Enrollment Criteria

The Board of Directors will determine the target number of students in each class based on the recommendations of the teacher and the educational philosophy of the school. Enrollment decisions on whom will be enrolled are made by the Board and the Guide in the classroom. In the event of a withdrawal, the classroom guide has the authority to determine if the vacancy is to be filled.

Students to Heartland Montessori School (HMS) will be admitted based on established criteria:

• Commitment to Montessori education by parents Parent and child must visit the school for a pre-enrollment conference to ensure the program will meet the needs of the child and to better understand the philosophy and program. Parents should attend a parent workshop early in the first semester that the child is enrolled.
• Maturation level The child must be able to participate and substantially benefit from this program without risk to themselves or other children. Children with special needs such as learning disabilities may be admitted to the school if the disability can be accommodated within the present program structure. The child must be toilet trained, able to communicate intelligibly, and be physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of participating in the classroom activities.
• Age openings Children between the ages of 2 years 9 months and 6 years attend Children’s House. Children typically entering Children’s House are between the ages of 2 years 9 months to 3 years 9 months and attend 3 to 4 years before transitioning to the elementary classroom.
• Gender Montessori classrooms function best with a balance of age and gender. HMS Guides will consider age and gender to ensure balance in the classroom, and submit to the Board for approval.

If a place is not immediately available, you may wish to be put on a waiting list. Children on the waiting list for the current year must reapply for acceptance the following year.

Children on the waiting list with siblings already enrolled at HMS will receive priority in registration, provided there is an available place with age/gender specified. Decisions about classroom admission will be made by the HMS Guide and submitted to the Head of School for final approval.