Each year families are required to register their children for the following academic year as described below. Families new to JMS, and families wishing to be re-admitted after a lapse in attendance, or a breach of the Partnership Agreement, will follow the procedure as outlined in the Admissions policy. The faculty will supply a list of “open spaces” in their classes to the administration so families wishing to begin the process of Admissions can be given an indication of program availability
Step One: Registration Information Packet
In January the registration packet is sent to current JMS families. This packet includes an outline of preliminary tuition rates, payment options, deposit requirements, tuition assistance opportunities, programming or policy changes, the Partnership Agreement, registration paperwork, and an extended care request form. Any family being asked to re-evaluate their commitment to the JMS Mission and Partnership Agreement will be contacted to schedule a conference prior to being invited to register.
Interest in applying for admission for younger siblings must also be communicated at this time. For families with younger siblings eligible to enter the primary program, an invitation will be extended to attend the Open House, along with an outline of the Admissions procedure and the application paperwork. New siblings and their families must complete the admissions process.
Step Two: Submitting Registration Forms and Fees
Paperwork needs to be submitted to the JMS office during registration week and must be accompanied by the required deposit. All registrations received in the JMS office by the deadline will be given to the faculty for placement into specific classrooms. The registration is not valid if the paperwork is incomplete, the appropriate deposits are not remitted or any outstanding balances are not paid. If the paperwork and deposits are received after the close of registration, the child will be put in the “Registered Students Waiting Pool” and the family will be notified.
Tuition deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable unless admission is denied by the school. All accounts must be current, or paid in full, prior to registration.
Step Three: Class Assignments and Sibling Placement
In all programs, siblings will be placed into classes based on what is needed to create an optimal dynamic. During the admissions process and parent-teacher conferences, families may discuss their particular situation with the director, leaving open the possibility for siblings to be placed in the same class, or to have them in separate classes, when it is in the best interest of the children and the class dynamic.
The primary faculty determines the placement of students and siblings in the primary program. The elementary faculty, considering recommendations from the primary faculty as applicable, places incoming elementary students. In all cases, the directors strive to maintain the appropriate balance and optimum classroom dynamics.
Once placements have been made, class lists are considered final. All students will be notified of their status. When all classes have been filled, remaining families will be notified and may choose to either be put in the “Registered Students Waiting Pool” or to have their registration withdrawn and deposits refunded.
When more currently enrolled students re-register for programs than there are spaces available, preferences will be given to those families who have demonstrated a commitment to the JMS Mission and Partnership Agreement and who intend on completing the elementary program.
Step Four: Open Registration
Open Registration begins after registration of current families has been completed. Families wishing to be re-admitted to JMS after a lapse in attendance, transfers from other Montessori schools and families with no prior Montessori experience are included. The procedure for evaluating the suitability of these applicants will be defined by the faculty. The number of children accepted after the age of five (5) and the number of children accepted who have not completed a Montessori primary program is limited in order to preserve the integrity of the programming offered at JMS.
Students who have registered but fail to return or notify JMS of their absence within three (3) days of the beginning of the school year will forfeit their place in the class. The “Registered Students Waiting Pool” will be utilized to fill the space. If there are no children in the “Registered Students Waiting Pool” then the “Applicant Waiting Pool” will be consulted to determine if there is a family appropriate to invite to an interview.