We are delighted by your interest in Staunton Montessori School. SMS has a long history of serving children and families in the Shenandoah Valley. We look forward to getting to know your family and introducing you to Staunton Montessori School.
The first step in the Admissions process is to join an upcoming tour date when our Admissions cycle opens in October. Admissions tours for the 2026-2027 school year are held on Thursday mornings at 9 AM. You can book a tour below. Group tours are for adults only, as possible. Inquiries outside of this time are welcome to reach out on our contact us page, by calling 540-949-5020 or by emailing office@stauntonmontessori.org.
Upon completion of the tour, prospective parents are invited to complete an application and submit the application fee of $60 to continue with the Admissions Process.
Once an application has been received, families are invited for a closer look by observing in our classrooms. These observations offer an overview of how all the pieces of Montessori education work in harmony. After completing a 10–20-minute observation, prospective parents meet with the Director of Enrollment to answer any questions and get to know each other better. This step is also for adults only.
Student visits take place in late January and Early February for priority enrollment. This is an opportunity for our staff to meet your child and welcome them into the classroom space. On this visit students learn about expectations, activities, meet peers, and can ask any questions. Primary student visits are 20 minutes long, while elementary visits are an entire school day.
All applicants are placed in an enrollment pool. Admission decisions are made after careful review of a student’s application, documentation, staff recommendations, and whether SMS is the right fit for the student and the family. We do our best to accommodate all prospective students who wish to join us.
Staunton Montessori School offers limited Financial Assistance; applications open February 1st and close February 14th for the upcoming school year. Please see Tuition and Financial Aid section for additional information.
Acceptance letters are offered to new enrollment families in late February, with a TADS tuition contract for the upcoming school year. Any families who have been waitlisted or apply after the initial enrollment dates will be offered available spots on a first-come and case-by-case basis.
