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Admissions

Contact our Head of School
Libby Kreiner for Information
616-451-8627

Contact Office
Hours - 7:30 - 3:30
616-451-8627
1110 College NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

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Libby Kreiner
Head of School
616-451-8627
Extension #11

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Admissions Policy

Stepping Stones Montessori School does not discriminate in admissions, placement, or its educational programs or activities, based on gender, race, religion, national origin, height, weight, color, creed or disability unrelated to the child’s ability to participate, with or without accommodation, in the essential activities of the School. This reaffirmation of the School’s commitment to compliance with state and federal statutory requirements is not intended to and does not create any contractual commitment in excess of state or federal laws. Acceptance of your child is based on timely completion of the admissions procedure, space available, and a family’s commitment to Montessori education for their child, as determined by the School in its discretion.

Admissions Procedure

The following procedures are strongly recommended to ensure that Stepping Stones Montessori School is the best educational experience for your child at this stage of his/her development. Items marked with an * are required for consideration for admission to that particular program.

Infant/Toddler Level

  1. Attend a prospective parent event or schedule an individual tour of the school. This is strongly encouraged but not required.
  2. Schedule a classroom observation to help answer your questions firsthand. The first observation, usually for 20-30 minutes in the morning, is for parents only. There will be other opportunities for your child to visit the school. Afterward, the Head of School will meet with you briefly to discuss your observation. This is strongly encouraged but not required.
  3. * Submit the application and $50 non-refundable, non-transferable application fee. At this point, your child will be part of the applicant pool.
  4. * Complete and submit a Confidential Child and Family Information Profile, which will be sent to you after you have submitted your application. This questionnaire assists us in acquainting ourselves with your child and your family. While staff will review the profile and have access to it, Stepping Stones does not provide other schools with a copy of the profile, without your prior consent in writing.
  5. * Stepping Stones staff will contact you with an admissions decision. When you are notified of admission, you will receive a tuition contract. You will have 10 business days after receipt to submit a signed contract and a $200 non-refundable, non-transferable enrollment/membership fee which will hold a place for your child in our program. Unless other arrangements are made in advance, if a signed contract is not timely returned, another child will be offered admission. At the Infant/Toddler level, teachers schedule home visits in August to meet new students in a familiar setting. There is also a transition process at this level that involves children spending time in the classroom with their parents and gradually transitioning to independence.

Children's House

Please note that children in their third year, or kindergarten year, are expected to attend the full day program.

  1. Attend a prospective parent event or schedule an individual tour of the school. This is strongly encouraged but not required.
  2. Schedule a classroom observation to help answer your questions firsthand. The first observation, usually for 20-30 minutes in the morning, is for parents only. There will be other opportunities for your child to visit the school. Afterward, the Head of School will meet with you briefly to discuss your observation. This is strongly encouraged but not required.
  3. * Submit the application and $50 non-refundable, non-transferable application fee. At this point, your child will be part of the applicant pool.
  4. * Complete and submit a Confidential Child and Family Information Profile, which will be sent to you after you have submitted your application. This questionnaire assists us in acquainting ourselves with your child and your family. While staff will review the profile and have access to it, Stepping Stones does not provide other schools with a copy of the profile, without your prior consent in writing.
  5. * Schedule an after school appointment for you and your child to meet with a teacher in the classroom setting. This conversation provides staff with an opportunity to meet a child and give feedback to the Head of School. It also provides parents with an opportunity to see the child in the classroom setting without disrupting class time.
  6. * Stepping Stones staff will contact you with an admissions decision. When you are notified of admission, you will receive a tuition contract. You will have 10 business days after receipt to submit a signed contract and a $200 non-refundable, non-transferable enrollment/membership fee, which will hold a place for your child in our program. Unless other arrangements are made in advance, if a signed contract and fee is not timely returned, another child will be offered admission. There is also an orientation week for new students to acclimate themselves to the school and the classroom before other students return.

Elementary

Please note that children generally enter this program after having completed our Children’s House level or a similar program elsewhere.

  1. Attend a prospective parent event or schedule an individual tour of the school. This is strongly encouraged but not required.
  2. Schedule a classroom observation to help answer your questions firsthand. The first observation, usually for 20-30 minutes in the morning, is for parents only. There will be other opportunities for your child to visit the school. Afterward, the Head of School will meet with you briefly to discuss your observation. This is strongly encouraged but not required.
  3. * Submit the application and $50, non-refundable, non-transferable application fee. At this point, your child will be part of the applicant pool.
  4. * Complete and submit a Confidential Child and Family Information Profile, which will be sent to you after you have submitted your application. This questionnaire assists us in acquainting ourselves with your child and your family. While staff will review the profile and have access to it, Stepping Stones Montessori does not provide other schools with a copy of the profile, without your prior consent in writing.
  5. * Schedule an after school appointment for you and your child to meet with a teacher in the classroom setting. This conversation provides staff with an opportunity to meet your child and give feedback to the Head of School. It also provides parents with an opportunity to see the child in the classroom setting without disrupting class time.
  6. * FOR ELEMENTARY TRANSFER STUDENTS (incoming 2nd year - 6th year): Schedule a time for your child to spend a few hours, including lunch time, in the classroom. Staff will observe your student’s ability to focus, level of interest in academic offerings and interactions with peers and staff. Parents/guardians do not participate in this observation.
  7. * Stepping Stones Montessori staff will contact you with an admissions decision. When you are notified of admission, you will receive a tuition contract. You will have 10 business days after receipt to submit a signed contract and a $200 non-refundable/non-transferable enrollment/membership fee, which will hold a place for your child in our program. Unless other arrangements are made in advance, if a signed contract and fee is not timely returned, another child will be offered admission.