Spruce Pine Montessori School uses a rolling admissions process for our Toddler program where children are accepted throughout the year. Our Toddler program is for children ages 13-36 months, provided that they meet the following developmental criteria: getting most of their nutrition from solid food (instead of mother’s milk or formula) and taking one afternoon nap per day.

Our Primary program is for fully toilet trained children ages 3-6 years. We use a rolling admissions process for our Primary program, accepting students new to SPMS from August-January. February-May Primary enrollment is limited to our rising Toddler students.

Our Lower and Upper Elementary programs are for children ages 6-12. Elementary admissions are determined during the spring for the following school year. No Elementary students will be enrolled once the school year has started. We may consider enrolling an Elementary student in January on a case by case basis for the second half of the school year. Please email the Head of School for more information.

Spruce Pine Montessori School has a three-step admissions process for acceptance:

  1. A scheduled tour and question-and-answer session with the Head of School. One of the best ways to decide whether our school and the Montessori method is right for your child’s education is for your child and family to visit the school, meet the staff, and see the classrooms.

    Toddler tours are held the first Monday of the month at 3:30pm. Primary tours are held the third Monday of the month at 3:30pm. Elementary tours are held by appointment only. If these dates and times don’t work for your family, please contact us, and we’ll make other arrangements. Please schedule a tour by emailing headofschool@sprucepinemontessori.org.

  2. A completed application along with the non-refundable $50 application fee. After visiting the school, please complete the Student Application Form and submit it to SPMS along with your $50 non-refundable application fee. You may mail your application and fee to: 67 Walnut Ave., Spruce Pine, NC 28777; email it to headofschool@sprucepinemontessori.org; or drop it off at the school office. Please note, when paying by credit card there is a 4% convenience fee. If there are no spaces available at the time we receive your application, we will be happy to put your child’s application in our wait pool and notify you when a space becomes available.

  3. Classroom observation. One parent/guardian should observe in the classroom before enrollment. Please arrange this observation with the Head of School.

The Head of School will discuss your child's application with the appropriate teaching staff. You will be contacted by the Head of School regarding whether or not we can accept your child for enrollment and when a space will be available. Once admitted, the following are steps for enrollment.

Enrollment

Before your child's first day:

  • Complete the Enrollment form and read the Family Handbook and summary of the NC Child Care Rules and initial that you read them on the Enrollment form.

  • Complete the Medical and Emergency Form. This form tells the school whom to call in case of emergency, who has permission to pick up your child from school if you cannot, and lets us know if your child has allergies or other medical conditions of which we need to be aware.

  • Fill out the Permissions form, indicating what you give your child permission to do or not do while they are at SPMS.

  • Return the all of the enrollment paperwork to the school with the enrollment fee of $100 for Primary and Toddler students or $150 for Elementary students. This form includes your selection of a payment plan.

  • Meet with your child's teacher for an Orientation Meeting. Your child's teacher will call you to schedule this meeting which will last at least one hour. We have found this meeting essential to planning a successful transition for each child. You will have time to tell the teacher about your child and also to learn more specifically about our daily schedule, procedures for drop off and pick up, what your child will need to bring to school, and other details.

  • Pay the first month's tuition for your child. The Finance Manger will email you with an invoice. You may pay online or by cash or check.

Within 30 days of your child's first day turn in:.

  • Medical Report, to be completed by a medical practitioner.

  • Immunization record or a copy of your child's immunization record from their health care practitioner or an official statement of religious or medical exemption.

Failure to submit the required forms in a timely manner may delay your child’s start date, or in the case of the medical report and immunization record, may require you to keep your child home until the forms are turned in. Please contact the Head of School if you have any questions or if you need to change your planned start date with the school. The Head of School is available to help parents, teachers, and children have a positive and rewarding experience with the school.

For information regarding tuition and fees, please click this link: Tuition and Fees Schedule

Sources For Financial Assistance

We are committed to making a Montessori-based education accessible to all children. We accept state vouchers, offer work exchange for tuition, and award scholarships for eligible families. See below for more details on each of these options and for a Financial Aid Application.

Scholarships and Work Exchange A scholarship may be in the form of a financial aid award to be applied directly to tuition or fees or a work exchange agreement. Scholarship awards are made by the Financial Aid Committee after review of your Financial Aid Application.  Work exchange is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. It involves doing needed work for the school in exchange for a specific reduction in tuition. Financial aid decisions are made in June; a completed enrollment form and tuition balance paid in full are needed before financial aid applications are considered.

Child Care Vouchers Your NC county Department of Social Services has state and federal funds available for child care subsidy that may be applied towards tuition for children under Kindergarten age (age 5 by August 31 of any school year). DSS does not pay for any fees and does not pay for days SPMS is closed. They do not pay for after school or before school care for toddler or primary students. Fees and the cost of care on days we are closed are the obligation of your family as part of your tuition contract. Apply at the DSS office for your county of residence.

Mayland Community College has a Child Care Scholarship for students who are enrolled at Mayland Community College. The scholarship provides partial or full payment of child care tuition for children under Kindergarten age (age 5 by August 31 of any school year) . Apply at Mayland Community College.

Opportunity Scholarships through NC State Education Assistance Authority are accepted for students in kindergarten and Upper or Lower Elementary. You must apply to be entered into the lottery.