How to Enroll

Preschool

The North Shoreview Montessori Preschool is operated by the San Mateo-Foster City School District.  Fall enrollment is open to children who have reached their third birthday by December 2 the previous year. Please see the district website for the preschool fee schedule and information on enrolling in the North Shoreview Montessori Preschool.  Tours of the preschool for parents are offered by appointment only; please call Chris Fontana at (650) 312-7343 to select a date.

Elementary School

North Shoreview Montessori School is a public K-8 magnet school.  Enrollment for kindergarten through fifth grade is open to all residents of San Mateo or Foster City through a district lottery. Students from outside the district are accepted on a space-available basis with an approved transfer from their district of residence.

By district policy, children must reach their fifth birthday before December 2 to enroll in kindergarten the following year. Preference is given to children of district employees and siblings of concurrently enrolled students.  For students entering NSM after first grade, prior experience in a Montessori elementary school may be required for admission.

Applications for kindergarden and elementary enrollment are available from the main San Mateo-Foster City School District office or the NSM school office. Application deadlines vary from year to year. Please see the district website or call the district office at (650) 312-7345 for the most up-to-date information.  NSM offers parent-guided school tours and a Question & Answer Night with kindergarten teachers each year prior to the application deadline; please call the school office to sign up for these events.

Middle School

Enrollment in the NSM middle school program (grades six, seven, and eight) is conducted separately from the elementary school program.  District policy gives the following priorities:

  • First priority: Children who have attended NSM or the Parkside Montessori program from kindergarten through fifth grade and have younger siblings at the school.
  • Second priority: Children who have attended other Montessori schools (public and private) from kindergarten through fifth grade.
  • Third priority: Children who have been enrolled in a Montessori program for a portion of their elementary years (prioritized on number of years).

Applications for middle school enrollment are available from the main San Mateo-Foster City School District office or the NSM school office. Application deadlines vary from year to year. Please see the district website, or call the district office at (650) 312-7345 for the most up-to-date information.  NSM offers an Information Night for parents of middle schoolers in advance of the application deadline; please call the school office to sign up for this event.