The admissions process begins with a phone call to the OWM office to speak with Jennifer Haggerty, Head of School, or Emily Modan, Office Manager. Jennifer or Emily can discuss the Our World programs, explain the Montessori educational philosophy, and answer parents’ preliminary questions.
During this initial phone call, parents can set-up a school visit to observe in the classroom. Observation time is a wonderful opportunity to see how Montessori teaching methods can benefit your child. As an observer, you will not be interacting with the children in the classroom but instead seeing firsthand how our students interact with peers and teachers, care for their environment, and select and complete activities during their morning work cycle. Your first observation is an adult-only visit. This may sound unconventional but we have found that parents are better able to observe the classroom in its typical state if they are not caring for their own children at the same time. We host an open house program (usually in mid-winter) which will be an opportunity for your child to participate in the classroom.
After observing in the classroom, parents have a chance to sit down with Jennifer or Emily to ask any questions about the program, the observation time, or how their child might acclimate to the Montessori educational setting. In turn, we have the opportunity to learn about the family and what parents are looking for in the education of their child(ren).
At the meeting’s conclusion, an application is offered. If the family feels the school is a good fit for their child(ren), they complete the application and submit it with the nonrefundable $50 family application fee. At this point each child’s name is placed on the waiting list.
All potential students will visit the school and meet with one of our head teachers, either at an open house or at a private appointment. In February and March we offer enrollment to families on our waiting list until our classrooms are fully enrolled for the upcoming school year. Students who are not offered enrollment at that point remain on the waiting list and will be contacted should an opening arise later in the year.
