2011-12 Montessori Country School Programs
The ages stated below are based on the child's age as of August 31 of the year s/he will be attending school.
PRE-PRIMARY PROGRAM Class Size: 10-11
3-Day Class
Ages: 30 - 35 months
Mon-Wed 8:45 -11:00
2-Day Class
Ages: 18 - 29 months*
Thurs-Fri 8:45 -11:00
The children in the Pre-Primary program at MCS are thrilled to be in an environment that is scaled to their size. These children flourish in an atmosphere that respects, supports, and responds to their basic needs for independence, exploration, and the building of trust and self-esteem. The classroom and outdoor areas are richly prepared to address the needs of children 18 months to 3 years old.
*Parents of children under 30 months old are required by the Department of Early Learning to stay on the school premises during the time their children are in class. There is a room set up for you upstairs, and we have found parents delighted to have the chance for quiet uninterrupted time to knit or read with the added bonus of getting acquainted with other parents from the school. Great friendships have been formed in our waiting room!
PRIMARY PROGRAMS: AM & PM SESSIONS (3-6 Year Olds) Class Size: 20-22
Age: 3 Years M-Th * Morning Session: 8:40-11:30 or Afternoon Session: 12:40-3:30
Age: 4 Years M-F * Morning Session: 8:40-11:30 or Afternoon Session: 12:40-3:30
Age: 5 years M-F ** Morning Session: 8:40-12:30 or Afternoon Session: 11:30-3:30
*Lunch Hour Option for Primary Program: An optional lunch hour (11:30-12:30) is available for our Primary children who are 3 and 4 years old. Children will be enrolled for this additional hour on their regular schedules (4 day M-Th and 5 day M-F.) Lunch is brought from home and the children enjoy this special time with the lunch guides and their MCS friends.
** The Kindergarten Students (children 5 years by August 31) attend either a morning or afternoon class 5 days a week – their class time includes the lunch hour. There is the option to extend the Kindergarten day beyond a ½ day class for 2, 3, or 5 full days a week. See information about the Kindergarten Full Day Option below.
The primary classrooms are dynamic, wonder-filled spaces that are designed to meet the needs of the young child. The classrooms are beautifully prepared, keeping in mind the child’s emotional, social, physical, and intellectual development. We address the child’s need for beauty, order, movement, independence, and the freedom to make choices and discoveries for him/herself. The Montessori materials are ingeniously designed to give the child the opportunity to explore and learn about the world. The three-year age span of these classes helps to create a community in which the children feel a strong sense of belonging. Cooperation and collaboration flourish as children of various ages work together. At the same time, children are given the freedom to choose to work on their own. The older children take on the leadership role, and the younger children learn much from them. The environment is richly prepared, giving the children an opportunity to explore and make discoveries individually and in collaboration with their peers. This is a 3-year program and is designed for children to attend through their kindergarten year.
KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM
The Kindergarten Program at MCS is encompassed in the 3-6 Primary Program. It is the culmination of the preparation the children have had in the preschool years. The kindergartners' excitement for learning is obvious to anyone spending time in the classroom. The students are able to grasp important concepts while working with the beautiful Montessori materials. As class mentors, they develop a strong sense of themselves as leaders within the learning environment. The Kindergarten children leave Country School as confident learners filled with a joy of learning and a sense of their importance within the community. We have often heard that into high school and beyond, the Country School graduates consider the friends they made at Country School to be their nearest and dearest friends. Our kindergarten students experience a touching graduation ceremony that marks their completion of the program.
Kindergarten Schedule and Full Day Option
All Kindergarten students are registered Monday through Friday for a morning or afternoon class, which includes the lunch hour. Children bring their lunches from home and enjoy this social time with their classmates. Full Day Option: In addition to being here for their morning or afternoon class there is an option for students to extend their day to include 2, 3 or 5 full days. The full day affords the students the benefit of more time with the Montessori materials and the opportunity to delve deeply into a project for a longer period of time than a half-day class allows. It is wonderful to see the “big work” the children often choose on the days they are in class for a full day.
Tuition Schedule for 2011-2012 School Year *
The MCS Board of Trustees sets tuition for the upcoming school year prior to asking families to commit to enrollment. The following tuition schedule reflects tuition rates for the current school year. There is a slight increase each year to help cover the increase in the cost of running our programs.
Pre-primary
Pre-primary Th/F $3320 Annual Payment -or- $332 10/Monthly payments
Pre-primary M–W $3880 Annual Payment -or- $388 10/Monthly payments
Primary
Primary 4 Days M–Th $4380 Annual Payment -or- $438 10/Monthly payments
Primary 5 Days M–F $4980 Annual Payment -or- $479 10/Monthly payments
Lunch hour – tuition added to above tuitions
Primary lunch 4 days a week $1000 Annual Payment -or- $100 10/Monthly payments (added to class tuition)
Primary lunch 5 days a week $1250 Annual Payment -or- $125 10/Monthly payments
Kindergarten
All Kinders are enrolled 5 days a week for a half-day class which includes lunch time. Full days are optional.
Half Day (includes lunch hour) $6230 Annual Payment -or- $623 10/Monthly payments
5 Full Days (8:40-3:20) $10,000 Annual Payment -or- $1000 10/Monthly payments
3 full Days (8:40-3:20) $8,500 Annual Payment -or- $850 10/Monthly payments
2 full Days (8:40-3:20) $7,750 Annual Payment -or- $1000 10/Monthly payments
(1st child in each family pays full tuition; a monthly discount of $15 is given for each additional child)
Financial Aid: Each year, we have some financial aid available. Please request a financial aid form from the office and return it at the time you submit the enrollment application.
Annual Giving Campaign: As with most private schools, the tuition charged at Montessori Country School covers only a portion of the cost of educating a child at our school. To make up the difference in cost, Montessori Country School holds an Annual Giving Campaign. This is an opportunity for each family to give a monetary contribution to the school that is above and beyond the child(ren)’s annual tuition. Our goal is 100 % participation – a contribution from every family. Each family is asked to give a contribution that feels appropriate for them. The Annual Giving Campaign allows us to minimize the increase in tuition each year.
