Montessori

DPSCD’s Montessori Program offers a unique learning experience for students. Students are engaged in student-centered learning through hands-on experiences, a focus on social responsibility, and engaged in communal learning that promotes collaboration, critical thinking and creativity.

We offer three options for families interested in Montessori education:

Edison Elementary School
17045 Grand River Ave., Detroit, Michigan 48227
Serving Montessori Students in Pre-K to 3rd Grade

Edmonson Elementary: A Wall to Wall Montessori Community
1300 W. Canfield St., Detroit, Michigan 48201
Serving Montessori Students in Pre-K to 8th grade (23-24 school year)

Palmer Park Preparatory Academy
3901 Margareta St., Detroit, Michigan 48221
Serving Montessori Students in Pre-K to 7th Grade (23-24 school year)

How to Apply
Families must apply to receive a seat in DPSCD's Montessori program. Seats are given out via a weighted random selection process. Review the Priority Applicants section below for more information.

The application window for the 2023-24 school year is now closed, but families are invited to learn about other school options for the 2023-24 school year:
- GSRP PreK Program
- Elementary and Middle Schools
Applicant Eligibility
Students applying to the Montessori program must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- PreK: Students must be 4 years of age on or before December 1 in the school year in which they're enrolling.
- Kindergarten: Students must be 5 years of age on or before December 1 in the school year in which they're enrolling.
- Grade 1: No special eligibility requirements.
- Grades 2 through 8: Students must have at least 1 full school year of Montessori instruction from an accredited Montessori school or teacher.
Proof of prior experience will be collected as part of the application in Submittable. This may be submitted in two ways:
- Upload a transcript/report card.
- Provide contact information for the student's prior Montessori school in the application; a Proof of Montessori Experience form will be sent to the prior school via Submittable.
DPSCD recognizes Montessori teaching credentials and program accreditation issued by:
- AMS (American Montessori Society)
- AMI (American Montessori International)
- MACTE (Montessori Accreditation for Teacher Education)
Priority Applicants
DPSCD uses a random selection process to give out Montessori seats. Select groups of priority applicants are given additional weight in the random selection process and are more likely to get seats. Priority groups below are listed in order, with siblings of current students being most likely to receive a seat:
- Siblings of current students in school or program
- Students in the school’s admissions catchment zones
- Students who live in Detroit
- Students who are children of DPSCD staff (full time)
If students fall into multiple priority groups, they will be even more likely to receive a seat in the random selection process.
Enrollment and Waitlists

Enrollments

Students who are accepted via the application process must submit enrollment forms and documentation to secure their seat. Acceptance letters will include an enrollment deadline and instructions on the enrollment process. If enrollment paperwork is not submitted by the deadline, families will forfeit their seats.

Waitlists

Eligible students who don’t get a seat will be placed on a waitlist. Students who get a seat at a second or third choice school will be on the waitlist for higher-ranked schools. Waitlisted students will receive messages from the DPSCD Admissions Team via Submittable about seats as they become available.
The Enrollment Process
If you receive notification that the child has been accepted into the program, you will be asked to move forward with enrollment.

To be enrolled you will need:
- Parent/Guardian Photo ID
- Child’s Birth Record
- Child Immunization Record
- Transcripts or Report Cards
- 2 Forms of Proof of Address:
  Driver’s License, Detroit ID, W-2, Pay Stub, Official Government Mail, Utility Bill, etc.
- Health Appraisal (Pre-K Students Only)

Contact Information

Office of Montessori
16164 Asbury Park
Detroit, MI 48235

(313) 347-8855

Amanda Mattea
Deputy Executive Director
amanda.mattea@detroitk12.org

Danielle Taylor
Training and Support Coordinator
danielle.taylor@detroitk12.org