New Student Admissions

Merrimack Montessori offers parents ‘rolling enrollment’. This means that if we have space in a classroom throughout the school year, we are willing to consider your child for enrollment at MMS mid-year.

MMS offers classes for Two Year Olds through Third Grade and encourages families to visit the school with or without their student as way of learning more about our school philosophy, our school schedule for the year and summer, our goals for education, parent education, our teacher training and on going professional development. We also are very interested in having your child visit our school and tour the campus. It is important that we meet your child, and that you also have the opportunity of seeing your child in our environment. While we do not test Pre-Primary or Primary prospective students, we do ask prospective elementary students to visit for a portion of the day and participate in the classroom.

Once you decide to apply, the school’s application process will include the formal application paper work, and any records of your child’s previous school experience along with any other outside services for learning records should be sent to the school. The admissions process is complete once we have received this material. You will receive a personal call and/or a letter of acceptance/declination depending on the circumstances within two weeks of your visit.

Our enrollment calendar of events includes the following:

• Tour of school by parents, grandparents, care givers
• Applying student must come for brief visit.
• Applications for admissions for a September enrollment are expected by March 1^st. Rolling enrollments dates for applicants will vary.
• All applications must be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee of $50.
• Following acceptance, each family will receive an enrollment packet. This packet must be completed and returned to the school with a non-refundable, yet applicable to tuition deposit of $350.
• New families are invited to attend the End of the Year Pot-Luck (an annual school wide event including a wonderful meal with all families and children ending with musician entertaining the children – on the back lawn over looking the pond.)
• Parent Orientation is scheduled in the first week of September for all new and returning parents. All parents will learn more about the coming school from the Head of School and then visit in their child’s classroom and learn more about their child’s first few days of school.
• Curriculum Night is held during the first six weeks of school. This is a most important night for both parents to attend. We encourage parents to plan ahead for child care in order to learn more about their child’s curriculum and an overview of the Montessori philosophy. Classroom Teachers and the Head of School prepare this evening event and look forward to your annual attendance as each year presents another perspective of the curriculum.

Prospective parents are encouraged to call the school for a tour, or attend one of our posted Open Houses prior to enrolling at MMS.

Open Houses 2011- 2012

Friday, November 19,    Tuesday, December 7,    Wednesday, January 12,   Tuesday, February 1,    Friday, March 11,    Tuesday, April 5

Open House events are planned for adults only. Tours may include your child.

Touring MMS during our normal school times is the best way to see the Joy of Discovery!

Tuition

Each year the Head of School works with the Finance Committee of the Board to prepare an annual budget which the Board approves. Tuition rates are set for each year in January to coincide with re-enrollment and prospective family enrollment schedules. With consideration of the economic situation of our greater community MMS did NOT increase the Tuition Rates for the 2011-2012 school year. While the MMS Tuition Rate usually does increase each year, we are making this exception to assist our parent community.

Please reference these documents for further reading:
Tuition Sheet 2011 – 2012
Tuition Discount Policy

Financial Assistance

Merrimack Montessori School is committed to assisting families who could not otherwise afford to attend the school without some financial assistance. Families who are in need should apply using the Merrimack Montessori School Financial Assistance Application. Awards are made for one year at a time with consideration given to our returning families. Each year Merrimack Montessori School receives applications from many parents throughout the re-enrollment and enrollment process. The same form may be used for new and re-turning parents. Incomplete applications will not be considered. It is important to carefully read, complete all portions of the application and submit all requested tax information at the same time.

Applicants are considered in several ways. First each applicant’s need is considered on its own. Next each applicant’s need is considered within the pool of applicants. And lastly the school’s need is considered (i.e. does MMS need a three year old vs. a 5 year old.) Parents will be notified of a decision as soon as possible. Applications are held confidentially and do not become a part of your child’s records.

Awards will be attributed to your tuition statement on a monthly basis.

All families must apply each year.

Please download and complete the following form to apply: 2011 – 2012 Financial Aid Application