Admissions
Admission Procedures
The first step to admission is to have a tour of the school. You may call (814.866.3760) or email (info@montessoriinthewoods.org) the office to schedule a tour. Tours take place at 3:15 and 3:45. Application materials will be provided at the time of the tour.
REGISTRATION
To register, an application form must be filled out and submitted with a one-time fee of $75.00 (checks are payable to Montessori In The Woods). The application fee is non-refundable and does not apply to tuition. Each child must apply prior to enrollment. In the event we cannot offer immediate enrollment, your child will be placed on a waitlist.
ENROLLMENT
We enroll children continuously throughout the year. An enrollment contract must be completed each year for each child, including a $200.00 deposit, which holds the child’s space in the program. This deposit is non-refundable, but will be credited towards tuition.
PHASE-IN
To assist young children in making the transition from home to school we introduce them gradually to the Montessori environment over several weeks.
For new toddlers, we start with a week of one-hour days (9:00- 10:00 AM), followed by a week of two-hour days (9:00 – 11:00 AM), and finally regular three hour days. Parents and caregivers will be asked to remain onsite during the phase-in period.
For new preschoolers, we start with a week of one-hour days (9:00- 10:00 AM), followed by a week of two-hour days (9:00 – 11:00 AM), and finally regular three hour days. The use of carpool (curbside) drop off and pick up is encouraged.
For kindergarten students, we start each new school year gradually having them come in 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon for the first week. Starting the second week they come in for the full extended day, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday – Thursday, and 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon on Fridays.
TUITION
Base Tuition (Tuition is for a full school year of approximately nine months.)
Toddler 2 days per week (9:00am – 12:00) $2,339
Toddler 3 days per week (9:00am – 12:00) $3,440
Toddler 5 days Monday – Friday (9:00am – 12:00) $5,683
Preschool Half Day, Monday – Friday (9:00am – 12:00) $5,178
Preschool Full Time, Monday – Thursday (9:00am – 3:00pm) Friday (9:00am – 12:00) $6,471
Preschool 3 Day, Half Day, T-W-Th (9:00-12:00) $2,774
Preschool 3 Day, Full Day, T-W-Th (9-3) $4,710
Kindergarten (Extended Day) Monday – Thursday (9:00am – 3:00pm) Friday (9:00am – 12:00) $6,471
* $200 sibling discount per child for families with more than one child enrolled in our program
There are several interest-free payment plans available. Please inquire for further information and payment schedules.
All Day Montessori - Child Care
Available for all students before and after school from 7:30AM-5:30PM Monday-Friday, except for school holidays and breaks.
We call this childcare “All Day Montessori” because the children are with Montessori trained guides all day, and in their Montessori environments no matter what time they arrive or stay until.
All Day Montessori is billed separately from tuition at an hourly rate of $7.50/hr for preschool and Kindergarten, and $8.00/hr for toddlers.
Fundraising Requirement
Upon admission, each family is required to sign a fundraising contract, agreeing to raise $300 during the school year for Montessori In The Woods. Direct donations to the school are accepted. As an alternative, families may volunteer with the school to reduce their fundraising obligation.
Financial Aid
There is a limited amount of money available for scholarships. Montessori In The Woods awards scholarships based on the availability of funds and family need. It is our policy to assist as many families as possible with partial scholarships; full scholarships are not available. Please contact the office for more information.
CCW
Child Care Works Program of Erie County is an agency that offers parents resource and referral services to connect them with child care arrangements in their communities. The CCW also provides information to parents about whether they are eligible for help in paying their child care costs. Montessori In The Woods works in conjunction with CCW to help eligible families pay for childcare.
Erie’s CCW is located at 3823 West 12th Street, Erie, PA 16505.
They can be reached by phone at (814) 836-5898.
An application can be submitted online at:
https://www.compass.state.pa.us/Compass.Web/public/cmphome