Montessori

Attention Incoming Kindergarten families!  

If you have a student enrolled to start kindergarten in Helena Public Schools this fall, now is the time to join the lottery for a kindergarten Montessori slot!

It’s simple to apply:

  1. Print and complete the Montessori Lottery application form.
  2. Submit your completed form by 3 pm, May 5, at any Helena Public Schools elementary. You may also email a completed application to Holly Vauter at hvauter@helenaschools.org
  3. Make sure you get a “received” receipt when you turn in your application!

Names will be drawn May 8, 2025. Selected applicants will be called that evening. All others will receive an email the next day.

About the Montessori Charter School

Montessori has been a popular option for Helena families since the program was established in our district 45 years ago.

Montessori offers students the opportunity to learn independently and explore within a structured environment to build independence and executive functioning skills.

Due to the popularity of this long-standing program, students are admitted via a lottery program.

Today our Montessori Charter School has pods at Broadwater, Central and Smith elementary schools, serving a total of 10 classrooms and 198 students.

Montessori classrooms differ from traditional classrooms in the following respects:

  • Mixed ages. Students are placed in three groupings: kindergarten, grades 1-3 and grades 4-5
  • Students are given choices within a structured environment to build their independence and executive functioning skills
  • Uninterrupted blocks of work time
  • Students work with specialized hands-on educational materials
  • Freedom of movement within the classroom
  • Classes are led by a trained Montessori teacher

Students have the opportunity to mentor their peers, thereby reinforcing learning concepts. Parent and caregiver volunteers are encouraged to contribute in the classroom to offer the support needed to facilitate the individualization of work.

Decisions about Montessori are best made in terms of what fits each family’s needs. Montessori is not available at all neighborhood schools, so a child might have to travel outside their neighborhood to attend.
When choosing Montessori, parents should be comfortable with the idea of their children using hands-on learning materials and learning methods different from those that they may have experienced in elementary school. Finally, parent participation is strongly encouraged as a key to student success!

Will my child qualify for bus transportation if they are accepted?

We do not guarantee bus transportation for Montessori students.  If you live on the east side and accept an east side placement(Smith or Central) or live on the west side and accept a west side placement (Broadwater) and a bus route is already in place then your student may be eligible. There will not be east to west side bussing or west to east side bussing available.

Learn more

For information on the Montessori method, visit About Montessori Education or helenamontessori.org