Admissions · Preschool through Grade 8
Find your family’s place at McGuffey.
Since 1983, McGuffey Montessori School has fostered a lifelong love of learning and scholarship in a joyful, loving environment that nurtures each child’s sense of self.
EdChoice eligible for Ohio K–8 families
We understand how important it is for parents to choose the educational experience that is the best fit for their child. We encourage you to experience McGuffey for yourself by visiting our school. You will be delighted by the creativity and joy of our students, the dedication of our teachers, and the warmth you feel as you walk through our classrooms.
Policies and procedures
How admissions works
Please use the following steps to guide you through our application process. We are happy to answer questions; call the school office at (513) 523-7742.
- 1
Take a tour
Parents must meet with a school administrator and tour the school before applying. The tour takes about an hour and is for both parents. You will have the opportunity to ask questions about the school and potential placement, and the administrator will ask about your child, any previous schooling, and your expectations.
- 2
Apply
If the parents and administrator feel the school can meet your expectations, parents complete an application through TADS, which includes a $75 application fee ($50 for families with a child already enrolled). You must apply to be in our waiting pool.
In signing the application, the parent gives permission for our school to contact the child’s previous school(s) and obtain information on academic performance and general behavior. We must receive this before enrollment can be completed.
- 3
Observe
Before arranging the student’s visit, parents observe the classroom(s) they are applying for, for at least thirty minutes. This gives prospective families a strong sense of what our school is like. Observations may be done together or separately.
- 4
Student visit
Once you have applied and observed, we will plan for your child to visit. Preschoolers visit for a half-day; students in Kindergarten through Grade 8 visit for a full day. The teacher completes an interview form to evaluate developmental and academic milestones, and the interview and previous school records are used to determine eligibility.
- 5
Parent pre-admissions conference (Grades 3–8)
For new admissions into Grades 3–8, we require a conference with both parents to help determine that we are the right fit for your child, and that your child is a good match for McGuffey.
Enrollment
Building balanced, joyful classrooms
- Student evaluations, medical records, and any diagnostic or standardized testing from previous schools will be requested. Samples of previous schoolwork are helpful.
- A key objective is to develop the proper balance in age, gender, and maturity in each class; faculty and administration confer to determine each admission.
- We accept students of varying academic ability and diverse learning styles. We do not accept students who may be disruptive to the class, are more than 1–2 grade levels behind academically, require disproportionate individual attention, or have a history of high absence rates or disciplinary action. New students are admitted with a 30-day probationary status.
- Priority consideration goes to children of alumni families and staff, siblings of enrolled students, children whose older siblings stayed for Kindergarten, and students with prior Montessori experience.
- If there is not currently room in a grade, applications remain on file in a waiting pool for two years (a completed application and fee are required).
Enrollment policies
- Children whose educational background is consistent with the Montessori method will have priority for enrollment.
- McGuffey Montessori School reserves the right to withdraw a student at any time if, in the sole judgment of the School, that student’s conduct, progress, or influence on campus is not in keeping with the School’s accepted standards.
- McGuffey Montessori School reserves the right to withdraw a child if the parent or student becomes abusive to the staff, other students, or any member of the McGuffey community, as determined by the School’s sole discretion.
- When we enroll a student, we make a commitment to their development with the idea that the student will be here more than a few months. Enrollments with start dates after Winter Break require a full non-refundable deposit for the next school year.
Rev. March 6, 2025
Non-discrimination policy
McGuffey Montessori School recruits and admits students of any race, color, religion, or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities. The school will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarships/loans/fee waivers, educational programs, and athletics/extracurricular activities. The school is not intended to be an alternative to court or administrative agency-ordered, or public school district-initiated, desegregation.
McGuffey Montessori School does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, family structure, or national or ethnic origin, in administration of its employment, educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and other school-administered programs.
Tuition and aid
Making McGuffey possible
Tuition 2026–27
For PreKindergarten we offer full-time, three-day, and two-day options, all full-day. Two-day options are only for new three-year-olds or students two years away from Kindergarten. A deposit is required upon enrollment ($500 part-time, $800 full-time) and is applied to tuition; the balance is paid monthly through March.
View the tuition rate card →Financial aid
Aid is available on the basis of demonstrated need through TADS, and is limited (not available for PreK). Families re-apply each year; apply before enrolling. There is a $60 application fee, with $35 reimbursed if aid is awarded and you enroll.
Contact the Head of School →EdChoice Expansion Scholarship
Ohio residents with students in K–8 are eligible for an EdChoice voucher. More than 70% of eligible students are receiving this voucher.
Learn about EdChoice →A lifelong love of learning begins at McGuffey.
We would love to meet your family. Book a tour and see what makes the McGuffey learning experience unique.
McGuffey Montessori School5128 Westgate Drive, Oxford, OH 45056 · (513) 523-7742
A privately run Montessori school educating students from preschool through Grade 8 since 1983.