Letter from the Admissions Director

The Admissions Process

Learn about our school and the Montessori approach

• https://ronaldknox.org/about
• https://amshq.org/About-Montessori/What-Is-Montessori
• Discover if the Montessori philosophy resonates with you and the way you are raising your child(ren)

Schedule a Tour

• Schedule a Tour via Calendly (Click here) 
• The parent only tour allows parents to concentrate and ask questions

Submit an application

• Click here to apply online

Acceptance

• An Acceptance letter will be emailed upon availability

Required Documents (once accepted)

• Records from previous school, if applicable
• State of IL Health form
• Lead Assessment Questionnaire
• Copy of birth certificate
• Eye and Dental Exam forms (Kindergarten age children only)

Classroom Placement

• Classroom placement information is shared in late summer, along with opening of school information

schedule a tour

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Admission and Placement Policies

Since Ronald Knox Montessori School has a rolling admission process, applications for new students are always accepted.  Ronald Knox accepts students of any race, sex, color, and national, ethnic, and religious origin. Ronald Knox guarantees the confidentiality of and access to student records in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

The age of entry begins at three months for the Infant/Toddler Program, two years for the Two's Program, and three years for the Primary Program. Continuing students in a Primary classroom will remain in their current class. Due to constraints of licensing agencies, insurance and the public school system, a child’s chronological age is the main gauge used in placement and September 1 is the cut off date.

Ronald Knox is committed to educating each child in accordance with the Montessori Philosophy. It is the philosophy and the history of Maria Montessori that supports close observation and careful guidance for each child in our program. New students are admitted on a 6-week probationary basis that begins on their first day of school, after which the child will either be successfully integrated or it will be determined that Ronald Knox is not the best placement. Under certain circumstances, tuition will be refunded on a prorated basis. Students with diagnosed special needs follow the same 6-week probationary period.

The Montessori classroom is appropriate and beneficial for almost every child. However, Ronald Knox may not be able to provide the educational and supportive services or additional staff that some children may require.

It is important for parents to have a thorough understanding of the program in order to determine whether Ronald Knox will be the best environment for their child and their family. For all of our programs, we use information gained from observations, input from teachers, and summer program experiences to gather information about each child. Occasionally, additional work and reports from specialists will be required to place the child properly.

Decisions include factors which take into account the best interests of your child and of the other children in the classroom environment. Our aim is to create classrooms that are balanced in various aspects: age, gender, learning style, etc. The professionally trained Montessori faculty and the administration make the final determination and placement within our programs.

Ronald Knox strongly believes that the third year or the kindergarten year of the Primary Program is of the utmost importance. This is the year that completes the cycle of learning and development that began in the first two years. Being one of the oldest in the room, the child experiences a year of tremendous growth in self-confidence and self-esteem. When your child is accepted into the Primary Program, it is with the expectation that he/she will stay for the completion of the program.

Special Status Applicants

All qualifying special status applications will be processed in the order they are received.

Special status will be granted in the following order:

• Currently enrolled students who are filtering into another Ronald Knox program (i.e. Two's to Primary).
• Prospective students with a sibling currently enrolled at Ronald Knox.
• Prospective students with a sibling who has graduated from Ronald Knox.

• Student enrolled in a full day program

• A Montessori Transferis given priority to prospective students who attended another Montessori school.
• Children of Faculty/Staff are granted to the children of current Ronald Knox employees.
• Legacy Status is granted to a child whose parent attended the entire three years of the Primary Program at Ronald Knox.

The administration of Ronald Knox reserves the right to make the final determination for session program placement. Additionally, many factors are considered in making admissions decisions, including children who meet social and emotional expectations as determined by the Ronald Knox Faculty and Staff.

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New Students

An acceptance letter, the tuition, and family entrance fee invoice (if applicable) are emailed to new students upon acceptance into a program. The above must be returned by the date determined by Ronald Knox to hold the child’s place in the program(s) requested. All parents of students entering the school are required to submit the following prior to the first day of school:

• Current state of IL Health form (within 2 years)
• Lead Assessment Questionnaire
• Eye Exam form (for kindergarten age children)
• Dental Exam form (for kindergarten age children)

• Copy of birth certificate

• Records from previous school, if applicable

• Reports from specialists, if applicable

Tuition Payments and Family Entrance Fee

Tuition payment(s) and the $1,000 Family Entrance Fee* are due in January and in September of the calendar year of enrollment (for returning students).

• If a child enters mid-year, or an application is received after January of the calendar year of enrollment, tuition payment(s) and Family Entrance Fee are due within two weeks of acceptance. 

• Classroom placement information is sent in August, along with opening of school information.

Tuition alone does not cover the cost of educating a student at Ronald Knox. Like all independent schools, Ronald Knox conducts annual fundraising programs that contribute to the operating budget and provide direct funding to our education initiatives. The Ronald Knox Montessori Annual Fund, our annual fund appeal, is an opportunity to raise funds to support and enhance the educational resources of the School. All parents are expected to participate in this important initiative each year.

*Each family entering Ronald Knox at the Two's/Primary level is required to pay a $1,000 Family Entrance Fee. This is a one-time payment collected when a student enters the Two's Program for the first time. 

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Enrollment and Withdrawal Terms and Conditions

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