Enrollment Approach

There are many factors that contribute to a thriving Montessori classroom. In order to offer the gift of a Catholic Montessori education, the following considerations are taken into account for children entering our classroom environments.

IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENT, GUIDE, AND CHILD

The Montessori classroom is not a teacher led educational experience. It is a trinitarian environment, balancing the role of the child, the environment, and the guide (teacher). The materials/environment used in a Montessori classroom begins in the primary classroom, beginning at the age of three, and progresses and develops through to age twelve. When the child develops a familiarity and love for the Montessori materials from a young age, an important foundation is established for the rest of their educational experience.

FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE

Since our educational experience is not teacher-led, the child learns from a very young age to initiate their learning experience. They develop an ability to choose their own works, work within established boundaries and take ownership of their learning experience. Fostering this independence and freedom at the early age of 3 or 4, lay a critical foundation for internally motivated, self-directed work that will occur later in the elementary programs.

MULTI-AGED ENVIRONMENT

Integral to the Montessori way of learning is the multi age environment of each classroom. The Montessori environment thrives best when there is a balanced community of children varying in ages. Younger children are inspired and challenged by seeing what the older children can accomplish, while the older children take an important leadership role fostering a sense of responsibility and care for the younger children.

Enrollment Schedule Options

Maria Montessori emphasized the importance of creating classroom environments (the space as well as the people in the space) which foster consistency, order, and independence. The more often a child is immersed in this positive classroom environment, the sooner and more able the child will be to focus their power of concentration and engage independently in purposeful learning. This creates great satisfaction for the child. A classroom full of children who are focused and content will, in turn, create a more positive environment for the students. 

For these reasons, OLMS encourages parents to consider registering 3-year-old and 4-year old Primary students for 4 or 5 days each week. However, we defer to the primacy of the family, and if parents feel that their child is not yet ready, 3-year-olds (1st year Primary students) may attend just three days, and 4-year-olds (2nd year Primary students) may attend 4 days. Primary students registered for partial-week enrollment may enroll for any consecutive days (e.g., Tuesday through Thursday, same days each week).

Kindergartners are required to attend five days, with full-day attendance encouraged. The afternoon time in our Primary classrooms, when younger children have gone home or are napping, provides an excellent opportunity for Kindergarten students to dive into deep learning and prepare to move to the Elementary program the following year. 

SCHEDULE

Our Lady’s Montessori School operates on an academic calendar, from mid-August through mid-May. There is no summer programming.

Please see the Tuition Information page regarding cost for each enrollment option.

  • School Day (Elementary Levels and Full-day Primary): 8:00 - 3:15

  • Primary Level Half-Day Dismissal: 11:15 am

  • Primary Lunch Extension Dismissal: 12:25 pm

  • Before Care: 7:30 - 8:00 am

  • After Care: 3:30 - 5:30 pm

part-time Enrollment Options for Primary Level (3-6 year olds):

Primary students may attend half or full days. OLMS encourages 4 or 5 day attendance for all 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds. Days enrolled must be consecutive and the same each week. There is no tuition reduction for 3-day enrollment. Full days are encouraged for Kindergartners.

- 3-year-olds (1st Primary year) may attend 3, 4, or 5 days.

- 4-year-olds (2nd Primary year) may attend 4 or 5 days.

- Kindergartners (3rd Primary year) must attend 5 days; full days are encouraged.