Application and Admissions Policy

The Bridges Montessori admissions process consists of a parent visit, submission of an application form and non-refundable application fee, and a child and teacher meeting. This process is important to determine whether the parents’ educational philosophy is compatible with that of the school. Then the children are evaluated for admission on the basis of readiness for school and potential for success in a Montessori classroom. Bridges Montessori welcomes all qualified individuals regardless of sex, race, color, creed, disability, national or ethnic origin. Children admitted into their “kindergarten” year must be 5-years-old by September 1 of the current school year. No previous schooling is required for the admission of an Infant, 1, 2, 3 or 4 year old. Kindergarteners and Third Graders must have at least one previous year of Montessori education. We do not admit children in our Upper Elementary Program (ages 9-12) unless they are coming directly from a school with a Montessori setting or very simliar school philosophy.

Bridges Montessori is always interested in supporting people in learning more about the Montessori educational philosophy and who might be interested in teaching. If you know of anyone that is interested, please have them reach out to our Human Resources Department at HR@bmontessori.org.

Application for Admissions

Child's Full Name *

Nickname

Date of Birth * +

Current Age *

Starting Date Requested *

Applying to: *

Program of Desired Enrollment *

Applying for (mark all that apply) *

5 Days

Applying for (mark all that apply) *

5 Full Days

4 Half Days

4 Full Days

Is your child currently fully potty-trained? *

Yes

No

Childcare needed outside of the 8:30-3:30 (M-R) and 8:30-1:00 (F) school day (mark all that apply) *

How did you hear about our school? If someone referred you please let us know who so we can be sure to thank them! *

Parent #1

First Name *

Last Name *

Street Address *

Address Line 2

City *

State *

Zip Code *

Phone Number *

Email Address *

Occupation *

Work Phone Number

Parent #2

First Name

Last Name

Street Address

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Phone Number

Email Address

Occupation

Work Phone Number

Previous School Attended By Applicant:

Name of School *

Street Address *

City *

State *

Zip Code *

Program of Enrollment *

Dates of Attendance *

Child's general health (including allergies) *

What is your experience with Montessori education? *

What educational goals do you have for your child? *

How do you see Bridges Montessori assisting you in reaching these goals? *

How would you describe your child’s personality and learning style? *

What do you see as your child’s greatest strengths? *

In what areas would you like to see you child’s potential more fully developed? *

How do you discipline your child? *

Specify any special educational, physical, or emotional needs of your child. *

The Montessori “3 to 6” Learning Cycle

The Montessori Educational Experience provides a child with a broad and solid framework on which to grow and learn. The great thing about the traditional “3 to 6 year old” Montessori Curriculum is the way that each year builds upon the previous one. The three-year-old comes into the classroom, watches the older children, works with very concrete materials, learns organizational patterns and routines, solidifies a work cycle and begins to interact within the classroom community. The four-year-old returns to the same environment, confident, ready to try new and more abstract activities, soaking up information. The five-year-old enters the classroom for the third year, completely at home and having built a strong foundation for learning is ready to challenge him or herself academically with the advanced materials for which he has been preparing.

Being a five-old-year in a Montessori classroom is a wonderful experience. It is the culmination of a fascinating journey in the child’s exploration of the world, the classroom community and themselves.

Bridges Montessori is committed to providing the best possible learning and living environment for the young student. Ours is a school that values the whole child--where positive social interaction and emotional growth is just as important as academic progress. Obviously, any time spent in a Montessori classroom is beneficial to a developing child and will serve them well in whatever learning environment they will have in their future. However, we at Bridges Montessori do encourage parents to consider having their child stay for the full “3 to 6” cycle. Completing the “3 to 6” cycle not only allows the child to progress to the more challenging activities within our curriculum, but also keeps alive the cycle of children learning to interact successfully within the more natural social grouping of the mixed-age classroom. For the child, it is a journey that starts with the observations and explorations of a three-year old and ends with a five-year olds’ sense of achievement and leadership. All of this is necessary for the optimum Montessori experience.

Bridges Montessori realizes that the future is difficult to assess and does not require more than a one-year contractual commitment. However, we want prospective parents to understand our commitment to the Montessori philosophy and to creating the best possible environment for the students who attend our school.

For the young child ready to try school independently, we offer an “Independent Child” class. This is an opportunity for children to come to school for a short time in order to acclimate and experience the Montessori classroom. This class is appropriate for children 2 and 3 years old.

Classes are held on Friday. Children will start the school day, like our full-time students, with carpool drop-off and move through a modified school day schedule. Independent Child classes are held in our Transitional Program room. Students have the opportunity to work with classroom materials, participate in a short circle time, eat snack and play on the playground. Potty-training is not required to participate.

Many families find this class to be a good steppingstone to their child's enrollment in our Summer Session, Transitional Program or the Traditional Montessori Program.

Independent Child classes are held on Friday's from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM or 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM and are scheduled in a Fall and Spring session. Space is limited and registration is first-come, first-serve.

The Montessori Learning Cycle

The Montessori Educational Experience provides a child with a broad and solid framework on which to grow and learn. The great thing about the traditional “3 to 6 year old” Montessori Curriculum is the way that each year builds upon the previous one. The three-year-old comes into the classroom, watches the older children, works with very concrete materials, learns organizational patterns and routines, solidifies a work cycle and begins to interact within the classroom community. The four-year-old returns to the same environment, confident, ready to try new and more abstract activities, soaking up information. The five-year-old enters the classroom for the third year, completely at home and having built a strong foundation for learning is ready to challenge him or herself academically with the advanced materials for which he has been preparing.

Being a five-old-year in a Montessori classroom is a wonderful experience. It is the culmination of a fascinating journey in the child’s exploration of the world, the classroom community and themselves.

Bridges Montessori is committed to providing the best possible learning and living environment for the young student. Ours is a school that values the whole child--where positive social interaction and emotional growth is just as important as academic progress. Obviously, any time spent in a Montessori classroom is beneficial to a developing child and will serve them well in whatever learning environment they will have in their future. However, we at Bridges Montessori do encourage parents to consider having their child stay for the full learning cycle. Completing the “3 to 6”, "6 to 9", or "9 to 12" cycle not only allows the child to progress to the more challenging activities within our curriculum, but also keeps alive the cycle of children learning to interact successfully within the more natural social grouping of the mixed-age classroom. For the child, it is a journey that starts with the observations and explorations and ends with a sense of achievement and leadership. All of this is necessary for the optimum Montessori experience.

Bridges Montessori realizes that the future is difficult to assess and does not require more than a one-year contractual commitment. However, we want prospective parents to understand our commitment to the Montessori philosophy and to creating the best possible environment for the students who attend our school.

We are interested in *

*

Application Fee ($60.00)

Signature of Parent or Guardian *

clear