admissions |
 |
join us! | Rogers Park Montessori School is a community where individual differences are acknowledged and celebrated. We seek students and families who share our educational and philosophical vision, and who bring a multicultural and diverse experience to our classrooms. The admissions process provides prospective parents the opportunity to learn more about Montessori education and become acquainted with our school. It gives us an opportunity to assess each child's learning style. Toilet Training: Children must be toilet trained to enter the 3-6 program. Shadow Day: Elementary applicants are invited to shadow in one of our classrooms. During this visit, parents have the opportunity to meet with the Elementary Program Director. RPMS admits students of any race, color, sex, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, 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, sex, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. No student, on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any RPMS education program or activity. |
"Throughout the 10 years we've had children at RPMS, we continue to be amazed how students are acknowledged and truly SEEN for the individuals they are. When we first looked at RPMS, we were attracted by the way teachers respect the students, which then breeds a strong, natural, and mutual respect. Students at RPMS call their teachers by their first names - it's a signal that we are all equals here and should be treated as such. How beautiful is that?!".” - Parent of Two RPMS Students | “Without fail, RPMS students are polite, conscientious, and hard working. They embody the Montessori concept of “grace and courtesy” and are very involved in all extracurricular activities, including athletics, the arts, and clubs. I am always excited when I see that an RPMS graduate is my class.” - Local High School Instructor | “I have been continually impressed by the consistently good behavior that RPMS students have exhibited throughout my years at Beacon. They are leaders in the community, excellent students, and participate widely in all of the activities that Beacon has to offer.” - Beacon High School Instructor |
|
2024-2025 School Year
|
Schedule a Tour or Submit an Inquiry To schedule a tour of our school or if you have any questions, fill out the form below to get in contact with our Director of Admissions ( admissions@rpms.org ). The tour is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Montessori education and see the students in their classrooms. Complete an Application In order to submit an application, you must first fill out an Inquiry form. Go to https://portals.veracross.com/rpms/form/inquiry where you will be prompted to answer a few questions about your child. If you have any questions, please email admissions@rpms.org. Application Deadline: Interview Placement Priority Cut-off Date Application Rollover |
Applications for new enrollments to RPMS are accepted throughout the school year. |
For kindergarten and elementary transfer students, the following documents are required:
If a placement is available, the parents are notified and interviewed by the Program Director. The student will shadow in one of our classrooms and be assessed by our Learning Specialist. |
 |
RPMS strongly believes in the practice of encouraging families to make a long term commitment to a full Montessori education. The following priorities are observed when determining admission and class placement:
|
|
Rogers Park Montessori School uses Veracross to assist families in managing tuition payments.
|
RPMS offers two avenues for financial assistance: Direct Financial Assistance (Financial Aid) is based on need and designed to supplement a family's contribution. In the event a family has an emergency, this fund can also bridge tuition for the current school year. Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) is a needs based scholarship program which helps to support families that reflect our diversity statement. This fund offers more substantive support for a family who may only be able to make a minimal contribution. To qualify for assistance, families must:
Once financial aid applications, tax, and other required information have been processed, the Financial Aid Committee meets to review all applications. The information provided is strictly confidential. |
applying for financial aid | To be eligible for financial aid, families must first complete an application for enrollment. RPMS uses the services of an outside vendor, FAST, to evaluate financial aid needs. FAST does not decide whether financial assistance will be given or how much to give; rather FAST provides a need-based financial aid analysis service which includes a recommendation of what a family should reasonably contribute toward tuition. As a reminder, you must reapply each year. To start the process, please click below:
|
Based on receipt of federal financial assistance through a Paycheck Protection Program loan administered through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the CAREs Act, Rogers Park Montessori School acknowledges its obligation to prohibit discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, citizenship status, genetic information, handicap or disability in admissions, access, employment, tuition assistance, educational policies, or other school administered student and employee programs and activities. Questions regarding the School’s compliance with the application and administration of the School’s nondiscrimination policies should be directed to Lawrence DiStasi, Director of Operations and Finance, Rogers Park Montessori School, 1800 W. Balmoral Ave., Chicago, IL 60640, 773-271-1700, or email him at ldistasi@rpms.org, or to the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) or to the SBA. Please refer to the School’s SBA Non-Discrimination Compliance Policy on the School’s website for information on how to file complaints with OCR or the SBA. This notice will remain in effect until the School has satisfied and paid off the SBA Paycheck Protection Loan. SBA Non-Discrimination Compliance Policy Rogers Park Montessori School (the “School”) has received a loan pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program administered by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”). This policy is intended to demonstrate good faith compliance with the regulations issued by the SBA and by other governmental agencies enforcing the laws that attach to the School due to the School’s receipt of federal financial assistance through the SBA loan. This policy shall remain in place from the time the School receives the SBA funding until the loan is paid or forgiven. School Compliance Officer The School identifies the following individual to act as its Compliance Officer under this policy:
The Compliance Officer shall be responsible for coordinating the School’s effort to meet its responsibilities under this policy. The Compliance Officer will receive and investigate any complaints filed under this policy and make recommendations to the Principal for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints. The School will provide its Compliance Officer and staff appropriate training on this policy and their obligations hereunder. Non-discrimination, Anti-harassment, Non-retaliation The School acknowledges its obligations to prohibit discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, disability/handicap, or religion in admission to its educational programs, activities, and services, and in employment opportunities. Retaliation against an individual for filing a complaint under this policy or participating in the informal or formal resolution is prohibited. Academic and Non-Academic Services for Persons with Disabilities The School remains committed to excellence in educational programming and acknowledges its obligation to ensure that no otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall, solely by reason of his/her disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. This includes both academic and non-academic services, such as counseling, extracurricular services, athletics, transportation, health services, recreational activities, clubs, and other activities. The School will also assess its ability to make reasonable accommodations to disabled individuals to permit such persons to participate in and enjoy the benefits of the School’s programs and activities so long as doing so does not fundamentally alter the nature of the School’s program. Individuals who seek an accommodation should contact Lawrence DiStasi (Compliance Officer for 504). Employment Obligations for Applicants and Employees with Disabilities The School acknowledges its obligation under the SBA regulations and laws applicable to recipients of federal financial assistance to prohibit discrimination against any employee or applicant based upon his/her disability. This obligation extends to all aspects of employment, including the hiring and employment processes. The School will also assess its ability to make reasonable accommodations to disabled individuals so long as doing so does not create an undue hardship. Individuals who seek an accommodation should contact Lawrence DiStasi (Compliance Officer for Section 504). Facilities Access The School acknowledges its obligation under the SBA regulations to operate its programs and activities in existing facilities so they are readily accessible to qualified individuals with disabilities. The location in facilities (or movement of classes, meetings, etc. to other facilities) will be scheduled in a manner that will not knowingly deny a student, employee, parent, or visitor with a disability the opportunity to participate on the same basis as such persons without disabilities. Accommodations may be provided to allow access to educational programming or meetings. Complaint Procedure Who may make a complaint? A person (student, parent, employee, or applicant) may use this complaint procedure to report a concern or allegation that s/he is being denied an equal opportunity to access the School’s education programs, activities or services, including employment opportunities. Who can a complaint be made to? A complaint may be reported to the Compliance Officer, an Administrator, or to a staff member. Any complaint received by an Administrator or staff member shall be promptly reported to a Compliance Officer for handling. How do you file a complaint? A complaint may be made verbally or in writing. The School has an SBA Complaint Form available for those who choose to use it. A complaint may also be filed with the SBA directly by sending a letter to the Administrator, Small Business Administration (SBA), Washington, D.C. 20416. Or you can file a complaint with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR). OCR’s electronic complaint form is at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html You may also email OCR’s Discrimination Complaint Form or your own signed letter to ocr@ed.gov. If you write your own letter, please include the information identified above. Are there timelines for filing a complaint? Timelines are flexible, but a person with a complaint should try to report it within thirty (30) calendar days after an alleged discriminatory incident. If the complaint is filed directly with the SBA or OCR, it must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory action. How long will it take to have a complaint handled? While the School will try to handle the complaint as expeditiously as possible, there can be unexpected or unforeseen circumstances that cause delay. Complaints involving a handicap/disability and request for accommodation will be promptly referred to a 504 team for handling. Those complaints that require an investigation will be completed within thirty (30) days of the complaint, if possible. Should more time be required, the Compliance Officer will notify the complainant. Informal complaint process This policy provides an individual the option of filing an informal complaint (verbally or in writing), which allows a fuller range of options in facilitating prompt resolution of an issue(s). It is the choice of the individual complaining whether to initially pursue an informal complaint procedure. The Compliance Officer, or his/her designee, shall explore an informal resolution with the complainant, which may involve providing advice to the complainant on how to handle the issue(s) or reviewing this policy with persons involved in the issue. If the matter involves the conduct of another person, an informal resolution could involve a meeting with the complainant and that person provided both individuals agreed. Resolution through this informal procedure will be promptly explored. At any time, the complainant may request to end the informal procedure to move to the formal complaint process. Formal complaint process An individual may file a formal complaint (verbally or in writing) under this policy. The complainant may use the SBA Complaint Form that the School can provide or should provide the following information: a statement of the complaint that identifies the issue, provides pertinent facts, identifies those involved, and states what remedy is sought. If complainant does not provide a written statement, the Compliance Officer will prepare a statement for the complainant to review for accuracy after interviewing him/her. The Compliance Officer, or his/her designee (“Investigator”) shall begin a formal investigation into a complaint within three (3) business days of receipt. Should the complaint allege another person engaged in discriminatory, harassing, or retaliatory conduct (“respondent”), the Investigator shall notify him/her that a complaint was filed, provide a statement of the nature of the allegations, and provide a copy of this policy and any other applicable school policy. The Investigator shall interview the complainant and any respondent as well as witnesses reasonably believed to have relevant information. The Investigator shall also consider relevant documents submitted by any person interviewed. The respondent may submit a written response to the complaint within seven (7) calendar days of being notified of the complaint. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Compliance Officer shall submit the written report of the investigator to the Principal along with recommendations as to whether and how this policy was violated and a proposed remedy for the situation. The Principal (or his/her designee) shall review the Compliance Officer’s report and issue a final decision or remand the matter back to the Investigator for further investigation. If remanded, the specific areas or issues to be investigated further shall be identified. Once the investigation is complete to the satisfaction of the Principal, he or she shall issue a final written decision as to whether and how this policy was violated as well as any remedial corrective action that will be taken to redress the matter and prevent further violations. Any corrective action must be age-appropriate and timely. The decision of the Principal shall be final and shall be communicated to the complainant and respondent separately and simultaneously as directed by the Principal. |
