1. Enrollment Procedure
2. Admissions Policy
3. Tuition Policy
4. Non Discrimination Policy
5. Tuition Schedule
6. Application/Enrollment Forms

Enrollment Procedure

Appointment for a Tour/Visit

This is the first step in our enrollment process.  You are invited to make an appointment to visit our campus at Damariscotta Montessori School in Nobleboro. Please call us at (207) 563-2168 to set up a convenient time. We request that this first visit be an “adults only” visit.  This allows you, as a parent, to assess the school, our classrooms, and the Montessori method for the right fit for your child. This meeting is typically about 60-75 minutes long.

Application

After visiting the school and if you are interested in enrolling in one of our programs, you must fill out an application.  All applications must be submitted with a one time application fee.  Applications for all our programs are accepted year-round and are available on the website (at the bottom of this page).  You may also contact the school directly to have an application sent to you.  Applications should be mailed directly to the school or hand delivered. 

Address:  DMS Admissions, 93 Center Street, Nobleboro, ME 04555

Phone: (207) 563-2168

Director Meeting and Child Visit

After receiving your application, we will contact you to set up a time to meet with our Director, while your child visits one of our classrooms.  The child visit in the classroom lasts approximately 45 minutes. If needed, parents are welcome to escort your child to the classroom and stay for a few minutes until the child can be engaged in a classroom activity and then the parent(s) will have time to meet with our Executive Director.  This will give the parent an opportunity to ask more specific questions about our programs and find out more details about the school, our staff, and the Montessori philosophy.  It also allows the school’s teaching staff to meet with the student candidate and observe the child in the Montessori classroom environment.

Enrollment Decision/Acceptance

In the spring, after assessing the number of openings available in our programs, the school makes it’s decision on enrollment for the following school year.  It is at this time that you will be notified about acceptance or waiting list status in one of our programs.  Please see our Admissions policy for priority enrollments in each of our programs. 

Enrollment Completion

The following forms and fees are needed by the school to complete enrollment:

·        Signed enrollment agreement

·        Non-refundable enrollment fee (for new families) and enrollment deposit.

·        SMART tuition payment plan form

·        School Year Forms

·        Physician's report and vaccination records.

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Admissions Policy

Children three to twelve years of age may be considered for admission to our primary and elementary programs. Admission shall be determined after consultation between the Executive Director and the teacher of the appropriate class. An Open House takes place each year in March/April to allow prospective families to meet with the staff and parents of DMS.

Families wishing to be considered for admission are requested to tour of the facility and visit the classroom. This first visit is adults only.  Following the initial visit, a second appointment allows the Director and teachers to meet with the student candidate and talk with the parents. To be considered for acceptance, each family must apply and pay a onetime application fee.

Admission priorities are in accord with the following school policy:

Primary:

• Siblings of older students at DMS;

• Montessori transfer students;

• Children between three and four years.

      Elementary

• Children with satisfactory DMS experience;

• Montessori transfer students;

• Siblings of DMS students.

• Students transferring from other schools.

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Tuition Policy

The school year is considered to be continuous from September through June. Parents enroll their children for that period of time. The September to June tuition is divided into equal payments according to a plan (annual, semi-annual, monthly) agreed upon and committed to through the school’s enrollment agreement.  Allowances or refunds will not be made for phasing-in, illness, vacations, withdrawal, and dismissal or otherwise.  Early withdrawal from the year’s program, prior to or during the school year, does not terminate parent’s tuition responsibility. Enrollment in the program entails responsibility for the entire year’s tuition. 

Parents/guardians assume responsibility for the school year’s tuition when a signed enrollment agreement is turned in to and accepted by the school with the applicable deposit and registration fee.  At this time the school considers the space in the classroom, for which the child is being enrolled, ‘filled’.  DMS makes its admissions decisions and financial commitments based upon these tuition obligations assumed by the families of its students. 

Accounts must be up-to-date to be considered for enrollment or re-enrollment.

FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIPS

Philosophy

The Damariscotta Montessori School is committed to the policy of providing quality Montessori education at as reasonable a cost as possible. Nevertheless, our tuition is beyond the means of some interested families. In keeping with Dr. Montessori’s philosophy that all children could profit from exposure to this environment, DMS seeks to provide financial aid to families who otherwise could not afford to offer this educational advantage to their children.

Process

Any family in need is encouraged to submit an application for scholarship help.  The deadline for submitting a scholarship application is typically in February of the previous school year.  Scholarship applications may be completed online at www.smarttuitionaid.com or hard copies can be obtained at the front office.  Hard copies should be sent directly to SMART Tuition Aid for processing.  A processing fee is required when applying for scholarship aid.  If a family has extenuating circumstances that may need to be considered, please submit a written explanation directly to the Executive Director.

Awards

Damariscotta Montessori School’s Board of Directors will make award decisions based upon the financial information received (need), individual circumstances, and the availability of funds.  Family tuition accounts must be up-to-date to be awarded a scholarship.  Priority for awarding scholarships is as follows:

1. Families who currently have scholarships
2. Re-enrolling students in grades K through 8
3. Re-enrolling primary students
4. New students

An application for scholarship will not affect the admission decision in any manner.  Acknowledging that family circumstances change and that the financial resources of our school vary, no family is guaranteed aid indefinitely. Annual application is required. A family that is awarded a scholarship must sign an enrollment contract with the school.

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Non-Discrimination Policy

The Damariscotta Montessori School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

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Tuition Schedule

Tuition 2013-2014

* 3 day program is designed for first time students, who will take precedence in filling the available spots. Options for three day program subject to availability are:  MTW (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday), WRF (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday), MTR (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday), TRF (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) , MWF (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

Payment Plans

Other

·          Sibling Discount – 10%, applied to second sibling’s tuition.

·          Tuition is pro-rated for mid-year enrollment.

·          Late Pickup Fee - $1 per minute after 4:50 p.m. (retroactive to 4:45pm pickup)

·          Field trips, school supplies are included in Materials/Activity Fee

·          Extended care (used, as needed) – Afternoon - $15 per day, Morning - $10 per day.

·          $60 processing fee for semi-annual payment plans and $85 for monthly payment plans. 

·          $45 late fee for payments received after the 20^th of the month in which the payment was due.

·          Scholarship Application for the 2013-2014 year are due by February 8, 2013

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Application/Enrollment Forms

Please click Below to download the appropriate application form:

• Admissions Application Form - Primary Classrooms (ages 2.5 - 6)

• Admissions Application Form - Elementary and Middle School Classrooms

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