Enrolment and Family Contributions

A small Montessori school made possible by its families

Porirua Montessori is an independent, not-for-profit primary school for children aged 5–13.

We receive only limited government funding, so family contributions help us provide a small, carefully prepared Montessori environment with individual and small-group teaching, specialist Montessori materials and a broad academic curriculum.

We want the school to be financially sustainable while remaining accessible to families from a range of circumstances. For this reason, we use a guided family contribution model rather than charging conventional private-school fees.

Full-time Montessori Primary School

Standard family contribution: $1,500 per term (negotiatble)

This is the contribution we ask families to consider where it is financially manageable.

It supports:

• full-time enrolment in our Montessori primary programme;

• individual and small-group lessons;

• Montessori mathematics, language and cultural materials;

• literacy, mathematics, science, history, geography and the arts;

• individual learning planning, assessment and progress reporting;

• a small mixed-age school community;

• the everyday costs of operating and developing the school.

Contributions may be paid termly, monthly or weekly.

Supported places and Scholarships available

We do not want cost alone to prevent a well-matched child from accessing Montessori education.

A limited number of supported places are available for families who cannot manage the standard contribution. These arrangements are discussed privately and respectfully, and we do not require families to publish or justify their financial circumstances to the wider school community.

Please contact us to talk confidentially about what may be manageable for your family.

Sustaining contributions

Some families choose to contribute above the standard amount.

These sustaining contributions help us:

• offer supported places to other children;

• purchase and replace specialist Montessori materials;

• invest in staff development;

• strengthen the long-term sustainability of the school;

• keep Montessori education accessible within our community.

There is no expectation that families contribute above the standard amount.

Sibling discount

Families with more than one child enrolled full-time receive a 10% reduction for their second and subsequent children.

Bond and payment arrangements

A bond equal to half of the agreed termly contribution is normally required to confirm an accepted place.

The bond is held during enrolment and applied according to the conditions outlined in the enrolment agreement.

The first term’s contribution is due before the child begins. Weekly and monthly payment arrangements may be available by agreement.

Please speak with us early if a different arrangement would make enrolment possible.

What is not included?

Families will be advised in advance if there are optional or additional costs associated with activities such as:

• camps;

• special excursions;

• optional external programmes;

• personal equipment or take-home materials.

We aim to keep additional costs modest and will always communicate them clearly.

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.

Online 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.

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.