and they are truly thriving. The staff and teachers are always available, courteous, nurturing, and friendly. They truly understand children and are able to tap into their potential and innate curiosity. My children are constantly exploring, engaged, thinking, and excited about learning. I don't believe there is anything better out there!

My husband and I both work as public school teachers and this school is beyond superior. Our 5 year old will start kindergarten in the fall and is already reading, writing and solving arithmetic problems. Before entering Kindergarten, he is doing work 1st graders do in the public school. Both of our kids amaze us along with our friends and family at the things they are able to do at such a young age. The best part is that they love school and want to attend even on the weekends. The teachers and staff are extremely caring and educated. You won't find a better school!!!!!

My son has attended Le Port Huntington Beach for 3 years. He spent his first year in the pre k program. By the end of this year he was reading the scholastic 3 letter word books. He knew all his colors, continents, and numbers to 100. He started his kindergarten year and exceeded all my expectations. Before the end of the fall semester his teacher and the school administrators approached us about moving him in to the elementary class after the winter break. He is leaving the school at the end of his Kindergarten year knowing how to write in cursive, having a strong understanding of geometry, long division, multiplication tables, and addition and subtraction. He is reading chapter books and has an understanding of the differences between nouns, pronouns, verbs, and adjectives. I highly recommend this school to anyone wanting to give their child a head start for their educational career.

My son has been at this school for two plus years now, and at the age of 4 he is enjoying going to school and is reading, writing and doing math at a the level of a first grader. The fact that he wants to go every day is a testimonial to the teachers. The entire staff "gets it" and they care about each child. I would rate this 6 stars if that were a choice.

I am a very proud father thanks to Leport School Mission Viejo. The advantages my 2.5 and 4.5 year old boys have now because of this very special school are breath-taking. The entire staff is remarkable, thoughtful and caring to a degree that is second to none! When you get to watch your boys intelligence and personality blow away their peers that go to different schools, it says something. It has given them skills that will help them for the rest of their lives. All thanks to LePort’s advanced academic program. I am grateful my wife and I found Leport, and highly recommend it.

My kids have only been enrolled in Leport San Marino since last September, but the development and the social skills they've picked up in the few months here have been amazing. Another school in Irvine called me when they had a spot for my kids and I turned the spots away to keep my kids at Leport.

We started our 2-year-old daughter at LePort in July 2009 and I truly cannot believe what a difference a school can make! LePort has taken a 'terrible two' and with the proper guidance and caring turned her into a 'terrific two'! Within a short time at LePort, our daughter's vocabulary excelled to complete, full, understandable sentences, she can count to 10, and knows and sings more songs than I know the words to! Last but not least, they had her potty trained within just a few weeks! Besides seeing my 2-year-old transition from a typical toddler, to a respectful and helpful little lady, LePort just feels like home for our family.

While my daughter has been enrolled at LePort, I have observed exponential development in her, both intellectually and socially. LePort Montessori provides her with a vibrant center of academic achievement, collective service and fun. The school presses for excellence with great teachers and the administration's responsiveness to parent concerns. By not asking how smart is the child but how is the child smart, LePort is able to guide the student to see their full potential, and equip them to pursue it with passion and purpose.

My son began attending LePort Montessori School in Yorba Linda when he was 18 months old. We immediately began to see advances in his vocabulary, speech, peer interaction and social skills. The staff at LePort has been amazing and made what could have been a difficult transition, one that was easy and incredibly beneficial to our son. I can't say enough about the care and support, both educationally and emotionally, my son receives every day. I would recommend LePort Montessori in Yorba Linda to anyone who truly values education provided in an open, nurturing and positive environment.

My daughter Aanya had stayed with me completely at home until she turned 3 and started school. I was very anxious as to how she would adjust. It must be said to the credit of the friendly and experienced staff that they made a big difference to Aanya's approach towards school. She is learning to be more self reliant with each passing day. I highly recommend this school to all parents who are looking for a school to launch their child in to this routine. I feel it is an excellent foundation to groom and prepare your child to take the next step in life.

Who We Are

Our 3 year old and 18month old boys are both currently enrolled at LePort Montessori School. They both started school at 18 months old. As a family we love this school; it’s our boys’ home away from home! The teachers and staff are the nicest and most caring individuals. Our boys truly enjoy going to school, not only to see their friends, but also to see all the teaching staff at the school. All of the staff makes it a point of knowing every student on campus, regardless of whether they have them as a student or not.

Expensive but I think it's worth every penny. The primary teacher is great and has a lot of experience in Montessori education. She focuses not just on academics but more important the child's character. The class size is small so you can expect 100% attention given to your child. My daughter loves this school!

My daughter has been coming here since she was 18 months and she has loved it every day. She is always excited to go to class. The pre-primary teachers are great! They are nurturing yet still will enforce polite and courteous behavior. The staff is always available and quick to respond to questions. They also offer many opportunities for parent involvement to learn not only more about what sets their school apart from other schools, but also to learn more about the Montessori Method. Overall, a great school!

I am very pleased that the teachers are all supremely dedicated to the Montessori method and are open and available for meetings, updates, working with parents on their child's idiosyncrasies (such as learning how not to hit others...). The school holds informational sessions to educate parents and involve them in the teaching process (at home or by observation) monthly and covers such topics as the different Montessori specific materials in their respective phases, Montessori educational philosophy, etc. I find these useful as I have a better idea how to complement my son's progress when he is not in school.

I absolutely love this school. Both my children attend LePort Montessori and I am very pleased of the way they have both blossomed. The teachers are very knowledgeable and talented. I love the personalized attention that my children receive from their teachers. My children love it there and are very fond of their teachers.

My son has been in this school for almost a year. He really loves this school and his teacher. The staff members are very approachable too. My son has been enjoying his time in school and he has also been learning a lot of things. Everything is well organized and his teacher is one of the most talented and understanding teachers I have ever met. I would definitely recommend this Montessori.

I am a parent of two and this was my first time looking for a pre-school for my 4-year-old daughter. I am very lucky to find a school that has a comprehensive curriculum and fine staff members. There are many positives that the Montessori has brought to my child and I will continue to keep her here as long as I can. The teachers are committed to providing the children with quality and advanced work as well as a very trusting environment. I love LePort Montessori schools!

When our daughter turned 2, we needed to find a school for her. Our daughter attends the preschool class and loves going to school every day. She can't wait to tell me about her day at school. Her teacher is everything the last parent's post mentions. She IS truly one-in-a-million. We really owe the growth in our daughter's maturity, independence and intellect to her. I would not hesitate in recommending LePort to other parents.

What and How We Teach

I started looking for a preschool when my son was about 20 months old. At that age, they are like sponges, they need to be with other children and have a stimulating environment: there is only so much you can do at home. It was really important for me to find a real learning environment, to find a school, not a day care. LePort Montessori offers that: I didn’t come across any other preschool that make it so simple and clear that a 2-year-old can and should really learn a lot. The teacher and assistants work with my son one-on-one, they really know him as a little person, and they make learning a lot of fun for him. - Donna T.

Our son learned how to read and write at this pre-school and is so immensely proud of himself. And we are really impressed. At first I was worried that it might be too academic but I found that there is really no achievement pressure, no forcing kids to learn, no rewards, no punishments, no competition. This school is just a great example of how children do so much better when internally motivated as opposed to externally motivated.

I love that the children get to choose what they work on: they have so much more ownership in what they learn. Because my daughters have a choice in what they learn, they really enjoy learning. I am a public school elementary teacher, and I know that at times it can feel like pulling teeth to get children to learn. With my daughter, who is in first grade at LePort, it’s just the opposite: she feels good about herself, her “work” feels rewarding, and she enjoys doing it. I think you can’t really teach that, you can’t give that to a child, except for the Montessori system, where work is just something that’s rewarding for the children, right from the beginning. - Trisha F

Since both our sons have been enrolled at the school, we have noticed that their vocabulary skills and independence have tremendously expanded. In our oldest, we noticed right away a willingness to engage in conversation and interact with not only children but with adults as well. This is not only due to the teachers, but also to the entire environment as a whole. The campus is clean warm and inviting and continues to improve with new equipment and landscaping, which includes plush green grass that our sons bring home on their jeans every day, and a sandbox, which they also brings home in their shoes. Keep up the excellent work, LePort Montessori.

The multi-age, family-like environment at LePort really helped our daughters acquire strong social skills. When they are together with their cousins, we could notice a difference. Our kids tend to get along well in a group; they know how to share, take turns – and that’s quite different with the other kids who don’t have such a quality preschool experience. - Kim T.

I tell all my friends how worthwhile it is to find a good Montessori school. It’s about the quality of the learning environment, but also about the little things: They are very clean, very organized, there’s space in the classroom, the teachers pay attention, and they show kids how to do things for themselves, like cleaning their little noses. I can’t say enough about the Montessori method, and LePort Schools in particular. - Erica G.

LePort Montessori in Huntington Beach is an amazing school! The policies are fair and the administrators strive to educate parents about the Montessori system and how their children learn. They actually have teachers give out detailed progress report cards to each student twice a year. These report cards are even more thorough than those given out at public elementary schools.

LePort Schools Mission Viejo campus is amazing! The environment is safe, warm, and caring. The staff is exceptionally trained, organized, excellent at communication, and deeply committed to providing the best education possible. My daughter attends the preschool at LePort and I couldn't be happier. She loves going to school—her teacher is wonderful and my daughter learns new things everyday. The staff is incredibly helpful and greet her everyday we walk through the door. On an aside, the facility is cleaned regularly and is pristine, which is important to me. It's been a great experience, we wouldn't change a thing.

My son started preschool at LePort, Mission Viejo at 4. The AMI-certified teacher is not only extremely experienced, loving, and perceptive to each student's abilities and personality, she is attuned to the students' needs and develop his/her potential accordingly. When I asked my child what he did at school, he always said that he played all day long. As my son grew older, the teacher is able to individualize the curriculum to further challenge him. The staff and administration is organized and responsive. They are constantly implementing field trips and a variety of events. The school also offers different after-school classes like chess club, art classes, etc. Finally, the school is focused on providing a good education so that the students can thrive and mature into independent and responsible individuals.

Before we enrolled my son at this school, we visited numerous preschools in the area. This facility was by far the cleanest and the staff was very friendly and attentive to the children. It also helped that the Director took the time to explain the Montessori system in detail—which sets truly them apart from a daycare or regular preschool. I am very happy with the results and all the positive changes I have seen with my son.

Upper Elementary and Junior High

What we deliver

Two of my children have attended LePort Montessori Huntington Beach. One of my sons is currently enrolled in the lower elementary program. He loves going to school, and he loves his teacher (she is amazing!). My oldest son left LePort after third grade and is currently attending fourth grade a local public school. Very little of what he has learned this year is new. Most of what he is being taught he learned in second and third grade at LePort. The academic program at LePort is exceptional. The only reason we left LePort is because the school does not currently extend beyond the third grade at the Huntington Beach location. The lower elementary program has prepared my kids for a bright academic future, and I'm looking forward to my toddler joining the LePort Montessori family.

My daughter attended LePort for fourth through eighth grade. When she entered LePort she came from a "top rated" public school, but was struggling with basic concepts. LePort provided a stellar educational environment in addition to tutors who knew what she needed-- both worked together to help her master previously missed content. As a result, my daughter is now thriving in high school. She's on the honor roll, has a 3.85 GPA, and is confident beyond what I could have ever imagined. I'm so thankful to LePort and its staff for helping her achieve to her greatest potential.

Leport should be an inspiration to other schools. Everything from the academics to the teachers, Leport has the ideal formula for producing well rounded, well educated and happy kids. My kids have excelled above and beyond their dreams. Their confidence level has soared, and that makes for two grateful parents. Thank you, LePort Schools.

For many children, the jump from 8th grade to 9th grade is really difficult—but with the preparation they received at LePort, both my daughters excel. They attend Sage Hill, a highly sought-after college prep school, and both are straight A students there. I attribute much of that success to my daughters' time at LePort Schools: this school developed their interest in learning, their study habits and their confidence in their own abilities. After their success at LePort, my daughters had the pick of prep schools here in Orange County—and to see them be shining stars in the very achievement-oriented prep school they now attend, to see the confidence they now have, to see them blossom as eager learners, I just say: "Yeah God, it is just amazing." I don't want to over-credit LePort with the changes we saw, but I don't know where else they would have come from.

Tom C.

LePort made my daughter love learning again. Within a few weeks at LePort, she went from not being interested in her studies at all to being so excited about science that she would pull her dad outside at night to look at the stars. Just a few weeks at that place, and she was valuing education. She really thrived there in 8th grade. She was coming home during that period, and she'd set her alarm at night for certain astronomical events. There was that sudden thirst for knowledge, she wanted to learn. Early in her time at LePort, she said something like "It's ok to be smart—I like being smart. I guess I am smart after all". It just shocked me when she said that—both the implied part of not thinking that she was smart before, and how quickly LePort managed to change her.

Noreen M.

LePort has turned around my relationship with my son. With the old school, they brought me in for every issue in the classroom. I became very proactive and involved; initiating conferences with the teachers at the start of the year (they would have me sign a parent/teacher/student expectations contract at the conclusion of said meeting), regularly communicating with teachers/administrators throughout the year, etc. This involvement required that I become more of a tutor and disciplinarian at home, constantly after my son to do his homework, battling him over papers, telling him to please pay attention in class. At LePort, it's exactly the opposite: they set the students up for success, and help the parents become part of the overall encouraging atmosphere. They are professionals; they work out the problems in the class, and provide the support at school—and equip me with the information I need to be encouraging and supportive. I no longer have to be so involved with his homework and assignments because my son proudly has it covered. With the organizational skills that he is taught at LePort and the unwavering support and mentorship that he receives from his teachers, my son is quite the independent and confident student. It's wonderful to have a positive, happy relationship with my son again!

Maritza A.

My son was on an Individual Education Plan in public elementary school through Grade 5. And despite the extra help he received, he struggled. After three years at LePort, he now goes to a public high school and did not re-qualify for an IEP: he tested above grade level in every single subject! LePort had a transformational impact on my son, both academically and socially. He learned to interact maturely and respectfully with other children, and became socially much more confident. Academically, although the LePort curriculum was very difficult for him, he rose to the challenge. I can show, objectively, how much he progressed: his recent testing in the public school system showed him above grade level, sometimes by quite a bit, and even in his weakest area, mathematics.

Kevin G.

The changes we have seen in our son in the 1 ½ years he has been at LePort have been nothing short of transformational. I can't say enough about LePort: every child should have this experience; it should be the norm, not the exception. If every child was educated the LePort Way, if we had this kind of educational approach in more places, we'd have a lot more brilliant, well adjusted adults in the world!

Maritza A.

LePort has cherished my child, helping him to find his confidence and challenging his intellect. My son was close to dropping out of public school due to persecution and boredom. In the two wonderful years we've been at LePort, his outlook, his options, and his life have undergone an incredible turnaround. The team of staff and teachers at this school have the passion, and the TIME, to care for each individual child. I feel truly blessed that our family found LePort.

When we discovered Le Port, it truly felt like a miracle. Finally a place where not only could our son get excellent help in the areas he was struggling but also a school that would encourage and celebrate his areas of strength. [T]he small classroom size allows a teacher student connection that allows kids to never get 'lost between the cracks' and to find their own strengths and soar.

Who we are

Both my daughters have had great teachers through the years at LePort, from pre-primary through primary and now in Lower Elementary. I think it is important that parents realize that not all private school teachers have the same qualifications: at some private schools, they take teachers who failed to meet the public school certification standards. In contrast, at LePort, the teachers are well-trained and very knowledgeable. At the same time, they have been very nurturing, and helped my children develop their social skills. - Trisha F.

LePort gets students passionate about learning, because all the teachers themselves are so passionate about teaching, and about learning. While we were with LePort, the school grew significantly. We were impressed that the new teachers shared in this passion, and that the school leadership is able to convey their unique teaching method to all the new people they bring on board. The passion is just everywhere—across the subjects, across the grades—and the kids pick it up, because it is sincere.

Susan F.

The staff is exceptionally trained, organized, excellent at communication, and deeply committed to providing the best education possible. Students are taught to think about what they learn—making all the difference in the world. The teachers take the time to review the student's work and everything (and I mean everything) is marked. No busy work is done here—and students learn quickly to finish what they start. Where else could an 11-year-old read Shakespeare—and love it?

LePort teachers love what they do, and care a lot. A great education boils down to the teachers. At LePort, every single teacher is very passionate about his subject, has deep knowledge, and cares personally about his students. There's a personal relationship that grows between a teacher and each child. The teachers become the student's role models and mentors. Our son wanted to please his teachers, because he respected and admired them, and that made him strive harder. When his teachers gave him their constructive feedback, it thus motivated him, and allowed him to go back and do even better. I really believe LePort teachers care—they take a vested interest in each student, and there is a strong personal relationship that goes on. You can see that—watching my son leave the school, and how sad he is to have to go, and to not be able to see his teachers every day any more. The heart of LePort is the teachers, individually and as a group. They are all a little different, they have put together a good mix of nice people with their own styles and personalities. Every single teacher at LePort actively engages the children in learning, and connects with them socially.

Kevin G.

The teachers at LePort inspire their students. They are all young and engaging—not teachers that have been doing it for 20 years, and are just going through the motions. Every one of them is sincerely concerned about a student's personal growth. As they do the academics, they constantly talk about how they relate to the rest of life. All the teachers at LePort are the same way; they have a passion for their work, and it shows with the kids.

Tami W.

My son is 10 years old and has gone to 5 schools & NONE come close to the education LePort gives. The teachers and staff are truly OUTSTANDING. Each teacher strives to understand what type of child you have. The class sizes are small and at the end of the day the children have a homework period with a teacher to assist his or her needs...need I say more? I have another son in the pre-k program and the teachers are LOVING and UNDERSTANDING which bring out the very best in each child. LePort is an academically advanced school which has allowed my child to learn as fast as his mind lets him. LePort filled in the gaps my child had due to grade skipping. This is a one of a kind school. I wish LePort went up to 12th grade.

What and How we teach

Our daughter has thrived while attending LePort from first through third grade. Her scholastic achievements were phenomenal and far exceeded our expectations. Possibly more important is the fact that the faculty and staff focus not only on the scholastic advancement of the students, but vigilantly provide social skill guidance on the playground and on field trips. There is zero chance of bullying or cliques on these premises. The field trips and school celebrations have been exceptional. Our family will treasure the memories of our experiences with our LePort family.

The clear focus on academics and education, and the logical curriculum approach. I was very impressed with Lindsay's (the head of school) articulation of what the school emphasized—that they focus on core subject areas like grammar, literature, math. And I like their approach to teaching: they teach science from an evolutionary perspective, from the caveman looking up to the sky to today's knowledge. The same with history: instead of jumping around like the public schools do, they teach history chronologically, so kids can really understand why the US Constitution was developed, based on what happened in Europe before.

Noreen M.

At LePort, they instill curiosity; they expose them to a myriad of different disciplines, in a very interesting way. They tie the knowledge together. For instance, they link history to literature, and that enables the children to see why writers and poets wrote what they wrote, and it imbues both history and literature with deeper meaning. They deliberately create "Aha!!" moments, where the children discover an answer, like when they get why an author was so popular during a certain age. You don't get that at the other schools, because their teaching is so fragmented. They might teach poetry now, and then some Victorian novel, and then California history, and then back to European history. It's just haphazard, and then you can't get that "Aha!!" moment that is so motivating to the children. At LePort, they make it easy to have that feeling—they make what they teach relevant to the children, so they want to learn more about it. My son is back to being a voracious learner—confident and excited about learning new things.

Maritza A.

My daughter is in the eighth grade at LePort and has been a student there since 6th grade. LePort's curriculum is very academic but, more than that, it is designed to integrate across subjects and engage the kids more actively in their education. LePort kids learn to think, not just repeat answers for a test. My daughter has excelled on standardized tests and is probably much better prepared for high school than my older kids, who didn't go to LePort, were.

LePort is a fantastic school. The teachers and staff here have gone above and beyond meeting my children's academic, social and emotional needs. Children are taught to think through problems and work with materials to better learn and understand. There is no 'teaching to the test' here. The children work in a supportive, peaceful and happy environment. I wish I had this environment as a child in school!

At LePort, the curriculum is really well integrated. They teach grammar—and show how to apply it in writing. They integrate math and astronomy. Throughout, they show the children how people grew to understand what we consider knowledge today, so students don't just memorize, but really understand. An integrated, challenging curriculum was very important for me, because both my girls are naturally strong learners, but the previous school just didn't provide a strong enough learning environment to support them.

Tom C.

I first became aware of LePort Schools by looking at their web site and reading about their unique curriculum. I was very impressed and excited to finally see a school which focuses on teaching the child to think; not just blind repetition of facts and figures, but actually thinking about why the facts are important and how they affect our lives.

I've never met Dr. LePort, the school's founder, until my son graduated last year. I cannot thank Dr. LePort enough for making this school happen. Under the leadership of Lindsay Journo and Ray Girn, they have pulled together an amazing team, people who all share the same passion, the same ideas about the curriculum, and the same approach to teaching towards the needs of each individual child. If I could have planned the prefect school for my son it would be LePort: I wouldn't change a thing. I am so thankful that our family found LePort Schools.

Shanan C.

At LePort, they focus on the most important academic subjects and take time to really teach skills. At my daughter's old school, they'd do a bunch of meaningless projects—like papier-mâché studies on whomever they worked on in social studies, or building a math game out of a shoe box. At LePort, they don't waste time on frivolous things like that. And they don't expect 4th or 5th graders to learn all kinds of things: they realize that there is a core that they have to master to succeed in life, and they focus on that. At our previous school, it seemed that my daughter spent so much time on "enrichment" classes like Spanish, Religion, Arts, Music, that the basics suffered. They were drilling them on Spanish spelling, when they hadn't even mastered English yet. Her math class was 35 minutes, 2 or 3 times a week: that's ridiculous for 3rd grade! They didn't even really know where my daughter was in math until the test, and when she did poorly, their answer was to get her a tutor!

In contrast, at LePort they want to teach them the basics about math, language arts and literature—and give them a lot of time to really absorb and apply what they learn. In each class, it's one hour per subject per day, so they have the time to engage with the students and to ensure they learn what they are being taught. They have the time to teach them the basics of learning, of being good students—they can show them academic skills like how to study and how to write and how to take tests.

Lina S.

At LePort, they teach not just a love of learning, but also the skills, self-discipline and organizational skills that children will need in high school, college and life. They teach from the basics; they showed my son how to use his binder to file his class papers properly. They taught him how to use a planner to keep track of homework and other assignments. He practices those skills every day, in every class—until they are a habit, like brushing his teeth. He doesn't have to think about the organizational process any more. He lays out his papers, he sets up work plans, he sets goals and time tables, and he monitors his progress. His summer reading assignment was tackled this same way, without any prodding from me. All of the LePort kids approach it that way; being well-organized is just second nature to them.

Maritza A.

Events

Upcoming Educational Events

Parent Education Evening: The Kindergarten Decision
6 - 7 pm

Huntington Beach - Feb. 7
Irvine - Lake - Feb. 7
Mission Viejo - Feb. 8
Irvine - San Marino - Feb. 9

At age 5, your child is eligible for public school kindergarten. But should you enroll him, given that Montessori primary is designed as a 3-year program? Join us for an evening of lively Q&A on the pros and cons for staying with Montessori for the critical 3rd year.

This educational event is open to any parent interested in learning more about the kindergarten choice and transition, but it is most relevant to parents of 2nd year primary students who are eligible for public kindergarten in September 2012.

Daycare is available from 6 - 7 pm for LePort students. Please sign up on the "Daycare Request Form" posted on your child's sign-in/out clipboard.


Parent Education Event: LePort's Elementary Program
February 2nd, 6 - 7:30 pm

Open to all parents, held at our Irvine - San Marino Campus
Join us to understand LePort's 1st - 8th grade program, and to meet your child's potential teachers. Lead educators from our Lower Elementary programs and our Upper Elementary/Junior High program will discuss how we make learning come alive at LePort and what children will learn in our programs. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions, and to learn more about the new LePort school in the Irvine Spectrum area.


Winter Open Houses: February 11 | 10 am – 12 noon

Huntington Beach campus: 16081 Waikiki Lane | Toddler—3rd Grade
Irvine—Orchard Hills campus: 3983 Portola Parkway | Toddler—Primary

Visit our classrooms, and discover the playgrounds with your child. Meet teachers and other LePort staff. Learn about the Montessori Method, as teachers explain how they make the magic happen in their classrooms. Get your questions answered, and leave with a lot of food for thought as you research preschool or elementary school programs for your child.

No RSVP required, but appreciated.



Register & attend the event, and you'll be entered into a raffle for a $500 tuition credit voucher for the LePort campus of your choice.*

* Must preregister for the event and attend the event to be entered into the raffle. Tuition credit expires September 30th, 2012. Must pay enrollment deposit by April 30th, and start school on or before September 30, 2012. Subject to space availability at chosen campus. One tuition credit certificate raffled off per event. New families only, one tuition credit per family. May not be combined with any other special offer.

FAQs

How to Choose a Montessori

The Montessori primary (age 3-6) classroom environment is very different from other preschools, and many parents find it hard to know what to look for when choosing a Montessori school. This video highlights key attributes of a well-run, authentic Montessori preschool: the classroom environment, the teaching approach and the children's behavior and capabilities.

Montessori Toddler & Preschool
1. I observed Montessori classrooms and there doesn't seem to be an opportunity for pretend play. Is this true?
2. How do you foster creativity? The children seem to work in a structured way, always doing the same things with the materials.
3. When I observe a Montessori preschool class, most kids work by themselves. Will my child still learn social skills?
4. Why is Kindergarten included with preschool?
5. Will my child learn to read and write?
6. Why do Montessori children learn cursive before print?
7. I saw a child upset in the classroom, and the teacher didn’t immediately comfort him. Why not?
8. Will my toddler cry when he first joins the class? What if he has separation anxiety?

Montessori Elementary (Grades 1-3)
1. Why do you offer a Montessori approach for grades 1-3?
2. Do children find it difficult to transition to a “normal” classroom in 4th grade?
3. The children seem to choose their own work in the Montessori classes. Do you provide any curriculum to ensure they still progress in all subject areas?
4. What happens if a child doesn’t do the work he should be doing at his age level?

Upper Elementary/Junior High (Grades 4-8)
1. Are you going to open an Upper Elementary & Junior High school in other locations—e.g. Irvine?
2. What size are your classes?
3. Why do you transition away from Montessori in 4th grade?
4. If my child is advanced, how will you meet his needs?
5. If my child has remedial needs, can he still attend a LePort school?
6. What types of arts programs do you offer?
7. How often do you take field trips?

General School Processes
1. Do you offer hot lunches?
2. How do you handle food allergies?
3. What extended care schedules do you offer?
4. How do you communicate with families during the school year?
5. Are your deposits refundable? Is tuition refundable?

Admissions
1. Do you offer school tours?
2. Can I observe your school in action before I decide to enroll my child?
3. Can my child join LePort mid-year?
4. Can my child join LePort in 2nd grade, or in 6th grade—that is, in the middle of your program?
5. How do you assess whether LePort is a good fit for my child?
6. Do you offer scholarships?

Montessori Toddler & Preschool (ages 18 months-6 years, including Kindergarten)

  • I observed Montessori classrooms and there doesn't seem to be an opportunity for pretend play. Is this true?

    Starting in her first “Children’s House” in 1907, Dr. Montessori found that children did not choose pretend play, when given the opportunity to do actual, meaningful work instead. Her first classrooms contained dollhouses, for instance, where children could pretend to serve tea to dolls—and real, child-sized tea sets, where children could prepare real tea and serve it to each other. Invariably, the children would choose to do real work with real utensils, which is why we enable our children to do the same in all of our classrooms.

    This is not to say that pretend play should be eliminated from a child’s experience. If a child engages in pretend play at home, parents should support the child’s choice. But in the school environment, we’ve found that children themselves prefer to be engaged in meaningful work—and find it fun! Back to top of page

  • How do you foster creativity? The children seem to work in a structured way, always doing the same things with the materials.

    Dr. Montessori believed, and we agree, that real creativity is built on a foundation of skills. Just as a creative jazz piano player is one who has mastered playing to the point of automaticity first, at which point his mind is free to improvise beautiful melodies and rhythms. In the same way, we prepare your child with the skills he needs to be truly creative. For example, we teach him how to control a pencil to create the “art of the inset”, and he thereby acquires the foundational skills needed to paint creative pictures later on. Click here to read our blog post about Montessori and Creativity for more information. Back to top of page

  • When I observe a Montessori preschool class, most kids work by themselves. Will my child still learn social skills?

    Montessori classrooms have a strong focus on developing mature social skills. Our teachers constantly support each child’s social development: they provide students with words to express their emotions, model grace and courtesy in social interactions, and guide them as they learn to control their impulses in order to interact maturely with their peers. Dr. Montessori has found that most preschoolers, when left to their own devices, prefer to work alone—and we respect that choice. Thus, the children are free to work individually during designated periods of the day, and they participate in group activities at other times (such as for certain lessons and group sing-alongs). Our goal is to enable each individual child to benefit from social interactions, and to develop a fundamental benevolent attitude towards other people. Back to top of page

  • Why is Kindergarten included with preschool?

    Our program, like most Montessori programs, has multi-age classrooms. Children aged 3-6 are in one class called “Primary” because of the pedagogical benefits of such an environment. Dr. Montessori found that children in this age range follow a similar developmental pattern—and so she tailored the materials in the classroom specifically to their needs. Indeed, the third year of the program, the “kindergarten year”, is critical: in the 3rd year, primary students cash in on all the preparatory work they have done up until that point in the Montessori program; by the 3rd year, they are fast becoming proficient writers and readers, and are mastering the basics of arithmetic. The kindergarten year also serves a psychological purpose. Students benefit from being the oldest children in class, as they mentor their younger peers and deepen their own skills by showing them to the younger students. They develop a sense of accomplishment and confidence that makes them yearn for, rather than fear, the challenges ahead. Children graduate to the elementary class when they are ready, generally sometime in the year after their 6th birthday. Back to top of page

  • Will my child learn to read and write?

    Yes. Children who join our program at or before age 3 typically learn to write by age 4 ½ - 5, and are reading shortly thereafter. Our 6 year olds regularly read a wide range of children’s books and write multi-sentence compositions in neat cursive handwriting. Back to top of page

  • Why do Montessori children learn cursive before print?

    It seems counter-intuitive, but it is actually more natural for a child to begin with the flowing lines of cursive than it is to engage in the stop-and-start motions required in printed text. In many traditional programs, children are taught to print first, based on the assumption that cursive is too difficult for a young hand to learn. Cursive is then taught in 3rd grade—at which point the child must unlearn the print method, and learn a new way to write. This process is unnecessarily cumbersome: with Montessori materials, our children easily learn neat cursive handwriting at ages 4 ½ or 5, thereby skipping the intermediary step of print letters—while at the same time practicing to read print letters, of course. Cursive is the faster, more efficient way of handwriting, and it helps a child develop a sense of personal style. Back to top of page

  • I saw a child upset in the classroom, and the teacher didn’t immediately comfort him. Why not?

    Our teachers observe children carefully and provide targeted support, such as a kind word, a short hug, and by being present near the child to reassure him, rather than holding him for extended periods. This is particularly true in the case of children new to the class, who tend to quickly develop a sense of comfort in the classroom setting. In a case where such an approach is not working, a teacher will offer a child continued support. However, there is sometimes an initial period where a teacher will observe a student in order to give him a chance to calm down on his own, and so the teacher can assess how best way to help him; during this time, a crying child may not be immediately comforted. Back to top of page

    We understand that young children can have strong emotions and need support in coping with them, especially as they transition into a new environment. Our teachers are trained to do so with utmost care: they focus on enabling the child to recognize his emotions, and guiding him as he slowly learns to become more emotionally independent—all while ensuring that each child knows that his teachers care deeply about him. In general, we believe that children develop greater self-esteem and independence if they discover that they are not entirely dependent on adults for handling emotional situations. We have found that with proper nurturing and support, our students grow to be better prepared to thrive in the less controlled environments of elementary school and beyond. Back to top of page

  • Will my toddler cry when he first joins the class? What if he has separation anxiety?

    We understand that many young children—especially toddlers and young 3 year olds—may experience separation anxiety when they first enter a new environment. Our goal is to make the transition a smooth experience, and to enable your child to learn that it is okay to be with new, caring people away from parents or other long-term caregivers. We take your family’s and your child’s individual context into account as we manage this important transition, and most of our students adapt to our school quite smoothly. We have learned that a few principles generally help make this a positive experience:

    • An individualized approach—including shortened days during the first week, where needed. We invite parents to discuss their concerns with us, before the transitions starts. The more we know about your child, the better we can help make her comfortable with the change from her home environment to school. On occasion, when children have a particularly tough adjustment, we do ask a parent to be available for an early pick-up (and we appreciate your cooperation). After a week to ten days of slowly lengthening mornings, most children will have gained the confidence to join the full program.
    • Parents in the classrooms during the transition period. We invite you to come and visit the school and to see the classroom with your child before his start date. We also invite your child to join us for an hour or two of play time the Friday before he starts school. Some campuses invite parents to linger outside, in the play area, while the children arrive. Once classes start, however, we suggest that you take a warm, brief goodbye from your child. You are always welcome to observe your child anytime, but we have found that when parents come in the classroom, it prolongs the anxiety, as the child comes to expect the parent to stay, and leads children who have already separated from their parents to regress.
    • Extra personal support and attention in the classroom, by peers and teachers. To support those children who have separation issues, we build in extra time for emotional support: our toddler rooms have a low child-teacher ratio. With rolling enrollments, we ensure that we never have a full class of new children at once. Our mixed-age primary rooms rarely have more than 3-4 new children joining at a time (many of our kids move up from the toddler program; others enroll mid-year). Our group of floating teachers and the Head of School provide extra assistance in difficult separation periods. We may also assign new students an older “mentor”—a child who has been with us for at least 18 months and who enjoys being a one-on-one guide to his new little friend.
    • A belief in children’s resilience & emotional growth. Through years of experience, we have found that it is rare for children (even young children) to be emotionally upset while they have this level of support and personal attention—especially when they see their peers enjoy the many wonderful activities our schools offer. We are, however, comfortable to let our young charges struggle just a bit as they adjust: while we will never let a child cry for an extended period of time, we will occasionally give a child the opportunity to calm down on his own for a little while, with a teacher nearby to offer a kind word and hug now and then. We find that this builds self-confidence, as the child slowly learns to better deal with challenging emotions, without relying entirely on an adult to sooth him. Back to top of page

Montessori Elementary (Grades 1-3)

  • Why do you offer a Montessori approach for grades 1-3?

    Between the ages of 6 and 9, children experience a tremendousamount of development—both in how they learn and in what they learn. At the beginning of elementary school, they still need considerable physical freedom to move; they have widely differing ability levels (one child may be strong in language arts and need more time in math, or vice versa). The bulk of their time is spent on acquiring skills (such as arithmetic, handwriting skills, reading and spelling); they also learn content that is very close to the observational level, such as acquiring the scientific vocabulary of plant parts, animals, etc.

    Our Montessori environment enables children to learn these skills and content in a developmentally appropriate way. They can progress at their own pace, spend more time on areas where they need more attention, and slowly develop the organization and time-management skills they need to succeed later in their schooling.

    Most importantly, this environment enables them to develop the fundamental concentration skills they need for future success. Children need to learn how to sustain attention on a task, to focus and mindfully engage themselves in work. We’ve found that a Montessori framework is crucial in helping children acquire this capacity. Back to top of page

  • Do children find it difficult to transition to a “normal” classroom in 4th grade?

    No, our children have no problem transitioning to a 4th grade class at LePort or elsewhere. During their time in our Montessori elementary program, they acquire skills equivalent to, and often above grade level—and they learn how to learn. They start out with concrete materials in 1st grade, and then transition to more abstract content over the three years they are with us. For example, in math, they start with the beads and end up doing 4th or 5th grade math with paper and pencil by the end of 3rd grade. They have developed long attention spans; they have learned to solve their own problems and to edit their own work; they are organized, and can keep track of deadlines and work towards them. We purposefully develop these skills, so that our students can sit, listen and work with more abstract ideas when they graduate to 4th grade. Back to top of page

  • The children seem to choose their own work in the Montessori classes. Do you provide any curriculum to ensure they still progress in all subject areas?

    Montessori schools differ in how much guidance they provide in the elementary grades. At LePort, we believe in freedom within limits: our teachers have a clearly defined curriculum that each child is expected to master over the three years in lower elementary, and they offer children a lot of choices in the particular way they master this curriculum. For example, every week the child agrees to a “work contract” with her teacher, which outlines the works she needs to complete over the course of the week. This required work typically can be done in four days, leaving the equivalent of one day a week for the child to dive deeper in areas she is most interested in. It also leaves the child much freedom of choice: she can decide when she wants to do which work. One week she can spend a whole day on math or writing; the next week she can decide to do a few hours on each subject everyday for variety. Back to top of page

  • What happens if a child doesn’t do the work he should be doing at his age level?

    Because of the individualized, self-paced approach of our Montessori elementary classrooms, we have a wonderful ability to tailor what a child works on according to his needs. A student who is weaker in writing, but strong in mathematics, for instance, may find that more of his weekly “work contract” focuses on language arts to ensure he gets the practice he needs. And because of the many different types of activities available among the Montessori materials, we can adapt to many different learning needs. If a student struggles with long multiplication, for example, we can offer him the basic bead materials, to re-ground him in the basic requisite skill; he can work with a simple multiplication board, then progress to the checker board, then to the small bead frame, and ultimately learn to do the operation abstractly.

    By combining a wide range of carefully-designed activities with a very individualized approach, our nurturing teachers are able to ensure that each child masters the core skills and acquires the knowledge he needs to succeed in further schooling. Our test scores bear witness to this: in 2010, our 3rd graders in Mission Viejo scored in the top 2% of all 3rd graders nationwide—without the tedious, time-consuming, mind-numbing test preparation exercises all too commonly found in other schools. Back to top of page

Upper Elementary/Junior High (Grades 4-8)

  • Are you going to open an Upper #lementary & Junior High school in other locations—e.g. Irvine?

    Due to strong parent demand, we are planning to add at least one additional Upper Elementary & Junior High program in Orange County within the next few years. We are actively evaluating locations across southern Orange County, including in Irvine where we have two thriving preschool campuses, one of which goes through third grade. While we cannot promise when we will open the next school, our plan is to grow the LePort network of schools. If you are aware of any property that might be suitable for a LePort campus, don’t hesitate to let our leadership team know! Back to top of page

  • What size are your classes?

    Our classes currently range from between 10-16 students. Our ideal class size is between 14-16 students, to both provide the one-on-one attention our program requires and to ensure each child has a large enough network of peers to form lasting friendships. Back to top of page

  • Why do you transition away from Montessori in 4th grade?

    Our Upper Elementary and Junior High program may not look like our 1st to 3rd grade Montessori classrooms—but while the external appearance changes, we do not transition away from the principles of the Montessori approach. What changes is how these principles manifest themselves: as students get older, they gradually transition from concrete materials to more abstract ideas. Our pedagogical principles remain the same throughout, and true to the spirit of Montessori:

    • We build on curiosity—and recognize how important it is that the child chooses to learn because he is sincerely interested in the materials.
    • We offer long work periods where children pursue self-directed activities, and where they apply and practice what they learn.
    • We ensure that our students are learning about the world, not how to memorize for a test.
    • We add a personal touch – by tying what we teach to each child’s context, and tailoring our approach to recognize her abilities.
    • We offer a carefully prepared environment that extends beyond just academics to include such things as developing social skills, character and organizational skills.
    • We have a curriculum that builds sequentially; every time the child learns something new, it forms the foundation for the next thing that they will learn. Back to top of page
  • If my child is advanced, how will you meet his needs?

    Because our program is academically rigorous, and because we always tailor what we teach to each child’s context of background knowledge, skills and interests, we are able to accommodate children of varying ability levels. Our teachers delight in having advanced students in their classes. As experts in their fields, they are passionate about the content they teach, which means that they always have much more material they would love to cover if given the opportunity. Through enrichment lessons and projects, advanced students give them that opportunity.

    On rare occasion, especially in mathematics, we may have a student who is so advanced that he does not fit into the regular classroom, even with all the tailoring and enriching we do. In those cases, we offer individualized classes through STAS, the LePort Supplemental Tutoring and Support program: we have the additional staff to offer advanced instruction (one-on-one or in a small group setting) in any subject area during regular class hours for an additional monthly fee. Call us and we can provide you with more details. Back to top of page

  • If my child has remedial needs, can he still attend a LePort school?

    LePort Schools offers an academically rigorous curriculum, but because we always tailor what we teach to each child’s context of background knowledge, skills and interests, we are able to accommodate children of varying ability levels. With extra support, and because of our nurturing environment, students with remedial needs are able to thrive at LePort. Depending on your child’s remedial needs, we can craft different types of programs to enable him to fit into our school. We have, for example, done the following things to help students:

    • Tailored assignments to meet the student’s needs (e.g. providing additional math skill practice, or more grammar work)
    • Created a plan of individualized, supplemental afternoon tutoring in key subjects
    • Put two teachers into a classroom for a while to ensure that a group of students who were behind caught up with the rest of the class
    • Offered summer tutoring in the months leading up to the start of school
    • Offered instruction (one-on-one or in a small group setting) during regular class hours through STAS, the LePort Supplemental Tutoring and Support Program, for an extra fee, until the student catches up with his regular class Back to top of page
  • What types of arts programs do you offer?

    Art is integrated throughout our curriculum. In history, the children study the artwork of whichever period they are learning about—from Greek sculpture to Renaissance paintings—and also draw historic scenes where appropriate to apply their understanding. In science, we guide students to illustrate their observations—for instance, they will sketch a rock, plant or animal they observed. Depending on demand, we also offer optional afterschool classes on drawing, painting, music, and art appreciation; these optional classes are aimed at students of different ages, from Montessori to junior high. Back to top of page

  • How often do you take field trips?

    Field trips are an integral part of our Upper Elementary and Junior High program. We typically take a trip every 4-6 weeks, and guarantee at least five field trips during each school year. Field trip fees are paid in advance to ensure you can budget and plan for your child’s experience, and include all transportation and admission costs (but not costs for overnight accommodations). We often need parent volunteers, and look forward to seeing you at one of our next trips. Recent destinations include:

    • The Orange County Register
    • The Wild Animal Park in Escondido
    • The Pacific Marine Mammal Center
    • The Dana Point Ocean Institute
    • The South Coast Repertory
    • The Huntington Library Back to top of page

General School Processes

  • Do you offer hot lunches?

    We offer a hot lunch program at all of our campuses. This program uses a high quality external vendor with online menus. Families can choose whether and when to participate, and what particular meals to select. Our partner focuses on healthy eating, and we tailor our menu to remove foods we have found have a negative impact on our students (such as sugary cookies, which are not welcome in our Montessori programs). Back to top of page

  • How do you handle food allergies?

    LePort Schools works cooperative with parents to accommodate students with anaphylactic allergies. Our Montessori program provides a NUT-FREE classroom environment. We have also developed a proactive anaphylactic allergy policy, which helps parents and school to work together and to ensure the safety of children with food allergies while they are in our care. Click here to download the allergy policy for our Montessori program (toddler – 3rd grade), as well as the nutrition and allergy form, which each parent completes prior to the start of school. Back to top of page

  • What extended care schedules do you offer?

    Our extended care schedules vary from campus to campus. Please download the application for the campus of your choice to get more detailed information. In general, though, we offer care from 7 am to 6 pm at most of our campuses. Back to top of page

  • How do you communicate with families during the school year?

    At LePort, we believe in regular, open communication with our families. This begins with our “open door policy”: you are always invited to come and observe classes at our school. We also believe in both regular, structured communication, and frequent, informal communication.

    To prevent cluttering your inboxes and minds, we typically send out our regular family communications every Tuesday; they are therefore called the “Tuesday Emails” and "Tuesday Envelopes” (which consist of electronic and paper copies, respectively). They serve two purposes: to keep you abreast of any current news and upcoming events, and to share with you what your child has been working on.

    For other day-to-day, informal communications, our teachers will e-mail you. And you are of course very welcome to e-mail them yourself anytime. We are also available informally as you pick up your child after school: our teachers typically wait outside with the students, and are happy to answer any quick questions you have or to set up longer meetings.

    We also have biannual parent-teacher meetings, where we meet with you one-on-one to review your child’s progress. At times, we may call you for an interim in-person meeting to discuss any issues that cannot be addressed via e-mail or over the phone.

    Finally, we hold regular parent education evenings throughout the year, where we share information about our curriculum. We strongly advise you to attend these events: the more you know about what we do, the more we can work together to provide your child with the best education possible. Back to top of page

  • Are your deposits refundable? Is tuition refundable?

    We require 30 days written notice to withdraw your child from school. We will apply your child’s pre-paid last month of tuition toward that withdrawal period. No refunds are available for withdrawals after March 31st. See our application forms for more detailed information. Back to top of page

Admissions

  • Do you offer school tours?

    Yes, we do. Please contact us online or call the campus you are considering and we will be happy to set up a tour for you. Tours are available year-round. Back to top of page

  • Can I observe your school in action before I decide to enroll my child?

    Absolutely: we invite you to come back after your initial tour and spend an hour or a day with us. We ask that you give at least a week’s notice: it is important that we spread out our observers, so that they do not interfere with our classroom operations. Back to top of page

  • Can my child join LePort mid-year?

    Yes, we accept enrollments throughout the year, space permitting, in all of our programs. Back to top of page

  • Can my child join LePort in 2nd grade, or in 6th grade—that is, in the middle of your program?

    Yes, we accept children into all grades, space permitting. However, we do open enrollment to existing students prior to inviting outside families. As many of our classes fill up early, we do encourage you to consider LePort from preschool onward to ensure we will have space to accommodate your child. Please contact us, so we can review your individual situation. Back to top of page

  • How do you assess whether LePort is a good fit for my child?

    For our toddler and preschool programs, your child will come in for a day to experience our class to ensure our school is a good fit for you.

    Grades 1-3 similarly conduct an in-class, informal assessment: our classroom teacher will spend time with your child, and will have him work with different Montessori materials and exercises to understand where he fits academically and personally within our multi-age classroom.

    For grades 4-8, we conduct a detailed one-on-one assessment, which includes an interview of your child with our Head of School, as well as written assessments. We also request that your child bring in work examples from his current school, and that you submit any past report cards or standardized tests. In this way, we can ensure the right placement for your child, and suggest any supplemental tutoring that may be needed to integrate him smoothly into our school. We also request that your child spend a full orientation day with us, so that your child will feel comfortable on his first day of school. Back to top of page

  • Do you offer scholarships?

    LePort Schools has limited scholarships available. Please contact us for more information. Back to top of page

Newsletter


Newsletter Archives

A Residency Program in Montessori Teaching
October 2011

A great teacher is worth her weight in gold, so the saying goes, and that's especially true in a Montessori classroom.

Click Here to continue reading.


Why Do We Study Science?
October 2011

Science education is a staple of modern schooling. One rarely hears anyone question the value or necessity of teaching our children science. But what is the reason behind this view? Why should a child study science?

Click Here to continue reading.


Drive: Keeping Your Child's Love of Learning Alive
September 2011

Every school we know talks about instilling a love of learning in children. But what does that actually mean?

Click Here to continue reading.



Taking The Anxiety Out Of Starting Preschool
August 2011

Starting preschool for the first time, or transferring to a new preschool environment, is an exciting time, but often also an anxious one. Many parents are concerned about how their child will handle this big transition.

Click Here to continue reading.


Silence: An Unexpected Montessori Benefit
July 2011

When parents first visit a well-run Montessori school, they often comment on how quiet the classrooms are compared to many other environments where groups of preschoolers come together.

Click Here to continue reading.



What I Learned From The Messy Marker Episode
July 2011

When my daughter Cailey was not quite 3, she asked me if she could color with markers. Up until that time, she'd only used crayons, chalk or colored pencils for her art endeavors.

Click Here to continue reading.



What Would You Like Your Child To Remember About School?
June 2011

Every year, at our Mission Viejo Campus, our 8th graders reflect on their experience at LePort in their graduate essays (published in our yearbook). Reading these essays is a rewarding experience for us as educators. They dramatize the goal that inspires our efforts: students who genuinely love to learn, and are eager to explore the world of knowledge.

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Will Montessori Preschool Nurture My Child's Creativity?
June 2011

Several recent articles in major newspapers have discussed the demise of creativity in children, and linked it to a lack of "unstructured, messy play." For example, The New York Times reports:

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Snack Time As Learning Time For Toddlers
June 2011

As fall approaches, you may be getting ready to enroll your child in preschool for the first time. It's an exciting moment to see your beloved little one growing up, embarking on adventures without you right next to him or her.

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Bringing Drama To Math Class
May 2011

Here's a disturbing quote if you are a parent concerned about your child's education:

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How Montessori Math Helps Your Child Accomplish An Impossible Feat
April 2011

If you participated in "Watch Me Work Week" in February, you most likely saw 4 and 5-year-olds working with the Golden Beads, building numbers into the thousands, adding them together, confidently exchanging ten unit beads for a ten-bar, and ten ten-bars for a hundred square.

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Reading and Writing: Learned and Loved
March 2011

Even though reading and writing skills are critical to all future learning, many children struggle to learn these basic skills well into the elementary years. Schools are full of students who lack core language arts abilities, often despite the fact that they have dedicated teachers and proactive parents trying very hard to help them.

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