Nondiscriminatory Policy

 

Garden Montessori School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and/or any other organization-administered programs.

 

​

2023-2024 ADMISSIONS PROCESS

​

Garden Montessori School views the admission process as an opportunity for families and the school to learn about each other. We are committed to bringing people together from a broad spectrum of ethnic, national, and religious backgrounds. We welcome diversity and teach our children to broaden their perspectives of the world through friendships, mutual respect, and understanding. We understand many of your families have been on our waitlist for an extended period of time; this is a testament to our long-standing relationships with our families and community. 

​

Start your enrollment journey with GMS by emailing info@gardenmontessorischool.org or filling out our Contact Form by requesting tuition, calendar, video tour, and more information. 

​

​

​

​

​

The 2023-2024 updated Admission steps are outlined below:

​

Student enrollment is given in the following priorities:

1. Returning students are given first priority to re-enroll for the new school year in January. 

2. Siblings, as well as siblings of alumni families, are given second priority.

3. Children with previous Montessori experience are given third priority (records/conference reports will be asked to be submitted to GMS from the Montessori School). Please have these readily available to submit.

4. Waitlist Applicants (new applications are due every year and start over with no previous priority).

5. New Applicants.

*In keeping with the Montessori three-year-cycle, students in the Early Childhood Level must meet the following criteria:

• Students entering at the 4 years old (VPK) must commit to a minimum of two school years (VPK and Kindergarten year).

• Students entering at 5 years old (Kindergarten) must have a minimum of 1 year of Montessori experience (a complete academic school year). 

​

Pre-Admissions Procedures (Step 1) 

​

A. Mandatory Zoom Informational Session: Families are required to schedule an informational zoom session.  This virtual session is specifically designed for families who have never attended GMS. At this time, you will learn more about who we are as individuals and as a school community, our classroom environments, programs, and information about the Montessori philosophy. Participating in this session is mandatory for each family prior to continuing with the next step of the process. 

​

B. Intent to Enroll Application: Parent(s)/guardian(s) wishing to move forward after attending a Zoom Informational Meeting will receive an email invitation with a link to submit the Intent to Enroll Application for the upcoming 2023-2024 School Year (August 2023) via Brightwheel (please set up an account in Brightwheel once you receive this link if you do not already have one). 

​

II. Acceptance/Waitlist Determination (Step 2)

​

Acceptance/Waitlisted: The Head of School will review the Intent to Enroll Applications based on our priority list (please refer to the student enrollment priority list as noted above) and inform the parent(s)/guardian(s) regarding availability by February 15th. This notification will occur by emailing a letter of acceptance or continued waitlisted notification to every family. If your child is waitlisted, no further action is needed. Accepted families, please see Step 3 below. 

​

III. Admission Procedures (Step 3)

​

A. Tours: Accepted families will then have the opportunity to see our method in action as all tours are scheduled for the morning work cycles. Group tours are limited to three families at a time, and both parents are encouraged to attend. Children are welcome; however, space will be limited (no strollers, please). 

​

B. Notification of Enrollment: Once you have been accepted and toured the campus or viewed our pre-recorded tour link and would like to proceed with the official enrollment, you must notify the Head of School via email or message via Brightwheel. Then proceed with setting up your billing information through Brightwheel. Billing accounts must be set up within 48 hours of your tour.

​

C. Payment: New students will be charged the $300 Admission for Enrollment Fee and $450 Incidental Fee immediately upon acceptance and setting up your Brightwheel account (please note these fees are non-refundable). 

​

*Provisional Acceptance: Please note that enrollment is conditional for the first sixty (60) days of attendance. In keeping with our philosophy of best serving the interest of children, new students are admitted for a 60-day trial period. If, at the end of this trial period, either GMS or the family may deem the School as not an appropriate environment and not meeting the needs of the child. Tuition will be prorated for the duration the child attended school, and any overage will be refunded (admission and incidental fees are still non-refundable). Please discuss and share all pertinent information before enrolling if your child has a history of any behavior or learning difficulty to better assist us with his or her placement and learning strategies.