Tuition & Fees
Montessori Center School has been providing individualized Montessori education to children in the Santa Barbara area for over 50 years. Affiliated with the American Montessori Society, children ages 18 months through sixth grade develop into independent, self-motivated, confident, life-long learners.
Situated on a lush garden campus, our facilities and outdoor space are integral to the students' daily experience. Our educational philosophy fosters a love of learning by encouraging children to work at their own pace while offering an adaptable curriculum responsive to students’ interests and needs. Low student-teacher ratios facilitate dynamic and personalized attention. Our beautifully prepared environments are equipped with multisensory, self-correcting materials unique to Montessori which supports students’ comprehension from the concrete to the abstract.
We offer educational field trips, after-school care, STEAM activities and a summer camp program.
Weekly specialist classes include Spanish, library, music, art, drama, physical education and computer technology that serve to round out our program. Contact us today and see for yourself why an MCS education is an investment in your child’s future. Tuition assistance is available.
2023-2024 Tuition & Fees
A non-refundable deposit of $1,500 is due with each enrollment contract. This deposit will be applied to tuition; contracts are not complete without this deposit.
Toddler Program (18 months - 3 years)
Annual School Year Tuition
| Day type | Tuition |
|---|---|
| 3-day/short day (8 am - 12:30 pm, days vary) | $15,900 ($16,355) |
| 4-day/short day (8 am - 12:30 pm, days vary) | $17,500 ($18,000) |
| 5-day/short day (8 am - 12:30 pm, M-F) | $19,115 ($19,660) |
| 3-day/full day (8 am - 2:30 pm, days vary) | $18,440 ($18,965) |
| 4-day/full day (8 am - 2:30 pm, days vary) | $20,860 ($21,455) |
| 5-day/full day (8 am - 2:30 pm, M-F) | $23,305 ($23,970) |
Early & After Care Rates
| Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Early care fee (7:30-8 am, M-F) | $1,225 ($1,260) |
| After care fee** (2:30-5:30 pm, M-F) | $2,300 ($2,365) |
** available for 5-day/full-day students only
Break & Summer Camp Rates
| Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Winter Break Camp (8 am - 2:30 pm, M-F, closed New Year’s Day) | $450/week |
| Spring Break Camp (8 am - 2:30 pm, M-F) | $475/week |
| Summer Camp (8 am - 2:30 pm, M-F) | $475/week |
| After Care for All Break Camps (2:30-5:30 pm, M-F) | $125/week |
Primary Program (2.5 - 6 years)
Annual School Year Tuition
| Day Type | Tuition |
|---|---|
| 5-day/short day (8 am - 12:30 pm, M-F) | $19,755 ($20,320) |
| 5-day/full day (8 am - 2:30 pm, M-F) | $20,935 ($21,530) |
Early & After Care Rates
| Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Early care fee (7:30-8 am, M-F) | $1,225 ($1,260) |
| After care fee** (2:30-5:30 pm, M-F) | $2,900 ($2,985) |
** available for full-day students only
Toddler to Primary Move-ups
Children enrolled in the toddler program who will turn three years of age prior to March 1, 2025 will move up to the primary program level as early as age 2.5 years and as late as 3 years of age at the discretion and agreement of the classroom head teacher and the child’s parent(s)/guardian(s). Tuition will be adjusted at the time of transition to reflect the date of the student’s transition from toddler into primary.
Elementary Program (5 - 12 years)
Annual School Year Tuition
| Grade Level/Program | Tuition |
|---|---|
| Spanish Immersion K-1st Grades (8 am - 3 pm, M-F) | $23,060 ($23,720) |
| Lower Elementary 1st-3rd Grades (8 am - 3 pm, M-F) | $23,060 ($23,720) |
| Upper Elementary 4th-6th Grades (8 am - 3 pm, M-F) | $23,670 ($24,345) |
| Upper Elementary Student Activities Fee*** | $1,300 ($1,340) |
*** The Upper Elementary Student Activities Fee covers the cost of the fall science camp, spring backcountry backcountry trip and all other field trips for the Upper EL Program
Early & After Care Rates
| Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Early care fee (7:30-8 am, M-F) | $1,015 ($1,045) |
| After care fee (2:45-5:30 pm, M-F | $2,695 ($2,770) |
Rates
Tuition includes yearbook, pizza Friday contributions, MPO dues and Tuition Refund Policy. Reduced rates shown if paying in cash, by check or ACH. Rates in parenthesis if paying by credit card. Tuition rates reflect a $500 early bird discount, if enrolling by the enrollment due date.
Deposit & Billing Fee
A non-refundable deposit of $1,500 is due with each enrollment contract. Deposit is applied to tuition; contracts are not complete without this deposit. A fee of $50 per family will be charged by Blackbaud student billing platform with the first payment, regardless of payment plan selected.
Late Pick Up Fee
For all levels, a late fee of $1 per minute will be billed to the family’s Smart Tuition account if your student is picked up after their contracted dismissal time (12:30 pm for short day students, 2:30 pm for full-day students, or 5:30 pm for students enrolled in after care).
Programs
Montessori Center School admits students of any race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin, gender identity, and sexual orientation to all rights, privileges, programs and activities general recorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin, gender identity or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational programs, admission and tuition assistance policies, and athletic or other school-administered programs. Non-Profit Education Organization, License No. 426205239