*NEW COVID-19 ADMISSIONS/ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES*
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and local school closures, we have amended our admissions/enrollment procedures to reflect the changing social distancing conditions and requirements in our area. While we realize that in person visits and tours are optimal, we are able to provide them currently on a limited basis. We have amended procedures (see document below) and will be flexible on student classroom visits and assessments. Please contact our admissions office at admissions@damariscottamontessori.org for more information.
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virtual Campus tour
School HoursMorning Drop off: 8:30 - 8:45 am
End of Day Pick Up: Half day: 11:45 am -12:00 pm - Full Day: 3:10 - 3:30 pm Extended Care Hours: Morning Care begins at 7:30 am After Care until 4:45 pm Enrollment Procedure1. Appointment for a Tour/Visit
So glad you are interested in the Damariscotta Montessori School! The first step in our enrollment process is for you to make an appointment to visit our campus at Damariscotta Montessori School in Nobleboro. Please call us at (207) 563-2168 x2 to set up a convenient time. We request that this first visit be “adults only." This allows you, as a parent, to assess the school, our classrooms, and the Montessori method for the right fit for your child. This meeting is typically about 60-75 minutes long, but we can take as long you'd like! 2. Application After visiting the school and if you are interested in enrolling in one of our programs, the next step is fill out an application. All applications must be submitted with a one time application fee. Applications for all our programs are accepted year-round and are available online at: mytads.com/a/damariscotta Phone: (207) 563-2168 x2 3. Child Visit and Head of School Meeting After receiving your application, we will contact you to set up a time to meet with our Head of School, while your child visits one of our classrooms. For our youngest students (pre-K through Kindergarten) the child visit in the classroom lasts approximately 45-60 minutes. If needed, parents are welcome to escort your child to the classroom and stay for a few minutes until the child can be engaged in a classroom activity and then the parent(s) will have time to meet with our Head of School. This will give the parent an opportunity to ask more specific questions about our programs and find out more details about the school, our staff, and the Montessori philosophy. It also allows the school’s teaching staff to work with and observe the child in the Montessori classroom environment. Older students looking at our elementary and middle school programs will visit for multiple days with a parent meeting scheduled on the last day of their visit. 4. Enrollment Decision/Acceptance If you are looking for immediate enrollment, we make ongoing decisions based on openings in each classroom. For enrollments for the next school year, we begin accepting students in March, after our current students have gone through their re-enrollment period in February. It is at this time that you will be notified about acceptance or waiting list status in one of our programs. Please see our Admissions policy for priority enrollments in each of our programs. Enrollment Completion The following forms and fees are needed by the school to complete enrollment:
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Admissions PolicyStudents from preschool through middle school may be considered for admission to our primary, elementary, and middle school programs. Admission shall be determined after consultation between the Admissions Director, Head of School and the teacher of the appropriate class. An Open House takes place each year in March to allow prospective families to meet with the staff and parents of DMS. We highly encourage parents to schedule an appointment for an individual tour/visit of our campus.
Families wishing to be considered for admission are requested to schedule an informational tour of the facility and visit the classroom while in session. This first visit is adults only. Following the initial visit, a second appointment allows the Director and teachers to meet with the student candidate and talk with the parents. To be considered for acceptance, each family must apply and pay a onetime application fee. Admission priorities are in accord with the following school policy: Primary:
Non-Discrimination PolicyThe Damariscotta Montessori School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Financial AidPhilosophy
The Damariscotta Montessori School is committed to the policy of providing quality Montessori education at as reasonable a cost as possible. Nevertheless, our tuition is beyond the means of some interested families. In keeping with Dr. Montessori’s philosophy that all children could profit from exposure to this environment, DMS seeks to provide financial aid to families who otherwise could not afford to offer this educational advantage to their children. Our scholarship program is need-based and is structured on allowing Montessori students to continue their Montessori education. Process Any family in need is encouraged to submit an application for scholarships. The deadline for submitting a scholarship application is typically in February of the previous school year. Scholarship applications may be completed online at www.smarttuitionaid.com. A processing fee is required when applying for scholarship aid. If a family has extenuating circumstances that may need to be considered, please submit a written explanation directly to the Head of School. The school also participates in the State of Maine Child Care Subsidy Program for preschool students. Awards DMS’s Board of Directors will make award decisions based upon the financial information received (need), individual circumstances, and the availability of funds. Family tuition accounts must be up-to-date to be awarded a scholarship. Priority for awarding scholarships is as follows:
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