Frequently Asked Questions

How old do children have to be to enter your school?
Children must be 2 years and 10 months old to enroll at MCH. If your child turns 2 years and 10 months after the official start of the school year at the end of August, you can enroll for that school year and will be invited to attend all school events before your child starts in the classroom. Tuition is required to hold your child’s place for the school year.

Does my child have to be potty trained?
Yes.

What is your enrollment process?
Please read about our Admissions Process here.

Can I enroll my child for just a few days per week?
All MCH programs are 5 days per week. Consistent attendance allows the child to internalize the routines of the day and increases their ability to be independent throughout the school day. We do offer a range of programs that vary in length of day. The shortest program runs from 8 - 11:30 am, and the longest program runs from 8 am - 5:30 pm. Check out our programs and tuition page to learn more!

On what basis do you accept children?
Several factors, including age, and program choice, play a role in offering a placement to a family. We look for families who want to be active members of our school's community. We look for diversity, as expressed through cultural background, economics, and family structure. We do not expect families to be familiar with the Montessori Method.

Do siblings receive priority admission?
Yes, siblings receive priority admission at MCH.

Does MCH maintain a waitlist?
MCH keeps a “wait pool” meaning that we do not rank applications. All families that apply by our end-of-January deadline receive equal consideration.

Is MCH affiliated with other Montessori schools?
MCH is not affiliated with any other Montessori schools. Montessori schools generally operate independently and implement the Montessori philosophy and methodology in a variety of ways.

Is MCH accredited?
MCH teachers are credentialed through either the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) or the American Montessori Society (AMS). MCH has earned accreditation as an exemplary early childhood program through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The school also belongs to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). 

What is the average tenure for an MCH teacher?
Both of our head teachers have been at MCH for more than 24 years each. On average, most teachers have been at MCH for 12 years. Our faculty and staff represent a range of cultural backgrounds and languages spoken.

Does MCH offer scholarships?
Yes, MCH has a Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Families can apply for the TAP after they have been admitted to the school. Scholarships are needs-based, determined by application on a program called Clarity. You can learn more about our Tuition Assistance Program here.

What is the tuition cost breakdown? Does MCH fundraise? Tuition for the regular school year is paid in ten installments. Families may opt to pay two installments for a 1% discount. MCH does not offer an hourly pay option; however, the cost for our programs averages at $16.58/hour. We purposefully keep our tuition low so we can offer an excellent Montessori education to a more diverse group of families. MCH creatively fundraises to fill the gap in operating costs to tuition to fulfill our Mission and Values. Our current tuition is listed here.

What is the school’s student-teacher ratio?
During the morning classroom activity time, the student-teacher ratio is 8:1. At other times in the day, especially during Park Play, it is 6:1. In Montessori classrooms, the number of adults is limited to promote self-reliance and independence. Montessori classrooms are specifically designed to allow children to do things by themselves. Extra adults are always on hand to assist and help in case of an emergency.

Does the school offer a lunch program?
Children bring a lunch from home. On Fridays, we offer a nutritious lunch delivery service in which all children may participate for a small additional fee.

What are the ways I can get involved with the school?
MCH actively encourages parent involvement in the school. It is the basis of our strong and vibrant school community. We ask families to donate 18 hours each year. Many families chose to donate more! Volunteer jobs include serving hot lunch, chaperoning off-site trips, organizing social events, fundraising, teacher appreciation events, giving special presentations to the children, and supporting work that can be done at school or home, among many other tasks.

What schools do children attend after graduating from MCH?
Our students attend a variety of public, independent, and parochial schools after completing their time at MCH. Click here to learn more about our Kindergarten Readiness programming and see a list of where some of our students have gone after MCH!