Application Process

How to Apply to Children’s Garden Montessori School

Visit 

Before applying, we ask interested parents to attend a Parent Preview. Prospective parents may also wish to observe a classroom in action. See Parent Previews and Observations for visit registration information.

Step 1: Come to a Parent Preview, in-person or virtually, which includes a presentation, viewing of the school and time to discuss with admissions staff, teachers and other parents. Parents only; Parent Preview registration is required. It is not necessary to attend again if re-applying.

Step 2 (not required): For parents who wish to see more after having attended a Preview presentation, we invite you for a classroom observationObservations are by appointment.

Step 3: Applications for the enrollment lottery open online each year in November, with February 15 being the deadline to be included in the lottery for enrollment and waitlist for the school term beginning in the coming Fall. Applications submitted after the deadline, “round 2” are accepted and considered after the lottery. *Applications and waitlists do not rollover from school year to school year. A new application should be submitted for a new school year.

Step 4: Lottery/waitlist status notification is sent on March 15th to all who apply by February 15th, and enrollment offers begin using the lottery ordered waitlists (see “lottery and waitlists” below) in March. This is an annual lottery process – applications and waitlist status do not roll to the following school year.

Admissions and lottery timeline.

Applications received after February 15 will be added as “Round 2” to wait-lists as they are received for rolling openings – for applied for school year only.

Apply – Lottery & Waitlists

Enrollment is open to children 18 months through Kindergarten age, with the application process beginning in the fall prior to the year of desired enrollment.  Upon receipt of your application and a non-refundable application fee, children’s applications are placed in age and gender based lottery pools. Enrollment offers are made and waitlists established through this lottery system.

  • Applications received between November and February 15 are sorted by program, gender and 10 different age groups; a lottery is conducted for each group.
  • Lottery ordered wait-list numbers are assigned to each child within their age/gender group.
  • Notification letters with the wait-list positions for each child are sent by email no later than March 15th.
  • Offers are made by email or phone using these lists as they come open throughout the enrollment period – March through May – as well as through the summer and school year if space opens.
  • Enrollment offers made from the lottery lists have a 24 hour courtesy hold time before the space is offered to the next applicant on the list.
  • Securing enrollment requires an enrollment fee and tuition deposit. Details are sent with enrollment offers. See Tuition and Fees for rates.
  • Parents should plan to attend a Parent Preview before the March lottery.
  • Round 2 Applications – those received after the lottery deadline – are applied to wait-lists as received for rolling, “Round 2” openings. Offers for rolling openings do not carry a 24 hour courtesy hold.
  • FAQ about enrollment and the lottery waitlist.
  • Applications apply to one school year only. A new application should be submitted for the following school year.

After your school preview please complete and submit the application online. Late spring/summer applications accepted without a school preview.

Application fee of $75: There is a one-time, per child, application fee of  $75 paid with your application.

There is no application fee for children for whom you applied for the previous year’s lottery, and paid the fee, or for current year Round 2 applications. Link to the No-Fee application. For other application fee waivers please contact the admissions office.

Let us know if you have questions! FAQ or Contact the Admissions Director at