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United States, Durham
Let the school know you're thinking of applying — they can share their prerequisites and help you through the process.
It's best to ask — circumstances can change at any time.
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.
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.
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.
