Frequently Asked

Charter schools are publicly funded and are not private schools. They are open to all students, are committed to improving public education, demonstrate a record of student achievement, and have specific educational missions and focuses.

Charter schools are public schools created by a group of parents, teachers, or community leaders who see an educational need in their community and want to meet that need. To operate, charter founders must submit an application for approval by the State Charter School Board or the board of a school district. Like other public schools, charter schools serve students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Charter schools offer parents and students additional choices about where students attend school and the school’s curricular emphasis. They allow educators freedom to try new strategies to inspire students and to experiment with innovative ways of educating students. Also, charter schools allow individuals and organizations outside of the traditional education system to create and run public schools.

Yes, like other public schools, charter schools must be open to every child regardless of race, religion, disability or academic ability. However, many charter schools have specific educational missions focusing on particular topics or students with particular needs. Also, charters have a cap on enrollment. The charter school will use a lottery process for the enrollment and registration of students.

Since the number of student applicants for Maria Montessori Academy exceeds the established ceiling, students are selected by lottery. When a student is chosen, siblings of the applicant (within the same household) are also invited for admission, provided there are openings. Students currently admitted are given preference for re-enrollment. Siblings of admitted students are given preference relative to other applicants.

Maria Montessori Academy will not discriminate in its admission policies or practices on the same basis as other public schools that may not discriminate in their admission policies and practices.

This cannot be determined due to the number of students applying each day for a limited number of openings in the school as students move out.

This cannot be determined due to the number of students applying each enrollment period for a limited number of openings in MMA.

MMA is unable to give out this information. The lottery is run multiple times each year, and positions change each time the lottery is run.

During the very first open enrollment of the new school year, typically held in January, a 30-day Open Enrollment is held. All students who have applied for the school are notified if they have been accepted or are on the waiting list within 15 days of the Open Enrollment closing. Positions are filled throughout the year as they become available. As soon as a position becomes available for your student, you will be notified either by e-mail, phone, or both.

It is possible for a position to open during the school year. Parents should consider in advance if they are willing to move their child mid-year or not.

You will receive an e-mail, phone call, or both. If you go on vacation, please be sure someone is able to check your messages or e-mail while you are away.

If you need to update your personal information such as phone number, address, or e-mail address, or if you choose to withdraw your application, please use your confirmation number to log into the enrollment website and make changes.

By law, the only way to receive preferential treatment during enrollment is under the following circumstances: (1) a sibling is already attending the school or (2) a parent is a founding board member of the school. Extra volunteer hours, special favors, or donations are not accepted in exchange for special preference.

Per federal law, Maria Montessori Academy is not authorized to maintain a waiting list longer than the Open Enrollment period. All students who apply for enrollment must be entered into a lottery for randomized placement into the school as positions become available.

From our website www.MariaMontessoriAcademy.org

1. Click on “Enrollment”
2. Click on “Enroll Now!”
3. Click on “Verify or change existing application”

At this point, you will need your application confirmation number and the email address you used to apply or home phone number. Once you are in, you can update your email address or anything else in your application such as address, phone number, add a student, etc. It is very important to keep this e-mail address up-to-date. This e-mail and lottery program is the primary method the school will use to communicate with parents since it will be the most accurate and up-to-date.

After any changes have been made, you will be able to use your updated e-mail address if you later need to “verify or change existing application.” If you have lost or forgotten your confirmation number, there is a link to resend it to you. It will be sent to the e-mail address currently in the database for you.