Child Care Resource and Referral client co-pays are determined by the State of Illinois Department of Human Services. Families make monthly co-pay payments directly to JMS and must remain current. Families are wholly responsible for any balances not paid by CCR&R. It is important to note that CCR&R covers only part of our school tuition, with the balance being paid by the attending family.
JMS Admission FAQs
- How do I apply for Financial Aid?
Interested families may apply online through our Financial Aid Administrator FAST by clicking the logo below.
- How do I learn more about Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R)?
Parents and Guardians of preschool children ages 3 - 6 are encouraged to visit the Child Care Resource and Referral website in order to further research financial aid options for childcare.
- I understand that school hours are 8:30-12:00 (half-day) and 8:30-3:00 (full-day) but are there extra care hours?
Before and After Care is provided as a service for our families. Before Care opens at 7:30 am and remains open until the children move to their classrooms at 8:30 am. After Care begins at 3:00 pm and is open until 6:00 pm. All children remaining on campus at the close of 3:00 dismissal will be released to After Care and invoiced at the Drop-In rate (see tuition & fee schedule with drop-in rates here). Children picked up after 6:00 pm will be charged a late pick-up fee.
- When can I apply for enrollment at JMS?
Joliet Montessori School maintains an enrollment pool. Parents and guardians may pick up an application at the school or download one here. All applications, for siblings also, must be accompanied by a non-refundable $100.00 application fee. Students will be invited to enroll as placements become available.
- When should I start my child’s Montessori education?
Optimally children start at JMS at the age of 3. Important foundational concepts begin very early. These concepts are then built upon, expanded and become part of a child’s approach to life. More than just academic skills are being nurtured. It is essential that a child who starts at 3 continue on through the Kindergarten year in the Primary Level. An investment of only 1 or 2 years in this level will not yield optimal results.
Children transferring from other Montessori schools will have placement precedence at the Elementary Level over children with no Montessori experience. Outside applications will be considered from the enrollment pool contingent on classroom availability.
- How will my child be placed?
Classroom placements are considered deliberately and with great care by the administrative team and faculty. While every effort will be made to accommodate requests, Joliet Montessori cannot guarantee specific classroom placements. Once placements have been made, the class rosters are considered final.
- My child has special needs, how is this addressed at your school?
JMS will, to the best of its ability, meet the educational and developmental concerns of each individual child. Existing IEPs, ISPs or 504s must accompany the application in the application for enrollment process. Any current specialized services that the child is involved with must be declared as well.
If it is determined by the Head of School and Faculty, in partnership with the student’s parents or legal guardians, that Joliet Montessori is not capable of meeting the child’s needs, other venues will be explored on the child’s behalf.
- Care & Concern Process – Parents/Guardians or school faculty may initiate this process at any time during the school year if a child is experiencing challenges. Through the 3 stages of this procedure, a suitable home and school support plan will be developed, implemented and assessed. Final action will be decided based on both JMS and parent/guardian input.
- I have done my school tour and I’m ready to apply!
Passion for Learning builds a Success for Life. Download the application form here!
Delinquent Account, Fees and Late Fees Schedule –
All payment due dates are indicated on issued invoices. There is no grace period provision. Late payments will incur a financing fee as described below.
Appropriate actions, including suspending before and after care privileges and/or co-curricular registration, may be enacted for continued non-payment of outstanding balances.
Accounts in arrears for 60 days will result in suspension of enrollment, until such time as accounts are made current. Seriously delinquent accounts may result in the engagement of a collections professional.
ALL accounts, both tuition and before and after care, must be paid in full prior to the release of any student records to parents or to other educational institutions.
Please contact our Business Manager, Ms. Kathy Bertani, at (815) 741-4180, ext. 13, with any further questions.
