 Admission
Providence Montessori School is a three-year progressive curriculum that includes kindergarten. Priority placement is available for 2-1/2 to 3 year old children. Each child is assigned to one of our seven Montessori classroom communities. For more information about our admission process, please call 503-215-2409, or e-mail montessorischool@providence.org.
What programs does Providence Montessori School offer? We have a variety of schedules to suit the needs of the families we serve. Half-day classes run 8:30 – 12:30. School-day classes are 8:30 – 3:00 pm. The All-Day Montessori classes run 7:30 – 4:30 or 7:30 – 6:00. All classroom programs are Monday through Friday. We also offer optional before-school and after-school Enrichment Programs for either three or five days per week for children enrolled in the School-day program.  What is Montessori, and how is it different from daycare?
It is important to clarify that Montessori is a method of education, not a daycare. The Montessori approach is unique in that the classrooms are mixed-age, which allows students to learn from their peers, and provides the opportunity for the student to develop as compassionate leaders. Children ages 2-1/2 to 6 in the Primary Classroom are given the freedom to learn academic lessons independently with the guidance of a Classroom Guide (teacher) who focuses on each child’s learning style and readiness to learn a new skill, and presents the materials of the building curriculum in a way that is best suited for each child. You will learn more about the Montessori approach and how Providence Montessori implements Montessori methods on your visit to our school. What is the All-Day Montessori Program? All-Day Montessori provides extended hours while eliminating the unnecessary interruption of transitions in the children’s day to different rooms and staff members. Research indicates that children 2-1/2 to 6 years of age need a higher level of consistency and order in their day. All-Day Montessori offers a more familial environment, and a consistent community of children and trained staff throughout the day. The extended hours allow for a more relaxed pace with a greater exploration of the Montessori activities and a more home-like environment. More details about this program can be obtained by attending a tour of our school. What do the children do in the before-school and after-school Enrichment Programs? The Enrichment Programs provide a continuation of the Montessori philosophy of mutual respect, independence and cooperation that the children are accustomed to in the classroom. Children are given the opportunity to explore a wide assortment of materials and develop their own creative style and expression through the Arts. The Enrichment Studios provide unstructured time for children to read, play, write, create, or just be together. Children are free to choose the activities that interest them. Throughout the year, special guests are invited to come and share talents with the students. Guest instructors from the community offer optional classes such as gymnastics and dance. What is the ratio of adults to children at Providence Montessori? The State mandated ratio is 1:10, and Providence Montessori maintains that ratio or better. Is the application fee refundable? No, the application is non-refundable. We really want families to seriously consider their decision to apply here. In addition, this fee helps to cover the administrative work to prepare and assist incoming families for the best possible transition into the school. Providence Health System is a Catholic organization. Will my child be receiving religious instruction? Families of all faiths and cultures are welcome at Providence Montessori School and encouraged to share their traditions with their child’s classroom. Information about the major religions of the world is presented to the children in their exploration of geography. Although Providence Montessori School does not include religious instruction in its curriculum, both our school and the Montessori method have roots in Judeo-Christian belief systems. Some of our classroom communities incorporate Christian traditions more than others into their regular activities. If you have preferences in this matter, please state them on your application so we may take them into consideration when matching your child to our classroom communities. What are the enrollment requirements? Children must be at least 2-1/2 years of age, and fully toilet trained to apply for enrollment. Our license is for children who are reasonably independent in the bathroom and no longer wearing diapers or pull up products. Do you ever enroll children at 4 or 5 years of age? Our classroom curriculum builds and emerges over three years. It is preferable that children experience all three years, but we are able on occasion to serve older children. This is determined on an individual basis and spaces for older children are limited. Families of potential students age four or older with no Montessori experience should tour our facility and speak with our Administrator about the potential enrollment of their child as early as possible. I have turned in an application with the application fee, when will I hear about placement? A period of priority re-enrollment is given to current families during the month of February. After this period of reenrollment, we begin reviewing applications for new students. We begin matching new students to available classroom spaces in March. Typically, within one week of submitting an application (after March 1) you will receive a phone call from the Classroom Guide to invite you and your child to come for a private visit to the classroom. Confirmation of placement is made at this meeting. The regular enrollment period usually ends in mid-June for the community and returning families. During the summer months (if spaces are still open) applications may take longer to process. When will my child have an opportunity to visit the school and see the classroom? After our school administrator reviews the information you have provided and makes a recommendation for your child to a classroom, the Guide (teacher) will contact you to schedule an introductory meeting with your family. During much of the year, we will schedule this meeting within a week of receiving your application. During the summer months or when Guides are meeting with several families, appointments may take longer to schedule. Is Providence Montessori School accredited? Providence Montessori School is associated with AMI – Association Montessori Internationale. All Classroom Guides and most Assistants are AMI trained and certified. The vast majority of children transfer smoothly into the first grade after completing our three-year primary curriculum. All medical and academic records are sent to the transferring child’s school upon request. Are there materials available for parents to learn more about Montessori? Parents are welcome to attend our parent education events even before their student is confirmed for enrollment. Another program of Providence Child Center, The Swindells Resource Center, also provides resources for parents and caregivers of children with disabilities to the community. The Swindells Center can be reached at 503-215-2429. Two good websites for learning more about Montessori are www.montessori-nw.org and www.montessoriami.org. Are there any animals on-site? We have fish and birds in a few of the classrooms. Occasionally we have host guest animals. If your child has an allergy to any animals, please let us know.
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