Is private school year-round?

[Greaseball]

For kids in Waldorf, Montessori, or Sudbury schools (or any other "alternative" schools I'm not thinking of) how long is the school year? 9 mos like public schools, or do they go 12 mos?

I like to have the tuition price in months and not years, but it would also be nice to know how long the year is just out of curiosity.

[mamaduck]

Our private alternative school runs Sept-June.

We make monthly payments starting March, April and May first for the upcoming year.... and then we pay the rest (montly) Sept.-Feb So we make 9 payments.

[Rhonwyn]

Waldorf is not year round.

Waldorf is a big believer in breaks for children which allows the knowledge they have learned to lie fallow and sink in. It is also why they cover subjects in blocks rather than once a week. In other words, in main lesson in 2nd grade, the children cover reading for 8 weeks, then they cover math for 8 weeks, then they go back to reading. They do however, continue free reading in the afternoons so they keep their practice up. Also, the areas they cover in the subjects changes. In math this year they did mulitiplication in the fall and division after Christmas.

The schools fiscal year begins on Aug 1 so the families start making payments in August for the school year that begins in September. You have the choice of paying all at once in August for the entire year (you get a 2% break if you do that), paying over 10 months or paying over 12 months. If you pay with a credit card, it is more to cover the credit card fee the school has to pay. So, whatever works best for your budget is how you pay.

[EFmom]

You should probably call the local schools and ask. Around here, the private schools have a slightly shorter year than the public schools (done in early June v. late June) and have summers off. They get some transportation services from the public schools, which would not be provided in the summer.

[rainsmom]

The private school dd will be attending is year round for grades K-5. The public schools are mostly 9mos.

[CharlieBrown]

School dds will be attending is year round but can take time off any time, just need to attend what the state requires. it was created for working parents. it is a montessori elementary school. tuition is a flat fee-no hidden fees like extra money for before or aftercare

[Alexander]

Originally Posted by Greaseball

how long is the school year? 9 mos like public schools, or do they go 12 mos?

Sudbury schools must comply with the law on minimum days at school. If the children at the school decide to make it longer (I have heard of discussions in meetings to do this) then the kids vote on it.

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