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Lakewood Montessori Middle School
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Principal: Philosophy
At the newest middle school in Durham Public Schools, the teachers and the program will encourage students to experience joy in learning. That is one of the descriptors used by the American Montessori Society for secondary school programs. The newest and smallest DPS middle school, the Montessori Middle School, is unique in that it will operate at Watts Elementary School for sixth-graders in 2010-11 and then will open in the newly renovated Lakewood YMCA in 2011-12.
The new school continues the DPS Montessori experience that students currently have at Watts and Morehead Montessori Elementary Schools, two magnet schools, along with space for a limited number of additional students.
Teaching
Instruction is individualized, with students actively involved in purposeful learning. Curriculum areas include: social sciences, science, geography, language arts, second language and grammar, mathematics, practical management, and fine arts. Students will learn through discovery, including having their own garden at the school and participating in community service projects.
Montessori principles for students feature:
- Large blocks of uninterrupted work time
- A variety of work options
- Cooperative groups and peer teaching
- Community building and student leadership
- Multi-age grouping
- Integration of disciplines
- Creation and care of the environment
Facility
The school will operate within Watts Montessori Elementary School for one year while renovations are made to the Lakewood YMCA on Chapel Hill Road. When the $8 million renovations are complete, the Montessori Middle School (official naming to take place in late fall 2009) will occupy approximately 50,000 square feet on the Lakewood Y site. Planners are aiming for LEED Silver Level Certification with a rain barrel, daylighting and other features resulting in an environmentally-friendly facility. There will be limited shared areas between the school and the Y; however there will be strict monitoring while students are in school. There are separate entrances. The facility is being built to house 300 students. There are athletic fields, a gym, science and art rooms, and other common school features.
History
In April 2008, Durham County Government, Durham Public Schools, and YMCA of the Triangle announced a joint venture initiating the redevelopment of the Lakewood YMCA located at 2119 Chapel Hill Road. In an effort to preserve the facility, the partnership between the private and public agencies involved the County purchasing the Lakewood YMCA property and completing the estimated $8 million renovation. DPS will build a 300-student school on the property and the YMCA will lease back a portion of the property.
Then Chair of the Durham County Board of Commissioners Ellen Reckhow, said, “This is a triple win for the community, the school district and the YMCA. Durham County is delighted to partner with the Durham Public Schools and Triangle YMCA to provide an exciting new educational opportunity for middle school students, while retaining the YMCA as a community focal point.”
Montessori in DPS
In 1994 DPS brought the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori to the district when Morehead Elementary School was made a magnet school operating with the Montessori philosophy. In August 2004, George Watts Elementary School became DPS’s second elementary school operating with the Montessori philosophy.
Application Process
Students will enter the Montessori Middle School through the DPS Choice Schools application/lottery process. Applications for choice schools will be accepted January 4 through 29, 2010; applications will be online at www.dpsnc.net
Rising sixth-graders from George Watts Montessori Elementary School and Morehead Montessori Elementary School will receive first consideration for placement at the Montessori Middle School provided they submit magnet school applications listing Montessori Middle as their first choice by the January 29 deadline. By lottery, students will be selected to attend the school.
Montessori Middle Timeline Overview
- Spring 2008: Board of Education approves proposal to open a Montessori Middle School at the renovated YMCA
- Fall 2009: Parent Information Night, Establishment of SBDM and PTA groups, Board of Education Selects Name, Promotion at Middle and High School Fair, Showcase of Schools Tours, Construction plans completed and work begins on renovation
- January 4-29, 2010: Magnet Applications Must be Filed (online at www.dpsnc.net)
- Spring 2010: Lottery Selects Students to Attend
- August 2010: School Opens For 6th-Graders housed at Watts
- Spring 2011: Principal Selected and Additional Students Selected in Lottery
- August 2011: New School Opens at Lakewood YMCA for 6th- and 7th-graders
Directions
From I-40:
Exit I-40 at the 147-Durham Freeway North exit. Exit Durham Freeway at the North Duke Street exit. Turn Left onto Trinity Avenue. Turn Right on Watts St. and go 3 blocks. George Watts will be on the right.
From I-85:
Exit I-85 at the Gregson Street/Northgate Mall exit. Go south on Gregson Street. Turn right on Club Blvd. Take a left onto Watts Street. Go approximately eight blocks and George Watts will be on the left.
