Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School

LAMB’s mission is to create a self-directed learning environment in which children build a foundation of knowledge essential for a lifetime of learning while developing bi-literacy in English and Spanish. In order to accomplish our mission, LAMB utilizes the Montessori philosophy and pedagogy to provide children with an environment of academic excellence that celebrates their cultures and languages and leaves no question about their value as a human being. LAMB’s goal is that students will be bilingual and bi-literate, able to read and write on grade level in both English and Spanish by the end of 5th grade. There are other Montessori schools (chartered, traditional, private) in the District of Columbia, but LAMB is the only public, chartered, Montessori, bilingual, primary and elementary education school in the tri-state area and one of only a few nationally. LAMB is audited annually, has a valid Business License, and Certificate of Clean Hands. LAMB is accredited by Middle States of Colleges and Schools and recognized by the DC Public Charter School Board as a Tier 1 school for the fifth straight year. LAMB serves children PK3 to 5th grade. LAMB classes are organized into multi-age groupings: Primary (PK3 to Kindergarten), Lower Elementary (1st to 3rd grades) and Upper Elementary (4th to 5th grades). Traditionally, students remain in the same classroom for three years and have the experience of being the youngest and the oldest within the group. In School Year 2017-2018, LAMB has 462 students (Latino 37%, Black 17%, White 34%, Multiracial 8%, Asian 2%). Twenty-four percent of LAMB students are eligible for free and reduced lunch, 29% are English language learners and 15% are students with special needs. LAMB is one school that operates from three facilities in three Wards across the District of Columbia. Over the next five years, LAMB will grow to serve 600 students. Each site serves approximately 180 to 220 students.