Admissions Policy & Application Process

A child demonstrating the following qualities would be the most likely to succeed in the learning environment of the Montessori program:

• Passion for learning
• Self-motivation
• Willingness to investigate and take risks
• Enjoyment in choosing among several options
• A self-directed learner
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to follow through and complete tasks
• Respect for self, the environment, and others
• An awareness of personal responsibility
• Ability to work with others
• Honesty
• Respect for personal and academic endeavors

As Lakeland Montessori Schoolhouse is a small school and the community demand for a public Montessori program is high, families are encouraged to follow the application process closely in order to provide their children with the greatest chance for admission. Please see the Application Process section below for application information and instructions.

A Family Commitment

Families of eligible children must be willing to make an extraordinary commitment to their child’s education. Our Montessori charter school program is based on a cooperative type of learning that involves a family and community spirit. Therefore, commitment to the School’s mission and educational philosophy will manifest itself in the signing of the LMS Parent Contract and Student Handbook, which will include a requirement of at least 20 hours of participation per year from each family in our school and an agreement to follow our school policies.

Our Handbook includes the integration of the Polk County Code of Student Conduct for elementary students. Our school is non-sectarian in its programs, admission and employment practices. LMS does not charge tuition for students in grades K-6 as specified in Florida Charter School Statutes.

Application Process for PreK and Grades K-6

Application for Grades K-6

There is no tuition for admission into grades K-6. We do ask for a small donation amount each school year that is put towards an educational Montessori magazine subcription for each family and items that the teachers would like to purchase for the classroom. The requested amount for the 2007-08 school year is $75.00 for the first student, $65.00 for siblings.

Applications for students currently in grades Kindergarten - 6 are accepted year round on a first-come first-served basis, based on postmark. In order to apply, please print out a Charter School Application and send via U.S. mail. The Charter School Application must be received via U.S. mail in order to be placed on the waitlist for openings that become available. Students remain on the waitlist through grade 5, therefore there is no need to reapply each year.

Kindergarten enrollment for the 2008-09 school year begins on March 1, 2008. Please follow the application instructions listed above.

According to our Charter, preference for grades K-6 may be given to employee & Board members' children, children that have previously attended an authentic Montessori preschool program, and siblings of enrolled students (if one of your children is accepted, then that child's siblings will be given preference for attendance). If a child is retained, they must reapply to the current waitlist.

If coming from another Polk County public school, your child's records will be transferred to us from their current school. If coming from a private school, outside the district, or if your child has been home schooled, further evaluation will depend on school district regulations.

Application for PreK Program

Lakeland Montessori Schoolhouse brings children together from a broad spectrum of ethnic, national, religious, and economic backgrounds. We welcome and seek diversity and help our children broaden their perspective of the world through friendships based on mutual respect and understanding. Each new PreK application submitted to LMS is carefully considered according to the student's individual talents and learning style. Our goal is to help families find the best match between student, family, and school.

In order to attend our PreK program, a child must be at least three years of age. The PreK component is a paid program, with the school days to correspond with the regular school year calendar. Please click here to see the tuition pricing options for the 2008-09 school year: 2008-09 Enrollment Agreement

Step 1 of the PreK application process is to print out and mail in a completed PreK Application. After we receive your application, we will contact you to schedule Step 2, which is an observation of the age 3-6 classroom in session and an interview with our Executive Director. After these two steps are completed, your child's application will be placed into our Applicant Pool for selection. If our enrollment is full at the time you apply, the application will remain in the pool until an opening becomes available. When an opening becomes available, applications will be chosen based on best fit between school and family.

Non Discrimination Policy

Lakeland Montessori Schoolhouse is designed to attract and benefit parents and students who have an interest in the Montessori educational design. Our enrollment and admissions policies comply with the provisions of the Florida Charter School Statutes. LMS does not discriminate with regard to enrollment.

Special Needs

Children with special needs will be addressed on an individual basis as they apply. The IEP team will review each student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) and special services prior to enrollment at LMS. Our model for ESE students is the inclusive model. Due to the small size of our school, LMS does not have any separate classrooms or extra assistants dedicated to special needs students, therefore they must be able to be serviced in the same classroom as regular students and be able to fit within the Montessori model of teaching. The IEP team will meet to determine if a students special needs can be met at LMS or if they can be better served at another school.

Additional Info:

Click for Interest Inventory Form.

Click for Charter School Application (PDF format*).

Click for PreK Application (PDF format*).

*You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view this file. Click on the icon at right to download this free software.