Frequently Asked Questions

Where to educate your child is one of the most significant decisions you will make as a parent or caregiver. We are here to guide you in making that choice. Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most frequently.

What do I need to do if my child must miss school due to illness or other factors?

Please contact us at (208) 419-0763 to let us know when your child is not attending school so that we know your child is safe.

Help! My child seems to have lost his/her lunch box, jacket, backpack, gloves...

We’re always finding things, so if your child is missing any items, please check our lost and found located in the office. Give us a call if you have any questions.

I have some concerns I wish to discuss. How do I resolve this?

Your concerns matter to us, and we want to be sure your child has a good experience in these early years of school. Please read our Problem Resolution Policies, and follow our problem resolution protocol.

Who can attend?

Monticello Montessori Public Charter School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, or age in its programs and activities. Students between the ages of five and 12 may enroll up to the capacity available. If enrollment requests exceed the capacity of the school, we will follow an equitable lottery selection process to determine who can attend.

Do you sell surplus items?

From time to time we will list surplus items for sale. Please contact the office concerning the purchase of any surplus item.

How much homework do you give the children?

We will assign homework based on grade level. For more specific information about what to expect, please visit our Academics page.

How much does Monticello Montessori cost?

We are a free public school. There is no cost for any student enrolled in our half-day kindergarten program through the sixth grade. We also do not require families to purchase or pay fees for school supplies. We may ask parents to pay fees associated with voluntary activities that are not necessary elements of school activity, such as field trips. We also welcome your donations of time and/or money to the school if you so choose.

What is the dress code?

To reduce distractions, we do not permit commercialism or media messages on apparel. Our goal is for students to focus on academics while they are at school, not on peer trends, social status, the latest movie characters, or other forms of commercialism. Please see our Standards & Expectations or Student Handbook for more details.

What are the qualifications of your teachers and support staff?

All of our teachers have at minimum a four-year bachelor degree from an accredited university, a valid Idaho State Teaching Credential K–8, and hold or are obtaining a Montessori Teaching Certificate. All our staff participates in ongoing professional development in Montessori education, student discipline, emergency response, and working with students who have special needs.

May I visit or observe classes?

We welcome parents and the public to observe classes at any time during the school days through the observation windows. Please contact the office to schedule your visit, and be sure to check in at the office when you arrive. If you would like to observe in the classroom, please contact us in advance so that we can make arrangements with the classroom teacher.

Is Monticello Montessori a public school?

Yes. We are a free public school authorized by the Idaho Public Charter School Commission, a division of the Idaho State Board of Education.

Do you have special education services?

Yes, we do. The early years form the foundation of growth and development, and we believe it is important to keep you informed about your child’s development. If you have questions or concerns regarding supplemental and/or special needs programs, please feel free to contact us about services for those who qualify.

How does your lottery work?

Monticello holds a lottery on or before April 30 of each year. We fill all openings during the school year according to the order established by that lottery. Learn more about how we conduct our lottery.

What is Montessori?

The Montessori Method is a holistic approach to learning that meets the needs of students with disabilities, the gifted and talented, and all students in between in an inclusive, supportive environment. Developed by Maria Montessori, an Italian educator and physician in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Montessori Method is a highly sensorial and tactile instructional program. For a more in-depth look at Montessori complete with online articles, videos, and a reading list, please visit our Montessori Method page.

Where does the school get its funding?

Monticello Montessori is a public school. As such, we receive public monies based on our student enrollment and attendance. To receive adequate funding, it is critical that our students attend school regularly.

Is this school affiliated with any religion or religious group?

No. We are a public school authorized by the Idaho Public Charter School Commission. We are non-sectarian and non-partisan.

How do I know that my child will get everything he/she needs academically?

As a public school, Monticello Montessori follows the Idaho Content Standards by which all public schools in the state abide. The Montessori approach to learning meets and generally exceeds state standards after three years of enrollment in the school. If you cannot commit to keeping your child enrolled for at least three years, you may not see the gains we can achieve because the Montessori approach is based on a three-year cycle of learning.

If we haven’t address your question here, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Why Parents Love Our School

Our family has had many positive experiences with Monticello. Each child is shown kindness and respect, I think the teachers are devoted, the special education programs have been very competent, and the administrator and staff are amazing. I am so grateful our daughter has had the opportunity to go to this school.

Our child‘s teacher has shown much interest in our child and has allowed her to perform her dance routine for the class. She is very observant and watches to see what is best for each child.

I just love that the admistitrator is so involved, always out there with the kids when they get out of school.

Because the Montessori method is the best way for my child to learn and he has progressed in maturity and wants to be at school where he did not want to go to the other school. He receives all the help that is required and necessary.

Good teacher/student ratio, small family like environment, administrator, non-traditional teaching philosophy, children are treated with respect.

I knew my kids needed something different than the standard public education. I had heard great things from a friend about Montessori so when I learned about a free charter school using Montessori method, I jumped at the chance to enroll them. We aren’t rich enough for a private school and homeschooling would have been my only other option.

There was an opening and now it’s turned into so much more.

When we first started at the school, we were impressed by the teachers we met, and by the way the classrooms were more “free” to explore. We liked the hands on approach to lessons, and the cooking, and that the kids were expected to have a job in the classroom that they were responsible for.

I love the Montessori platform and have always known that it would be the best fit for my child and their learning style as well as their personality. It is a hands on approach to learning that will allow a child to go at their pace and thrive as well as give them the ability to critically think of ways to improve. I have seen this in my child‘s time at Monticello and look forward to seeing more of these positive improvements throughout the time my child is at this school.