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Admissions at Forbes!
We’re so excited about your interest in Forbes Academy! Our admissions process is currently being finalized, and we can’t wait to share all the details with you soon!
At Forbes Academy, we’re committed to making the enrollment process as seamless and inclusive as possible. Whether you’re exploring options for your toddler, primary, or elementary-aged child, we’re here to help every step of the way.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a Montessori School?Montessori schools focus on child-led learning, allowing students to take charge of their education with teachers guiding their discovery. It fosters independence and self-direction.
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What ages do you accept?We currently accept children from 18 months to 9 years old, with future plans to expand.
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How is Montessori different from traditional education?Montessori emphasizes hands-on learning, where students work at their own pace, collaboratively or individually. Multi-age classrooms allow younger students to learn from older peers while promoting independent exploration.
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What is the class size in Montessori schools?Class sizes for Early Childhood and older may range from 20-30 students, while infant and toddler classrooms are typically smaller, with around 10-15 children.
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Does Forbes Academy accommodate children with advanced abilities or those with learning differences?Yes. The Montessori environment supports children of varying abilities, allowing them to work at their own pace, whether they need extra guidance or are ready for more advanced challenges. We provide individualized learning opportunities that respect the unique strengths and needs of every child. We believe in nurturing each child’s unique potential in an inclusive, flexible environment that fosters growth for all.
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Does Forbes Academy follow a curriculum?Yes. The curriculum covers core subjects like Math, Science, and Language, along with Sensory and Cultural studies. At Forbes Academy, we also place special emphasis on Technology, Fine Arts, and Bilingual/Dual Language learning. These subjects are thoughtfully integrated to connect concepts across disciplines, encouraging deeper exploration and understanding.
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Are Montessori students free to do whatever they want?While students have freedom in choosing activities, this freedom is within limits set by the materials and lessons prepared by the Guide.
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Why are Montessori teachers called “Guides?”Montessori teachers are called "Guides" because their role is to facilitate and support a child's natural learning process rather than direct it. Instead of delivering traditional lessons from the front of the classroom, Guides observe each child’s interests, readiness, and progress. They create an environment rich in learning opportunities and gently guide children to explore, discover, and learn independently. This approach encourages self-motivation, critical thinking, and autonomy, empowering students to take ownership of their learning.
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Do Montessori students receive homework?Homework is rare for younger students but may gradually increase as they advance. The focus is on reinforcing concepts learned at school rather than on busy work.
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Do Montessori Guides give grades?Forbes does not assign letter grades. Instead, Guides continuously observe and assess students' progress. Parent conferences are held regularly to discuss student development on each child’s ILP (Individual Learning Plan).
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What are ILPs?An Individual Learning Plan (ILP) is a personalized educational roadmap created collaboratively by teachers, parents, and students at the beginning of each semester. It sets specific goals, learning strategies, and support tailored to the student’s unique needs, strengths, and interests. At Forbes Academy, inclusivity is at the heart of our approach, ensuring that every student—regardless of their learning style, abilities, or background—receives the individualized support they need to succeed. The ILP guides the student’s progress, which is reviewed through progress reports, self-evaluations, and conferences, allowing for continuous adjustment and growth.
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Are Montessori schools affiliated with a religion?No. Montessori education is secular, welcoming children of all religious backgrounds.
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How well do Montessori students perform compared to those in traditional schools?Research suggests that Montessori students perform as well as or better than their peers in traditional settings, both academically and socially, with long-term benefits in self-confidence and independence. At Forbes Academy, our program goes a step further by incorporating a comparison to state-mandated educational standards, ensuring that students not only meet but often exceed these benchmarks while benefiting from the holistic and individualized Montessori approach.
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Do children in Montessori schools play?Yes, Montessori activities are often seen as play by children, but this "work" helps them develop new skills and independence.
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Can my child start mid-year?Yes, students can begin at any time during the academic year, provided there is space available.
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What are the school’s operating hours?We are open from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday. This encourages evening family time.
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Do children go on field trips?Primary and Elementary students may go on field trips, while we bring special activities like hayrides, puppet shows, and animals from local farms to the school for younger students.
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Do students need to be potty trained?Children in the Primary Program (3-6 years) and higher must be fully potty trained. Toddler-level students do not need to be, and we will support their training.
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Do you offer flexible hours or part-time programs?Yes, we understand that families have diverse needs, and we aim to provide options that accommodate different schedules: Toddler Program: We offer a part-time option for our youngest learners to provide flexibility for families. Primary Program: While our Primary program is full-time, we offer flexibility for early pick-up to suit your schedule. Elementary Program: Our Elementary program is designed as a full-time program to provide a consistent and engaging learning experience for our students.
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What are your tuition payment options?Tuition can be paid in full upfront or on a monthly basis. We accept cash, checks, and credit cards.
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What if my child has allergies?We address food allergies on a case-by-case basis to ensure each child's needs are met safely.
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How do you handle inclement weather?For closures, we follow Georgetown County Public Schools. Please refer to our Delayed Opening Policy for late starts.
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Who is allowed to pick up my child?Only individuals you authorize in writing may pick up your child. We verify identification at pick-up to ensure your child’s safety.
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What is the role of parents in the Montessori program?Parents play a vital role in the Montessori program by supporting their child’s development at home and being active partners in their education. Regular communication between parents and Guides helps create a consistent approach between school and home. Parents are also encouraged to observe classrooms, participate in conferences, and engage with school events and community activities. This involvement fosters a strong connection between the child, family, and school, contributing to the child’s overall development.
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How does the school handle discipline?Montessori schools focus on guiding students to develop self-discipline, rather than enforcing traditional punitive measures. Discipline is approached through natural consequences, positive communication, and conflict resolution. Students are encouraged to reflect on their actions, learn empathy, and make positive choices within a respectful and prepared environment. The goal is to foster internal motivation and self-regulation, supporting students in becoming responsible and respectful community members.
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How does Montessori support social development?Montessori environments foster social development through collaboration, respect, and empathy. Multi-age classrooms allow younger children to learn from older peers, while older students build leadership and mentoring skills. Group projects, shared materials, and problem-solving activities enhance communication and a sense of community. Grace and courtesy lessons teach kindness and respect in social interactions. At Forbes Academy, we support diverse learning styles and abilities, ensuring all students, including neurodivergent learners, thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Personalized lessons and a nurturing environment help each child grow at their own pace while developing important social skills.
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What materials are used in a Montessori classroom?Montessori classrooms feature a variety of carefully designed, hands-on learning materials that are both engaging and purposeful. These materials are made from natural, high-quality materials like wood and glass, and are designed to promote independent exploration, concentration, and mastery of concepts. Materials cover core areas such as Practical Life, Sensorial, Math, Language, Science, and Cultural Studies. Each material has a specific purpose and is introduced to the child based on their developmental readiness, allowing them to progress at their own pace.
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How are transitions handled between different age groups?Transitions in Montessori schools are carefully planned to ensure each child moves to the next age group when they are developmentally ready. Guides closely observe each student’s progress and emotional readiness before recommending a transition. Children typically transition at the end of a school year, though exceptions can be made based on individual needs. Communication between Guides, parents, and the child is key to making the transition smooth, and often, students will have opportunities to visit the new classroom and meet their future peers and Guides beforehand.
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What steps do you take to prevent cyberbullying and digital drama?We emphasize positive communication and conflict resolution, both online and offline. Our program teaches students the dos and don’ts of digital communication, how to avoid and address digital drama, and how to recognize and respond to cyberbullying effectively.
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How does Forbes Academy integrate technology into the classroom?At Forbes Academy, we thoughtfully integrate technology in our Kinder and Elementary classrooms to support research, creative writing, presentations, and multimedia projects. Students will learn to use tools like PowerPoint, design websites, and engage with digital media in meaningful ways. We prioritize helping students see technology as a tool for learning rather than just entertainment.
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Will technology be used in Early Childhood classrooms?No, based on child development and brain research, younger children in our Early Childhood classrooms benefit more from hands-on, manipulative learning activities. As a result, we do not introduce computers or other digital tools at this level.
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How will you ensure responsible use of technology?Forbes Academy has developed the Responsible Tech Users initiative, which focuses on educating students about responsible technology use. This includes teaching digital literacy, online safety, privacy protection, and the critical evaluation of digital information. We aim to foster independence and critical thinking in their digital interactions, aligned with Montessori principles.
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How do you monitor students’ online activity?We carefully monitor the use of technology to ensure it aligns with educational goals. Access to the internet is supervised, and the types of software introduced are chosen to enhance learning, creativity, and research. Students are taught how to use digital tools responsibly, and staff are vigilant in guiding and overseeing all digital activities.
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How do you teach online safety and privacy?Our digital responsibility curriculum covers essential topics such as online safety, recognizing scams, minimizing a digital footprint, and making healthy decisions about digital media use. Students also learn how to identify reliable sources and protect their privacy while interacting online.
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What steps do you take to prevent cyberbullying and digital drama?We emphasize positive communication and conflict resolution, both online and offline. Our program teaches students the dos and don’ts of digital communication, how to avoid and address digital drama, and how to recognize and respond to cyberbullying effectively.
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How do you balance technology use with other learning methods?At Forbes Academy, we use technology as a support tool, not a replacement for traditional learning methods. Hands-on, experiential learning is at the core of our Montessori approach. Technology complements this by providing opportunities for students to explore and create, while we ensure they maintain a healthy balance in their media use.
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What types of software and digital tools are introduced to students?We carefully select software and digital tools that enhance the learning experience. This includes programs for presentations, research, website creation, and multimedia projects. Games and entertainment-focused applications are not a part of our curriculum, as we want students to see technology as a learning tool.
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How does Forbes Academy prepare students for digital citizenship?We believe that teaching responsible digital behavior is essential. Our curriculum focuses on educating students on how to be responsible digital citizens by managing their online presence, recognizing cyber risks, and fostering a healthy relationship with technology. These lessons align with the Montessori values of independence, responsibility, and respect for oneself and others.
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Will parents be informed about their child’s digital learning progress?Yes, parents will receive updates on their child’s progress in using technology through regular reports, parent-teacher conferences, and demonstrations of digital projects. We ensure that parents are informed and engaged in their child's journey in becoming a responsible digital learner.
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Are students allowed to bring their own digital devices to school?Forbes Academy provides all necessary digital tools in the classroom, so personal devices are not required. This helps us ensure a consistent, monitored, and productive use of technology that aligns with our educational goals.
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