ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

We are delighted that you have taken an interest in the educational environments offered at Carmel Montessori Academy and Children’s House.  In the best interest of the child and his/her family, we present the following requirements and procedures for admission:

All children are accepted on a “first come, first served” basis, without regard to race, creed, color, or national origin.

 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Lower School - (Toddler & Preprimary) ages 2 – 6 years

Middle School - (Primary & Elementary) ages 6 – 12 years

Upper School - (Lower & Upper Erdkinder) ages 12 – 18 years

• Parents must have a commitment to the education of their child/children through Montessori philosophy and pedagogy as interpreted by the faculty of Carmel Montessori Academy & Children’s House.  Dual or multiple-school enrollments would conflict with this commitment, and in the best interest of the child, are not permitted.

• Parents must understand that Montessori education can be most beneficial for the child who fully participates in the three-year cycles of the Montessori Planes of Development, with developmental competence required for graduation. Except for cases of transfer out of the area, parents must have the intention  to commit their child’s enrollment to the following:

• 3 years of Preprimary; 4 years, including the Toddler year, if applicable; and/or
• 6 years of Primary/Elementary; and/or
• 6 years of Erdkinder.

• Parents must be committed to supporting their child/children through attendance at parent conferences and meetings, school activities and programs.  In Erdkinder, parents must commit to full participation of both the student and parents within the Erdkinder community. This participation includes, but is not limited to: (1) regular participation in the student-parent “Becoming” class; (2) assisting their child/children in selection of and participation in classes both on and off campus; (3) one full class transportation participation or its equivalent in Lower as well as Upper Erdkinder; and (4) regular evaluation sessions for album and class work.

• Parents must have a commitment to support the children and the Academy through volunteer programs and fundraising activities.

• Parents must understand the value of both the indoor and outdoor environments, as well as field excursions.  Children use both the indoor and outdoor environments each day; field excursions are planned weekly.  Children who are unable to participate fully in the activities of the day will need to remain at home.

• Because consistency of program for the child and his/her family is of paramount importance and enrollment is limited, we have formulated the following acceptance policy:

• The child is accepted into the Toddler class from age 22 months to 3 years, and parents agree to a 4-year commitment to Montessori education.
• The child is accepted into the Preprimary class from age 3 years (except for Montessori transfer students), and parents agree to a 3-year commitment to Montessori education.
• The child, who has had Montessori Preprimary, is accepted into the Primary/Elementary class at age 6 (except for Montessori transfer students), and parents agree to a 6-year commitment to Montessori education.
• The child, who has had Montessori Preprimary and Primary/Elementary, is accepted into the Erdkinder class at age 12, and parents agree to a 6-year commitment to Montessori education.

• The usual order of acceptance of the child, whom the School has determined it can serve, is indicated below:

1. A child who fulfills the above requirements.
2. Younger siblings of current CMA students.
3. Transfer students from other Montessori schools who have had no interruption in their Montessori education.
4. Transfer students from other Montessori schools who have had some interruption in their Montessori education and who the CMA Administrator has determined can be served by the environments at CMA.
5. Other students who the CMA Administrator, as a community service, has determined can be served within the environments of CMA.

CMA reserves the right to alter the above order based on the needs of the child, his/her family, and/or the environments of the Academy.

 

ADMISSION PROCEDURES

• Parents must observe a class in session during an academic day, (typically Monday through Thursday); we recommend a minimum of two hours of observation.  We ask that for this first observation, parents come unaccompanied by children.  In the case of an Upper School admission, the student is welcome to accompany parents for this observation.   Adolescents may come to visit the environments thereafter and attend classes, meet with other students, etc.  Please call for an appointment, since the children are frequently out of the environments.

• Parents meet with the Director/Directress of the class, if possible, and a member of the administration of the Academy to discuss the observation and have questions answered.

• We highly recommend that parents observe at least two other Montessori schools before final admission.

• Parents must read the information provided by the Academy.  In addition, we strongly suggest that you read at least one book by Maria Montessori.

• Parents submit the signed/dated Application and the application fee, as well as the signed/dated Financial Arrangement Sheet.

• Upon receiving the Admission Letter, parents must return the CMA copy of the signed/dated Admission Letter to finalize the admission procedures.

• All children must have required School Health Forms on file within two weeks of enrollment.

Parents are most welcome to bring their child/children to visit the school environments once the Admission Letter has been received.