Inquire Online

1. Complete the inquiry form

Start by filling out our inquiry form. Once submitted, you'll automatically receive an email with a link to schedule a tour.

Tip: check your junk or spam folder if you don't see the email.

2. Schedule and attend a tour

Tours are held at 9 a.m. most weekdays during two windows:

Oct 15 – Jan 31 and Mar 1 – Aug 15

3. Complete your application checklist

After your tour, complete and submit your application. Deadlines vary by program:

Primary, Elementary & Junior High

Priority deadline: February 1

Applications received after Feb 1 are considered in our second round of admission.

Nido & Young Children's Community (Infants & Toddlers)

Open enrollment applications accepted year-round on a rolling basis.

Please contact us with your questions at any time throughout the admissions process.

Renee Hintz (she, her)
Director of Advancement
renee@traversechildrenshouse.org
(231) 929-9325 ext 114

Submit an Inquiry

Admission Process

After Submitting Your Application

1. Observation (Kindergarten–8th grade) Parents will meet with the Head of School, observe in a classroom, and your child will spend a day as a visiting student.

2. Admission decision The admissions office will notify you of our decision.

3. Enroll your child If accepted, complete the following to secure your child's spot:

  • Pay a non-refundable $500 enrollment deposit (applied toward tuition)

  • Provide proof of up-to-date immunizations per our immunization policy — non-medical waivers are not accepted

  • E-sign the tuition agreement

4. Applicant pool If a spot is not immediately available, your child will be placed in our applicant pool and you'll be notified when one opens up.

Tuition Assistance

Tuition assistance awards are available for the Primary, Elementary, and Junior High educational programs only. To be considered for aid, a minimum schedule of 5 mornings is required for Primary students. Assistance is not available for the Nido-YCC program, summer session, early care, or after care.

The website will be open for application starting February 1.

Learn more

Admission Policy

Each year, we receive more applications than available placements. Our policy helps guide admission decisions in support of our school’s mission to prepare a Montessori learning environment that supports and respects the development of each unique child and nurtures them to become independent, curious, confident, lifelong learners who strive to contribute to their communities and the greater world.

The Children’s House and Compass Junior High admission process operates from an applicant pool of prospective students which allows the school to offer balanced, mixed-age Montessori classrooms.

Acceptance is based on available space in the program and a family’s:

  • Intentional choice for Montessori education

  • Willingness to partner with our school by being informed, involved, and invested

  • Alignment with the values and mission of The Children’s House and Compass Junior High, including a commitment to long-term enrollment

Additional considerations:

For children entering Kindergarten, Elementary, or Junior High, current academic reports, classroom visits, and parent interviews are a part of the admission process.

To comply with our immunization policy, only students who are up-to-date on all required vaccines are admitted. Non-medical waivers are not accepted. 

Admission preference is given to siblings of returning students, children or siblings of alumni, students transferring from another Montessori school, and children of staff members. 

Children who start at any point during the First Plane of Development (Birth to Age 6) are expected to remain enrolled through the Kindergarten year. If a family withdraws a child before completing kindergarten, enrollment for other children in the same family will not be guaranteed. Rather, they will be part of the applicant pool and considered for enrollment on a case-by-case basis.

The Children’s House and Compass Junior High does not discriminate in admissions or classroom placement based on gender, race, religion, national or ethnic origin (or any other legally protected status).

Frequently Asked Questions

  • We are a Montessori school for children from infancy through 8th grade. The curriculum presented in classroom communities is organized in developmental cycles. Nido: 3 months to 16 months; Young Children’s Community: 16 months to 3 years; Primary: 3 to 6 years; Lower Elementary: 1st to 3rd grade; Upper Elementary: 4th to 6th grade; and Compass Montessori Junior High: 7th and 8th grade. The most important factor in program placement is developmental readiness.

  • We are an independent school that follows the teaching philosophy and methodology developed by Dr. Maria Montessori. Learn more about our approach on our About page.

  • Our faculty have attained professional Montessori certification at well respected AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) and AMS (American Montessori Society) teacher training centers. Learn more about Our People.

  • Classroom visiting days, conferences, adult learning workshops, and volunteer opportunities are among the many ways families connect to the life of the school. In addition, families receive Waypoints, our weekly newsletter.

    Partnering with families to raise exceptional learners is what The Children’s House is about. We create a social fabric for families and value meaningful communication between school and your home. The Children’s House Parent Association (CHiPA) welcomes parents to be involved in the life of our school by attending monthly meetings and events throughout the school year.

  • Our school is an independent, non-profit, tax-exempt educational institution governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. A 3.8 million dollar annual operating budget relies on income from tuition, fees, grants, and gifts.

  • Our academic year begins in early September and ends in mid-June. Our summer program begins one week after the close of the academic year. The school day schedule for Kindergarten through sixth grade is 8:30-3:30 and Junior High students attend 8:00-3:00 Monday through Friday. Extended hours are available from 7:30-5:30. A calendar overview is included in the tuition details after inquiry.

  • Yes. Tuition assistance is available to qualifying families for children in Primary through Junior High. For the 2024-2025 school year, 17% of students ages three and older received tuition assistance. Please see the Tuition Assistance page.

  • The Children’s House and Compass Junior High is an independent Montessori school. Our independence allows us to fully implement the Montessori methodology by prioritizing the key components of the philosophy: balanced, mixed age classrooms where children learn skills of collaboration and community; authentic assessment based on ongoing observation by well-trained teachers; uninterrupted time for children to work in the prepared classroom environments with hands-on materials; and a commitment to making decisions based on students.