International Montessori School Financial Policies

1. General Payment Policies
   1. All payments to IMS must be made by check or money order.
   2. We cannot accept cash or credit card payments.

1. Tuition Payment Policies
   1. There are three tuition payment plans offered:  10 monthly payments, 2 bi-annual payments, or   1 annual payment.

1. i.     The 10 payments do not necessarily reflect the monthly school calendar (see payment schedule)

1. 1. Invoices are emailed by the 25^th of each month
   2. Please let the office know, it you need a paper copy mailed
   3. Payments are due to the office no later than the ^5th of each month.

1. Late Payment Policy
   1. If a payment is received after the 5^th of each month, a $25 late payment fee will be assessed.
   2. If the payment is still not received 30 days after the first late payment fee, a 10% increase will be added to the individual’s outstanding tuition.
   3. If you miss 2 or more payments without explanation, your child may be subject to suspension until the balance is paid.

1. Late Start
   1. If you choose to have your child begin attending school after it has started in August, your family must still pay ½ day tuition to hold a spot until the month they actually attend school

1. Age Requirements to Attend School
   1. A child must be 3 on or before 8/31 to enter La Casa or La Maison.
   2. A child must be 5 on or before 8/31 to enter Kindergarten.
   3. A child must be 6 on or before 8/31 to enter 1^st grade
   4. We will make exceptions based on an interview with the Head of School and teachers if the child is ready for 1^st grade and is not 6-years-old prior to 8/31.

1. Enrollment Fees
   1. Enrollment fees are $800 and $650 for siblings..
   2. Enrollment fees are not reimbursed under any circumstances.

1. Withdrawals and Tuition Reimbursement
   1. If for any reason, you decide not to enroll your child after you have accepted the position, or you decide to remove your child from the school during the school year, you must inform IMS as soon as possible, in writing to: 3001 Academy Road, Bldg. 300, Durham, NC 27707

1. i.     Withdrawals  up to and including May 31, 2010:                            If you give written notice of withdrawal, you will be reimbursed in full for any tuition payments already made
2. ii.     Withdrawals after May 31^st.and prior to December 31^st 2010: If you give written notice of withdrawal, you are not entitled to a refund and you will be required to pay for two additional months of tuition.
3. iii.     If you are paying bi-annually or annually:

If you give written notice of withdrawal, you will be reimbursed      ONLY for the months your child will not be attending, less two additional months of tuition.

1. 1. If for any reason you give notice of withdrawal after December 31^st. you will be required to pay the remainder of the year’s tuition.

1. 1. IMS recognizes that there are extreme cases that are beyond one’s control.

1. Schedule Changes :
   1. If you elect to decrease your child’s schedule, your tuition will remain at the level indicated in your contract unless preapproved by the Business Manager.

1. 1. If we have a slot open, you may increase your child’s schedule. You will be issued a new contract reflecting this change which should be signed and returned to the office before beginning the new schedule.

1. 1. Changes will only be made at the beginning of each month depending on availability.

1. 1. IMS at its sole discretion may allow amendments to this policy.

1. Contract Renewals :
   1. Accounts must be current before re-enrollment contract will be issued.
   2. Scholarships must be applied for annually.

1. Special Fees:
   1. Early Drop-Off

1. i.     Early Drop-Off is considered to be any drop-off between 7:45 am and 8:15 am.
2. ii.     Fees directly reflect the months that the child is in school:
   1. Daily charge $5.00
   2. August, December, and June:  $15.75 per week
   3. September-November and January-May:  $45 per month
3. iii.     Any requests for drop-off prior to7:45 a.m. need to be made in writing and approved, in writing, by the Head of School.
4. i.     If you know in advance (or in an emergency) that your child needs to stay an extra few hours, upon approval by IMS you will be charged $15 to extend ½ to ¾, or 3/4 to full. $25 to extend ½ to full day.
5. ii.     Families are allowed a maximum of 4 Extended Days per month, per child.
6. i.     Each child will be charged a flat fee – $85 at beginning of school year.
   1. ii. There is no charge for Elementary children      
7. i.     Children may subscribe to Lunch Bunch on a semester basis.
8. ii.     Each Friday of regular school, the children will be served a catered meal, such as pizza, pasta, quesadillas, and a vegetable side dish.
9. iii.     The charge for this service is approximately $5/week billed on a semester basis.  This fee will appear on your invoice, at the beginning of each semester.
10. i.     Mini-Day Camp is a child care service that follows the usual school day schedule (½, ¾, and full day)
11. ii.     Sign-up sheets will be due at the beginning of each semester.
12. iii.     Enrollment in mini-camp is limited to 24 students per day.
13. iv.     Fees:
    1. $30 half-day
    2. $40 three-quarter-day
    3. $50 full-day
    4. There will be a $10 extra charge for those that sign-up late.
14. i.     If you choose to attend a fundraising event in which we charge a fee, you will be notified beforehand and charged on your next invoice.
15. ii. Fees range from $10-$25 per family (not per child).

1. 1. Emergency or Special Request Extended Day

1. 1. Special Activities Fee – Field Trips, Yoga, Art, English and Music classes

1. 1. Lunch Bunch (Optional)

1. 1. Mini-Day Camps

1. 1. Fundraisers