Enrollment Process

Enrollment Policy

Under Minnesota law, Cornerstone’s enrollment process starts with an enrollment period.  The enrollment period will be February 1 through March 31. Notice of this enrollment period will be made public through postings in community centers, local businesses, school newsletters and the school’s website.

The enrollment capacity for each grade will be determined by the Head of School prior to the start of the Open Enrollment period. 

Enrollment Preference:  

As required in Minnesota Statutes, section 124E.11, Cornerstone Montessori Elementary School must offer preferential enrollment to siblings of students currently enrolled and to a foster child of that pupil's parents at Cornerstone Montessori Elementary School.  As allowed for in Minnesota Statutes, section 124E.11, Cornerstone Montessori offers preferential enrollment to children of school employees.  Cornerstone Montessori Elementary School may not and will not give preference to students of the private pre-school Cornerstone Montessori School. Any family from Cornerstone Montessori School who wants their child to attend Cornerstone Montessori Elementary School must participate in the enrollment and lottery process. Cornerstone Montessori Elementary School is a public school and as such, the enrollment process may not consider eligibility based on intellectual ability, aptitude, measurement of achievement, athletic ability or any other specific characteristic of children whose enrollment application is received in a timely manner.

 

Enrollment Process:  

Current students of Cornerstone Montessori Elementary School are considered enrolled for the purpose of determining the number of openings for the following year. On the first day of the Open Enrollment period, the number of openings in each grade level will be determined and the Open Enrollment process will begin. Prospective new students must submit enrollment applications by the Open Enrollment deadline.   

If openings still exist in any grade after the Open Enrollment deadline, enrollment applications received after the deadline will result in admission on a first-received, first-enrolled basis.  In the event post-deadline enrollment results in a full class and later enrollment applications are received, those students will be placed on a waiting list in the order in which the applications were received.

Lottery Process:    

If more enrollment applications are received during the open enrollment period than available openings in any grade, a public lottery for those openings in those grades must be held.  Each of the grades is subject to the lottery process.  

The lottery, if necessary, will be conducted on April 10. If April 10 falls on a weekend or holiday, the lottery will be held on the next business day following the weekend or holiday.  

The lottery will be conducted by a third-party, unrelated to school staff, board, or applicants. It will occur in a public space with adequate notice. The students who are not chosen will be placed on a waiting list in the order their names are drawn. 

Upon admission, Cornerstone may require additional information about enrolling students including information on special education needs, health care summaries, family background, and family routines and habits.

Kindergarten Enrollment:
Cornerstone Montessori Elementary School accepts children into grade levels based on their age on or before September 1 of the school year, with 5 years being the age for acceptance into Kindergarten.

Non-Discrimination Statement:

No child may or will be denied admission to Cornerstone Montessori Elementary School on the basis of gender, religion, ethnicity, or intellectual or physical ability. Cornerstone Montessori Elementary School is a tuition–free school.  Students from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Board Approved:  August 28, 2012

Board Amended:  January 22, 2019

Revised: October 20, 2020

Revised: January 19, 2021

Revised: January 16, 2024

 

Acceleration & Retention Policy

Cornerstone Montessori Elementary School accepts children into grade levels based on their age on or before September 1 of the school year, with 5 years being the age for acceptance into Kindergarten. Cornerstone will provide each child with an educational environment that provides optimal challenge and meets the child’s developmental needs. Due to the nature of the Montessori environment, the training of the teacher which covers multiple ages, and the multi-age classrooms, lessons can often be remediated or accelerated to meet the needs of each child.

Children turning 5 years between September 2 and December 31 may be eligible for early acceptance to Kindergarten if they meet the following criteria:

  • Completion of preschool or a similar early childhood educational program
  • Completion of an Early Childhood Screening
  • Recommendation of the child’s early childhood teacher/caregiver
  • A score in the “Meets-High” or “Exceeds” category on the EFGoPro or other standardized assessment
  • Approval of the Head of School and Kindergarten teachers

Cornerstone staff members—teachers and administrators—will continually and consistently assess the needs and development of each child to determine the best individual learning plan. At times a child may be recommended for advancement to the next level without advancing grade (for example, a child may be moved to Upper Elementary but remain in the 3rd grade in the eyes of the state). Decisions to advance or retain a child will be made by the Head of School in conjunction with the child’s parents and will be based on staff experience and assessment of the needs of the child.

Board approved: May 17, 2011
Board revised: January 22, 2019
Board reviewed: March 15, 2022
Board revised: June 18, 2024