Frequently Asked Questions
How will students adjust to a Montessori school after being in a traditional school?
Truth seeks to not only provide continuity of programming for the District’s current Montessori students, but also to be an ideal option for students without prior Montessori experience who are seeking a high quality and personalized experience. It is our firm belief that students can be successful at Truth regardless of their prior setting, and we are committed to preparing students for success in whatever their next step may be - whether traditional or progressive. Truth prepares all students for success on PARCC and in college, and even more importantly with the habits of success necessary to be independent, confident, and resourceful adults.
Do students have homework, textbooks, grades (report cards/progress reports)?
It is our belief at Truth that work should be meaningful, and that when students are given work just for the sake of it that it creates frustration and disinterest. Students in the middle and high school at Truth engage in rigorous, provocative, and meaningful work on a regular basis, and oftentimes they will need to contribute to this work outside of school hours. We do not, however, assign rote tasks just for the sake of it.
Units will be anchored in rich texts, and some of these - but not all - come from textbooks. Truth’s grading system is competency-based, which means that students receive grades based on their specific skill levels. These grades are translated into easily understood marks (such as A or C), and students receive both progress reports and report cards that are easily understood and interpreted by parents, high schools, and colleges.
What does Truth offer to students who have been receiving foreign language training if they want to continue receiving it?
As a school that aims to provide a personalized experience, we are excited to find ways to offer specific language courses to interested students. We plan to offer an array of languages in club or small-group settings starting in school year 2023-2024, and currently offer Spanish as an elective for all.
Are there any clubs or extracurricular activities?
Yes! We offer an array of clubs that were all created from the interests of students. Some examples of our current school year clubs are chess, drama, guitar, newsletter, and step to name a few. We also have a student government association for both our middle and high school with student representatives from each classroom.
Are there multiple ages in each class?
In our middle school classrooms, yes students can expect to be in a classroom with classmates who are in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Following traditional Montessori classroom models, we also generally keep students with their same cohort of teachers and classmates in three year cycles. We believe mixed age groupings in middle school encourages the development of strong social and collaborative skills.
In our high school classrooms, due to course credit requirements, students are generally in classrooms with students of the same grade level. Students of different grades may cross paths as they may share an elective course or AP course.
How many students are in each class?
Classrooms will typically have between 20-23 students.
How long is the school day?
A regular school day for a high school student will be from 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. A regular school day for a middle school student will be from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. *Mondays are a half day for all students. To see the full daily schedule for SY 22-23 click here.
Is there be a school uniform?
Truth students are not required to wear a school uniform but are expected to adhere to the school dress code policy.
Are there be after school activities?
We offer sports which are facilitated after school and also some of our clubs are held after school as well. Besides this we have an after school program facilitated by Positive Vibes Empowerment Care.
Are there traditional middle and high school programs (8th grade dance, promotion ceremony, etc)?
Yes! Our Student Government Association spearheads most of our programs such as school dances, promotion ceremonies, and other school-wide events.
How does Truth prep students for traditional tests ex. SAT, PARCC?
Truth’s curriculum includes compelling projects and a degree of student choice but will be grounded in a comprehensive framework of standards-based skills and content. Truth’s Competency Framework has been carefully cross walked with not only the Common Core State Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards, and the C3 Social Studies Standards, but also the specific expectations of the PARCC exam. Further, Truth students engage in a college preparatory high school curriculum that prepares them for success on the SAT exam.
Is Truth’s curriculum aligned with DCPS?
Truth’s scope and sequence and unit development has been done in consultation with curriculum from DCPS and surrounding districts as well as best practices from secondary Montessori schools. It has been created to intentionally cover all grade-level standards and skills covered each year in DCPS, but to do so in accordance with our Deep-Dive Learning approach. Please contact us directly if you would like specific unit samples or to meet for a personal review of the curriculum.
What courses can a high school student take?
Truth’s High School Course Catalog can be found here.