Affording MCS

Building blocks for a lifetime of flourishing

Investing in an MCS education lays the foundation for a lifetime of curiosity, confidence, and well-being—shaping not just how children learn, but who they become.

TUITION RATESTuition Assistance

2026-27
Tuition & Fees

Rates

The tuition rates below cover all program costs including field trips, pizza Fridays, your student’s yearbook,  and MPO dues. An additional 2.99% rate applies to the full tuition balance and all fees (aftercare, etc.) if paying by credit card. Families returning enrollment and tuition agreements within two weeks of issuance (by the contract expiration date) will see a $500 early bird discount credited toward the tuition balance.

Deposit & Billing Fees

A non-refundable deposit of $2,500 is due with each enrollment and tuition agreement. Your deposit is applied to tuition; contracts are not complete without this deposit. A fee of $50 per family will be charged by the Veracross Pay student billing platform with the first payment, regardless of payment plan selected. MCS offers three payment plans:

  • Payment in full: Due May 10th, 2026
  • Three payments: Due May 10th, August 10th & November 10th, 2026
  • Nine payments: Due May 10th, June 10th, July 10th, August 10th, September 10th, October 10th, November 10th, December 10th, 2026 & January 10th, 2027


Payment plan adjustments are available for families enrolling mid-year. A late tuition payment fee of $100 is charged every month tuition payments are late.

Toddler Program

Ages 18 months through 3 Years
inquiry form

Schedule type

Tuition & Fees

Hours

3 short days/week
$17,300
8:00 am - 12:15 pm
4 short days/week
$19,100
8:00 am - 12:15 pm
5 short days/week
$20,900
8:00 am - 12:15 pm
5 full days/week
$26,500
8:00 am - 2:30 pm M-F
Aftercare for 5-full-day children
$4,800
2:30-5:30 pm M-F
Year-round care program
$5,500
8:15 am - 5:30 pm M-F
Arrival: 8:00-8:30 am; short day dismissal: 12-12:15 pm daily; full day dismissal: 2:15-2:30 pm daily

Primary Programs

Ages 3-6 Years (Includes Kindergarten)
inquiry form

Schedule type

Tuition & Fees

Hours

5 short days/week
$20,900
8:00 am - 12:15 pm
5 full days/week
$25,200
8:00 am - 2:30 pm M-F
Spanish immersion 5 days/week
$25,200
8:00 am - 2:30 pm M-F
Early care (5 days)
$1,750
7:30-8:00 am M-F
Aftercare for 5-full-day children
$4,800
2:30-5:30 pm M-F
Year-round care program
$5,500
8:15 am - 5:30 pm M-F
Arrival: 8:00-8:30 am; short day dismissal: 12-12:15 pm daily; full day dismissal: 2:15-2:30 pm daily

Elementary Programs

inquiry form

Schedule type

Tuition & Fees

Hours

Spanish Immersion (K-2nd)
$27,400
8:00 am - 2:45 pm M-F
Lower Elementary (1st-3rd)
$27,400
8:00 am - 2:45 pm M-F
Upper Elementary (4th-6th)
$29,500
8:00 am - 2:45 pm M-F
Early care (5 days)
$1,750
7:30-8:00 am M-F
Aftercare (5 full days)
$4,800
2:30-5:30 pm M-F
Arrival: 8:00-8:15 am; dismissal: 2:30-2:45 pm daily

Tuition assistance is available at all program levels for qualifying families.

Tuition Assistance

“MCS has brought individuality and joy into our children’s educational journey. The value of this Montessori education, especially through the elementary years, has never been more evident. At MCS, my three children have been empowered to grow, learn, and overcome challenges at their own pace.  This approach fosters confidence, curiosity, and a genuine love for learning. Having experienced other educational approaches, we are incredibly grateful for the transformative opportunities this school has provided for our children.”

MCS Parent

“My son started at MCS during COVID, when I wanted him in school for transitional kindergarten, not on Zoom.  The clear and consistent communication from the administration and teachers was essential for me — both then and now.  While we came to MCS for stability during an unpredictable time, we stayed for the community.  It’s honestly hard to imagine my son’s childhood without MCS. Not only has he been well-supported academically, but the school has nurtured his entire development as a young person. I am so grateful for his wonderful group of friends, incredible teachers, and the truly personalized education he has received.  This is the foundation for life that I wish every child could experience.”

MCS Parent

“Our experience at MCS has been truly exceptional. From 18 months through 6th grade, our son was nurtured by teachers who genuinely cared—educators who challenged him, supported him, and guided him not only academically but also in building strong relationships and navigating real-world situations. Now, as a 7th grader, he is thriving. The foundation of executive function skills developed at MCS continues to empower him to succeed with confidence and enthusiasm, and the love of learning he discovered there will stay with him for life.”

MCS Parent

If you are interested in applying for tuition assistance, you can do so once we have made an offer of admission for your child(ren).

To apply for need-based tuition assistance:

01.

Gather your most recent tax return documents. The information contained within them will be necessary to complete the financial aid application. We require all applicants to submit their most recent year tax returns from the IRS as part of our application process.

02.

Create a user profile in our secure online financial aid management platform, which you can access here. Please note that only one application is necessary for multiple children in the same family. Families with multiple households, however, will each need to fill out a separate application form. This includes parents who are divorced, separated or not married.

03.

Once you have received your award determination letter, you will have five business days to accept or decline the award and return a signed enrollment and tuition agreement.

04. Get ready

Once your family has accepted an offer of admission by returning the enrollment contract and tuition agreement, we work with your family to get ready to start! Families join us each August before the first day of school for a welcoming open house. If your child is joining our toddler program, our teachers will schedule a home visit to meet with your family and learn about your child in their home environment.

#42-6205239
(805) 683-9383

401 North Fairview Avenue, Suite #1
Goleta, California 93117

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Montessori Center School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.