Tuition Plan 2024-2025

 

**Iowa Department of Education Students First Education Savings Account (ESA)

On account of MSM being fully AMS Accredited, we have also achieved Nonpublic School Accreditation status with the Iowa Department of Education. We are pleased for the opportunities and benefits this opens up for our families.

Starting in 2023, all third year Casa students are eligible to receive ESA tuition subsidies to cover nearly the full tuition amount regardless of family income.

In 2024, our elementary students will also be eligible for ESA funding if their household income is at or below 400% of the 2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines. In 2025, ALL MSM elementary students are eligible regardless of income.

Please visit the ESA website for more information and important registration instructions/deadlines.

 

Discounts and Fees

Tuition Discounts:

  • If you have two or more children enrolled at MSM, a 5% discount will be applied to the lowest tuition amount.

  • Staff members are eligible to receive a discount on their child’s tuition.

Annual One-Time Fees:

  • Enrollment Fee: $100.00 per family.

  • Material Fee: $50 per child.

  • First Week Tuition: One month’s tuition payment divided by four is due with this contract in order to hold your spot for our upcoming school year. This covers tuition for your child’s first week of school in August.

  • Casa Field Trips: $150.00 annually to cover the costs of field trips, library trips, and any other outings and activities.

The Casa Three-Year Cycle:

In an effort to keep to the Montessori philosophy and help parents understand the importance of the full three year Montessori Program Cycle, our Casa tuition costs reflect a three-year commitment. This differentiates our program from a daycare or traditional preschool. Any new student in the Casa program will be charged an additional $100 per month. During their third-year/kindergarten year, their tuition amount will be $100 less per month if they will enter first grade in September 2024. These costs are already reflected in our Casa tuition amounts. 

Additionally, all first and second year Casa students must pay a non-refundable deposit of $500. This deposit will be deducted from your tuition costs in your child’s kindergarten year in MSM’s Casa program. 

Read more about the three year cycle here.

Drop-In Care

Available to MSM students during operating school hours. You must request this service by emailing office@montessorischoolofmarion.org at least 24 hours in advance. It will be provided based on available space and is not guaranteed. 

 

Tuition Tax Credits

As an accredited nonpublic school with the Iowa Department of Education, MSM parents of students who are kindergarten age and up can benefit from the following tax credits and reimbursements.

Iowa Department of Education Nonpublic Transportation Reimbursement

MSM parents may be eligible to receive a partial reimbursement for school transportation costs for each of their MSM children who are K+ (third year Casa and up). To apply, please complete a reimbursement application form from your resident public school district (ex. Linn-Mar, CR Community, Prairie). Parents must submit their claim to their resident public school district no later than December 1 for the first semester claim and May 1 for the second semester claim each year. Please find more information here and here.

Iowa Code §285.1(14): "Resident pupils attending a nonpublic school located either within or without the school district of the pupil’s residence shall be entitled to transportation on the same basis as provided for resident public school pupils under this section."

Iowa Department of Education Tuition and Textbook Tax Credit

MSM parents may be eligible to receive a tax credit for each of their MSM children who are K+ (third year Casa and up) to cover part of their tuition expenditures. You can receive up to $500 in credit so long as you have paid $2000 in tuition and your state tax liability is at least $1000.

You can find more information here, here, and here. The application is available on the Iowa Department of Revenue website under the title ‘Tuition and Textbook Credit (K-12 Only)’. Please consult your tax advisor.

Iowa Code §422.12: An education tax credit allows parents and students in accredited public or private schools in Iowa to receive tax credits for tuition and textbook expenses. This credit does not apply to expenses related to teaching religious tenets, doctrine, or worship. The amount of credit allowed is 25 percent of the first $2,000 that the taxpayer has paid per dependent.

Please contact our office if you are in need of financial assistance sponsored by DHS or the Iowa Department of Education for low income families.