Financial Arrangments
The Board of Directors has established regulations governing billing and payment so that the school can meet its financial obligations and so that you can avoid any misunderstanding concerning your commitment. Students are enrolled for the full academic year, and the school can make no adjustment of fees for absences, withdrawal, or dismissal except as noted under POLICIES below. Annual tuition will not be reduced by the student's withdrawal or absence for any cause except as noted.

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Tuition Payment Plans

Plan A: Annual Tuition due by July 15. Payment is by cash or check.
Plan B: Semi-annual tuition due by July 15, and January 15.                                                    
           Payment is by cash, check and automatic withdrawal
Plan C: One-tenth annual tuition due by the 15th of the month from July through April.   
           Payment is by automatic withdrawal. Date of withdrawal to be determined by the payee.

 

Tuition & Fees:

Class Tuitions*	Plan C: Monthly	Plan B:  Semi	Plan A:  Annual	Materials Fee	Toddle
Toddler (18-36 mo) 10 month                  12 month	$925.00  $1208.33	$4625.00 $7250.00	$9250.00   $14500.00	$125.00 $150.00	$925.00   $1450.00
Primary (age 3-6) 3 hour day 5 hour day** 6.5 hour day**	$517.80 $659.10 $778.10	$2589.00 $3295.50 $3890.50	$5178.00 $6591.00 $7781.00	$254.00 $281.00 $302.00	$518.00 $660.00 $778.00
Children's House Afternoon Primary 3 day program 3.5 hour day	$314.50	$1572.50	$3145.00	$164.00	$314.00
Lower Elementary (6-9)	$775.30	$3876.50	$7753.00	$318.00	$775.00
Upper Elementary (9-12)	$860.00	$4300.00	$8600.00	$334.00	$860.00
Junior High (12-14)	$944.60	$4723.00	$9446.00	$376.00	$945.00

Explanation of Fees:

Tuition Deposit: A non-refundable* tuition deposit is due and payable with the Annual Enrollment Agreement. This deposit will be applied to the final tuition payment. *The deposit will be refunded to Tuition Assistance Applicants who submit requests by February 16 if assistance is not awarded. Special financial arrangements for paying the deposit will be considered if a request is submitted in writing with the completed contract by February 16.

Application Fee: A non-refundable $50 fee for each new applicant must accompany the initial application.

Materials Fee: A Materials Fee will be required of all students to cover the cost of books, materials, and supplies used annually in each classroom. This fee is not pro-rated.

Annual AMS Membership Fees: Each family enrolling for the Fall is charged a fee for membership in the American Montessori Society.

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Policies

Enrollment Procedure: Enrollment agreements must be returned to the school by February 14. Contracts not returned by that time will be subject to an additional fee.

March 1 -- $25/contract April 1 -- $35/contract May 1 -- $50/contract June 1 -- $70/contract July 1 -- $100/contract August 1 -- $125/contract

Enrollment Agreements for each year cannot be accepted, and a space cannot be held, unless the current year's tuition is paid to date in accordance with your contracted payment schedule.

Tuition Assistance: Tuition Assistance is available to Cornerstone families based upon demonstrated need within this community. Applications and further information may be obtained from the Cornerstone office. Precedence will be given to returning students who apply by February 16. Both the application for assistance and the Annual Enrollment Agreement must be received in order to be considered for the February 16 deadline. . All financial information is viewed solely by the financial coordinator and is confidential.

Financial Obligation: Parents will be billed in accordance with the payment plan selected: all bills are due and payable as specified therein. A 1.5 %/month late fee will be assessed by our automatic billing system on any unpaid balance greater than $100. An $25 dollar charge will be assessed for handling returned checks. The school may consider alternate payment for families with special circumstances that may affect the timely payment of tuition fees. All requests for alternate payment plans must be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors. In the absence of prior notification to the Board of such special circumstances, regular late charges will apply as specified above. Failure to pay past due balances will result in accounts being handled by a collection agency.

Withdrawal: Parents are responsible for the full amount of the annual tuition. Tuition can be pro-rated only if: 1) the student's family moves permanently out of the immediate area, 2) the staff or Board of Directors requests the student's withdrawal in writing, or 3) in the case of new students only, the school is given written notice of the student's withdrawal for any reason during the first six weeks of attendance. In any of these cases, the tuition will be pro-rated according to the number of weeks that the child was in attendance. The Deposit and Materials Fee will not be refunded or pro-rated for any reason.

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Program Descriptions

Toddler’s House                                                                                                                                                                      This class is designed to meet the growing and changing needs of the child from 18 to 36 months of age. It includes opportunities for physical, intellectual, social and emotional growth. The classroom is created with the specific needs of the toddler in mind. Students are enrolled for a 10 or 12 month schedule from 8:00 – 3:15. Early arrival and a slightly later dismissal are options.

Primary Class I**, II**
These classes are for children between 2.5 and 6 years of age. The program adheres to Montessori philosophy and curriculum. All classes are directed by certified Montessori professionals within environments equipped with a full range of Montessori didactic materials. Classes I and II will meet from 8:30 - 11:30 daily.

** Extended Day sessions will be offered to older children from these classes by invitation of the Primary Directresses. The hours will be from 11:30 - 1:30 or 11:30 - 3:00 daily.

Children's House
Children's House is designed to meet the needs of families whose children require care beyond the hours of Cornerstone's regular classes. This program is led by Montessori-trained Directresses, assisted by supportive teaching professionals.

Children's House Afternoon Primary
This offering is an afternoon session of Montessori Primary within a more relaxed academic environment, including lunch and a nap or quiet time. Traditional Montessori materials are combined with other creative activities.

Children's House Extended Care Program
This program offers continuity for Cornerstone students of all ages before and after their academic programs. Early morning care starts at 7:30. Following academic programs at 11:30, 1:30, and 3:00, Children's House helps to create a smooth transition from the stimulating Montessori classroom to a relaxing, educational after-school experience.

Lower & Upper Elementary and Junior High
Classes at the 6-9, 9-12, and 12-14 year old level are offered primarily to qualified syudents from our own preschool classes and from other area Montessori programs. Other applicants will be considered when appropriate. Placement in the program at these levels assumes an ongoing commitment to the Montessori philosophy of personal and academic growth as initiated at the preschool level. The elementary program is approved by the New Hampshire Department of Education.

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