Woodlands Montessori vs IMS (Wanchai)

Gail Gail

Gail Gail

Registered User
Hi all,

Our daughter has been accepted at the International Montessori School in Wanchai/Admiralty for next year's kindergarden and she is currently attending Woodlands Montessori's playgroup.

We really like Woodlands, but looking to the future, it seems easier for her to go to IMS as there will be a continuance after kindergarden. One of the sticking points about IMS seems to be it's recent establishment and the price of its debenture. (Woodlands doesn't have debenture).

Has anyone come across the same dilemma or maybe have experience with either schools to give an opinion?

Maybe one solution is to enroll her in IMS for kindergarden and maybe assess the situation before continuing with her primary education? Other options for primary could be ESF schools?

Any opinions would be much appreciated,

Confused and bewildered parents...
 
..

Hi there,

My son is going to IMS too in Sept. The debenture is quite a shock to me. But I do like that school a lot. How's woodland? I've think about maybe have my son going to that school. I'm not an early person, afternoon class suits me better .........
 
Woodlands Montessori vs. IMS (Wanchai)

Woodlands is a good school. No hidden fees and no debentures. We take our daughter to Tai Tam and she likes it there. But the journey up to there is a bit 'dangerous'... and we just can't see us going up there for the next 3 years until she's ready for Primary.

We'll be talking to Woodlands tomorrow about what their part maybe in helping us get into Primary after Kindergarden. Maybe after that discussion, it will be easier to decide.

What do you like about IMS? How old is your Son?

:crib
 
Hi all,

I'd like to let my son studying in Montessori School..

Woodland to too far away, so I will not consider

How much is the school fee for IMS?

Any school bus?

:thanks :thanks
 
ANY IMS parent,

More, want to know, studying in the bilingual environment (IMS), are your child fluent in both English and Mardarin?
 
Fluent Toddlers

Studying in bilingual classes doesn't neccessarily make your child fluent... but this depends on the age of your child.

My daughter is 2 years old and she can speak both Cantonese and English and some Mandarin which she learns at Woodlands.

I wouldn't say she is fluent as she is still learning the rudimentary basics of languages.

I think for a toddler at this age, it also depends on your home environment and the child as well. I know some 1 and half year olds who could speak very well... but in just one language...

Expect your bilingual child to be a little bit 'slower' initially...

... I'm hoping my daughter will pick up speed later...

Cheers,
 
tutor time vs woodlands

Hi

my daughter is now 15 months, just have a trial lesson in tutor time, tai tam; the mandarin teacher is very good, however the english teacher just standard. will visit woodlands and sunshine later. any comments?
 
Woodlands vs the others at Redhill Plaza

We found the other places okay, but perceived Woodlands to be a better and happier place. It might be smaller compared to the others... but it just feels better in Woodlands. After our daughter has been there for over 6 months, it seems we have made the right choice.

Happy Parents to a 2 year 3 month toddler...
 
Ims

Hi mummies,

I have heard abt the high debenture as well. Do you know how it works? is it like a deposit?

I am also currently hunting school for my 3 yr old, and looking for billingual school as well. Do you have any comments on the standard of english and putonghua at IMS? i really appreciate your inputs.

Thank you,
 
hi gail gail,

how do you feel woodland tai tam? my son is studying at woodland tai tam's playgroup now. i am not sure whether I should let him stay there for stepping stones and preschool. any suggestions?
 
-------
Deposit/Debenture upon acceptance HK$50,000
-------
from their information materials.

I just joined the school tour this morning. Many parents (including 6-7 fathers even though it's weekday morning!) were there. Overall I had a good impression, but still debating between IMS and Woodland Montessori...
 
hi littlemisshk,

I was there this morning!

My overall impression is good. But the shortcoming is it has no garden, outdoor activities provided for the kids. You know natural environment provides much materials to learn/feel/share.

Maybe its a dream in hong kong. Land is so expensive.

Anyway, I have applied for the toddler programmes since its location is convenient for me and little boy, especially during bad weather.

I will visit woodland next week to compare.

Have u visited woodland ? how the environment ?
 
Hi littlemisshk,

I wanted to join in the parent tour today as well, but cldnt make it. Can u share more with me abt the school tour and how the debenture work? Must the student complete at least 1 academic year in order to get back the debenture, etc?

Many thanks,


littlemisshk said:
-------
Deposit/Debenture upon acceptance HK$50,000
-------
from their information materials.

I just joined the school tour this morning. Many parents (including 6-7 fathers even though it's weekday morning!) were there. Overall I had a good impression, but still debating between IMS and Woodland Montessori...
Click to expand...
 
orangebaby,
Did you stay there till the end of the whole tour?
The fact that they have no outdoor playground doesn't bother me much, I guess I take my kid to parks/outdoor myself when not in school...
I am also interested in toddler programme but it (13:45-15:15) falls right on my kid's precious beauty nap time. Knowing how grumpy my kid gets when sleepy, I hesitate with fear. So I probably go for Woodland Montessori playgroup. I find these two schools very similar (of course because they're both Montessori). Just different size of classroom space, uniform/non-uniform, etc. Oh, and debenture!
You say you applied, how long will you have to wait? Did they tell you?


chubbysan,
I think there is another school tour later this month so you should join and see yourself. It's basically just they show us around the school facilities (while kids in class) and the school manager explained Montessori method, how they started IMS, etcetcetc plus Q&As for almost two hours.
I'm interested in their toddler programme (18-30 months) and I was told debenture won't be applied for toddler programme. So I didn't ask further. Better ask the school. I'm sorry I didn't have an answer for you.
 
Hi littlemisshk,

YAH, I stayed to the end, I worn a pink top and blue jeans.
I also think that i can bring him myself to outdoor playground but some kids are inpolite and rude in somewhere.

woodland is too far for me, so for toddlers prog, i will choose ims

since my boy is only 15 mths, not a time to join. They didn't say when could my boy joins , i can only wait.

I think only when my boy meets 1.5 yr and at the time they have place, they will let him join, or following the waiting list to join.

If they have no place, I may consider best concept in kowloon tong.

Now he will join Tutor time.

chubbysan,
i think the debenture will be released when your chid leaves the school!
but u better ask the school.
 
Last edited:
orangebaby,

In fact, I remember you...you mentioned you're a full-time mom, right? I was in jeans too, with a sort-of pink top :)

I remember the school manager said the toddler program is currently full and they're considering another class, but it won't happen at least until later this year. Hope your son can get in without waiting for too long. If they start a morning session, I might try. Maybe.
 
Hi,

I am quite happy with IMS and have applied for playgroup and 3-6 yr class. Now I am thinking of any difficulty to get in. I may have to apply also for Woodland Montessori/other schools for backup? (but got to think carefully since applications for those int'l schools need quite high application fee)

Will IMS only accept students whose parents are native English speaker ? (I am a Cantonese and speak to my boy with English)

Any parents have experience in the interview of IMS?

Please share and much thanks!
 
hi orangebaby,

Have IMS called you up for the interview already? I am wondering how long did they take to call you up for the interview after you submit the application.

tks



orangebaby said:
Hi,

I am quite happy with IMS and have applied for playgroup and 3-6 yr class. Now I am thinking of any difficulty to get in. I may have to apply also for Woodland Montessori/other schools for backup? (but got to think carefully since applications for those int'l schools need quite high application fee)

Will IMS only accept students whose parents are native English speaker ? (I am a Cantonese and speak to my boy with English)

Any parents have experience in the interview of IMS?

Please share and much thanks!
Click to expand...
 
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