Admissions FAQ's
- What is an Independent School?
- What are the advantages of an independent school?
- Why choose a Prek-8th grade school?
- What does Montgomery look for in a student?
- How can I get more information?
- How can I schedule a campus tour?
- When is the deadline for applying?
- What standardized tests are required?
- How are applicants evaluated?
- Where is the Admission Office located and where should I park?
- Do siblings or children of alumni get preference?
- When will I know if I'm accepted?
- What does it mean to be placed on the waiting list?
What is an Independent School?
Independent schools are “independent” because they have distinct missions and are primarily supported by tuition payments, charitable contributions, and special event funding. Independent schools do not receive federal or state funding. Each school meets high accreditation standards and is held accountable by its Board of Trustees.
What are the advantages of an independent school?
Independent schools, like Montgomery School, tend to function as a complete community. At Montgomery, the parents, students, and faculty work together with the shared goal of preparing students for high school, and for life. Independent schools focus on the “whole child.” In the case of Montgomery School, that means that the program develops mind, body, and character with equal emphasis.
Why choose a Prek-8th grade school?
Often parents ask why they should consider a school that ends in 8th grade over one that educates a student through 12th grade. The learning environment and opportunities for growth in a PreK-8th Grade school are very different that in a school that continues on through high school. Our focus is on the critical childhood years (ages 4-14) where good habits for lifelong learning are created. Quite simply, our children are learning to love school.
Montgomery children are educated in an environment that is very intentionally child-centered, without the pressure and influence of high school. While K-12 schools often provide the bulk of their resources to the high school grades, we focus all of our resources on lower and middle school. Our Middle School students are our leaders and entrusted with responsibilities that would only be available to the oldest children in a K-12 school. During those critical middle school years when students can often become lost, our children are given the opportunity to stand out, as leaders in the classroom, on stage and on the athletic fields. As the oldest students on campus. Montgomery’s eighth graders have an unparalleled opportunity to develop themselves as learners and leaders in a nurturing school environment where they are well known and appreciated by their teachers and peers.
Our younger students interact with the middle school students through a “buddy” program, where they are matched with an older buddy who becomes a mentor or role model. The younger students develop an ongoing relationship with their older “buddies,” and the older students enjoy their leadership roles as they work with the younger students.
What does Montgomery look for in a student?
How can I get more information?
How can I schedule a campus tour?
When is the deadline for applying?
Families are encouraged to submit application materials for the following school year beginning in October of the current year. In order for applications to be considered during the first round of admission committee review and notified by February 1st, candidates should submit their materials by January 15th. After this deadline, admission will be on a rolling basis and all are still encouraged to apply.
What standardized tests are required?
The sub-tests indicate a student’s grasp of basic concepts dealing with quantity, numbers and abstractions. Performance sub-tests reveal strengths and weaknesses in terms of fine motor control, eye-hand coordination, visual planning skills, and spatial orientation. Performance sub-tests also measure a child’s ability to visually scan and attend to details.
Students also take placement tests during their day visit to Montgomery. Placement tests administered at Montgomery School examine a child’s achievement level. The tests determine the child’s reading level, math knowledge, and written expression abilities. The child’s test results indicate the level at which the child is working. High scores may indicate enrichment opportunities and lower scores may point to a need for tutoring.
How are applicants evaluated?
What can we expect during our visit to campus?
Students visiting Montgomery for their "shadow day" will spend the day in the classroom of their current grade. Students currently in grades K-8 will spend the day from 8:30-3:15. Students currently in PreK will visit from 8:30-11:30 and will not stay for lunch. Students will be paired with a "buddy" who will make sure that they get from class to class as well as have a friend to sit with at lunch. During the day, they will spend 45 minutes to an hour with the Director of Admissions for placement testing. Students do not need to bring anything with them for their visiting day, and lunch is included in the visit for grades K-8.