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

Complete an Application
Applications are accepted year-round. (see below)  Parents receive an email confirmation when both application and payment are received.  When ready, select the appropriate application option below for your child:

    Application for Toddler and Children's House (ages 2-5 on September 1)

Interview
Once applications have been received, 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 Admission.

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 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. 

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:

• Student Contract
• Daycare request (if applicable)
• Payment plan information (SMART form)
• Required Medical/Dental/Vision form
  
• 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 2019 and monthly through April 2020. Smart Tuition form required. 
• Two Pay: first installment due July 2019 and second installment due December 1, 2019.  Smart form required.
• One Pay:  one lump sum remitted directly to the school by July 1st, 2019.   

Click here to download the Smart Tuition Form

Smart Tuition FAQ's 

financial aid

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:

• Complete an enrollment application.
  
• 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. 

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

• Our FAST Application Instructions document provides a list of 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.
  
• There is a $45 fee for the application, which you will be prompted to pay by credit card at the end of the session.