Our Tuition

At Mountain Laurel Montessori, we’re committed to making a high-quality, nature-based Montessori education accessible to families across a wide range of incomes. Our tiered tuition model is designed to provide equitable access while ensuring the sustainability of our school community.

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How our tiered model works:
We use the HUD Income Limits for the City of Philadelphia as a guide when determining income ranges for each tier. These limits are published annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and outline the area’s median family income along with the thresholds for low, moderate, and higher income levels. By aligning our tiers with this federal standard, families can identify the income range that best reflects their household circumstances and select their tuition tier accordingly.

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Most of our families pay approximately 9–11% of their gross annual income toward tuition—well below the national average for private early childhood programs. Additionally, our full-cost tier is intentionally priced to remain competitive with, or lower than, other Montessori and nature-based programs in the region.

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Why this model matters:
Our tiered system allows us to welcome families who might otherwise be excluded from private early childhood education while still maintaining the financial stability that a high-quality school requires. Tuition revenue supports not only classroom materials and outdoor learning experiences, but also ensures that we can provide:

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• Fair wages and benefits for our educators,

• Ongoing professional development and Montessori training,

• A stable, nurturing environment for children and staff,

• A long-term sustainable model that reflects our values of equity and community-oriented education.​

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How enrollment offers are made:
Enrollment offers are based on available space within each tuition tier, not on a first-come, first-served basis. This approach helps us maintain a balanced, diverse school community across income levels.

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If your preferred tier is currently full, your application will be added to our waitlist for that specific tier, and we will contact you if space becomes available.