Making Montessori Affordable for your Family
The Investment in Montessori Education
“The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.”
-Maria Montessori
As a parent you will make hundreds of decisions regarding your children. All parents want what is best for their children. Investing in the foundation of your child’s education in the formative years through 8th grade is a choice that will empower your child to own their learning for the rest of their lives.
As a non-profit organization, MCMS is primarily funded by tuition and fees, which are used to finance operating costs such as programs, staff salaries, and maintenance of our facilities. As an independent school, MCMS strives to keep tuition manageable for most families, however, we recognize that each family’s situation is different.
An Independent School with Individualized Tuition
At MCMS we value the unique contribution each student makes to our community. Representation of families across the full range of the economic spectrum broadens perspectives. Economic diversity enriches our community, fosters inclusion, and enhances the educational and social-emotional experience for both children and adults.
Because MCMS is committed to inclusion and being accessible to families from a wide range of economic backgrounds, we offer opportunity for your family to receive an individualized tuition, which allows us to match tuition to your family’s financial circumstances.
- Over 17% of MCMS families pay an individualized tuition amount.
- In the 2023-24 academic year, MCMS granted an individualized tuition rate to 100% of families who qualified through a confidential third-party verification.
2024-25 Tuition and Fees*
| Montessori Programs Monday – Friday, September – June | 10 payment installments | |||
| Toddler Half Day (8:00 am – 12:00 pm) 15 months (steady walkers) – 3 years |
$1,146
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| Toddler Full Day (8:00 am – 3:00 pm) 15 months (steady walkers) – 3 years |
$1,710
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| Children’s House Half Day (8:00 am – 12:00 pm) Ages 2.5 – 4 years |
$850
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| Children’s House Full Day (8:00 am – 3:00 pm) Ages 2.5 – 6 years |
$1,418
| |||
| Lower Elementary: Grades 1 – 3 (8:15 am – 3:15 pm) Ages 6 – 9 years |
$1,483
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| Upper Elementary: Grades 4 – 6 (8:15 am – 3:15 pm) Ages 9 – 12 years (Includes 1-week overnight enrichment) |
$1,533
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| Adolescent: Grades 7 – 8 (8:15 am – 3:15 pm) Ages 12 – 14 years (Includes 3-week overnight enrichment) |
$1,643
|
*Wraparound care provided for additional costs. Does not include one-time deposit of $875.
Announcing the Pathways to Independence Scholarship
The Pathway to Independence Scholarship provides a bridge to curiosity, creativity, and mastery for new MCMS students entering first or second grade with prior experience with Montessori education.
Additional Considerations
Dependent Care Assistance Programs
Parents may be eligible to set aside pre-tax dollars in a dependent care FSA in order to pay for a portion of their child’s tuition prior to reaching Kindergarten age or for wraparound care programs for a child who is younger than age 13.
Federal Child and Dependent Care Credit
Expenses associated with before and after school care as well as our summer programs may be eligible for the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit. Eligibility is contingent on meeting the criteria for a qualifying child, income limits, and incurring work-related expenses. Please refer to IRS Publication 503 for further details on eligibility. The credit should be claimed on Form 2441, Child and Dependent Care Expenses, and included with Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
Transportation Reimbursement
If you reside in the Madison Metropolitan or Middleton-Cross Plains School Districts, you may be able to receive reimbursement of your transportation expenses to and from school. Contact your home school district for more information, documentation requirements, and deadlines. You may need to report your student’s specific attendance record.
Wisconsin Tuition Tax Deduction
Parents may be able to deduct from their Wisconsin income certain tuition payments made for students enrolled in K-12 private schools using Schedule PS.
Section 529 Plans
Parents may use Section 529 plan savings to pay for private K-12 tuition subject to certain limits.