Enrollment Information

Toddler Program Q&A
Children's House (Early Childhood) Q&A
Tuition Assistance Program Q&A
Vaccination Requirements

2012–2013 Enrollment and Contract Procedures Questions & Answers
This document is not a part of the contract and is intended to explain procedures.

Is there a required deposit?
Yes. A $500.00 deposit is required to confirm your child's enrollment by March 1, 2012.

Is the deposit applied to tuition?
Yes. The $500.00 deposit per child that is required with the contract is deducted from the annual tuition. Please call the Head of School or the Director of Finance if you have special circumstances regarding the deposit.

Are payment plans available?
Yes. The Montessori Academy uses Tuition Management Systems for families who want a deferred payment plan. Families currently using TMS will be reenrolled in the program and TMS will bill you the $49.00 per family service fee.

Families initiating the service for the first time will need to check the TMS box on the contract. The Finance Director will then send you the TMS enrollment information.

Does TMA offer a multi-sibling discount?
Yes. First child is full tuition, second sibling receives a 10% discount; third sibling receives a 20% discount; fourth and subsequent siblings receive a 30% discount each. Sibling discounts are adjusted as number of siblings exit TMA.

Does TMA offer tuition scholarship assistance?
Yes. TMA sets aside a percentage of the budget to offer tuition scholarship assistance to families. Parents must apply to FAST (Financial Aid for School Tuition) for evaluation of need. TMA gives priority to returning families and awards a percentage of the assistance needed based on the funds available and family qualified need. We believe that the tuition is the family's responsibility and we offer assistance so that children can continue their education at TMA as they move up through the levels. Tuition scholarship assistance applications are available through the Finance Director's office.

Do we accept credit cards for tuition payments?
Yes. For tuition payments only.

What are the Elementary and Adolescent activity fees?
These fees for Activities/Events, which include such things as field trips, special events, bus transportation, camps, and other extended trips, are part of the contract. By including them in the contract, families have the option of including those fees with Tuition Management Systems payment plan. These fees do not cover the athletic registration fees.

When will I know about my child's class placement?
If your child is continuing at the same level, enrollment will be offered for your child's current classroom. Children moving up a level will receive class placement notification in June. The Head of School makes all class placement decisions and takes into consideration the balance and characteristics of the classroom community in which your child will enter.

What emergency and health information is required for attendance at TMA?
All students are required to complete the Family Information document included with the contract prior to the child entering school. We need current allergy information on file and are required to maintain complete state health documents verifying vaccinations. Please be sure we have two emergency contact persons who can respond immediately to an emergency call from school.

What supplies do the children need for school?
TMA provides all classroom materials and supplies for the students. The Toddler and Early Childhood students receive a school tote bag of sufficient size to carry all necessary items to and from school. Backpacks are not used at the Early Childhood level. Backpacks are permitted at the Elementary and Adolescent levels.

What is the purpose of orientation for students?
Children transitioning into a new setting need time to adjust to the new community, whether it is the first time the child has separated from the home or is transferring from one level to another within TMA or is transferring from another school. Students have an orientation week in August just prior to the opening of school. The students attend class two to three hours on the days scheduled for each level. The schedule is sent to parents in July with the other opening school information.

When is Before and After Care open?
The Before Care portion of the contract enrolls a child for the full school year in the before school group. The Before Care class opens at 7:15 a.m.

The After Care (3:30–6:00 p.m.) portion enrolls an Elementary/Adolescent child for the full school year in the after school group and in the Non-Class time/day service. The Non-Class time/day are those periods when the classes close early for staff meetings, in-service professional days and parent conference days.

Is there a Full Day and non-class day program for the Early Childhood students?
Yes. Students enrolled in the Montessori Early Childhood Full Day Program are in school until either 3:15 or 6:00 p.m. and have class on non-class days such as in-service, early dismissal (unless noted on the calendar) and parent conference days.

Is there a Before or After Care or All Day program for Toddlers?
No. We only offer half day programs for children under the age of three years or those who are enrolled in the Toddler class who might turn three during the school year.

Are there programs for students on school holidays?
No. The school is fully closed (office, classes and Aftercare) on all federal and traditional school holidays: Labor Day, Thanksgiving (three days), Winter Break (approximately 10 days), Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, and July 4.

There is one exception. Classes are closed for Spring Break week, but we do offer a Spring Break Camp that will be held if minimum enrollment is reached. Students register separately for the Spring Break Camp. It is not included with the full year Elementary/Adolescent After Care or Early Childhood Full Day enrollment tuition.

Does enrollment in the After Care program cover the fees for Elementary and Adolescent student participation in sports or other similar activities?
No. The budget for After Care covers the cost of that program, including all employee expenses, administration functions, facility expenses, materials and supplies. Sports and other enrichment programs have separate fees and budgets.

What is the Now and Then Program?
The Now and Then program is a payment option for the use of the Elementary and Adolescent Before and After Care program. It allows families to use Before or After Care occasionally, or less than full time/full year.

• Note regarding Early Childhood Before Care: All enrolled Early Childhood students may use the Now and Then option for Before Care only
(7:15–8:30 a.m.) on regular school days. It is not available on non-Class days.

• Note regarding Early Childhood After Care: The Now and Then After Care option is available for all early childhood children on regular school days.
It is not available on non-Class days.

Can the Now and Then fees be included in the enrollment contract?
No. We can only include annual fees with the enrollment contract.

The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes
530 East Day Road • Mishawaka, Indiana 46545
Phone 574.256.5313 • Fax 574.256.5493 • www.tma-el.org
Webmaster contact: m.sheetz@mchsi.com