GRADE SCHOOLS - feedbacks and reviewa

[binggay]

Hello,

Do we have Mommies here whose little girls go to Miriam College Grade School?

I am eyeing that school for my girl who will be in Grade 1 next schoolyear. Hingi lang sana ako ng copy ng tuition and fees this schoolyear so I can pretty much estimate how much it will be next year para ma-tancha ko din kung kaya ko.

Thanks in advance.

[marose17]

^ Check the preschools in QC thread, sis.  Parang may nag-post doon.

Or better yet, contact the admin office of Miriam.  I understand they have an open enrollment system.  You can inquire na straight para makapag-sked ka pa ng visit and assessment.

The principal of the grade school made a presentation sa preschool ng mga kids ko and based on her data, mas mura ng konti ang tuition sa Miriam as compared sa ibang girls' schools like Poveda, Assumption, St. Paul's Pasig and ICA.  Pero ang dami ng students nila sa grade school.  Nasa 2k in total yata.  Sila ang pinakamataas ang school population among those schools mentioned.

Hindi ko masyado na-digest her talk kasi boys ang mga anak ko, but that's what I remembered from the talk.   Hindi ko natandaan ang tuition sa grade 1 eh.  But sa preschool nila, nasa 85k upwards na, based on my inquiry 2 years ago noong nagse-search ako ng preschools para sa sons ko.

[binggay]

 ^Thanks sa reply sis, subukan ko hanapin yung post na sinasabi mo. I called their office earlier pero ang natanong ko pa lang eh schedule ng application. Sabi call back daw after a month kasi di pa daw napapg-meeting-an yung admissions for next schoolyear.

[marose17]

^ Sis, try ko hanapin yung materials na binigay nila during the presentation ha then i-p-PM kita para ma-send ko sa iyo if you want.  May handbook at kung ano-ano kasi yung binigay nila that time.  Boys naman mga kids ko kaya hindi ko siya kakailanganin for future reference.

Impressed ako sa principal, to be honest.  Young pa siya but confident and self-assured siya.  She dresses well too.  I forgot her name lang.

Marami silang extra-curricular activities kasi yung total personal development ang target nila, not just academic development.  Tapos, environmentally-conscious din sila at may social work involvement din.  Those are the good points I remembered from the talk.

[binggay]

^ That would help a lot sis, maraming salamat.

[catherine]

Thanks to all who replied, I just got a call from Reedley and both my children passed the entrance exam although I'm still undecided, I don't know what people mean by party school.  I've met the director mukhang strict naman and he assured me my children would thrive in the environment of Reedley.  I have the weekend the pray over it.  Thanks sisses.

[marose17]

I think by party school, kids going to such school are known for parties rather than for academics.

[ichelie]

hey sis @marose, glad to hear you heard you heard a presentation from MCGS principal - its mrs. galang.  yes, she is young and vibrant.

@binggay, miriam has big population.  but i would say that they have a good system in place to handle their students.  students per class is about 38-42.  same with other girl's school.  there's a coordinator and a counselor in charge of each level to take care of the student's needs.  they do develop both academics and special skills. i like Miriam's way of developing the spirit of competency.  their academic celebrations showcases the classes' talents - not just one or 2 students being on center stage.  they develop team work and creativity this way.  honors are given to those deserving kahit despite the numbers.  walang ranking among the sections.  miriam's core values are: truth, peace, justice, and integrity of creation! they develop environmental conciousness!

as what i say, when others ask about big schools.  if the thrust, values and system of the school would fit in to how you want to raise your child, then go for that school.

[binggay]

 ^ Thanks sis Ichelie, I need to hear good feedback about Miriam.

Para kasing I pretty much have no choice but to send my daughter there, kasi my boy goes to Ateneo. I was also considering Poveda (dami nagsasabi i-Poveda ko daughter ko) but, of course, practicality and convenience for us parents must always be part of the equation di ba? Alangan naman every morning, mag-dalawang kotse pa kami sa paghatid kasi opposite directions ang schools ng mga bata.

Mabuti nga at magaganda na rin ang feedback that I get from Miriam. Kasi kung sobrang pangit ng feedback ng school, siguro kahit magkanda-hirap ako sa paghahatid, tiya-tiyagain kong maghanap ng better school.

Sis marose, buti pa sa pre-school ng sons mo, nag-talk sila about Miriam. Meron bang mga brochures or handbooks na pwedeng hingin from them? I doubt kung mag-talk sila sa school ng daughter ko, maganda nga sana kung merong ganon.

[marose17]

^ Sis, the directress of my sons' preschool invited resource persons from Miriam, Ateneo, Diliman Preparatory School and Centro Montessori for a seminar held for the purpose of helping parents decide where to send their kids to grade school.  This is an annual thing sa Family Montessori.   Majority of the kids kasi at FM go to the 3 schools (excluding Diliman Prep) mentioned for grade school.

Re brochure, hindi pala school handbook on school fees ang binigay sa amin.  It's parang a handbook containing photos of the activities in Miriam GS the past year.

Sis, since your son attends school at Ateneo, Miriam is a logical choice.  But I have a friend na ang son niya sa Ateneo and ang daughter niya sa Poveda naman, so it could also work for you.  Your preference, budget, goals and lifestyle should be considered in making a decision.

^^Yes, it's Mrs. Galang.  I like the way she presented her school though all of us parents were bowled over by Mrs. Candy Lagazon of Centro Montessori.  Simply the best and most interactive presentation of the evening yung kay Mrs. Lagazon.   Napapaisip tuloy talaga ako.  Before kasi, Ateneo talaga ang plan namin for grade school pero ngayon, undecided pa ako.

[ichelie]

Hey Binggay and Marose!  I agree na your preferred choice too should consider your lifestyle, budget and goals.  Most of the kids in Miriam has brothers in Ateneo.  In Poveda, most brothers go to Ateneo, LaSalle or Xavier.  Its really up to you. 

Poveda is considered by many to be really good.  I agree.  But it also depends on what are you looking for.  Poveda has a special system called individualized learning.  They are still traditional but not rigid in approach.  They seem to be too good and elite cause they only have 4 sections!  And of course, since mahirap ang admission and konti ang slots, getting in is an achievement for many!  Most Povedans are those who can really afford the school (and the lifesyle maybe)

Miriam is equally good.  They make sure they are true to their mission and vision.  Since there are lots of sections (and slots), it becomes a mixture of A & B families. 

Both are wholistic in approach.  Though Miriam has more venues to excel in sports.  I love Miriam's  campus! 

If you like, visit both schools and personally inquire to get a feel of both!  Usually, admissions starts Sept.

[binggay]

 ^ Thanks for the suggestion, sis! I might do it nga. I'll visit both campuses na lang. Tuition-wise, would you happen to know how big a difference it is for both schools?

[ichelie]

^ sis, im not sure with their exact fees now. youre welcome.  best to visit!

[jakunjari]

hello mga sis!
any feedback on Spurgeon School Makati? Also how much is their tuition fee?
It was mentioned on other threads but wala talagang infos.
Thanks a lot!

[trend_seeker]

hi sis! do you know how much are the tuition fees for the ff schools (just to have an idea) also if you have reviews/ comments for the schools...please do inform =)

1) Maria Montessori (Visayas Ave)
2) Centro Montessori
3) Paref-Northfield

thanks

[marose17]

^ Centro Montessori's tuition fee is around Php100-120k/year, I understand.

My co-parents at Family Montessori Preschool (this is a separate and different school) have raved/are raving about Centro Montessori.  Half of the kids kasi at my children's preschool go to Centro for grade school.  I understand that Centro kids do very well (and graduate with honors) in traditional high schools like Ateneo, Miriam, Poveda, etc. A few also make it to Phil. Science High School.  Last year's grads produced 4 Phil. Science students I think, a very good showing considering that the total school population is only 120 students or so.  So, sa isang "batch" there are only around 60 students.

I find the directress, Mrs. Candy Lagazon, very impressive. Aside from her credentials (she took up post-grad in Montessori elementary education abroad), she is also very passionate about teaching.  I also understand that some of the teachers at Centro are professionals in other fields like architecture but pursued teaching because it is their passion.

My neighbors' children are Centro Montessori students (they were pulled out from a traditional school nearby because of bullying) and they're very articulate, confident, well-mannered, kind and relaxed (since they don't have to spend afternoons and evenings dealing with homework).

A typical Centro kid daw is inherently curious, a bit of a perfectionist, well-rounded, self-reliant and very smart. 

Personally, Centro is my top choice for a non-traditional school in the Katipunan area (but it is in Xavierville na ha).

May open house ang Centro this coming September yata and October.  I plan to attend.  Check na lang with the school for the schedule.

[trend_seeker]

Thanks sis for the info..appreciate it much =)

Anyone who have feedbacks on Mater Christi School along Katipunan din?

[marose17]

^ Good feedback din ang narinig ko about Mater Christi, though wala akong details pa.  May classmates ang sons ko na diyan nag-enroll this year for grade 1.

Former principal yata ng PAREF Rosehill ang owner/directress ng Mater Christi.

[trend_seeker]

Thanks sis MAROSE17...konti lang [textspeak!] ang choices for boys e...unlike girls...haha.....already called mater christi..[textspeak!] too early pa daw for next year inquiry...mga April pa daw pati assessment and tuition fee...

Mommies...Any other recommendations within QC area please...plus im considering the need of my son [textspeak!]...he has delayed motor skill..particularly in balancing..so right now he goes to PT and is able to walk already with the aid of a pedia-walker...so yung preferred namin school is yung may space for him..ayoko din [textspeak!] magkaroon ng issue about his condition =) btw, my son is 5yrs old palang -KINDER level.

All your replies are very much appreciated =)

maganda na talaga ngayon ang Progressive type noh...not unlike [textspeak!] traditional..because of the large ratio (40 kids/class)...talagang sink or swim ang kids....

interested din ako sa montessori type...but im still checking for reviews pa =)

[bingski]

May open house ang Centro this coming September yata and October.  I plan to attend.  Check na lang with the school for the schedule.

Can you share the website or contact details of Centro. I'm really interested. My son currently studies in a progressive school and I'd like to put him in a non-traditional school for grade school.