Frequently Asked Questions
In the Classroom
ThistleWaithe practices the Montessori philosophy and helps children develop independence, empathy, and a lifelong love of learning.
Independence is accomplished through teaching children to do for themselves. Creative thinking and problem-solving are integral to play, and children are actively engaged in their learning process.
Social and emotional skills are developed in a caring and nurturing environment where children learn to delay gratification and disappointment and accept differences in social situations. We teach students to embrace mistakes and learn to do things differently. Learn more about Montessori Education.
Students entering our Primary program are required to be toilet trained. Toddler teachers are happy to support your child’s toilet training process with you.
We handle conflict issues like any other aspect of the curriculum – individually or in a group. Never will a conflict situation between children be deemed insignificant or neglected on the part of the teacher. At no time will the child be isolated or humiliated. We’ll redirect toddlers to another activity. Bringing understanding, closure, and moving beyond are essential components of this process and are always included.
We send the snack basket home with each child/family weekly to provide snacks for the classroom. Full-day children are required to bring their lunch.
Parents are kept apprised of their children’s progress with a brief phone call at the end of September, Parent/Teacher meetings in autumn and spring, and a written report at the end of the school year.
A Montessori education develops capable, accountable, knowledgeable students with a strong sense of self that allows them to thrive in the world. We promote good study habits, teach children to take the initiative, and inspire curiosity and flexibility in their thinking, including making mistakes. They learn to love and love to learn!
Programs
In keeping with the Montessori teaching approach, all our classrooms are mixed ages.
- Toddler Program: 18 to 36 months
- Primary Program: 3 to 5 years old
- Kindergarten: 5-6 years old
- Toddler Program: Student-to-adult ratio is 5:1
- Primary Program: Student-to-adult ratio is 7:1
- Kindergarten: Student-to-adult ratio is 9:1
At this time, we are not offering wrap-around programs.
For our Toddler Program (only offered at South Salem) you may enroll your child for the following half-day morning options from 9 am – 12 pm:
- Two half-day mornings (Tuesday and Thursday)
- Three half-day mornings (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday)
- Five half-day mornings
You may add on full-day options within a two, three, four, or five-day schedule, from 9 am – 3 pm (on days your child is already enrolled in the half-day program).
For our Primary Program, there is a minimum enrollment of five half-days from 8:45 am – 11:45 am at both our South Salem and Katonah campuses. You may add on three, four, or five full day options from 8:45 am – 2:45 pm at our South Salem campus.
The Kindergarten program at our South Salem campus requires students to be enrolled for five full days, from 9am – 3pm.
Admissions & Enrollment
We offer open spots to families with children currently enrolled at ThistleWaithe first.
Next, we offer spots to siblings of enrolled students. We consider applications on a rolling basis for the remaining available spots and maintain a waitlist. Learn more about Enrollment.
Tuition is based on a yearly school rate, broken into five monthly payments from July through November. Learn more about tuition.
No credit or reduction of tuition payments will be made for school closure days, including, but not limited to, closures due to weather, natural disasters, governmental orders/directives, acts of God, or any pandemic. In the case of closures or delays due to inclement weather, we follow the Katonah-Lewisboro School District (KLSD) guidelines with some modifications. Learn more about our Inclement Weather policy.
Enrollment is for the entire school year, from September through mid-June, per the signed contract. No refunds or adjustments to tuition, whether paid or outstanding, will be made for any reason, including absence, withdrawal, or dismissal, except for the 4-week adjustment period. Within the first four weeks of school, if ThistleWaithe feels that the child has not made a satisfactory adjustment, a pro-rated refund will be given.
ThistleWaithe 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 based on race, color, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
ThistleWaithe follows the Katonah-Lewisboro School District’s (KLSD) 10-month school year with some modifications, starting in early September and going through mid-June. We offer summer camp for students entering the Toddler, Primary, and Kindergarten classrooms every June through July. Our school is closed for August.
Health & Safety
Curbside drop-off is only available for children in our 3-6-year-old programs. Toddler caregivers should park in the front parking lot and walk their child to the designated door.
Yes, all our classrooms are designated as “nut-safe” to minimize the risk for children with documented allergies to nut products.
Our children deserve the right to a safe and loving environment while at home and in school. Contact ThistleWaithe about security measures and emergency policies and procedures.