Apple Ridge Montessori School

Apple Ridge Montessori School describes a Montessori approach centered on children’s natural drive to learn, especially during early childhood “sensitive periods,” with trained adults guiding development at each child’s readiness. Their philosophy emphasizes hands-on, sequential, multisensory learning that builds intellectual skills alongside independence, self-confidence, concentration, grace, courtesy, and positive social relationships.

Apple Ridge Montessori’s website says families should first take a weekday tour (available every weekday from 3:30 p.m.), optionally observe a class for 30 minutes on Tuesday–Thursday mornings, then schedule a child visit/teacher meeting, submit the enrollment form with the required fees, and return health, emergency, and immunization forms before the child starts school. (appleridgemontessori.org) The site lists a one-time $100 application/enrollment fee due with the application and a nonrefundable $750 tuition deposit due with the enrollment form; it also says students may enter at any time during the school year and tuition is prorated. (appleridgemontessori.org) Requirements shown on the site indicate the program serves children ages 2.5 through 6, that children should be potty trained or almost potty trained, and that older 5- or 6-year-olds may enter only if transferring from another Montessori school. (appleridgemontessori.org) For key dates, the posted 2025–26 calendar lists August 28, 2025 as the first day of school and February 6, 2026 as the re-enrollment and deposit due date, but the school does not publish a separate general application deadline. (appleridgemontessori.org) I did not find any published waitlist policy or admissions priority categories on the school’s website; the only clear priority-like item is the re-enrollment date for current families, and the site also lists the campus location as Arbutus, MD rather than Ellicott City. (appleridgemontessori.org)