We help our young students become:

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Self-Directed Learners

Children have a natural love for learning. At WSMS, we focus on helping children learn how to learn, so they become intrinsically motivated to do so, and retain their zest for knowledge throughout their lives.

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Flexible Thinkers

Developing the ability to think in a flexible way, and to adapt to one’s surroundings, was something Maria Montessori valued greatly: “The person who is developing freely and naturally arrives at a spiritual equilibrium, in which he is master of his actions, just as one who has acquired physical poise can move freely. When he is master of himself he is also flexible in his attitude towards others, and capable of adaptation to the wishes and requirements of others, and of ‘give and take.’ ”

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Creative Problem Solvers

Montessori children are natural and confident problem solvers. They are resourceful, and can come up with imaginative solutions that adults might not think of. Rather than try and mold the child to our adult way of thinking, we believe that he can arrive at informed decisions by using his own innate reasoning skills. As Maria Montessori said, “Leave the child free to make use of his powers and he will show himself capable of success.”

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Empathic Citizens

At WSMS, it is important to us that children grow to be confident, successful, and self-assured individuals, but equally important that they possess empathy and respect for others. Children who develop a social conscience, compassion for others, and a sense of responsibility towards others will change the world for the better, and we work every day to ensure that happens.

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Resilient Individuals

Every child experiences disappointment and failure as he learns and grows, but the way he is helped to respond to these difficult times is key. A resilient child looks at mistakes and disappointments as opportunities to learn, rather than setbacks, and as a result, he approaches life with enthusiasm and confidence. Building resilience is an important part of our work at WSMS.

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Tuition and Financial Aid

TUITION

Tuition fees for the 2010-2011 school year are listed below.

AM (8:30am-12:30pm):  $18,488

PM (1:30-5:30pm): $18,488

9-3 (9:00am-3:00pm): $23,312

LAP (8:30am-5:30pm): $28,800


FINANCIAL AID

West Side Montessori School is committed to a financial aid program designed to ensure that its educational offerings are open to all qualified candidates. Financial aid is awarded to approximately 20% of our families. Families who need assistance with tuition payments may apply for financial aid per the instructions below. A family's ability to pay is not a determining factor in offering a child a place in our School. Awards of financial aid are determined based on need and the availability of funds. Our families generally receive financial assistance through 2 methods: 1) the WSMS Financial Aid (FA) Fund or 2) the NYC Administration of Child Services (ACS). Families seeking financial aid should select the appropriate field (ACS-eligible or FA) in the FA section on the online application.

ACS-Funding Application Process
WSMS is an ACS-approved program. ACS determines a family’s eligibility for financial assistance based on the family’s annual income and size of the family as well as having acceptable reasons for requiring childcare. ACS pays WSMS directly to provide childcare/early education services to an approved child. To determine if you are ACS-eligible, please call 311 to apply to be evaluated by ACS. Additional information regarding ACS is available online at http://www.nyc.gov/html/acs/html/child_care/child_care_information.shtml.


WSMS Financial Aid Application Process
WSMS FA awards are determined after thoughtful consideration of each FA application by the WSMS Financial Aid Committee. Like many NYC independent preschools and ongoing schools, we use the School and Student Service (SSS) for Financial Aid to assist us in our process. This nationwide service uses an objective and consistent methodology to calculate a family’s ability to contribute to educational expenses. SSS estimates a family’s ability to pay school costs based on income, expenses, and family assets as reported to SSS on your Parent Financial Statement (PFS). SSS sends an analysis of your PFS directly to our school, and we use this report only as a component of our FA review process. Financial aid applications are due by January 15, 2011. Families that have expressed interest in applying for financial aid will be notified via email regarding when they may submit financial data to SSS and WSMS. Additional information regarding our financial aid application process will be posted by October 2010.


 
 
West Side Montessori School | 309 West 92nd Street | New York, New York 10025 | Phone: 212-662-8000 | Fax: 212-662-8323