Admissions Process
STEP 1: LEARN ABOUT HILL COUNTRY MONTESSORI
Come to an open house, set up a time for a tour, explore our website, ask questions. Learn as much as you can about our school and its programs.
STEP 2: SEND IN THE APPLICATION
To start the process, send in an application. An application must be submitted for each child and there is a non-refundable $50 application fee due with each application. We will contact you by phone or e-mail shortly after we receive the application to set up an interview.
STEP 3: COME TO AN INTERVIEW.
The interview is informal and is just a chance for us to get to know you and share the vision of Hill Country Montessori. It is vitally important that each parent understands our philosophy to determine if our program is a good match for you and your child. We ask that for this initial visit, you make other arrangements for your child. Every child needs time to adapt to a new environment and it has been our experience that parents tend to focus on their child's reaction to a new environment rather than focusing on the program itself. You will spend part of the interview time observing in our classrooms, followed by a discussion with our director. The entire process will likely take about 60 to 90 minutes. We strongly encourage both parents attend the interview process.
STEP 4: EXPERIENCE SCHOOL
We want to make sure this is a good fit for you, your child and the school. So, we invite your child to spend time at the school as a prospective student. Depending on the age of your child we will schedule a time as short as 30 minutes (for a two year old) to as much as a whole day (for middle school students) for him or her to spend with us. This step can be waived at the discretion of Hill Country Montessori.
STEP 5: ADMISSIONS DECISION
After the interview and visiting us, the school will notify you of your child’s acceptance decision. HCM accepts children in the following order: 1) Current Students, 2) Siblings, and 3) New Enrollees. Because age diversity is important, we consider the age of the student and our current age balance in the admissions process. Currently, our school has a maximum capacity of 40 students. Therefore, it is important to send in your application as soon as possible in order to ensure a space for your child. Priority for school admittance will be determined, in part, by the date the application is received. If there is significant interest beyond what we can currently accommodate, we will make immediate plans to reasonably expand our capacity.
STEP 6: ENROLLMENT
If your child is accepted, you will then have the opportunity to fill out the enrollment paperwork, including the Parent Contract. This is the most important step because it is the time you are choosing to become a part of community. This comes with rights and responsibilities and we want to make sure that Hill Country Montessori is a good fit for you. A non-refundable $500 tuition payment is due at the time of enrollment to ensure your spot.
STEP 7: SEE YOU ON THE FIRST DAY!
The first day of school will be on Monday, July 28. There will be a mandatory school picnic and potluck on Sunday, July 27. This picnic will serve as an orientation to Hill Country Montessori and our first social event of the new school year.