2009 – 2010 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 2, 2009.

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 Mary MacIntosh or Katha Short if you have special circumstances regarding the deposit.

Are payment plans available? Yes. The Montessori Academy continues to use Tuition Management Systems for families who want a deferred payment plan. Families currently using TMS do not have to register for 2009- 2010. TMS will continue your account and bill you the $42.00 per family service fee.

Families initiating the service will need to check the TMS box on the contract and call Katha Short, Finance Director, at extension 329 to receive this form.

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

Does TMA offer scholarships or Financial Aid? Yes. TMA sets aside a percentage of the budget to offer financial assistance to families. Parents must apply to the Private School Aid Service for evaluation of need. TMA gives priority to returning families and awards a percentage of the aid 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. Financial assistance applications are available through the Finance Director’s office at extension 329.

Do we accept credit cards for tuition payments? No. We are not able to take credit cards for tuition payments. The service fee percentages amount to a significant charge and we believe that we can better use that money for student programs.

What are the Elementary and Junior High Activity Fees? We are including the fees for Activities/Events which include such things as: field trips, special events, bus transportation, camps, and other extended trips in the contract rather than collect them on a pay as you go basis. This allows the family the option of including those fees with Tuition Management Systems payment plan. These fees do not cover the athletic registration fees.

What are the time frames for Before and After Care? 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/Junior High 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 3 years or those who are enrolled in the Toddler class who might turn 3 during the school year.

Are there programs for students on school holidays? No. The school is fully closed (classes and aftercare) on all federal and traditional school holidays: Labor Day, Thanksgiving (3 days), Winter Break (approximately 10 days), Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th. All programs close half day prior to Winter Break.

There is one exception. Classes are closed for Spring Break week, but we do offer a Spring Break Camp that is open 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. during that week. Students register separately for the Spring Break Camp. It is not included with the full year Elementary/Junior High After Care or Early Childhood Casa enrollment tuition.

Does enrollment in the After Care Program cover the fees for Elementary and Junior High 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. The 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 Junior High Before and After Care program. It allows families to use Before or After Care occasionally, or less than full time/full year.

*Note regarding Before Care: 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: The Now and Then option is not available for the half-day Early Childhood students.

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

What emergency and health information is required for attendance at TMA?
All students are required to complete the TMA Emergency Information Document included with the contract prior to the child entering school. We need current allergy information on file and students are required to 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.

Must my child be toilet trained to enroll in the Early Childhood classes?
In order to be enrolled in the ages 3-6 year class, children must be toilet trained and able to use the toilet independently. Pull-ups and diapers are not permitted. All children must wear underwear while at school.
We anticipate that children will have toilet accidents occasionally, and therefore request that a full set of extra clothing be at school at all times.

What is the purpose of orientation for students?
Children transiting 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 2 – 3 hours on the days scheduled for each level. The schedule is sent to parents in July with the other opening school information.

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 Junior High levels.