Admissions

Enrollment Policy

Enrollment admission is based on several factors. Priority is given to children currently enrolled at AMS, to siblings of children currently enrolled, and to children with previous AMS or AMI Montessori school experience. We maintain a waiting pool and encourage families to apply well in advance of the desired enrollment date. Parents are encouraged to ask about enrollment possibilities, to reaffirm their interest, and to update their application and contact information periodically. In most cases, we cannot predict with certainty when an opening will occur. When an opening becomes available, we request a prompt decision. Class placement is determined by the Director of Education and the Executive Director. Anchorage Montessori School prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical handicap, marital status, parenthood, pregnancy, or age.

Parent Volunteer Expectations

Anchorage Montessori School relies on the involvement and generosity of its parent body as well as the Board of Directors, staff and general community. Student tuition and available grants for education fund only part of the costs of operating AMS programs. Accordingly, parents, staff and Board Members are invited to participate in community, educational and fund raising events throughout the year. Parents are expected to provide a minimum of 10 hours of volunteer service to the school each school year. This is an hourly commitment per family, and can be fulfilled in many ways, including participation in fund raising activities, building and grounds maintenance, teacher/classroom support, school promotion, committee membership, and parent activities. A list of volunteer preferences and options will be regularly updated by the Administration. Parents keep track of their own volunteer hours using the Volunteer Service Tracking form or similar log. We appreciate every parent’s commitment and contribution, and hope that volunteering will provide every member of the AMS community an opportunity to participate directly in their child’s educational experience.

Tuition Rates And Policies

Anchorage Montessori School is a non-profit educational institution which is supported by tuition and fund raising activities. Tuition is based on enrollment for an entire academic year in the half day pre-primary, half day toddler and elementary programs (September through May), and a twelve-month year in the full day toddler, full day pre-primary program. In some months, there may be five weeks and in some months the school may be closed for the holidays. Tuition, therefore, is yearly and divided into 9 or 12 equal payments. No refunds or discounts will be given if a child is sick, or if time is missed because of vacations. Parents are responsible for timely payment of tuition as outlined in the Tuition Agreement Form.

AMS adheres to a 6:1 ratio of children to adults in the toddler classes (under 3 years of age) and a 10:1 ratio in the pre-primary classes (3-6 years old) as required by municipal licensing code. Each class has a Montessori certified teacher and at least one teacher assistant. At the Elementary level, AMS policy is to assign an assistant to any class with more than 15 students.

*Tuition is billed in advance and is due by the last day of the month in which it is billed.

**Re-enrollment Fees apply annually. See our Parent Handbook for details.

Enrollment

All families interested in becoming a part of the AMS community will need to complete the following steps to achieve enrollment for their child(ren). In some cases, steps may be combined to eliminate the need for multiple visits.

  • INQUIRY – Call or stop by to ask about our program and schedule a tour.
  • TOUR – Visits can be scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Please email to schedule a tour.
  • APPLICATION / WAITING POOL – Turn in your application with applicable fees. If immediate placement is not available, you may join our waiting pool.
  • ACCEPTANCE – Offer of placement followed by payment of the necessary deposits/tuition to secure enrollment. Registration documents and health requirements must be met prior to attendance.
  • CHILD VISIT – A teacher or Program Director will meet the child and witness them first hand in the environment. Elementary students will visit a class.

Enrollment Policy – Half Day and Full Day Programs

Enrollment admission is based on several factors. Priority is given to children currently enrolled at AMS, to siblings of children currently enrolled, and to children with previous American Montessori Society or AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) school experience. We maintain a waiting pool and encourage families to apply well in advance of the desired enrollment date. Parents are encouraged to ask about enrollment possibilities, to reaffirm their interest, and to update their application and contact information periodically. In many cases, we cannot predict with certainty when an opening will occur, and when an opening becomes available we request a prompt decision. Upon offer of placement, a family has 48 hours to respond. The Program Director and the Executive Director determine class placement.

Important Note about Extended Day: The Extended Day program is just that, an extension of the school day for those third year Primary students who participate in a multi-graded morning class and then spend the afternoon with like aged students (5 and 6 year old) in an enriched academic classroom. Some call this Montessori in the Kindergarten year. The schedule for this program is 8:15 am to 3:15 pm. As with all Primary and Elementary Programs, Extended Day classrooms are alls 5-Day programs. Anchorage Montessori School does not honor ½ Day Extended Day requests and/or enrollments.

Enrollment Policy – Elementary Program

When an opening becomes available, the prospective elementary student will be invited for an interview and a review of his or her previous work. Acceptance into the Elementary Program is based on several factors. Priority is given to children currently enrolled at AMS and to children with at least two years American Montessori Society or AMI school experience.

Enrollment Policy – Students with Special Needs

Children with special needs are admitted on an individual basis provided Anchorage Montessori School can meet the needs of the child. An IEP must be supplied and discussed in detail with the Program Director, Executive Director, and classroom teacher before the child interviews with a member(s) of our teaching staff.

Although Montessori education has proven successful in serving children with learning differences, the staff and directors are unable to diagnose a child or guarantee their success. A child with diagnosed special needs may be admitted based on our ability to serve them at a developmentally appropriate level in a balanced classroom community.

Should it be determined that we are not able to serve the child based on the requirements presented in the IEP and on observations of the child in the teacher interview, it is in the child’s best interest, and is our responsibility, to recommend the family seek a program which can provide for the child effectively.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Anchorage Montessori School prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical handicap, marital status, parenthood, pregnancy, or age.

Registration

Prior to your child’s first day in the classroom, the following must be completed and received by the office:

  • An Application for Admission and payment of $50 application fee.
  • A signed Deposit Agreement and payment of $150 refundable tuition deposit.
  • A signed Tuition Payment Schedule and first payment (tuition and annual Registration and Program fees).
  • A completed Child Information form.
  • A physical exam report completed in the past 12 months and a record of required immunizations or signed exemption form. Immunizations are required by the State of Alaska, and must be current.
  • A completed Emergency Child Record card. (This card must be updated and signed by a parent/legal guardian two times during the school year, August and February).
  • A Signed Parental Agreement, Parental Service Agreement, and Internet Agreement (Elementary only).

No child is admitted without the physician’s physical exam and current shot record listing dates of all immunizations. Both will be kept in the child’s file at the school. Immunization exemptions are allowed for medical or religious reasons. Exemption forms can be obtained from the State Public Health Office. A physician must sign medical exemptions; religious exemptions are signed by the parent or guardian and must be notarized. Personal or philosophical exemptions are not accepted.

The current immunization requirements as required by the State of Alaska can be found at the State of Alaska Department of Epidemiology web site: http://www.epi.alaska.gov/id/immune.stm or by calling the Alaska Immunization Program office at (907) 269-8000 or 1-888-430-4321.