Procedure for Application to Derech Eretz Montessori

Derech Eretz Montessori admits children regardless of their Jewish affiliation, economic or social class, racial or ethnic heritage. Children 2-1/2 to 4 years of age (independence in bathroom a requirement) are welcome to apply. Children over the age of 4 are considered for enrollment if they have transferred from another Montessori environment. If your child is above the age of 4 and has no Montessori experience, please speak with Zahavah before applying.
The following are our general guidelines:

1. We ask interested parents to attend a Parent Information Session BEFORE they apply.
2. When the decision to apply is made, complete the application form and mail it with a non-refundable $75.00 application fee ($50.00 for each additional sibling).
3. Upon receipt of your application you will be contacted for an interview date for your child.
4. Admissions decisions are made by our Administrative staff. These decisions are based on an evaluation of the child’s interview and school transcripts (if transferring student).
5. You will be contacted within the week after your interview to discuss admission status.
6. Upon receipt of a non-refundable tuition deposit (one month’s tuition payment), a place will be held for your child. At this time you will be contractually obligated for the year’s tuition. (The school will forgive tuition after withdrawal only if we are able to replace the student withdrawn with another child of the same age.) You will receive a contract for the school year, parent handbook and appropriate forms to be filled out and given back to us. You will sign a form that indicates you have read and agree to abide by guidelines within the parent handbook. All medical and release forms must be on file for us to start your child in the school.
7. If it is the judgment of Derech Eretz Montessori that your child would have a difficult time in a Montessori environment, we will discuss this with the parents after the interview and we may ask you to bring your child back for a second interview at a later time.
8. If a child is not yet bathroom independent at the beginning of the school year but becomes so before December, the child will be phased in around the end of December/beginning of January. Tuition will be pro-rated.
9. Currently Derech Eretz Montessori runs on a 10 month school calendar. Once Derech Eretz Montessori is on a 12 month calendar, then children (once bathroom independent) will be phased in at three times during the year: End of August/beginning of September, end of December/beginning of January, end of April/beginning of May.