Programs, Schedule and Tuition
Application for Admission to All Programs ^PDF
2010-2011 Financial Aid Form & Instructions  

Renaissance Montessori School seeks to enroll curious, creative, self-motivated learners who will thrive in the prepared environment of a Montessori classroom. The admissions process is designed to educate the children and their families to both the educational philosophy and methodology used in the classroom and the Faith embraced by our school community.

While applications are accepted throughout the year, the admissions process formally begins in January for the next academic year. Interested families should follow the steps outlined below throughout the admissions process:

• RMS offers the public an opportunity to tour its facilities at an open house usually scheduled in early winter.
• Interested families can call the Office at 703-368-4442 to request a visitor’s packet and schedule an in-classroom observation.
• Parents or guardians can then submit a completed application with a non-refundable fee of $50.00 on behalf of the child applicant. A decision to apply for admission to the School is an indication of the family’s willingness to embrace the Montessori philosophy and methodology that was witnessed during the in-classroom observation and discussed with the staff.
• When the School receives the application and non-refundable fee, the staff opens an application file for the child and invites the child to visit the School. The purpose of a child applicant visit or a student interview is to gain more information about the family and the child and to determine the child’s readiness for a particular kind of classroom experience.
• Applicants are notified of admittance decisions and if accepted, an Enrollment Contract is mailed. Each family has 30 days to respond and enroll by signing and returning the Enrollment Contract and paying the tuition deposit. If the contract is not returned within 30 days, the School cannot guarantee that an accepted child will be enrolled.
• A child is considered enrolled only when the Enrollment Contract is signed and returned and a non-refundable tuition deposit is paid to the School.

Renaissance Montessori School is a Catholic Montessori school that does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, religion, color, nationality and ethnic origin in the administration of either its admission policies or procedures. In its effort to create an educational environment true to the philosophy of Maria Montessori and to uphold the standards set forth by the Association Montessori Internationale, there are factors which are considered necessary for a well balanced classroom dynamic. (For more on AMI standards, please see their website at www.montessori-ami.org.) Determinations with regards to students will look toward the distribution of boys, girls, and ages within the structure of the three year developmental cycle. Students are grouped within age categories with attention to a three year cycle. The School thus reserves the right to select children for admission to the School on the basis of their age, gender, and/or current grade level with respect to working within these guidelines.

Our goal is to enroll students who will benefit from a Montessori education. Application to a program does not guarantee acceptance. Age is only one factor for admission to each program level. Developmental readiness is also considered, and all applicants are considered in terms of space availability and classroom dynamics. Further, if your child is receiving special services, it is expected that you share this information with us to help in assuring that our program will be the appropriate environment for your child.

In addition to the specific age level requirements, it is our assumption that children who apply to RMS for the Elementary Program are independent, self-directed, self-motivated, and demonstrate kindness and courtesy to adults and peers. All acceptance decisions are at the sole discretion of the school staff and board.