Visit TMA to find out how we are preparing children for life, not just the next test.

When you visit TMA, our friendly and knowledgeable staff will provide an overview of how the Montessori method provides children with the opportunity to become self-motivated, active learners who expand their concentration, cooperation, and self-discipline through our learning structure and the prepared environment. Join us for an on campus visit, which typically last 30 to 60 minutes. At the end of the visit we will be happy to walk you through our simple 4-step application process.

Early Childhood Multiplication Bead Board

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions, The Montessori Academy of Arlington, Private School Arlington TX
Lower Elementary Group Lesson, The Montessori Academy of Arlington, Private School Arlington TX
What are your hours?

We are open between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The school day is from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, with Before Care from 7:00-8:30 am and Extended Day from 3:30-4:30 pm or Extended Day Plus from 3:30-6:00 pm.

During the summer, our Extended Day hours are slightly reduced – Before Care begins at 7:30 am, and Extended Day Plus ends at 5:30 pm.

Can I pay monthly?

Yes. Tuition can be paid in-full or on a monthly basis. If parents choose to pay on a monthly basis, parents are required to purchase  tuition insurance, which is 2.6% of the annual tuition, paid one time each year with each new contract, and is due with your first tuition payment in May.

Do you accept TEFA funds (vouchers)?

We will accept Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) funds for the 2026-27 school year. Please visit the  official TEFA website to apply for the program. A helpful  Family Checklist provides information about the documents needed to apply and other details to guide families through the process.

Do I have to sign a contract?

Yes. Our enrollment contracts begin in August and end in May, with an option to enroll in five, 2-week summer sessions. If you are admitted after the beginning of a school year, your tuition is pro-rated based on when you enroll.

When does the school year start?

Each new school year begins in August and closely follows the Arlington ISD school calendar. We offer enrollment throughout the school year on a space-available basis, with tuition being pro-rated for those who start later in the year.

What are your classroom ratios?

Our ratios vary by program:

  — Infant – 1:4 (2 teachers for 8 students)

  — Toddler – 1:8 (2 teachers for 16 students)

  — Early Childhood – 1:12 (2 teachers to 24 students)

  — Elementary – 1:18 (1 teacher for up to 18 students)

While these are the minimum ratios, we have an additional teacher available for each of the Infant, Toddler, and Early Childhood classrooms throughout the day. Elementary students also participate in Enrichment classes with Enrichment Specialist teachers.

Do you offer 2- or 3-day options?

Children thrive with consistency! That’s why we only offer programs 5-days per week. Consistent routines empower children to feel confident and in control of their daily experiences.

Do you provide food?

All families provide their own healthy lunch options for their children.

Parents provide snacks and lunch for children enrolled in the Infant program.

A few times each year, families with students enrolled in the Toddler and Early Childhood programs will receive a list of groceries to purchase to bring for the classroom snack. As part of the Practical Life work in class, students will prepare snack each day.

Elementary students will bring snacks for themselves each day.

What is the nap schedule for young children?

The nap schedule for infants is individualized and based on an infant’s age and need.

Toddlers and 3- and 4-year-old Early Childhood students take a nap in the afternoon, after lunch.

Early Childhood students who are 5-years-old take part in special enrichment classes and have another work cycle in the afternoon.

What do you do for students with allergies?

Parents of children with diagnosed allergies or asthma are required to provide the school with an individualized health care plan, signed by the child’s medical provider. A list of children with medically documented food allergies is posted in every classroom throughout the school, and a list of the classroom allergens is posted outside of each room. 

What are Community Service hours?

TMA was established as a parent cooperative and, as such, requires parental involvement. Not only does community service help to build stronger bonds between community members, but it also provides excellent modeling for the volunteerism that we wish to instill in our students.

Families pay a Community Service Fee of $300 each year, which is refundable at a rate of $30/hour. At the end of the year, a refund is issued for up to 10 logged hours for each family. Families may choose to contribute this amount to the Scholarship Fund in lieu of a refund.

Do you require immunizations?

To protect the health of all children and to satisfy state regulations, current medical information for each child is required prior to enrollment. These records, which must meet  state immunization and  hearing and vision screening requirements, need to be updated when new screenings or immunizations are given. An annual physical is required for children in the Infant, Toddler and Early Childhood programs.

The state of Texas allows certain  immunization exemptions and we follow all state guidelines.

How do you communicate with parents?

Several forms of communication are used to meet the needs of our community. These include email, texting, phone calls, written documentation, parent/teacher conferences, a parent portal on our website, a closed Facebook group, and Bloomz, a photo/video sharing app so parents can catch glimpses of the work their children are completing.

We produce a weekly e-newsletter to keep parents informed about school-wide activities and events which is available via email, text, our closed Facebook group, the parent portal, and through a classroom communication app, Bloomz.

For infants, in additional to daily, in-person communication, teachers record when diapers were changed, meals/snacks were eaten, and naps were taken in the Bloomz app.

Injuries will be promptly treated by a staff member and parents will be notified either by telephone or through a copy of a completed Accident/Incident Report form. Parents will receive a short report which documents how, when, and where and accident or incident occurred. 

What is the transition like after graduation?

Students are prepared to succeed wherever they go for middle school. The elementary program provides opportunities for students to practice time management, collaboration, and problem-solving skills on a daily basis, enabling them to adapt to their new schools, whether private, public, or parochial. Want to hear directly from alumni how their transitions were? Check out our Alumni Thoughts page!

4 Easy Steps to Admission

Our admissions team will lead you through the entire process to answer your questions and provide all the information you need so your family can make an informed decision about whether TMA is the right choice for your child and your family. We understand that choosing the right school is an extremely important decision and we will be here to guide you through the decision-making process.

Schedule a Visit

All of our visits are scheduled online and held during the morning hours so visitors can observe students during their morning work cycle. Parents will have a chance to ask questions and the Tuition and Fee Schedule will be discussed.

Apply Online

After visiting, a link to complete an online application will be sent. Upon submission of the application and non-refundable $75 application fee, the Head of School meeting will be scheduled. For those applying for the Early Childhood and Elementary programs, student shadow days will also be scheduled.

Meet with the Head of School

During the 30-minute meeting, fit and match between the family’s expectations for their child and TMA’s vision is explored. Information about the shadow days (if applicable) and a detailed tuition payment schedule will be discussed.

Complete Online Enrollment

Upon acceptance to TMA, the enrollment process begins with an offer to enroll. Families then complete their Online Enrollment forms and pay the non-refundable $325 Registration Fee. Enrollment is complete after the first tuition payment has been received.

Why We Prioritize Enrollment for Families Committed to the Full Three-Year Cycle

The three-year cycle isn’t just a classroom structure—it’s the foundation of Montessori education. For this reason, we prioritize enrollment for families who plan to complete the full cycle at each level.

Academic Integrity

The curriculum is designed to unfold over three years. Early withdrawal interrupts this progression and prevents children from reaching the mastery that the final year brings.

Balanced Classroom Communities

Mixed-age classrooms depend on having a healthy balance of youngest, middle, and oldest children. This balance allows leadership, mentorship, and peer learning to flourish.

Strong Social and Emotional Growth

Long-term relationships reduce anxiety, build deep trust, and foster collaboration and empathy—benefits repeatedly supported by research.

Alignment with Child Development

Montessori’s three-year cycles reflect the natural developmental stages of childhood. Learning is most effective when it follows these scientifically grounded patterns.

Lower Elementary Collaboration Clock of Eras

The Takeaway

Whether in Early Childhood, Lower Elementary, or Upper Elementary, the three-year cycle is essential to the Montessori experience. Children who complete the full cycle:

  • Build deep academic mastery
  • Develop independence and leadership
  • Experience strong social-emotional growth
  • Become confident, capable members of their community

This is why our admissions process prioritizes enrollment for families seeking a long-term Montessori journey—one that allows children to reap the full benefits of each three-year cycle.