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Admission FAQ
Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about TMES
What is ‘Open Enrollment’?
Open
enrollment is the time period in which applications will be accepted for the
TMES Lottery to build Kindergarten classes and any other vacancies for the
upcoming school year.
The open
enrollment period for the 2009-2010 school year will begin on February 21, 2009 at 2:00 pm at our annual 'Meet TMES' day. The first Lottery will be held on March 2, 2009.
Spaces
available will be determined by subtracting the number of continuing students
from the number of available spaces for each grade level.
If the
number of applicants is less than or equal to available spaces for each grade,
these students will be notified that they have been admitted to TMES for the
coming year.
If the
number of applicants exceeds available spaces for a given grade, a Lottery
process will be used to fill available spaces for that grade.
What is the ‘Lottery’?
Lotteries
shall be held at a Collaborative Council meeting.
Students
will be identified by a number given to the parents at the time they turn in an application.
After
each applicant’s identification number is drawn, the number shall be announced
and recorded in the order drawn until all available spaces are filled.
The
available openings in each grade level for the upcoming year will be filled by
students in the order in which they were drawn.
Any
student expelled or suspended from any other APS school, including another APS
Charter School, shall be considered to be expelled or suspended from TMES and
will not be eligible for admission to TMES.
Any
omission of pertinent information on the TMES application can be considered
cause for rescinding of position on enrollment list and loss of drawn
placement.
What happens if my child
does not get in right away? Is there a waiting list?
Any
applicants that do not get a placement immediately in the Lottery will comprise
the TMES waiting pool. This pool will be used to
fill any vacancies that arise during the school year that the student applied
for.
How do I know if my
child receives an opening after the Lottery drawing?
In the
week following the Lottery, you will be contacted by phone to be notified your
child received a placement at TMES. If your child did not receive an opening, you
will not receive a phone call.
If one of my children
gets in through the Lottery, do my other children automatically get a spot?
Siblings
of TMES students are automatically admitted if space is available.
Will my child have to go
through the open enrollment process every year?
Continuing
TMES students are automatically admitted upon their completion of an ‘Intent to
Return’ Admissions form.
What is the next
step after my child has received a spot?
When
you are notified that your child did receive a placement for the upcoming school year, you are
required to come to the school to officially accept the placement and complete
relevant paperwork. While at the school, you will need to fill out a
registration packet for each of your children. Plan on each registration
packet taking about 30 minutes to complete. We also require you to bring in a
birth certificate and updated shot record or valid exemption form from the State
of New Mexico. It is state law that
every child show proof of age and has an immunization record or valid exemption
form to attend school.
Does my child have to
participate in violin?
Yes. TMES
is a Montessori/Suzuki Violin charter school. Every child who attends TMES is
not only given a Montessori based education, but also a strong curriculum in
Suzuki Violin. These two philosophies work together to give each child a world
class education. Any child who attends our school is required to be an active
participant in every aspect of our learning environment, including violin.
Is there mandatory
parent involvement?
Yes. We
believe that parent involvement in their child’s education is an important part
of a student’s success in school. We require that each TMES family attend a
minimum of eight Parent Violin Classes each year. This ensures that you will
be able to help your child practice at home. It’s also a great way to
understand the correlation between the Montessori Method and Suzuki Violin! Parents
are also expected to attend occasional Parent Education nights and biannual
Parent/Teacher conferences.
What about lunch?
At
TMES, we strive to give our children the best learning environment possible and
healthy nutrition is an integral part of our cultural studies. We believe that
sugar, candy, soda, chips, etc. do not belong at our school. TMES does not
have food available for purchase so it is the responsibility of the parent to
implement these healthy practices in packing a snack and lunch every day for
their child/children.
Are there any before or
after care programs available?
Before
care is available from 6:45-8:00
am, with a
flat-fee of $5.00 per day per child. After care is available from 4:00-6:00 pm, with a flat-fee of $10.00
per day per child. There is a $10.00 application fee per year/per child for
the program. If your child is not picked up by 4:00 pm everyday, they will be in aftercare and you will
be billed the flat-fee for the service.
My child’s birthday is
after the September 1st deadline for Kindergarten. Can my child
still be enrolled in TMES?
The
State of New
Mexico specifies that in order for a child to be enrolled in Kindergarten, their fifth
birthday must fall on or before September 1st that year. Any child
whose birthday falls after September 1st must wait until the next
year to be enrolled in Kindergarten.
Do I have to fill out a
registration packet every year my child attends TMES?
A
registration packet must be completed every school year your child
attends TMES. This packet has pertinent information we need for our files and
in the case of an emergency. Before your child can start school every year,
the packet must be completed, including an updated shot record or valid
exemption form from the State of New Mexico.
The Montessori Elementary School Mission Statement
The Montessori Elementary School is a public, Montessori
school. We believe that learning is best achieved within a positive social
atmosphere that supports each individual’s unique development. We offer an
excellent program by providing a strong Montessori academic curriculum coupled
with the Suzuki Music Method. Our ultimate goal is to encourage children to
become responsible citizens who have the ability and desire to fulfill lifelong
educational and social goals.
Our
typical school day is as follows (as of the 2008-2009 school year):
| 6:45-8:00 am |
Before care program |
| 8:00-8:25 am |
Drop off time |
| 8:30 am |
School starts promply at 8:30 |
| 11:45 am -12:30 pm (approx.) |
Lunch and recess |
| 3:30 pm |
School ends |
| 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm |
Pick up time |
| 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm |
After care program |
Updated: 1/16/09
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