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Schedule a Tour
To schedule a tour of our school, contact the Director of Admissions (admissions@rpmschool.org). It's a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Montessori educational philosophy, see the students in their classrooms, and ask questions.

Complete an Application
Applications are accepted year-round and can be submitted via mail or in person, along with a $100 non-refundable application fee. Parents are sent an acknowledgement card upon receipt of application and fee. (RPMS Application 2016) 

Interview
Once applications have been reviewed, families are contacted to schedule an interview for their child. This process begins in late February. If a placement is offered, parents are notified of acceptance via email.

Placement Priority
Priority placement is given to siblings of current RPMS students and Montessori transfer students.

Cut-off Date
RPMS uses September 1 as the cut-off date for children entering at any level. Children born after September 1 are eligible to enter a program the following school year.

Application Rollover
If an applicant is not offered placement for the current year, parents may roll their application over to the following school year. Letters are sent in October asking parents to confirm interest in keeping their child's application active.

enrollment deadlines

Applications for new enrollments to RPMS are accepted throughout the school year. For current students, re-enrollment deadlines are communicated to the existing families of the school. Applications received prior to the announced deadline for returning children are given priority consideration.

After the re-enrollment deadline, new student applications are processed to fill all remaining class positions. Applications from returning students received after the enrollment deadline are processed with all new student applications, and receive no additional priority. A wait list is maintained by the Director of Admissions.

Re-enrollment applications for students with delinquent tuition payments will not be processed until payments are made current.

transfer students

For kindergarten and elementary transfer students, the following documents are required:

• RPMS application form

• Common Recommendation form

• Authorization to release records form
  

• School transcripts from previous school(s): progress reports, report cards, standardized test results, etc.
  

If a placement is available, the student and family are notified, then interviewed by the appropriate Program Director. The student will shadow in one of our classrooms, and be assessed by our Learning Specialist.  If a placement is offered, parents are notified of acceptance via email.

returning students
re-enrollment process

Current students planning to re-enroll in school must return required paperwork and fees before the stated deadlines.  Failure to present the completed paperwork or to comply with announced deadlines will result in a forfeiture of placement.  Continued placement is based upon availability of space.

Upon re-enrollment, the following requirements must be fulfilled to complete the enrollment process:

• Payment of a non-refundable registration fee ($150.00)

• Payment of a non-refundable tuition deposit (as indicated on contract)

• Tuition payments must be current
  

• Completion of the following forms:

• Student Contract
• Daycare request (if applicable)
• Payment plan information (SMART form)
• Required Medical/Dental/Vision/Home Language forms
• Allergy Action Plan and necessary medications (if applicable)
• Home Language Survey

Children will not be admitted to class on the first day of school without all of the preceding requirements completed.

admissions & class placements

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:

• Availability of space in program
• Current enrollment
• Siblings of children currently enrolled, whose families have demonstrated a commitment to the entire Montessori program. The Director of Admission has the discretion to rescind priority placement for any sibling, even currently enrolled siblings, if the family withdraws any of the older siblings before the eighth grade.
• Balance of age and gender in each classroom
• Transfer students from other Montessori schools

SMART tuition

Rogers Park Montessori School uses Smart Tuition to assist families manage tuition payments.  The following options are available:
 

• Nine Pay: first installment due July 2017 and monthly through April 2018. Smart Tuition form required. 
• Two Pay: first installment due July 2017 and second installment due December 1, 2017.  Smart form required.
• One Pay:  one lump sum remitted directly to the school by July 1st, 2017.   

Click here to download the Smart Tuition Form 2016-17

Smart Tuition FAQ's 

financial aid

RPMS offers two avenues for financial assistance for families. 

1. Direct financial assistance (Financial Aid), which is based on family need and designed to supplement a families contribution. There are also set aside funds, in the event a family has an emergency, and needs help to bridge tuition for a a given school year.

2. Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) is a needs based scholarship program which helps to support lower income, diverse families. 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:

• Complete an application and be accepted for enrollment to RPMS
  
• Apply for financial aid through FAST
  
• Meet application deadlines.  Applications not received on time are not considered unless the family demonstrates an emergency need for assistance.
• Provide complete and thorough information. In the case of divorced or separated parents, information must be provided by both parents.
• Reapply for assistance every school year

financial aid determination process

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 and be accepted to RPMS.

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.  All information from FAST is kept confidential. 

As a reminder, you must reapply each year. To start the process, please click below:

• Review the Document_Checklist Document_Checklist_for_Parents for items you will need for the application. 
  
• The application process is self-guided. You may navigate in and out of the program allowing you to partially complete an application and go back to it at another time.
• Online e-mail and a 24/7 helpline is provided. Please do not call the school with questions.
• There is a small fee for the application, which you will be prompted to pay by credit card at the end of the session.
• After completing the online application you will be required to mail your most recent tax returns for both state and federal taxes with all schedules and W-2's to:  FAST Processing, ISM 1316 North Union Street, Wilmington DE 19806-2594
• Including the School's name on the outside of the envelope will ensure faster processing of your application.
• Your tax return must follow the submission.