1. BASIC SERVICES
The school will provide an educational program based on the philosophy and teaching of Dr. Maria Montessori, relevant to the child's developmental stage. Daily activities include work time in the areas of Mathematics, Language, Social Sciences, the Arts, Physical Sciences, Spanish, Computer Sciences, and Physical Education. The school is open Monday through Friday with the exception of the vacations/holidays listed on the school calendar. Parents are responsible for providing lunch for their children.
2. OPTIONAL SERVICES
Occasional field trips, supervised walks in the neighborhood, and trips to nearby parks are arranged periodically. Optional enrichment electives such as dance, science, gymnastics, arts and crafts, Spanish, and music are available through arrangements with outside organizations or instructors, and parents may choose to have their child participate. Schedules and additional fee information are available through the office. Optional summer programs are also available.
3. PAYMENT PROVISIONS
Elementary tuition is annual, not monthly. Tuition shall be paid in one Annual payment before August 1st, 2024 or in installments according to the Eleven Payment Plan (see Tuition and Fee Schedule). Annual tuition paid in full by May 1st, 2024 is credited with an $875 discount. According to the Eleven Payment Plan, payments remain constant regardless of the number of days that the child attends. There are no reductions in tuition for holidays, absences due to illness, family vacations or for any other reason. If a student is enrolled after September 30th, 2024, annual tuition is prorated based on the remainder of the school year. If a student is withdrawn from the program after March 1st, 2025, full annual tuition is due. Parents may enroll their children in the morning and/or afternoon daycare programs on an occasional use or monthly basis. Monthly extended daycare fees are payable with tuition payments. Occasional daycare fees are paid when billed hourly following the close of each month. There may be an additional fee for field trips. If the parents elect to enroll the student in one of the enrichment electives, there will be a fee for that class payable to the teacher offering the course.
4. ELEVEN PAYMENT PLAN/TUITION DUE DATES
Tuition installment payments and flat rate extended care fees are due on the 1st of the month and processed on the 5th of each month, beginning on August 1st, 2024. These fees are paid in 11 scheduled payments beginning August 1st and ending with June 1st. For example, the second payment is due on September 1st, the third payment on October 1st, etc. If a tuition payment is more than 15 days late, a 10% late fee will be applied. If the payment is not received by the first of the month, an additional 10% late fee will be charged on the first of each following month until paid, and the child may be dropped from the program.
5. ENROLLMENT FEES
There is a non-refundable application/enrollment fee of $750 per family for all new students. This fee covers insurance, processing of application and follow-up, and placement of the entering student. For continuing students there is a re-enrollment fee of $400 per family. There will be no refund of enrollment fees for any reason.
6. RETURNED CHECKS/ACH
A $25 service fee will be assessed for returned checks or declined ACH transactions. If the school receives two returned checks or ACH transactions, the student’s account will be placed on a cash only basis for the remainder of the year.
7. BOOKS AND MATERIALS
There is a $350 fee to cover the costs of books and materials for Kindergarten through 5th grade. This fee is due by September 1st, 2024 and will be processed with the second tuition payment or annual tuition. There is a materials fee of $550 for 6th through 8th grade, also payable September 1st, 2024.
8. WITHDRAWAL / TERMINATION
Parents are required to give 45 days written notice if it becomes necessary to withdraw the student from the program for any reason. The student’s term of enrollment extends to 45 days beyond the date of written notification, whether or not the student attends school. Tuition is pro-rated in the event of withdrawal, crediting the student’s annual tuition with $1000 for each 18 days the student will not be attending. If a student withdraws on or after March 1st, 2025, parents are responsible for tuition payment for the balance of the school year. Montessori on the Lake reserves the right to terminate services with no prior notice required. If a student is terminated from the program, tuition will be prorated as of the student’s last date of attendance.
9. PICKING UP STUDENTS
Failure to pick up a student within our grace period (five minutes after 6 pm) will result in a $15.00 per quarter-hour charge; this late fee may not be waived. Students will be released only to a responsible person documented in the student’s file under ‘Names of Persons Authorized to Take Child from this Facility’. Parents agree to notify the school in writing if anyone other than an authorized person will come for the child. Children must be signed in and out by a parent or authorized person each day.
10. ILLNESS
Parents/guardians will not send a student to school with a fever or vomiting; the school will not accept a child who has been exposed to an infectious disease. If a child becomes ill at school, the parent will be contacted to arrange for the child’s care. The child will be kept isolated from the rest of the students until the parent arrives. Parents are expected to pick up within 30 minutes, as the school does not have a facility for ill children. Children must stay home for 24 hours after symptoms have cleared before returning to school. Medication is to be dropped off only in the main office. Clear directions and an outline of dosage amount and schedule must be provided. All medications will be only given to a student if written permission is recorded in the school’s medication records, and the dosage administered must match the instructions printed on the medication package or bottle. Prescription medications must be in the prescription container outlining the physician’s instructions and phone number. In case of illness, accident, or injury to a child, the parent will be notified, and instructions for the course of action to be followed will be requested. If the nature of the illness or accident requires immediate care and parents cannot be reached, emergency care will be obtained at Saddleback Community Hospital. The parent hereby authorizes such emergency action taken by the school.