Affording a WMS Education

Wilmington Montessori School, an independent private school, offers a robust financial aid program to allow more families to benefit from an exceptional Montessori education!

Invest in Your Child's Future

An independent school education is an investment in your child's future. Tuition at WMS includes:

Low student-teacher ratios to allow for more individualized attention
Spacious classrooms equipped with Montessori materials and state-of-the-art technology
Free parent education programs like our webinar series, information mornings/evenings, the Journey and periodic guest speakers
An outdoor educational experience on our beautiful 25-acre campus
Use of resources in our Learning Commons, including an assortment of books and STEAM materials available for check-out
Robust enrichment programs including STEAM, music, Spanish, art and physical education
1:1 device program (Chromebooks in upper grades, iPads in Lower Elementary)
And so much more!

About Financial Aid at WMS

Wilmington Montessori School is committed to making an excellent Montessori education available to as many qualified students as possible. The WMS Board of Directors allocates and supports a financial aid program (covering up to 50% of tuition costs) to assist families with demonstrated financial need in considering WMS as an option for their children’s education.

In order to allocate our resources wisely and fairly, Wilmington Montessori School has enlisted the help of School & Student Services (SSS) by NAIS. SSS does not decide whether financial assistance will be given or how much to give; it provides a need-based financial aid analysis service. SSS provides WMS with a report, which includes a recommendation of what a family should reasonably contribute toward tuition. All information from SSS is kept confidential. The analysis is then reviewed by the confidential Financial Aid Committee, which determines the final allocation of financial aid resources for the next school year. Upon approval by the committee, financial aid offers are sent to families.

The Financial Aid Committee considers a number of factors including, but not limited to, the following:

Each family’s overall financial circumstances, including adjusted gross income, assets, indebtedness and discretionary expenses
Demonstrated financial need
Ability to make commitments to families, not simply to individual students
The school's enrollment goals
Families currently enrolled at WMS will be prioritized.

Notes for early childhood parents:

Pre-Primary (Toddler) families will only be considered for financial aid awards if their child is enrolled in the 12-month program OR if they have an older, full-time sibling enrolled at WMS.
Primary families are only eligible if they have a child enrolled in a five full-day or 12-month program OR if they have another full-time child enrolled in the Primary or older program at WMS.

Financial Aid Application Process

Financial aid grants are made for one year only, and therefore, you must re-apply each school year. Complete your application by no later than January 10, 2025 to be eligible for first-round financial aid offers. Applications received after this date will be reviewed on a first-come, first served basis and awards will be offered based on remaining FA funds.

Note: Financial aid applications will not be reviewed until after the student has applied to WMS and been accepted. Apply to WMS.

Applying for Financial Aid Through School & Student Services (SSS):

Step 1
Click the SSS logo on the right to start the process:

Follow the instructions to create a new account (unless you have already used the SSS system). You will be asked for WMS's SSS code. It is 902045.

Step 2
The application process is self-guided. You may navigate in and out of the program, allowing you to partially complete an application and go back to it at another time.

Online email support (sss@solutionsbysss.com) and a help line (800-344-8328) are available to assist you through SSS.

There is a charge for the application, to be paid by credit card upon completion of the session.

Important note: The SSS system does not include all of WMS's program options. Please include the name of your specific program choice (e.g., "Primary 5 full-day," "12-month Lower Elementary," etc.) in your comments under "Other Considerations" so that your application can be processed with the correct tuition amount.

Step 3:
After completing the application, you will be required to submit your 2023 Tax Returns (both State and Federal) with all schedules and W-2s online.

Your application will not be considered until SSS receives your tax returns.

2025-26 Tuition by Program

Pre-Primary (Toddler)

Ages 12-36 months

3 half days (9 a.m. - noon)	$9,995
3 full days (9 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.)	$14,500
5 half days (9 a.m. – noon)	$14,500
5 full days (9 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.)	$22,190
Year-Round (12-month) Pre-Primary Program: Tuition includes Camp Montessori 2026, before/after-care and all child-care days. 5 full days year-round (7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.) *	$32,950

* For details on the Year-Round Pre-Primary Program, please contact our Business Office.

Primary

Ages 3-6 - including preschool and kindergarten

Preschool (age 3 by 8/31/25) - 3 half days (8:45 a.m. – noon)	$9,900
Preschool (age 3 by 8/31/25) - 3 full days (8:45 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.)	$13,900
Preschool (age 3 by 8/31/25) - 5 half days (8:45 a.m. – noon)	$13,900
Preschool (age 3 by 8/31/25) - 5 full days (8:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.)	$19,900
Kindergarten (age 5 by 9/1/24) (8:45 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.)	$20,900
Year-Round (12-month) Primary (Years 1 & 2) Tuition includes Camp Montessori 2026, before/after-care and all child-care days. 5 full days year-round (7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.)*	$30,950
Year-Round (12-month) Kindergarten (age 5 by 9/1/25) Tuition includes Camp Montessori 2026, before/after-care (7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.) and all child-care days. 5 full days year-round (7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.)*	$31,950

* For details on the Year-Round Program, please contact our Business Office.

Elementary

Ages 6-9 (Lower Elementary) and 9-12 (Upper Elementary)

1st – 6th grade (8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.)	$22,900
Year-Round (12-month) Lower Elementary (1st - 3rd grade) Tuition includes Camp Montessori 2026, before/after-care (7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.) and all child-care days year-round*	$33,950
Year-Round (12-month) Upper Elementary (4th - 6th grade) Tuition includes Camp Montessori 2026, before/after-care (7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.) and all child-care days year-round*	$34,500

* For details on the Year-Round Program, please contact our Business Office.

Middle School

2025-26 Extended Day Tuition*

Before-school child care (beginning at 7:30 a.m.)	$950-$1,570
After-school child care (4:30 & 6 p.m. pick-up options)	$1,800-$4,350
Late after-care pick-up	$50
Drop-in before/after care or child-care day	$35-$90

*Pricing varies by age group, time and number of days per week. Contact our Business Office for more information.

Tuition Payment Plans

Plan 1

Plan 2

Plan 3

Rolling Admissions

WMS may accept applicants for mid-year enrollment if space is available in the requested program. Families who enroll mid-year will be responsible for paying pro-rated tuition, based on their child's start date. Please contact the Business Office for details.

Statement of Policy

Wilmington Montessori School ("WMS" or the "School") does not discriminate in the administration of its admissions and educational policies, financial aid programs, or athletic or other school-administered programs, or employment practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship, creed, ancestry, gender, age, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal laws.

Please visit our Title IX page for more information.

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