Montessori Community School
Hawaiʻi School Guide ｜ Written by: Academia Tutor School Editorial Team / Supervised by: Yamahi
- Non-sectarian, non-profit Montessori school from age 2 through Grade 6, in Makiki, Honolulu. Founded in 1972. Accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS) and HAIS.
- Every program accepts applications: Two-Year-Old, Preschool (ages 3–4), Kindergarten, Lower Elementary (Grades 1–3) and Upper Elementary (Grades 4–6).
- Next deadline: applications for 2027–28 are due Friday, January 15, 2027. Fall open house: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026.
- Tuition 2026–27: $20,575 (Two-Year-Old), $16,585 (Preschool and Kindergarten), $19,735 (Grades 1–6). 2027–28 rates will be posted by February 2027.
Basic information
Which grades can you enter?
- New children are considered at every program level, from age 2 to 12. For Kindergarten and Elementary, Montessori experience is preferred but not required.
- Two-Year-Old: at least 24 months old when they begin school. Children in diapers are eligible.
- Preschool: three years old by Dec. 31, 2027 (born on or before Dec. 31, 2024), and fully toilet-independent.
- Kindergarten: at least five by July 31, 2027. Lower Elementary: at least six by July 31, 2027. Upper Elementary: at least nine by July 31, 2027.
- Two-Year-Old and Preschool children can be enrolled during the year through February if there is space; Kindergarten and Elementary students must start at the beginning of the school year.
2027–28 admissions timeline
ApplicationFinancial aidVisits & sessionsDecision
- Campus visits run on Wednesday mornings from October 2026 to January 2027 (through Jan. 13). They are for adults only.
- Applications received after Jan. 15 go into a wait pool and are considered as space is available. The school accepts applications one year at a time and does not carry the wait pool over to the next year.
For Kindergarten, the Activity Session on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2027 is required — keep that morning free. And the toilet rules differ by program: children in diapers can join the Two-Year-Old Program, but Preschool children must be fully toilet-independent, and pull-ups are not allowed at any time.
Tuition and financial aid
- Tuition for 2026–27 (7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.): Two-Year-Old $20,575; Preschool and Kindergarten $16,585; Elementary (Grades 1–6) $19,735. After-school care (2:30–5:30 p.m.): $3,985 for the Two-Year-Old Program, $3,565 for the others.
- Fees: application $75 (an additional processing fee may apply); comprehensive fee $125 (Two-Year-Old), $250 (Preschool and K), $350 (Lower Elementary) or $975 (Upper Elementary, including an overnight camp); deposit $500, applied to tuition. Deposit due dates for 2027–28 are not posted, and the 2026–27 web page and tuition sheet gave different deadlines — confirm on acceptance.
- 2027–28 tuition will be posted on the website by February 2027.
- Financial aid is partial and based on demonstrated financial need, through Clarity ($60 fee). Applications open Jan. 6, 2027; deadlines are April 30, 2027 for returning students and May 15, 2027 for new students. Admissions decisions are not based on financial need. Families also need to apply to community programs such as Preschool Open Doors.
Applying from outside Hawaiʻi
- The website does not mention international students, F-1 visas, I-20s or English requirements — contact the admissions office through montessorihawaii.org.
- The February assessments for Kindergarten and Elementary are listed as “virtual & in-person” — ask admissions whether your child can take theirs online. Campus visits are in person.
How Academia Tutor School can help
Our Private School Entrance Exam Prep program prepares children for the parts of admission that are hard to practice at home: group activities like MCS’s Kindergarten Activity Session, assessments, being observed in a classroom, and the listening and vocabulary skills teachers notice. Lessons run Monday to Friday after school, private or in groups of up to five. In 2026, our students were admitted to 23 schools.
No tutoring program can promise admission, and we do not. Our goal is for your child to walk in calm and ready to show who they are.
Related: Hawaii private school application deadlines for 2027–28 · Hawaiʻi School Guide
Sources
Montessori Community School, “About Us,” “Our History,” “Admissions,” “How to Apply,” “Campus Visits,” “Tuition & Fees,” “Financial Aid,” “Kindergarten,” “Elementary,” the Admissions Guide 2027-2028 and the 2026-2027 Tuition Schedule. Information as of October 24, 2026. Details change every year — always confirm with the school. Academia Tutor School is not affiliated with Montessori Community School.
