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Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Elementary, Middle School
Introduction
International Montessori School (IMS) is a language-immersion Montessori program serving children from 18 months through eighth grade across campuses: the Academy Campus in Durham and the Barbee Chapel Campus in Chapel Hill. IMS offers Montessori classrooms with immersion in French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. Programs run Toddler (18-36 months), Early Childhood (3-6), Elementary (6-12), Middle School (12-14), and Summer Camp (3-6). Lower Elementary is taught entirely in immersion language with English language arts taught separately; Upper Elementary uses roughly 70% English and 30% immersion for core subjects; Middle School features a project-based curriculum with a foreign language requirement and optional third language, plus Socratic seminars and a micro-economy. The school is American Montessori Society accredited. IMS serves campuses as one community, with Barbee Chapel on 37 acres enabling outdoor learning and field trips. The program emphasizes bilingualism and biculturalism as lifelong assets, alongside arts, music, PE, and collaborative projects.
This campus is part ofInternational Montessori School
3001 Academy Road, Suite 300, Durham, NC 27707
The Essentials
International Montessori School has 159 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in French, Spanish, Mandarin.
Location
Two IMS campuses: Academy Campus, 3001 Academy Road, Suite 300, Durham, NC 27707; Barbée Chapel Campus, 5510 Barbee Chapel Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517.
Stages
Toddler (18-36 months); Early Childhood (3-6 years); Elementary (6-12 years); Middle School (12-14 years). Summer Camp is also offered.
Type
Language-immersion Montessori school for students from 18 months through 8th grade.
Pupil Nationality Mix
IMS is a diverse, international community with families from many cultures and languages; language immersion in French, Spanish, and Mandarin.
Country affiliation
United States
School day structure
Regular day: 8:15 AM–3:00 PM; After School: 3:00 PM–5:30 PM.
Bus service
Bus service is available for Early Childhood, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle Grades. One-way bus fee is $650; two-way bus fee is $1,000. Toddler has no bus option.
Fees
Annual tuition at International Montessori School ranges from up to USD 29,360 for 2026/27.
Application & One‑Time Enrollment Fees - Application fee: USD 100 per household. USD 75 for siblings applying at the same time. - Enrollment fee (new students): USD 1,500. - Sibling enrollment fee: USD 1,000.
Annual Tuition — 2026/27 (by program) - Toddler (Regular Day): USD 21,150 per year. Per standard 10‑payment plan installment: USD 2,115.00. - Early Childhood (Regular Day): USD 19,695 per year. Per 10‑payment installment: USD 1,969.50. (Half‑day Early Childhood for 3s & 4s: USD 14,710 per year.) - Lower Elementary (Regular Day): USD 19,695 per year. Per 10‑payment installment: USD 1,969.50. - Upper Elementary (Regular Day): USD 20,530 per year. Per 10‑payment installment: USD 2,053.00. - Middle Grades (Regular Day): USD 22,680 per year. Per 10‑payment installment: USD 2,268.00.
Program add‑on fees (annual amounts) - After‑School program (annual): Toddler USD 5,500; Early Childhood USD 4,515; Lower Elementary USD 4,515; Upper Elementary USD 4,515. Per 10‑payment installment, divide these amounts by 10 if included in the tuition payment plan (e.g., Toddler after‑school = USD 550.00 per installment). - School supply fee (annual): Toddler USD 60; Early Childhood USD 30 (USD 40 for Kindergarten); Lower Elementary USD 50; Upper Elementary USD 55; Middle Grades USD 75. These are charged per year. - Bus fees (annual): One‑way USD 685; both ways USD 1,050 (Kinder one‑way and both‑ways shown as same amounts, noted TBD for Kinder). These are charged per year.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard payment plans available: - Lump‑sum payment: one‑time payment of the full annual tuition due by March for the school year beginning in August. A pre‑payment discount of 3% applies to payments made in March (not available to families receiving financial assistance or after March 31). - Monthly (standard) payment plan: the annual tuition is divided into a tuition deposit equal to 10% of tuition charged in March, with nine additional equal payments for a total of 10 payments; for practical purposes this yields ten equal installments of 10% each (deposit + nine payments). For new students the tuition deposit and enrollment fee are due March 5 or upon acceptance to reserve a place; for returning students the tuition deposit is charged in March according to existing payment dates. Remaining payments begin in August. In late enrollments, remaining tuition is amortized across the remaining scheduled payments, which may result in fewer than 10 payments. Continuous enrollment billing for returning families begins automatically unless the family notifies the school of withdrawal by February. - How installments are applied: the standard monthly plan effectively results in 10 equal installments (each installment = annual tuition ÷ 10). Additional program fees (after‑school, bus, supply fees) are charged as annual amounts; families may include these in payment arrangements according to the tuition management system and the school's billing procedures.
Boarding - Boarding is not applicable. IMS operates as a day school (programs, campus hours, and campus listings reflect day‑program operation; no residential/boarding program or boarding fees are published).
Other costs and optional charges - Application fee and enrollment fees (see above) are one‑time charges at application/acceptance. The application fee is billed at application submission and is non‑refundable. - Summer camp: separate registration and fees apply. Camp weeks require a non‑refundable 50% deposit at registration; the balance is due by May 31; cancellations or switches are allowed up to May 31. All transaction convenience fees for camp are non‑refundable. Families enrolled at IMS are billed through the school's tuition management system. - School supply and bus fees (listed above) are charged annually when applicable. Additional incidental fees (field trips, special materials, extended‑care beyond stated after‑school program, etc.) may be charged as they occur; such incidental fees are not listed as standard annual charges in the published schedule.
Refunds and withdrawal timing - Application fee: billed at application and specified as non‑refundable. - Continuous‑enrollment and withdrawal timing: for returning students, billing for the upcoming year begins automatically unless the family notifies the school of withdrawal in February of the current year; this timing determines whether billing will commence for the upcoming year. Specific refund amounts or the refundability of the enrollment fee are not published in the publicly available tuition and admissions materials. - Summer camp cancellations: camp deposits are 50% non‑refundable; the remaining balance and cancellation window are described under summer camp policies.
Fee payment channels and practical notes - Billing and payments are processed through the school's tuition management system; available payment plans (lump‑sum or monthly/10‑payment plan) are administered through that system. Specific, detailed lists of accepted payment methods (for example, which credit cards are accepted, whether ACH/bank transfer is accepted, or whether payment by check is permitted) are not published in the public fee pages. Families set payment methods and automatic billing within the tuition management portal as part of enrollment and payment‑plan setup.
Summary of the key published 2026/27 figures - Annual tuition (Regular Day): Toddler USD 21,150; Early Childhood USD 19,695; Lower Elementary USD 19,695; Upper Elementary USD 20,530; Middle Grades USD 22,680. Per 10‑payment installment: divide each annual tuition by 10 (examples given above).
Note on items not publicly specified - The published materials list program and annual fees, the application fee (stated non‑refundable), the enrollment fee, payment plans, and summer camp cancellation terms. The school's publicly available pages do not publish a detailed enrollment‑fee refund policy, an exhaustive list of accepted payment methods (credit card brands, ACH, etc.), or a uniform fee or uniform‑purchase requirement. For items not listed publicly (for example, enrollment‑fee refundability or exact accepted payment instruments), families arrange specifics through the admissions or business office and the tuition management portal.
Academics
International Montessori School teaches Montessori Curriculum for students aged 1 to 14.
Curriculum
IMS is a language immersion Montessori school for children aged 18 months through eighth grade. It offers three immersion languages - French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese - across two campuses: the Academy Campus in Durham and the Barbee Chapel Campus in Chapel Hill. Programs run Toddler (18-36 months), Early Childhood (3-6), Elementary (6-12), Middle School (12-14), and Summer Camp (3-6). In Lower Elementary, classes are delivered entirely in the immersion language with English language arts taught separately; in Upper Elementary, 70% of the week is in English and 30% in the immersion language, with English classes for core subjects and some English-based arts classes. Middle School uses a project-based curriculum with a foreign language requirement, continuing the target language, and options to add a third language; it includes Socratic seminars and a micro-economy. Families choose a single immersion language when enrolling.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
IMS emphasizes more than academics and honors each child's individuality. The focus is on curiosity, independence, compassion, collaboration, and critical thinking, preparing students for the future with confidence and self-knowledge. The curriculum demonstrates strong academic outcomes while supporting holistic development, with younger children reading and older students tackling more complex tasks. IMS fosters an international, collaborative community and partners with families to support the child's growth at home and at school. Language immersion strengthens social-emotional skills, including verbal expression and social flexibility, at earlier ages. The program also nurtures self-direction and empathy as integral parts of daily learning.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
IMS has a Learning Support Specialist on the Administrative & Support Team. The school is committed to inclusion and equity through a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion program that supports neurodiversity and inclusive practices. IMS aims to provide a safe, respectful environment where students of diverse backgrounds feel valued and have access to supports. DEI work includes ongoing staff development and anti-bias, anti-racist learning integrated into the classroom.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
IMS offers language immersion in three languages: French, Spanish, and Mandarin. Most staff are native speakers of the language of the classroom they serve. For families who do not speak the immersion language, IMS provides guidance and home activities to support language development.
Mental Wellbeing
IMS focuses on social and emotional skills through its Montessori and language-immersion approach. The school promotes a safe learning community that values curiosity, collaboration, and empathy. Equity and inclusion efforts, along with anti-bias learning and parent education, contribute to students' mental wellbeing. IMS emphasizes partnership with families to support wellbeing across home and school.
Safeguarding
IMS envisions a safe learning community that values all students and families, guided by equity and inclusion and anti-bias learning in the classroom. The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion program was formed in 2022 to advance safe, inclusive practices and to ensure historically muted voices are represented in leadership and teaching. The school commits to ongoing staff development and an anti-racist, anti-bias curriculum to protect and support every learner.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Inquire & Connect: Submit an inquiry form and schedule your Virtual Information Session. The Virtual Information Session is a 45‑minute call to learn more about language immersion, Montessori, and IMS. Both are required for your application. 2. Apply: After your virtual information session, you are welcome to apply for your child's admission. A complete application includes a non-refundable $100 application fee and additional information/forms. Priority consideration applications for the 2026‑2027 school year are now closed and we will review applications on a rolling basis as space permits. 3. Tour: When all other parts of the application are received, you will be invited to an on-site visit. Rising Kinders as well as all elementary and middle school aged students will spend a day as a member of the classroom. Priority consideration deadlines apply: documents must be submitted by January 2, 2026 for priority applications and related items; after this round, all other applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as spaces are available.
Scholarships
IMS provides internal financial assistance and accepts NCSEAA K12 Scholarships. In the 2025‑2026 school year, 15% of students received some level of internally‑provided financial assistance. Financial assistance applications are completed through Clarity; create a Clarity account and obtain the school access code by emailing admissions@imsnc.org; a $65 fee per household is charged when submitting the Clarity application. If offered a space, the financial assistance award is issued with the enrollment agreement. Payment plans include Lump Sum Payments (one‑time annual tuition due by March for the August start; 3% prepayment discount for March; not available to those receiving financial assistance or after March 31) and Monthly Payments (a 10‑payment plan with a 10% deposit due March; remaining payments begin in August; returning families have automatic enrollment). External resources listed include the NC Opportunity Scholarship Program and the ESA+ Program. Priority applications for new and returning families must be received by January 2, 2026; after that, applications are reviewed as funds are available.
FAQs
Where are IMS campuses located and what ages do they serve?
IMS operates on two campuses: the Academy Campus in Durham and the Barbee Chapel Campus in Chapel Hill. It serves children from 18 months through 14 years (Toddler to Middle School), with Summer Camp available for ages 3-6.
What curriculum and language immersion programs does IMS offer?
IMS is a language-immersion Montessori school offering three target languages—French, Spanish, and Mandarin—across its two campuses. Immersion begins in Early Childhood; the Toddler program is English-only, and language ratios vary by grade level.
Is IMS a co-educational day school and when was it founded?
IMS is a co-educational day school. It opened in 1996 and now operates across two campuses serving a diverse international community.
What are the tuition rates for 2026/27 by program?
Annual tuition ranges from 19,695 to 22,680 depending on the program: Toddler 21,150; Early Childhood 19,695; Lower Elementary 19,695; Upper Elementary 20,530; Middle Grades 22,680. Add-on costs (after-school, bus, and supply fees) are charged separately.
How does the admissions process work and are scholarships available?
Prospective families first submit an inquiry and attend a 45‑minute Virtual Information Session, then apply and tour. Priority applications for the 2026–2027 year were due January 2, 2026, with rolling reviews afterward as spaces permit. IMS offers internal financial assistance and NCSEAA scholarships; about 15% of students received aid in 2025–2026, with aid awarded at enrollment; apply for aid via Clarity (fee applies).
Are there any additional costs I should plan for besides tuition?
Yes. There are annual program add-ons (after-school, bus, and supply fees). Summer Camp has its own terms (50% non‑refundable deposit; balance due by May 31). Other incidental fees (field trips, materials, extended care beyond after‑school) may apply as they occur.
How is language immersion implemented across grade levels?
Early Childhood is 100% immersion in the chosen language; Lower Elementary is about 80% immersion with 20% English; Upper Elementary is about 30% immersion with 70% English, with English language arts taught separately. Middle School requires foreign language study and may offer continuing the target language plus the option to add a third language. The Toddler program is English-only.
What is the Middle School curriculum like?
Middle School uses a project‑based curriculum with a foreign language requirement, continuing the target language and offering the option to add a third language. It also includes Socratic seminars and a micro‑economy.
Do you publish exam results or higher education outcomes?
Public information available does not include exam results or college/higher-education outcomes for IMS.
How are IMS's campuses organized and what are their focuses?
The Academy Campus in Durham houses the Toddler and Early Childhood programs, while the Barbee Chapel Campus in Chapel Hill hosts Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle School. Barbee Chapel sits on 37 acres, supporting outdoor learning and a spacious campus environment.
Is IMS accredited and by whom?
IMS is accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS).
What facilities support learning beyond the classroom?
In addition to Montessori classrooms and language immersion, the Barbee Chapel Campus's 37 acres enable outdoor learning and experiential activities.
What arts and physical education options do students have?
Elementary students have weekly art, music, and physical education classes, with these arts experiences integrated into the curriculum to support creativity and movement.
Are there leadership or service opportunities beyond academics?
The information available emphasizes collaborative projects and group work; there's no listed formal leadership or community-service program beyond these activities.
How does IMS extend language and culture beyond regular classes?
Language immersion in French, Spanish, and Mandarin is core to the program, with immersion tracks chosen at enrollment and integrated cultural learning woven throughout the curriculum.
What wellbeing and support services does IMS offer?
IMS includes a Learning Support Specialist and a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion program, with a strong emphasis on social‑emotional development within its Montessori and language-immersion framework.
How does IMS support English language learners and neurodiverse students?
For families not speaking the immersion language, IMS provides guidance and home activities to support language development, and a DEI program supports neurodiversity and inclusive practices through ongoing staff development.
How is safeguarding addressed at IMS?
IMS emphasizes a safe, respectful environment with ongoing safeguarding work, anti-bias/anti-racist education, and equity and inclusion initiatives embedded in classroom practice and staff development.
Is boarding offered, and what about meals?
Boarding is not offered; IMS operates as a day school. Lunch is brought from home, and snacks are provided during Summer Camp.
Are uniforms published or required at IMS?
Uniform requirements are not published in the available information.
