Dear parents,
Thank you for taking the time to participate and involve yourself with our school. Your children are our priority and we value your opinions and ideas. If at any point you have concerns or questions, then please don’t hesitate to contact the front office. We will be happy to find the answer or help out in any way possible.
In this section, you will find all of the latest news from the school, as well as the school calendar, important forms and links to each of our teacher’s classroom page. We do ask that parents create a user ID and password for their classroom page. We know, at times, having another password can be aggravating. However, we feel it is important to keep all classroom information, including pictures, field trip information and classroom schedules secure from the public eye. Thank you so much for understanding this policy.
Lastly, please read the following parent handbook that will help answer important questions you may have. We so appreciate your involvement, so please don’t hesitate to ask questions or voice concerns!
Download the Family Handbook Here
Download the Pre-K Family Handbook Here
Enrollment & Applications
Open Enrollment for Geist Montessori Academy begins on Monday, January 16, 2024 and closes on Friday, March 1, 2024.
Miscellaneous Forms & Documents
Pay Fees 2023-2024 School Year
To pay your material fees online, please proceed to our online payment portal.
Pre-K: $110, due by October 1.
K-8th grade: $30/student Communications Fee, due by November 1.
We would greatly appreciate your financial support. Does your employer have a charitable gift matching program? Please consider asking your employer to match your donation to Geist Montessori Academy by contacting your Human Resources Department.
Geist Montessori Academy is a 501(c)3 non-profit and your donation may qualify as a charitable deduction for federal tax purposes.
The Grove – Before and After Care
Kayla Commons – Extended Care Coordinator
The Grove at Geist Montessori Academy is a before and after school care program designed to provide families with childcare opportunities throughout the school year.
Before School Care
- The Grove opens each morning at 6:30 am
- Students can be dropped off at door 2 (the gymnasium door near GMA’s front entrance) anytime between 6:30 am and 8:00 am.
- Parents will call The Grove’s cell phone to let The Grove staff know your student has arrived.
- While a morning snack is not provided, students are welcome to bring a breakfast snack to enjoy during The Grove’s morning hours.
- Before School Care at The Grove is a time to socialize, relax, and prepare for the upcoming school day. Students are provided with a variety of building supplies, games, and activities to choose from. We play soft music to encourage students to have a calm start to their day. We always have an art table stocked with coloring and drawing supplies.
- Students are walked to class by The Grove employees each morning to begin their school day.
After School Care
- Students will meet in the gymnasium or music room after school instead of joining the afternoon carline. Younger students are walked to the gymnasium by a teacher or staff member.
- Students can be picked up from The Grove between 3:45 pm (when the afternoon carline ends) and 6:00 pm.
- Students begin their time in after school care with a variety of building supplies, games, and activities to choose from. An art table is always set up with coloring and drawing supplies, and sometimes we have special crafts to work on as a group.
- Movement and physical activity opportunities are included every day.
- One afternoon snack is always provided, but students are welcome to also bring their own snacks from home to enjoy during The Grove’s afternoon hours.
- We try to spend a part of our afternoon outside every day, weather permitting.
- We always end our afternoons with free play.
- Parents call The Grove cell phone to let staff members know they have arrived for pick up.
- In order to sign out their student(s), parents will need to enter their 4 digit pin. This pin may be shared with other adults authorized for pick-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should I contact with questions about The Grove?
Kayla Commons, Extended Care Coordinator
How do I sign up?
What are the hours of operation?
Before school care at The Grove begins at 6:30 am. The Grove employees cannot open the doors after 8:00 am, when parents will need to join the morning carline.
After school care at The Grove ends at 6:00 pm.
How are payments processed?
This year, all families will be required to create a Procare account. This account is a place for families to communicate with Ms. Kayla, and also where all payments will be made. All families will receive a weekly invoice each Friday for the following week of care.
When and where do I receive my monthly sign-up form?
Families who choose to sign up for The Grove monthly will receive a monthly sign-up form at the end of each month. These forms will be sent through the Procare app. All parents and guardians should have access to the Procare app. This is where Ms. Kayla will be communicating with parents about our program, as well as sending important reminders and updates throughout the year.
What if I sign-up for more days than I end up actually needing care?
All invoices will be sent via the Procare app each week on Friday, due on Sunday, for care the following week. If you are aware of a change of schedule before noon on Friday, please reach out to Ms. Kayla to discuss your options. If you are unsure which days your student will need care, it is recommended you sign up and pay for all days you might need care. This is the only way to ensure your student has a spot in our program.
What are the fees for picking up my student late?
During our after school care program, any pick-ups after 6:00 pm will result in a late fee. The Grove’s late fee is $10 + $1/minute late. For example, a family who picked up at 6:11 pm will be charged a $21 late fee.
Excessive lateness will result in your student’s removal from The Grove.
Is The Grove open during school breaks?
The Grove is now offering care during some school breaks. Information on these camps will always be sent via the Procare app.
Are there any extra fees?
There is a yearly registration fee of $20 charged at the time of enrollment.
Are there any discounts available?
Families enrolling 3 or more students will receive a 15% discount.
What kind of snacks are provided? What if my student has an allergy?
The snacks provided each afternoon are a rotation of pretzels, goldfish, applesauce, and cheez-its. Families of students with allergies should be sure to include that information on the Procare form during registration, and speak directly with Miss Kayla about the allergy before the student’s first day at The Grove. Applesauce is usually a safe option for students with allergies, but we can make other accommodations if necessary.
What are student expectations during The Grove?
The Grove is designed to be a space for students to have fun, relax, and socialize at the beginning or end of their school day. Kindness is always expected. Parents will be contacted about any students who are not using kind words or kind bodies during our program. Ms. Kayla will be in communication with parents whose students are disrupting any other students’ ability to feel safe at The Grove. Suspension or expulsion from The Grove is a possibility.
