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2025-2026 School Year Admissions Process
Garden Montessori School views the admission process as an opportunity for families and the school to learn about each other. We are committed to bringing people together from a broad spectrum of ethnic, national, and religious backgrounds. We welcome diversity and teach our children to broaden their perspectives of the world through friendships, mutual respect, and understanding. We understand many families have been on our waitlist for an extended period of time; this is a testament to our long-standing relationships with our families and community.
Start your enrollment journey with GMS by filling out our Inquiry Form.
You will receive tuition, calendar, video tour, waitlist application and more.
Student enrollment is given in the following priorities:
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Returning students are given first priority to re-enroll for the new school year in January.
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Siblings, as well as siblings of alumni graduate families, are given second priority.
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Children with previous Montessori experience are given third priority (records/conference reports will be asked to be submitted to GMS from the Montessori School). Please have these readily available to submit.
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Waitlist Applicants (receive first notification; however, new applications are due every year and start over with no previous priority).
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New Applicants.
The 2025-2026 Admission steps are outlined below:
Step 1
Inquiry
Begin your journey by exploring Garden Montessori School. Learn about our programs, tuition, philosophy, and approach to education through by contacting us directly.
Step 2
Pre-Admissions
After carefully reviewing the information provided, parents interested in moving forward should submit the GMS Waitlist Form using the Pre-Admissions link included in the inquiry letter. This ensures your child is placed on our waitlist for the desired
program year. We do not accept email or verbal request for waitlist
Applications Must Be Submitted
Each Year starting in January and
Do Not Roll Over
Step 3
Zoom Sessions
Mandatory Zoom Informational Session: Families are required to schedule an informational Zoom session. This virtual session is specifically designed for families who have never attended GMS. At this time, you will learn more about who we are as individuals and as a school community, our classroom environments, programs, information about the Montessori philosophy, and expectations for families. Participating in this session is mandatory for each family prior to continuing with the next step of the process. Zoom Sessions will only be available the week of January 20th through January 21st. Additional sessions will be added if spots are still available.
Step 4
Acceptance & Tour
A: Acceptance/Waitlisted:
The Head of School and Admissions Team will review the Pre-Admissions/ Waitlist Forms based on our priority list (please refer to the student enrollment priority list as noted below) and inform the parent(s)/guardian(s) regarding availability by February 15th. This notification will occur by emailing a letter of acceptance or continued waitlisted notification to every family. If your child is waitlisted, no further action is needed.
B. Tours:
Accepted families will then have the opportunity to see our method in action as all tours are scheduled for the morning work cycles. Group tours are limited to three families at a time, and both parents are encouraged to attend. Children are welcome; however, space will be
limited (no strollers, please).
Step 5
Notifcation & Payment
A; Notification of Enrollment:
Once you have been accepted and toured the campus or viewed our pre-recorded tour link and would like to proceed with the official enrollment, you must notify the Head of School via email and then proceed with setting up your billing information through Brightwheel.
Billing accounts must be set up
within 48 hours of your tour.
B: Payments:
New students will be charged the $350 Admission for Enrollment Fee and $500 Incidental Fee immediately upon acceptance and setting up your Brightwheel account (please note these fees are non-refundable).
*In keeping with the Montessori three-year-cycle, students in the Early Childhood Level must meet the following criteria:
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All students in the Early Childhood Classroom must be fully independent and toilet trained.
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Students entering at 4 years old (VPK) must commit to a minimum of two school years (VPK and Kindergarten year).
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Students entering at 5 years old (Kindergarten) must have a minimum of 1 year of Montessori experience at the Early Childhood Level (a complete academic school year).
*Provisional Acceptance: Please note that enrollment is conditional for the first sixty (60) days of attendance. In keeping with our philosophy of best serving the interest of children, new students are admitted for a 60-day trial period. If, during this trial period, either GMS or the family may deem the School as not an appropriate environment and not meeting the needs of the child. Tuition will be prorated for the duration the child attended school, and any overage will be refunded (admission and incidental fees are still non-refundable). Please discuss and share all pertinent information before enrolling if your child has a history of any behavior or learning difficulty to better assist us with his or her placement and learning strategies.
We hope you will consider Garden Montessori School’s education for your child.
Nondiscriminatory Policy
We value diversity among our students. GMS welcomes students of all backgrounds and does not discriminate in the enrollment process or in the administration of its programs, policies, or activities.
Enrollment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, scholarships, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Our mission is to foster a community that respects diversity and celebrates the unique strengths of each child.