Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about The Franciscan Montessori Earth School (FMES) and our admissions process. Please visit us to see how we inspire children to expand their mind, nurture their spirit, and steward the Earth every day.
Children need to be 30 months old and toileting independently. For Children’s House, we have rolling enrollment, which means that once we accept your application you work with your child’s guide to determine a classroom start date based on your child’s physical and emotional readiness. Our last start date of the school year is March 1st. We encourage you to apply early to reserve a space for your child if you anticipate starting during the academic year.
Children’s House, Lower Elementary, and Upper Elementary classrooms can accommodate 25 students, and the Middle School 50 students. In each Children’s House and Elementary classroom there are two adults -- an AMI certified Montessori guide and an assistant. In the Middle School there are five guides.
We have many options for families as our Montessori Aspect Program provides both before and after school care. Additionally, on-campus we offer an Athletics Program and a variety of extracurricular activities. Students can transition from the classroom to an after school activity and/or Montessori Aspect if full day care is needed.
We are an independent Catholic school with an openness to all people. Our welcoming community is one of religious and spiritual diversity that focuses on respecting individuality.
Montessori classrooms provide an individualized education that fosters a child’s intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and social development through a beautifully prepared environment, experiential education, and cultivating a safe, respectful climate for independent choice. Our curriculum meets Oregon State standards and is accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA)
Students bring their own lunch or can purchase hot lunch, offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from the vendor Laughing Planet. As part of our Middle School program, students rotate through kitchen to assist in planning and preparing lunch for the Middle School community with the Lunch Program guide. Middle School students obtain an Oregon Food Handler certification.
All of our Montessori guides have earned a bachelor’s degree and an Association Montessori International (AMI) teaching certificate. Many of our guides have also earned advanced degrees. See our staff roster for more information.
Yes, our history informs us that children transition well from other educational models to Montessori. Please contact the Admissions Director for more information.
We only offer a five-day week Children’s House program. As Dr. Maria Montessori discovered, children of this age thrive on consistency and routine. When students attend class daily, the environment becomes more predictable and the routine offers a sense of comfort and stability for the individual student as well as the classroom community. In addition, there is more continuity of progression through the Montessori materials when children attend school five days a week.
Yes, on a space available basis. If you are interested in exploring a mid-year transfer for your child, please contact our Admissions Director
Our foreign language program offers Spanish and German from Lower Elementary through Middle School.
Montessori educated students are thoughtful, independent and self-motivated. Regardless of level, we find that our students transition smoothly to other educational environments whether private or public.
Several private high schools (we host an annual high school fair) actively recruit our students including La Salle Catholic College Preparatory, St. Mary’s Academy, Central Catholic High School, Jesuit High School, Pacific Crest Community School, Northwest Academy, Catlin Gabel, and Oregon Episcopal School. Graduates also attend charter and public high schools.
We do not have bus or van service options. However, many of our families carpool and we offer assistance in finding carpool opportunities. The school is easily accessible by public transportation.
Our program is not year round; it is a 10-month program starting in September and ending in June. A summer camp program, Camp FMES, is available during June and July.
The Camp FMES program for summer 2023 has not been finalized
Not included in tuition is an annual $75 classroom fee and the costs of purchasing hot lunch, Montessori Aspect (before/after care), athletics and extracurricular activities. Tuition rates do include Earth Experiences for elementary students.
For the Middle School only, there are additional fees for the Residential Program and Spring Study Trip.
Financial assistance is limited and is reserved for students beyond their first year of attendance.
We meet with families and accept applications year-round for the current and upcoming academic year. Contact our Admissions Director for more information.
The Atrium a Montessori based spiritual formation program using Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, is offered to students from Children’s House through Upper Elementary. At the Middle School level, religious education is part of the required curriculum.