Need more information or a school tour?
Please contact us if you have any questions. Our main office staff in Balmain are always happy to help, and to schedule your visit to explore our school.
Enrolments
Thank-you for considering the Inner Sydney Montessori School for your child.
Stage 1 (Pre-primary 3-6)
The main entry point to ISMS is at the commencement of Stage 1.
The necessary first step in the application process is to attend an observation at the Balmain campus. An information pack and application forms are handed to parents during a guided observation at the School. These observations are conducted on a weekly basis during term. Should a parent live outside the Sydney area alternative arrangements can be made. ISMS also holds an ‘Open Day’ in March each year, as well as an ‘Introductory Evening’ at the school in Term 2 of each year which all applying and wait-list parents are encouraged to attend.
All observation tours go for one hour. We ask that you arrive at 8.50am for a 9am start. The tour is usually hosted by a school parent and as you will be visiting the classrooms, we request parents/guardians only to attend as younger children can distract the classroom and touring parents.
The completed membership and application forms need to be provided to the Office Administrator together with payment of the applicable fees. In order for the name of your child to be included and then remain on the ISMS waitlist either you or your partner need to become and remain a member of the Inner City Montessori Association.
Acceptance of your application and the placing of your child’s name on the ISMS wait-list does not guarantee your child a Stage 1 place. Each application is considered on an individual basis.
The criteria for selection is as follows:
- a demonstrated interest in and knowledge of Montessori education (as determined via interviews and attendance at information evenings). Although attendance of the Parent Toddler Playgroup may be indicative of an interest in the Montessori method it does not in-itself give your child any priority on the wait-list;
- the date of receipt of the application forms and payments required and the child’s age at that date;
- whether a sibling of your child is or has been a student at ISMS (however priority will only be granted if the sibling will or has completed Stage 1, if the younger child is registered on the ISMS wait-list by one year of age at the latest, you have been participating in the life of the School and with the older sibling there is or has been a demonstrated commitment to the full 3-12 year program);
- ensuring that each class reflects the society in general; and
- commitment to the full 3-12 year program.
When all factors are equal, the child's age at the date of the acceptance of your wait-list application will become the deciding factor.
Places are offered in June/July for all children who would be eligible to start in the following year and are subsequent to an enrolments interview. Children commence Stage 1 in the term in which they turn 3 years old. We generally will seek a response to our offer of a place within 10 days of the offer being made. Offers are specific to the campus rather than the class. Prospective parents are encouraged to discuss any queries with the Principal at the enrolments interview.
In the case of applications for older Stage 1 children (4 and 5 year olds) and transfers from other Montessori schools, a place will only be offered if there is a vacancy; if there is a definite commitment to the Primary program and the above criteria are satisfied. Again, each application is considered on an individual basis.
On acceptance of place, class placement will be advised. The class director will contact parents/guardians a term in advance of the anticipated start term to arrange a meeting and an orientation process for the child.
Stages 2 and 3 (Primary 6-12)
Enrolment and acceptance into Stage 1 does not guarantee your child a place in the Primary program. Parents are asked to apply for enrolment of their child into Stages 2 and 3 at the same time as they apply for enrolment into Stage 1.
Parents accepting offers of places into Stage 2 and 3 are required to undertake that they intend that their child will remain at the School until the end of Stage 3.
All parents of Stage 1 children are requested to observe the Primary classrooms and to attend a Parent Education Evening. This Primary Parent Education evening is specifically aimed at those parents who are familiar with Montessori philosophy and the Stage 1 environment to inform them of the differences between the Stage 1 and Primary child and how this is reflected in both the prepared environment and teaching of the curriculum.