Admission Procedures
Application to Montessori Community School (MCS) requires submission of a completed application form for the appropriate age level, along with an application fee. Applicants to the kindergarten and elementary programs are expected to provide report cards, teacher reference reports, and any other requested information.
There is no application deadline, but applications should be submitted by February 1 to allow sufficient time to complete the application process before the initial acceptance notifications begin on March 15. For kindergarten and elementary applicants, MCS generally responds after March 15, and within 30 days of receipt of all the requested admissions information if the application is submitted after March 15. Applications will continue to be accepted while spaces are still available.
DOWNLOAD PDF 2013-2014 TWOS & PRESCHOOL APPLICATION FORM
DOWNLOAD PDF 2013-2014 KINDERGARTEN APPLICATION FORM
DOWNLOAD PDF 2013-2014 ELEMENTARY APPLICATION FORM
DOWNLOAD PDF 2012-2013 APPLICATION FORM
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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 1 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.
Preference is given to qualified applicants who are children of faculty or staff, or siblings of enrolled students. Admission deadlines, however, must be met, and admission is not automatic for applicants in these categories.
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-Old 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 9, 2013, 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.
There is no application deadline, but applications should be submitted by February 1 to allow sufficient time to complete the application process before the initial acceptance notification begins in mid-March. Re-enrollment contracts for continuing students are distributed in early January, followed by applications for prospective students for the upcoming academic year. Continuing students must submit their re-enrollment contracts and tuition deposits by March 1. After March 15, spaces for new students will begin to be released and admissions decisions will be announced. Applications will continue to be accepted while spaces are still available.
ACCEPTANCE TO MCS
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 receive an admissions decision after March 15, or within 30
days of receipt of applications submitted after March 15. Upon
acceptance into the school, a tuition deposit or tuition payment is due.
Payment is necessary to hold the space for the student. In all cases,
it is to the families’ benefit to apply or re-enroll in a timely manner.
TUITION AND FEES
2013-2014 TUITION SCHEDULE AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION
I. Our 2013-2014 academic year runs from August 26, 2013 - May 15, 2014 for the Two Year-
Old and Preschool/Kindergarten programs and August 26, 2013 -
May 30, 2014 for the Elementary 6-9 and 9-12 year-old programs.
II. Here is the tuition schedule for the 2013-2014 academic school year:
| Program | Hours | Academic Year Tuition | Installment Payment |
| Two Year-Old | 7:30-12:00 | $9,315.00 | $3,105.00 |
| 7:30-2:30 | $10,584.00 | $3,528.00 | |
| 7:30-5:30 | $12,753.00 | $4,251.00 | |
| 3-6 Preschool | 7:30-12:00 | $7,074.00 | $2,358.00 |
| 7:30-2:30 | $7,947.00 | $2,649.00 | |
| 7:30-5:30 | $9,810.00 | $3,270.00 | |
| Kindergarten | 7:30-2:30 | $9,621.00 | $3,207.00 |
| 7:30-5:30 | $11,484.00 | $3,828.00 | |
| Elementary 6-9 | 7:30-2:30 | $11,187.00 | $3,729.00 |
| 7:30-5:30 | $13,104.00 | $4,368.00 | |
| Elementary 9-12 | 7:30-2:30 | $11,691.00* | $3,897.00 |
| 7:30-5:30 | $13,608.00* | $4,536.00 |
ADDITIONAL FEES
| APPLICATION FEE: | $50.00 Non-refundable. Must accompany application form. |
| DEPOSIT: | $400.00 Deposit is due May 10 or upon acceptance, if the application is submitted after May 10. Non-refundable. Non-transferable. Applied to the final tuition installment. |
| COMPREHENSIVE FEE: |
$50.00 for the Two Year-Old program.
$150.00 for Preschool/Kindergarten
programs. |
PAYMENT SCHEDULE & OPTIONAL PROGRAMS
Payment Schedule: The first tuition installment is due July 15; second tuition installment by October 15; and the third by
January 15. 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
upcoming 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.
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 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 Kipona Scholarship program, OHA’s Kāko’o Ho’ona’auao program, and Alu Like, which also offer limited financial assistance.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
In addition to the admission criteria for all applicants, international
students are considered for admission to Montessori Community School based
upon the dynamics of the classroom and the student’s fluency with
the English language. We do not offer an ESL (English as a Second Language)
program, nor do we provide specific English language instruction. All
international students must also be legally residing in the United States. We do not issue I-9 certificates; in general,
MCS students fall under their
parents’ visa status.
Requirements for International Students
TUBERCULOSIS CLEARANCE.
1. A negative tuberculin test (Mantoux test) is required prior to the
student’s first day of school. Please be aware that there is a time
delay necessary to achieve the final results of the tuberculin skin test. You should allow at least two days from the day the test is administered
for the results to be read. We cannot admit a child until the test has
been read by a local (Hawaii) health official, and the T.B. test results
must be negative.
2. If the skin test is positive, a chest x-ray must be taken and the result
must be negative.
3. The State of Hawaii Department of Health requires updated immunization
records according to the Hawaii Department of Health guidelines. Immunization
records should be brought with you to Hawaii, and translated into English. A local physician must transfer your child’s health history to a
Form 14, the health card which is required for school entry.
4. If your child has received an international tuberculosis vaccine (the
BCG), the results of a skin test taken in Hawaii will probably be positive.
A follow-up chest x-ray will then be required for clearance.
INTERNATIONAL RECORDS.
Please have all required records, including report cards or progress reports,
health records, passports, and birth certificates, translated into English.
