How to Apply

About Alder Montessori

Alder Montessori is a tuition-free program with two classrooms serving 3- and 4-year-olds at entry inside Alder Elementary School. Open to young children living in the Alder Neighborhood/Reynolds School District, this program prepares young children/students for their lifetime of learning using the Montessori method of education.

We accept applications (parent interest forms) all year round. We keep a waitlist, so if we have spaces that open during the year, we can add new students.

We provide priority to Alder Montessori for new students who will be age 3 on September 1st (to offer a full 2 years of early childhood education) AND families who reside within the Alder Elementary School catchment neighborhood (to offer student transportation services).

If you want to learn more, reach out to us to learn dates for Open Houses or to schedule a time to visit the classroom and talk with our staff. We can also provide information on the eligibility requirements for the Preschool Promise and Preschool for All student slots, or you can visit their websites for more information.

Alder Montessori receives funding for 35 of our students from the State of Oregon Preschool Promise program. So, new students must meet Preschool Promise eligibility requirements. Enrollment in the program is through a weighted lottery that takes place in late spring. Registration for the lottery will open as early as January each year, with applications taken through May 31 when the lottery is conducted. Parents will be notified of their child’s placement in the program as early as June but no later than July.

Alder Montessori also has funding starting in 2023 for 10 of our students from Multnomah County Preschool for All program. New students with this program must meet Preschool for All eligibility requirements. We accept new parent interest forms and can support families to connect with the County enrollment outreach partners. Families in the Reynolds School District can apply directly to the Preschool for All program and select up to 6 potential preschools to visit and consider for their child.