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Linden Tree Montessori School’s (“the School”) mission is to provide a tuition-free Montessori education that empowers every child through an accessible, high-quality, holistic and equitable learning environment. We are committed to fostering strong community and family partnerships, celebrating diversity and nurturing a lifelong love of learning.

 

Who can enroll? 

General Eligibility

1. Admission is currently open to students grades PreK through 2nd who are entitled to attend school in the State of Ohio.

2. Kindergarten eligibility shall be determined in accordance with Ohio law (child must be five years old by the first day of school in the year of enrollment).

3. The School shall not:

   • Limit admission based on intellectual ability, academic achievement or aptitude.

   • Offer or provide incentives to parents of prospective students (ORC § 3313.648);

   • Enroll students in excess of approved capacity. 

How to apply? 

Step 1: Intent to Enroll

An Intent to Enroll form is the required application submitted by a parent or legal guardian requesting placement of a student into the enrollment lottery.​

• Submission of an Intent to Enroll form:

  • Does not guarantee enrollment;

  • Does not obligate the family to accept an enrollment offer if extended.

Step 2: Open Enrollment Window

Intent to Enroll forms must be submitted by March 30. Applications received after the Open Enrollment period will be placed at the end of the applicable grade-level waitlist.

 

Applications are reviewed for:

• Completeness

• Age and grade eligibility

• Enrollment priority (for lottery purposes only)

• Incomplete applications will not be entered into the lottery

 

Information Sessions

The School may host informational sessions throughout the year to educate prospective families on its Montessori philosophy, mission, and program. The intent of these sessions is to inform families of the Mission, Vision, Culture, and Programming of the school prior to submitting an Intent to Enroll Form. LTMS wants to ensure that all families are broadly educated in what the school is about prior to enrolling their student(s). 

Attendance is strongly encouraged but not required for enrollment. Attendance or participation in informational sessions shall not be used to determine eligibility, priority, or enrollment outcomes.

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Enrollment Priorities

When the number of applicants exceeds available seats, enrollment shall be determined by lottery, using the following priority order as permitted by ORC § 3314.06:

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Lottery Procedures

If a lottery is required:

1. Each eligible applicant shall be assigned a number.

2. Numbers shall be drawn randomly by a disinterested third party or board member.

3. The lottery shall be conducted at a public meeting of the Governing Authority.

4. Separate lotteries and waitlists may be maintained by grade level.

5. Students drawn after capacity is filled shall be placed on the waitlist in the order selected.

6. The waitlist remains active only for the current academic year.

 

After You’re Offered a Seat

Step 1: Enrollment Offers 

Families receiving enrollment offers shall be notified by email and/or phone. Families shall have one week to accept or decline the offer. Failure to respond within one week shall be treated as a declination, and the student shall be placed at the end of the waitlist. 

Step 2: Registration

Upon acceptance, families shall complete registration within the given timeframe provided by the school. Failure to complete registration or provide required verification may result in placement at the end of the waitlist.

Step 3: Records and Placement

The School shall request academic records for incoming students. Parents of students with IEPs or 504 Plans must provide documentation promptly. Grade placement decisions are made following registration. Diagnostic assessments may be used to inform instructional planning. Placement decisions shall follow the School’s retention and promotion policies.

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Transfers

Midyear transfer students must:

• Complete transfer paperwork;

• Participate in a family meeting with School leadership;

• Provide academic and special education records.

The School shall comply with FERPA in the transfer of student records.

 

Prekindergarten (PreK) Enrollment

Program Scope

The PreK program is not part of the School’s community school (charter) program and operates under separate eligibility, funding and enrollment requirements.

The School operates with a Prekindergarten (PreK) program aligned with the Montessori philosophy. The PreK program may serve children approximately ages 3–5, consistent with program design, licensing requirements, and funding sources. 

Enrollment in PreK is not guaranteed and is contingent upon:

• Available classroom capacity;

• Staffing and licensing requirements;
   

Eligibility for PreK Enrollment

To be eligible for the School’s PreK program, a child must:

1. Meet the minimum and maximum age requirements established for the program for the applicable school year (3-4 years old, with the exception of one 2.5 year old); 

2. Be toilet trained, unless otherwise required or prohibited by applicable law;

3. Meet any additional readiness, health, or licensing requirements required by Ohio law or the program’s governing standards.

Age eligibility shall be determined as of the date specified annually by the School and may differ from Kindergarten eligibility requirements.

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PreK Enrollment Process

Families wishing to enroll their PreK aged student can submit an intent-to-enroll application, available on the Linden Tree website. 

In the event there are more PreK aged intent to enroll applications, there will be a lottery with the same priority and weight as listed over. This follows the same lottery process as K-8 students. 

If there is not more intent to enroll applications, they will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The School may prioritize enrollment of certain PreK students. Enrollment priorities may include, but are not limited to:

1. Children currently enrolled in the School’s PreK program (if applicable);

2. Siblings of students enrolled at the School;

3. Children of full-time School employees;

4. Children residing in the school district in which the School is located

Enrollment priorities for PreK may differ from K–2 enrollment priorities and shall be communicated clearly to families prior to enrollment.

If PreK exceeds enrollment capacity, a waitlist may be established and maintained for the remainder of the program year. PreK waitlists shall not carry over to subsequent school years.

PreK Fees 

The School’s PreK program may operate as a tuition-based program. Tuition and fees, if applicable, shall be established annually and approved by the Governing Authority. 

 

PreK tuition is assessed on a tiered scale based on household income, using income ranges and documentation requirements established by the School. The purpose of the tiered tuition structure is to promote equitable access to the PreK program while maintaining program sustainability.

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Families may be required to submit income verification documentation as part of the PreK enrollment process. Failure to provide accurate income information may result in reassessment of tuition or loss of enrollment. No incentives or inducements tied to future K–8 enrollment shall be offered. Enrollment or participation in the PreK program does not confer priority, preference, or guarantee of enrollment in the School’s K–8 community school program. 

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Income documentation is used solely for tuition determination and shall not be used to determine enrollment eligibility. Reduced tuition may be available based on financial need or participation in public assistance programs.

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Tuition and fees for PreK are separate from and unrelated to enrollment in the School’s K–2 community school program.

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More details on our enrollment policy can be found at the link below: