the head of school, bissonnette, says teachers watch how a child interacts with their classmates, howy engage with the materials, and by talking with them. >> students work independently. there's a lot of choice in what they work on, where they work. >> reporter: they were devastated when the eoc denied their charter. trying to see if the school district can bring the montessori model to an in district school. >> we've been trying to work with them for several years around bringing montessori into the district. there is a lot of obstacles in that process. but i think that right now, there's some more momentum to build more schools in oakland. >> reporter: he is cautiously optimistic, despite the fact they announced plans to merge ten schools into five. dyer says for families like hers, the method has become a necessary and that some of the children won't drive in a traditional environment. >> we need this school. >> reporter: some parents are, for a two-year provisional reknew. >> for the time being, dyer is letting her kids soak in what could be the last few months of attending their