Policies

Please see below for information on our polices. For more-detailed information. please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions.

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» Admissions and Tuition
» Withdrawals and Re-enrollments
» Health
» Nutrition
» Parent Participation
» Holidays
» Releases
» Nondiscrimination Policy
» Structure

Admissions & Tuition

Admissions

Admissions are based on availability of space and determination by the staff that a child is ready to benefit from the environment. Prospective parents are asked to observe twice—first without their child, in order to focus on our environment, and then with their child to observe his or her reaction to our environment. Please make an appointment to avoid the disruption caused by too many adults in the classroom.

Children from the Toddler and Preschool classes and the siblings of current students are given preference in admissions. Consideration is also given to the age balance of the class. A completed application, accompanied by cash or check for one entire tuition installment, should be submitted to the administrative office. The funds submitted with the application are nonrefundable unless Fountainhead cannot accept your child.

Fountainhead admits students of any race, color, nationality, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational, athletic, and other policies and programs.

Tuition

School-year tuition is based on a 180-day school year. It may be paid in a lump sum by the semester or the school year (resulting in a discount) or in 10 installments (each paying for 18 school days). Tuition is billed in advance for the upcoming installment.  Any Before and After care is paid after the fact by the month. A late payment fee is charged after the 18th of the month.

You may pay by automatic checking debit or by check. Tuition may also be paid through Automated Clearing House (electronic debit).

Discount Contract Tuition Option

You may prepay for your tuition in two six-month periods—from August to January, and again from February to July. Please note this includes one summer session in each six-month contract. These prepayments garner a cash discount of 15 percent. Please note that no amount of the payment made is refundable or transferable. This payment plan differs from others that are available at Fountainhead in that in exchange for the prepayment, the entire amount prepaid is nonrefundable and nontransferable. If you choose to pay the six contracts by the month, you will receive the equivalent cash discount of 12 percent, and you must pay via electronic debit.

• If you continue enrollment for other portions of the year, our regular monthly prices will apply. You must still give 30 days' notice to withdraw after the end of your semester plan.
• You are paying for either or both six-month sessions, which include 6 or 12 installments depending on your contract—roughly August to January and/or February to July. Please refer to our school calendar for information on our installments.
• You may not withdraw during your contract period, and no days may be dropped. If you do withdraw, payment is still expected in full through the end of your contract. If you have elected the contract option, there is no 30-day notice.
• If you would like to add days, your tuition will be prorated for the additional days.
• For your summer sessions, we will enroll your child in your regular school-year schedule by default. You may change your summer schedule with 30 days' notice.
• If your electronic payment fails, we reserve the right to exclude your child 14 days after the failure of the payment.

Withdrawals & Re-enrollments

Re-enrollments

In order to reserve a place for the following school year, we ask parents to complete a re-enrollment form and submit the first tuition installment by March 1st of the preceding school year. This prepayment for the following school year will be applied to the next year's Fall tuition and is nonrefundable unless we cannot accommodate your child. After March 1st of each year, we accept new students to fill any vacancies. Summer enrollment is taken for July and August and is separate from the school year.

Withdrawals/Refunds

In the event you wish to withdraw your child from school, you need to give one month's written notice in advance or pay one month's tuition. Any credit remaining after prorating the tuition and childcare charges will be refunded to you. NO WITHDRAWALS OR REDUCTION IN DAYS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER April 1st of each year unless you pay tuition through the end of the school year. There are no refunds for absences such as vacations, sickness, mishaps, or holidays not on Fountainhead's calendar. There are no substitutions for days missed.

Health

State and health forms will be mailed to you upon enrollment. These forms must be completed before your child joins us. An immunization record must be provided on or before the first day of school. Any medication or other special needs must be brought to the attention of the administration prior to enrollment on the school application form.

Nutrition

Snack: Whole wheat pretzels, fresh fruit, vegetables, and 100 percent juice are provided.
Lunch: Please send your child to school with a nutritious lunch—no junk food. Children are not permitted to share their food, and any leftovers will be sent home so you will know what your child has eaten.

Parent Participation

Parents meetings are held throughout the year. The meetings will cover Fountainhead's educational concepts, student activities, and ideas to help develop consistent treatment of the children at home and at school. Parents are encouraged to observe the classrooms. In addition, parent-teacher conferences will be held twice a year. (Please check the Fountainhead calendar for exact dates.) You are always encouraged to ask any questions that arise.

Holidays

The only holidays fully celebrated at Fountainhead are children's birthdays—those being the days that mark their development. Please send pictures from various stages of their lives that we may borrow to discuss their growth. The children may host their own parties by bringing nutritious snacks to prepare and serve. Students may also prepare their own exchanges for other holidays depending on their level of involvement. Major and minor world events and celebrations are discussed in an effort to increase awareness of the range of global observances.

Releases

No child will be released to anyone whose name does not appear on the Emergency Card without specific written instructions. Persons picking up the child will be asked to show picture identification.

Disability Rights and Nondiscrimination Policy

Fountainhead, Inc., is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal access for all children, including children with disabilities and/or special medical needs, as provided in Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, accompanying federal regulations, and applicable California law. If you notify us that your child has a disability and/or special medical need, Fountainhead will, as required by law, make an individual assessment of its ability to accommodate those needs. Fountainhead will provide reasonable accommodations that are consistent with the Montessori method and Fountainhead's policies, practices, and procedures for any special needs of your child.

Structure

Fountainhead Montessori School is a California nonprofit corporation and is not affiliated with any religious or political organizations. The Fountainhead Board of Directors is responsible for all policies. These policies are subject to change from time to time without prior notice, at the discretion of the Board of Directors of Fountainhead.