FAQs

What is your Information Night schedule?

Please click HERE for Information Night Reservations. More Information Nights will become available in November 2023.

How old does my child need to be to matriculate?

The minimum age for enrollment is 2 years, 7 months old.

We understand that many parents are eager to admit their child before the age of 2.8, however, there is a certain amount of maturity needed to engage independently in a Montessori classroom. We are a school setting rather than a day care setting and we want your child to be successful. If your child is not able to be independent due to their age or maturity level, it is best if you enroll him or her in another daycare or school setting before enrolling them to our school. Thank you for understanding.

What is your enrollment process?

Please read about our enrollment process here.

Do you allow mid-year enrollment?

We begin our school year with a full roster. However, if you would like to enroll your child as soon as possible, we encourage you to continue with the enrollment process as we typically get around one or two openings throughout the school year due to unexpected moves, etc. We keep a running wait list of families who have completed all of the enrollment steps and these people will be contacted first should there be an opening.

How many classrooms, students, and teachers do you have? What is the student:teacher ratio?

We have two large, open floors with lots of space and light and as much of nature as we can bring inside! Licensed for 36 students, we have a maximum of 18 students in each classroom, with one lead Montessori teacher in each classroom, accompanied by an assistant. Each student receives ample one-on-one time with teachers, in addition to self-directed individual and group activities.

What are school hours? Do you offer both full- and part-time programs?

We are open Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 6 pm. We are full-time only and do not offer part-time programs at this time. Our traditional uninterrupted work period is from 8 am to 11 am, which is followed by an organic lunch, a nap period, and after-school activities.

How much is tuition?

Please inquire about the most updated tuition rates via email.

Does my child need to be potty trained?

It is ideal that your child is fully potty trained at his or her time of enrollment. Your child must be able to be able to independently take care of all bathroom needs. It is very important that they have these skills before they begin. Thank you for understanding!

We are willing to assist when a child has an “accident”, but due to the teacher:student ratio and the way our program is set up, we do not have the ability to assist with this process on a regular basis.

What do you serve for snacks and lunch?

We ask that parents bring a packed lunch and a separate morning snack for their child daily. We serve an organic afternoon snack to the children every day. We have filtered water available at all times for the children to pour for themselves.

What about parent involvement?

Please visit our parent involvement page for details.

We have a community of creative and talented families that are willing to share their abilities, talent and gifts toward their 10 required “parent hours” per year. After enrollment, Rosemary will be connecting with you to help you determine what will be your contribution; whether it be a time, energy or monetary contribution.

Parents organize our social and fundraising events, lend a hand with garden and classroom maintenance, and do cultural presentations of their family’s celebrations or traditions. We also welcome contributions of expertise and talent–web site and IT assistance, handyman help, painters, musicians, professional bubble blowers (yes, really!), storytellers, etc. This adds to the uniqueness of our school and truly allows us to function beyond what would be possible without the contribution of each family. If you have any other ideas, please do not hesitate to ask us! It is your responsibility to turn in your hours worked twice a year.

How do you approach discipline in the classroom?

Inherent in Montessori education are practices and skills that give the children frequent opportunities to be respectful of others and the environment. For instance, in a Montessori classroom there will be one of every activity, requiring a child to wait for their turn or ask to join the desired activity with another child. Our students care for plants and insects at the school, as well, which deepens their connection to and respect for the natural world.

Part of fostering independence is imbuing the children with the aptitude and confidence to say, “Please stop, I don’t like that,” or “I don’t want to share this work right now, but you can be next when I’m finished.” Our mantra with the children is, “This is a school where you can do most anything you like, as long as you do not bother others.”

In those instances when a child acts out of character, we will explore the usual causes with them (hungry? tired? feeling ill? change in routine outside of school?) and take appropriate action. In the rare instance when a child intentionally harms another by hitting, pushing, or biting, the teacher has a one-on-one talk with the child, with the strong message that hurting others is not allowed, and we send a note home with both of the students involved, so that parents are always fully informed.