Admissons

Applying

Admission to Children’s Garden is open to children from 18 months to 6 years old, with the application process beginning in the fall prior to the year of desired enrollment. Our classes are filled through a lottery of names compiled from our current year’s applicants. Preference is given first to siblings of children already enrolled, then to children and siblings of alums. After those children are placed, the lottery is conducted for placement of new children.

Applications and information packets are available at the end of October. Upon receipt of an application accompanied by a $65.00 non-refundable application fee, children will be placed in applicant pools which will be used to determine placement of children for the coming school year.

Our application deadline is the last day of January, and the lottery is held at the end of February with notification of results mailed by March 15. Once a space has been offered and accepted, a parent visit and observation is scheduled. The space is held with a non-refundable enrollment fee.

We invite interested parents to attend an Open House, during which there is a presentation about the school, an opportunity to see the facility, and time to ask questions. Prospective parents are also welcome to arrange to observe a classroom in action.

Open House and Tour Schedules

Open House for 2009-10 Admissions
Saturday, November 15th at 9:30 and 11:00 am

Tours are held November through February on Wednesdays at 9:30 am and 1:15 pm. Space is limited. Allow approximately 45 minutes.

Open Houses and tours are are for adults only and reservations are required.
Please call 303-322-0972 to make your reservation.


FAQ
How does the lottery system work?
After the application deadline in January, applications are sorted according to program, time slot, age, and gender, with separate lotteries for each category. Applicants' names are placed in the lotteries that apply according to the options selected.
The lotteries are conducted after current students and siblings are placed. Siblings and children of alumni also have priority consideration.

What if my child doesn’t get into the program? Will my child’s name put on a waitlist?
Yes, your child’s name will be added to a waitlist just for the school year for which you apply. The waitlists are not rolled over to the following school year. We will call to offer a space if one becomes available. You do not
need to confirm your waitlist status.

When is the lottery deadline?
For inclusion in the lottery, an application must be received no later than the last day in January.

Can I still apply if I miss the lottery deadline? We are not accepting applicatons for the 2008-09 session after the January deadline.


When are parents notified about enrollment availability?
The lottery is conducted the first week of March and parents are notified, by letter, the third week of March. Notification includes either an offer of enrollment into a specified program and time slot, or waitlist placement status. Any availability after the initial lottery results will be filled directly from the waitlists. We will offer spaces as they become available.

How do you determine the number of spaces available each year?
Re-enrollment for children currently attending the school and their siblings is conducted in February. These children have priority. We also strive to create age and gender balance in each class. Once re-enrollment is completed we will know how many spaces in each age and gender grouping will be available for the following school year.

How many openings do you normally have each year?
Although every year is different, in the 2007/08 school year, we had about 8 openings in the Toddler program and 13 in our Primary classes, including children and siblings of alum. We tend to have more openings in our afternoon programs.

If my child does not get in as a Toddler, is it too late to apply in the pre-school?
Absolutely not! Space in the Toddler program is limited, and there are often more openings in the Primary (pre-school) program, especially in the afternoon class.

Do you offer full day programs or Kindergarten?
Only our oldest of children at Children’s Garden stay for a full day (8:15 - 2:15). Our Extended Primary/Kindergarten is for children who are 5 or close to 5 at the start of the school year and who have attended the Primary Program for a year or more here or in another Montessori school. For many this is their kindergarten year. All other children are eligible for enrollment in a half-day class.

How do I get the application process started?
Call or e-mail the school to be put on our mailing list, and we will send you an application packet which includes tuition information. These are available beginning in October. Return your application and fee before the January deadline. We invite you to take a tour or attend the Open House for parents (see schedule above) to get more information, or you may wait to visit the school once a space is offered. Please call to make an appointment.

Do you offer financial assistance?
Financial assistance and scholarships are available and may be applied for after placement is offered. Anyone may apply. Decisions are made in-house and are based on individual circumstances. Please contact our Admissions Director for more information. All assistance inquiries and applications are confidential.

For any additional questions, an application packet, or to sign up for a tour or the Open House, please call the school at 303-322-0972 or e-mail us at jboes@cgmontessori.com.