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ADMISSION POLICIES & CRITERIA
Our goal is to enroll students who will benefit from a Montessori education.  Application to a program does not guarantee acceptance.  Once the application and the required application fee are received and the appropriate admission procedures have been completed, parents will be notified in a timely manner as to whether or not their child has been accepted. 

There is no application deadline, but applications should be submitted by February 15, 2010 to allow sufficient time to complete the application process before the initial acceptance notification begins in mid-March.

Age is only one factor for admission to each program level. Developmental readiness is also considered, and all applicants are considered in terms of space availability and classroom dynamics.  Admissions decisions are determined by the Admissions Committee, composed of faculty and administration members.  If your child is receiving special services, it is expected that you share this information with us to help in assuring that our program will be the appropriate environment for your child.

In addition to the specific age level requirements listed below, it is our assumption that children who apply to MCS:
1. Can communicate in English.
2. Are independent, self-directed, self-motivated, and demonstrate kindness and courtesy to adults and peers.

Two Year Olds Applicants must be at least 24 months old at the time they begin school. Children in diapers are eligible to enroll in the two-year-old program.

Preschool applicants must be able to use the bathroom with complete independence (diapers, training pants, or Pull-ups are not allowed at any time in the preschool program).  Children enrolling in September must be three years of age by December 31 to be considered for the preschool 3-6 program.  For enrollment at any other time, the child must be fully three years of age to qualify for entrance to the preschool 3-6 program.

Kindergarten applicants must be five years of age by December 31 to be considered for the kindergarten program and must complete the following requirements, as applicable, before an admission decision can be made:
1. Submit the previous two years' report cards or progress reports, if available.
2. Have your child's current teacher complete and submit the Teacher Reference Report.
(Form included in application download file.)
3. Have your child attend our Morning Activity Session on Saturday, February 20, 2010, 9:00-10:30 a.m.

Elementary Applicants are considered in terms of school reports and parent interview. An interview with the student may also be requested. Additionally, elementary 6-9 applicants must be six years of age by December 31 and elementary 9-12 applicants must be nine years of age by December 31 to be considered for their respective elementary programs. The following documents must be submitted before an admission decision can be made:
1. Previous two years report card or progress report, and any available Standardized Test results.
2. Teacher Reference Report, completed by current teacher.  (Form included in application download file.)

Admissions decisions are determined by the Admissions Committee, composed of faculty and administration members.

Additional kindergarten & elementary admission procedures. In addition to the procedures listed above, any or all of the following options may be required as part of the admission process. Our objective in doing so is to gain sufficient information about the applicant to be able to make an admission decision.
1. Observation of the applicant at their current school;
2. Observation of the applicant at MCS;
3. Enrollment in the MCS summer program.

MCS and Families:  A Partnership
The school and parents are viewed as partners in the educational care of children, with shared values and educational goals. Prospective parents are invited to schedule an observation in the classroom by calling the school office. Parents who are unfamiliar with Montessori education are strongly encouraged to observe and meet with an admissions representative.

In order to facilitate the admission process for parents, please notify the office if you have any special needs, e.g. hearing impairment, etc.

At MCS we believe that children succeed when the values promoted by the school are shared by the child’s family. It is the school’s expectation that parents or guardians will attend conferences with their child’s teachers and work together to provide the optimum conditions for their child’s educational benefit.
In those rare occasions when the professional staff believes a child’s best interests are not served by continuing in the school, MCS reserves the right to terminate enrollment. When such a situation arises, the school works closely with families in resolving the situation. The school works with families to identify children who have special needs and make referrals to programs with the resources and the expertise to more effectively serve their child.

The three-year developmental cycle found at each age level (except for the Two-Year-Old program) is crucial to a child's success, and therefore our priority is to enroll children whose families understand and are committed to our programs and philosophy, and who are selecting Montessori Community School as a long-term school placement for their child.

TUITION AND FEES
2010-2011 TUITION SCHEDULE AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION
I. Our academic year runs from August 30, 2010 - May 19, 2011 for the Two Year Old and Preschool/Kindergarten programs and August 30, 2010 - June 3, 2011 for the Elementary 6-9 and 9-12 programs.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE & OPTIONAL PROGRAMS
Payment Schedule: The first tuition installment is due July 15, 2010; second tuition installment by October 15, 2010; and the third by January 15, 2011. Unless other arrangements are made with the business office, failure to pay the tuition by these dates indicates withdrawal from the program.

Optional Programs: Programs are closed for Winter and Spring Recess.  Child care is available, with minimum enrollment, at an additional charge.  Summer programs are available for Preschool and Elementary students and for continuing Two Year Old students, or Two Year Olds enrolling for the 2009-2010 school year.  Separate enrollment is required.

Note: Rates do not include Winter Recess (2 weeks) and Spring Recess (1 week).  Child care is available, with minimum enrollment, at an additional charge.  Sign-up and fees will be announced prior to the respective periods.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Montessori Community School offers partial financial assistance to families of applicants based upon demonstrated financial need. The School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) Parent Financial Statement application form may be requested from our office or obtained online at http://sss.nais.org/parents/ after a completed MCS application and application fee are received by our school. Admissions decisions are not based upon financial need.

MCS is only able to offer limited financial assistance and uses the information from the SSS Parent Financial Statement form to prioritize the amount given in grants. The completed financial aid form and required fee are sent directly to SSS, which will forward the need analysis to Montessori Community School. MCS also cooperates with other community programs, such as Open Doors-Child Care Connection, Kamehameha's Pauahi Keiki Scholars, OHA’s Kāko’o Ho’ona’auao program, and Alu Like, which also offer limited financial assistance.

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