Admissions

Thank you for your interest in The Children’s House at Serenbe!  At The Children's House at Serenbe, we believe that an excellent learning environment must include a diverse student population.  We welcome children, aged 3 through 6th grades, from all racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, family structure or sexual orientation. The Children's House seeks to maintain a balanced enrollment of age and gender in each classroom.  Priority is given to returning students, siblings, and children with previous Montessori experience.  After these considerations, children are accepted from those in the waiting pool according to their stated program preference and long-term school goals.  The following information will help you throughout the admissions and enrollment process.  Please contact us if we can be of assistance. 

The Children's House at Serenbe hosts admissions events throughout the year and accepts applications on an ongoing basis. Generally, applications received by April are considered for the following school year with new family interviews beginning in January and continuing through the spring. 

All prospective families are invited to attend one or more of our open houses or admissions events, complete a Prospective Student Form and pay the accompanying, non-refundable application fee of $25 per family to begin the application process.  Our next Open House is scheduled for Saturday, March 23 from 2 to 4 pm.  

Once our current families return their contracts (by the end of February), we are able to determine our openings for the following year. Miss Lisa, school Directress, will notify applicants of enrollment decisions by telephone. Enrollment contracts are extended through the mail or by pick up, and must be returned within 7 - 10 days to secure a spot for your child.

Admissions

STEP 1:  Contact the school for a Prospective Student Form.  Our receptionist can complete this for you over the phone or you may download it and return via email or mail.  You’ll be invited to schedule a brief school tour with our receptionist.  You may download our application or we will have a copy available at the desk on the day of your tour.   Applications and fees must be received by the Admissions office before Child or Parent Interviews will be scheduled.

Once your application is received, the directress of your child's community (primary, lower, or upper elementary) will contact you to schedule an informal interview at the school.  Out of town applicants are encouraged to plan a visit.  

STEP 2:  Parents and children will be invited for an informal interview and urged to observe in classrooms to ensure that The Children's House at Serenbe is a good fit for their family. 

The observation (parents only) can be scheduled during morning hours while school is in session.  This is a chance for you to silently observe the community, which will function as normal.  The teacher will continue her lessons without verbal or visual contact with the observing parent.  This allows you to observe as a naturalist would, without interaction that would disturb or change the phenomenon. 

The interview is usually a brief meeting (30 minutes to an hour) to visit the school during the late afternoon, evening, or weekend.  Your child will accompany you to the interview and spend some time independently in the community with the directress.  

•  Primary Program (2 ½ - 6 years old): An interview will be scheduled for your child with the teaching staff. Admittance for Primary students is contingent upon the child being independent in the bathroom and upon school readiness, which is determined by the interviewing teacher. 

•  Elementary Program (6 - 12 years old): Your child will have a short interview with a member of the faculty. Additionally, your child may be invited to spend a morning in our Elementary classroom. 

STEP 3:  Should it be determined that The Children's House at Serenbe is a good fit for your family, an enrollment contract will be given.  Once completed, you may return it with the non-refundable tuition deposit in order to hold your child's space.  You will receive an acceptance letter and welcome packet.  

The Children's House at Serenbe does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, sexual orientation, religious/non-religious affiliation, national or ethnic origin regarding its admissions, policies, procedures, financial aid, or any other school-sanctioned programs.

Admissions packets can be downloaded, or you may contact us for forms.  You are welcome to send in your packet via email.  

TUITION for the 2013 school year

 Tuition for Primary 1     (12:15 dismissal): $5400 

Tuition for Primary 2     (2:45 dismissal):   $6300   

Lower Elementary         $6900     

Upper Elementary         $7400

Materials Fee (can be paid in two payments, Aug. 1 and Jan. 3):  

Primary 1 and Primary 2: $200

Lower Elementary: $300

Upper Elementary: $300

*A tuition discount is available for families with multiple children enrolled in the school.  The second child enrolled will recieve a discount of 10%, the third will recieve a 20% discount, and the fourth and any additional children will recieve a 25% discount.  

FINANCIAL AID

We would like to consider for admission all families desiring a quality Montessori experience.   Currently, financial aid is not available.  If you'd like to establish a scholarship fund, please let us know.

GIVING

The Children's House at Serenbe is a 501c(3) organization. We welcome both monetary and in-kind support. We desire to make the Montessori experience available to all families desiring a high quality education for their children and we welcome donors wishing to donate scholarships. Please inquire.