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Rochester Montessori School

United States, Rochester

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The school at a glance
Fees Fees not listed
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 220
Type Co-educational
Opened 1968
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Montessori Curriculum, IB (MYP)
Taught languages Spanish, Mandarin
Typical class size 15
Strengths Outdoor Education, Visual and Creative Arts, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Community and Service, Cultural and Language, Arts and Creative
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School
Introduction

Rochester Montessori School is an independent day school in Rochester, Minnesota, offering a Montessori program complemented by the IB MYP beginning in Grade 6 under Authorized IB World School status. The school serves children from 18 months through Grade 8, organizing learning by age-appropriate environments: Toddler (18–36 months), Children's House (3 years–Kindergarten), Elementary (Grades 1–6), and Middle School (Grades 7–8). Founded in 1968, RMS sits on 15 acres of nature-rich grounds that support daily outdoor learning and community life. Classrooms are bright, spacious, and prepared for student independence, with direct access to patios and age-appropriate furniture. Facilities include a gym, library, art studio, and music studio, plus outdoor spaces, gardens, a chicken coop, beehives, and prairie. RMS blends Montessori approaches with IB goals, fostering interdisciplinary study within a global context. Family involvement through Rochester Montessori Community Connection enhances volunteering, events, and cultural celebrations. The school emphasizes exploration, stewardship, and responsibility.

5099 7th Street Northwest, Rochester, Minnesota 55901, United States

The Essentials

Rochester Montessori School has 220 pupils, typical class sizes of 15.

Location
5099 7th Street Northwest, Rochester, Minnesota 55901, United States. Rochester Montessori School is located in Rochester, Minnesota. It serves children from 18 months through Grade 8 and combines Montessori education with the International Baccalaureate (IB) program as an Authorized IB World School.

Stages
Toddler (18-36 months); Children's House (3 years–Kindergarten); Elementary (Grades 1–6); Middle School (Grades 7–8).

Type
Independent school (Montessori with IB).

Country affiliation
United States
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Clothing and shoes must be clearly labeled with the student's name; students are outside in all seasons and should dress appropriately for the weather. Younger children should have an extra set of clothing stored at school; shoes must be non-marking and tennis shoes are required for physical education, with restrictions on clothing and shoes (no flashing lights or wheels in shoes) and winter boot procedures requiring removal of boots in the lobby with students then wearing shoes at the lobby benches or walking to class in stocking feet.

Food Options
Lunch is provided for the full-day Toddler program in a family-style setting. Full-day students have lunch in the classroom.

Governance and Ownership
The Rochester Montessori School is governed by a Board of Trustees that oversees long-term strategy, financial health, and mission; daily operations are directed by the Head of School. The school is a non-profit organization.
Fees
Application fee

- USD 100 per application.

Enrollment security deposit

- USD 500 per enrollment agreement (maximum USD 1,500 per family).
- The security deposit is paid at acceptance and is held in a low-risk account; parents are not paid interest on the deposit and it is non-transferable.

Tuition (summary by program)

- Tuition varies by program and by student; specific per-program and per-year tuition amounts are provided directly to families and are not published as a single public table.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition is billed in ten installments. The first installment equals one-tenth of the total annual tuition and is due on June 2 or upon acceptance if the Enrollment Agreement is signed after June 2.
- The remaining nine installments are billed on the 2nd of each month from September through May (or the next business day if the 2nd falls on a weekend or holiday).
- Annual fees (Buildings & Grounds, Family Activity Fee, and any applicable classroom fees) are billed in August (due August 2) or at the time the Enrollment Agreement is accepted if after August 2.
- All tuition and fees, except the application fee and security deposit, are collected by automatic withdrawal (a voided check is required to set up auto-withdrawal). The application fee and security deposit are paid by check.

Specific recurring fees (non-tuition)

- Annual Family Buildings & Grounds fee: USD 490 per family.
- Annual Family Activity fee: USD 40 per family.
- Classroom fees (per child, non-refundable):
- Elementary 1 class fee: USD 100.
- Elementary 2 class fee: USD 130.
- Middle Years Program activity fee: USD 175.
- Supply fee for Elementary and Middle Years Program: USD 40 per child.
- Tuition does not cover summer programming, after-school studios, specialty offerings, additional services, or other miscellaneous fees; those items are billed separately.

Late payment, non-sufficient funds, and sibling discounts

- Payments received after the 2nd of the month are subject to a USD 50 late fee.
- A USD 50 fee will be assessed for non-sufficient funds (NSF).
- If outstanding balances are not remedied, communication and collection procedures may lead to suspension or termination of services.
- Families with more than two children currently enrolled receive a tuition discount applied to the final tuition installment of the year: USD 500 for the third child and USD 1,000 for each additional child. To receive the discount, at least one child in the family must be enrolled in the Elementary program; for multiples (triplets, quadruplets, etc.) the discount applies regardless of program.

Refund and withdrawal terms

- Security deposit return and forfeiture rules:
- Families who notify intent to withdraw by February 16 for the current school year will have their security deposit returned within 60 days from the last day of school.
- If withdrawal notice is given after February 16 but before July 31, the security deposit is forfeited.
- If withdrawal notice is given after July 31 but before the first day of school, the first tuition installment, any fees paid by the date of withdrawal, and the security deposit will be forfeited.
- If withdrawal notice is given on or after the first day of school, RMS retains all tuition installments paid according to the installment schedule (including the tuition installment for the withdrawal month); any fees paid and the security deposit will be forfeited.
- If the school formally requests a student to withdraw, refunded tuition is prorated to the day of departure and the security deposit is returned within 60 days.
- All fees are non-refundable.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable; Rochester Montessori School serves children from 18 months through Grade 8 as a day school.

Other costs and optional program billing

- Additional costs that may be billed separately include after-school care, before-school care, summer programming, special activities, field trips, and replacements for lost or damaged classroom materials when applicable. Summer programming may be billed in two auto-withdraw installments (first shortly after registration opens and the second at the end of May); registrations after May are paid at time of registration.

Fee payment methods

- Application fee and enrollment security deposit: paid by check at the time of application or acceptance.
- Ongoing tuition and fee installments and most program fees: collected by automatic withdrawal (ACH) around the 2nd of each month; a voided check is required to establish the auto-withdrawal.
- The school's policies establish automatic withdrawal or payment by check as the standard methods; NSF and late-payment procedures and fees apply where noted.
Academics

Rochester Montessori School teaches Montessori Curriculum, IB (MYP).

Curriculum
The school teaches Montessori education across Toddler (18-36 months), Children's House (3 years–Kindergarten), Elementary (Grades 1–6), and Middle School (Grades 7–8). Beginning in Grade 6, students engage in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme as part of its Authorized International Baccalaureate World School status.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates consistently enroll in Honors and Advanced Placement courses in high school. RMS Middle School graduates are prepared for rigorous coursework and high school credit opportunities.

Gifted and Talented
Enrichment studios include foreign languages, arts, robotics, dance, music, soccer, and fencing.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school combines Montessori education with International Baccalaureate learning to support students' social and emotional growth within a diverse community.
Parent Experience

History
Rochester Montessori School is an independent school serving children from 18 months through Grade 8. Founded in 1968, RMS has served Rochester families for more than five decades. RMS combines Montessori education with the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme beginning in Grade 6, as part of its identity as an Authorized IB World School. The campus spans 15 acres on the nature-rich grounds of Rochester, Minnesota, supporting outdoor learning and community life.

Community
RMS families are culturally diverse and highly engaged. The Rochester Montessori Community Connection (RMCC) supports opportunities for families to gather, volunteer, and build relationships through events such as Harvest Festival, Soup Night, International Festival, and the annual Book Fair. Multi-age classrooms foster collaboration and mentorship across age levels, with students learning to lead, support, and work together in a culture of mutual respect.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Rochester Montessori Community Connection (RMCC) is RMS's parent–family organization that coordinates volunteering and community events, including Harvest Festival, Soup Night, International Festival, and the annual Book Fair.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Rochester Montessori School sits on 15 acres in Rochester, Minnesota, with outdoor learning woven into daily life. Classrooms are large, light-filled, and prepared environments that encourage independence, with direct access to patios or terraces and age-appropriate furniture. The school building includes a gym, library, art studio, and music studio. Outdoor spaces support movement and exploration, including three age-appropriate play structures and a large playing field, plus community gardens, a chicken coop, and active beehives. The campus emphasizes nature, stewardship, and open space as part of everyday learning.

Sports Facilities
Gym is available for indoor physical education. Three age-appropriate play structures and a large playing field provide outdoor athletic spaces and opportunities for cooperative play. This combination supports physical development within a Montessori framework.

Academic Facilities
Classrooms are large, light-filled, and prepared for student-centered learning, with furniture sized for each age range and materials that encourage independent exploration and self-correction. Students have access to a gym, library, art studio, and music studio. Outdoor learning spaces and living systems such as gardens, prairie, beehives, and a chicken coop support environmental science and hands-on study. The campus provides daily access to nature, movement, and open space that underpins the learning rhythm.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Community gardens and a prairie space, plus living systems such as beehives and a chicken coop, provide ongoing opportunities for observation and ecological learning. Outdoor science study is integrated into daily routines, linking classroom activities with the natural environment. Students engage in gardening, beekeeping, and prairie exploration as part of the school experience. These facilities support curiosity, responsibility, and practical understanding of ecosystems.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school serves children from 18 months through Grade 8, with small classrooms and a spacious campus. Beginning in Grade 6, students participate in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme as part of RMS's Authorized IB World School status. The IB framework emphasizes interdisciplinary study and global contexts with criteria-based evaluation. Montessori and IB together form the structural foundation of RMS's educational journey.

Arts & Creative
The campus includes dedicated spaces for art and music. A working kitchen supports hands-on and culinary activities. Flexible learning environments foster creativity and collaboration. The arts spaces are integrated into daily life and community activities.

Cultural & Language
Rochester Montessori Community Connection (RMCC) supports family involvement and volunteering. Events include Harvest Festival, Soup Night, International Festival, and the annual Book Fair. An International Festival is part of RMS's cultural life. The RMCC helps build relationships across families and cultures.

Social & Hobbies
RMS sits on a 15-acre nature campus that integrates outdoor learning into daily life. Students care for gardens and beehives and explore environmental science firsthand. Outdoor spaces adjacent to classrooms support movement and exploration. Regular class trips and Montessori 'Going Outs' provide experiential learning opportunities.

Community & Service
Community life at RMS is strengthened by the RMCC, which encourages family involvement and volunteering. The school builds relationships through community events and partnerships. Multi-age classrooms foster collaboration and mentorship, encouraging students to support peers and contribute to the school community.

Leadership & Professional
Multi-age classrooms foster collaboration and mentorship. Students learn to lead, support peers, and work alongside one another in a culture of mutual respect. They are trusted with responsibility and guided to think deeply and act with integrity.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The 15-acre nature campus extends learning into the outdoors. Students care for gardens and beehives and engage in environmental study. Outdoor spaces adjacent to classrooms support movement, exploration, and wellbeing. Regular trips and Going Outs contribute to a balanced, active school life.
Languages

Language Provision
The Rochester Montessori School is an Authorized International Baccalaureate World School offering the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme beginning in Grade 6. The MYP provides a globally oriented framework with interdisciplinary study and criteria-based evaluation. Language Acquisition (Spanish) is one of the eight subject groups within the Middle Years Programme. Spanish is taught as a language acquisition course within the MYP to develop language skills and global awareness.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Initiate contact and learn more. The school invites families to connect with the Admissions team, ask questions, and explore whether RMS is the right fit for their child. The admissions process is designed to give families a meaningful opportunity to experience RMS and determine fit. This phase includes conversations and visits to help families assess the environment and community. 2. Timeline and decisions. Admissions for the upcoming school year follow a seasonal cycle. Admissions typically begin in October and conclude in early February. Enrollment decisions are communicated in early March. Families should plan their inquiry and visit schedule accordingly.
School Events
The school has not added events
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