Enrolment and Family Contributions

A small Montessori school made possible by its families. Making Montessori accessible for all.

Porirua Montessori is a small Years 1–8 private Montessori school in Whitby, Porirua.

Our standard family contribution is:

$1,500 per term

That works out to approximately $150 per school week.

Families can pay weekly, monthly, or termly.

Our goal is to keep Montessori education as accessible as we reasonably can while maintaining the small, individualised learning environment that makes our school different.

What your contribution supports

Porirua Montessori is deliberately small.

This means children are not expected to move through learning at the same pace as a large class.

Instead, we are able to provide:

• individual and small-group teaching

• learning matched to each child's current level

• strong foundations in reading, writing, and mathematics

• hands-on Montessori materials

• mixed-age learning

• time for deeper work without constant interruption

• close relationships between teachers, children, and families

• a calm classroom where children are known well

A child may be working ahead in mathematics, need more support with writing, and be deeply interested in science or history.

We can respond to those differences because our school is small enough to know each child as an individual.

Why is there a family contribution?

As a registered private school, Porirua Montessori does not receive the same level of government funding as a state school.

Family contributions help us provide the teaching, resources, Montessori materials, premises, and small-school environment our students benefit from.

We work hard to keep our fees considerably lower than those of many traditional private schools.

For us, being private is not about creating an exclusive school.

It allows us to remain small, flexible, and genuinely individualised.

Payment options

The standard contribution is $1,500 per term.

Payment can be arranged:

• weekly

• monthly

• termly

We are happy to organise a payment schedule that works practically for your family.

Please talk with us before enrolment if you would like to discuss payment arrangements.

Supported places

We do not want finances alone to prevent a child who would genuinely thrive at Porirua Montessori from attending.

A limited number of supported places may be available for families who cannot manage the full standard contribution.

These conversations are private and handled respectfully.

If you believe Porirua Montessori could be the right environment for your child but the standard contribution would be difficult for your family, please talk with us.

You do not need to decide whether you can afford the school before coming to visit.

Sibling families

We understand that school costs can add up quickly when more than one child attends.

Sibling arrangements may be available for families enrolling more than one child.

Please contact us to discuss your family's circumstances.

Start with a visit

Choosing a school is about much more than a fee.

The best way to understand Porirua Montessori is to visit, see the classroom in action, meet us, and talk about your child.

We can discuss:

• how your child is currently learning

• what they enjoy

• where they may need more support or challenge

• how Montessori works in practice

• whether our small-school environment is likely to suit them

• fees and payment options

There is no obligation to enrol after visiting.

Book a visit

Come and see what learning looks like at Porirua Montessori.

Porirua Montessori
39 Cleat Street
Whitby, Porirua

Years 1–8

[Book a Visit]

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the contribution compulsory?

The standard family contribution is $1,500 per term for full-time enrolment.

If the full amount would make attendance difficult for your family, please contact us to ask about supported-place options.

Can we pay weekly or monthly?

Yes. Contributions can be paid weekly, monthly, or termly.

Are there sibling discounts?

Sibling arrangements may be available. Please contact us to discuss your family.

Do we need to discuss finances before visiting?

No.

We encourage families to visit first and decide whether Porirua Montessori feels like the right fit for their child.

If it does, we can then talk openly about fees and payment options.

Why does Porirua Montessori charge fees when state schools are free?

State schools receive substantially more government funding.

As a registered private school, we rely more heavily on family contributions to operate.

This allows us to maintain a very small, individualised Montessori environment while keeping our fees much lower than those of many traditional private schools.

What is included in the contribution?

The contribution supports your child's full-time school programme, including teaching, Montessori learning materials, classroom resources, and the operation of our small-school environment.

If any separate activity or trip costs apply during the year, families will be told in advance.

One Day School

Our One Day School is available during the school term for homeschoolers and children seeking Montessori enrichment.

Full day: $550 per term
Half day: $440 per term

A sibling discount may be available.

Distance and hybrid enrolment

Online and hybrid programmes have a separate contribution structure because they include individual planning, teacher oversight and learning resources for education at home. Please enquire about scholarships.

Distance 2026 a one off $300 enrolment fee + $800 a term

Distance 2027 a one off $300 enrolment fee + $925 a term

Hybrid 2026 a one off $300 enrolment fee + $1200 a term

Hybrid 2027 a one off $300 enrolment fee + $1500 a term

Starting the enrolment process

The best first step is to visit the school with your child.

A visit gives you the opportunity to:

• see the Montessori environment;

• explore the materials;

• meet us and ask questions;

• discuss your child’s strengths and needs;

• talk privately about contributions and payment options;

• decide whether Porirua Montessori feels like the right fit.

There is no pressure to apply during your visit.

Arrange a visit

Call or text 021 0842 7037, or complete our expression-of-interest form.

Frequently asked questions

Do we need previous Montessori experience?

No. Children are welcome to begin with us from age five without having attended a Montessori preschool.

We carefully introduce new children to the classroom, materials, routines and expectations.

Is the standard contribution compulsory?

The standard contribution reflects what the school needs families to consider in order to operate sustainably.

We recognise that family circumstances differ, and supported places may be available. Any alternative arrangement must be discussed and agreed privately before enrolment.

Do you require proof of income?

We aim to approach contribution discussions respectfully and confidentially. We will explain any information required when considering a supported place.

Can we pay weekly or monthly?

Yes. Weekly and monthly arrangements may be available.

Will contributing less affect how our child is treated?

No. Every enrolled child is a full and valued member of the school community.

Why does Porirua Montessori ask for family contributions?

Private schools receive substantially less government funding than state schools. Family contributions allow us to maintain a genuinely small Montessori environment, provide specialist materials and offer personalised teaching.

Are supported places always available?

No. Supported places are limited and depend on the school’s financial position and the contributions received from the wider community.

We encourage families to enquire early.

Montessori should be a deliberate choice—not something families consider only after a child has struggled

We welcome families choosing Montessori as their child’s first school, as well as children joining us from another educational setting.

Come and see whether our small, mixed-age environment could give your child the confident, capable start they need.