Admissions Process
We are delighted by your interest in Staunton Montessori School. We have a long history of serving children and families in the Shenandoah Valley and look forward to getting to know your family.
1. Information Session & School Tour
The first step in the Admissions process is to join an upcoming tour date when our Admissions cycle opens in October. Admissions tours 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 page, by calling 540–949–5020, or by emailing office@stauntonmontessori.org.
2. Application
Upon completion of the tour, prospective parents are invited to complete an application and submit an application fee of $60 to continue with the Admissions Process.
3. Observation & Family Interview
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-to-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.
4. Student Visit
Student visits begin 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. Primary student visits are 20 minutes long, while elementary students visit for an entire school day. On this visit students learn about expectations, activities, meet peers, and can ask any questions.
5. Consideration & Decision
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; our Financial Aid portal opens annually at the beginning of February and is open for two weeks. Please see Tuition and Financial Aid section for additional information.
Acceptance letters are offered to new enrollment families in late February/early March, 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.