Church of the Apostles

We offer 2 day, 3 day, 4 day, and 5 day programs for children from 2 (need not be potty trained) to 6 years old.

Please call the school between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. for more information.

Apostles Day School accepts students regardless of race, religion, or national origin.

Step 1. Prospective parents are invited to call our school office to schedule a tour and to meet with the director. This initial meeting is for parents only. Parents are requested to bring up any questions or concerns at this meeting.

An appointment is then made for their child to come and visit the school with their parents. Parents receive an application packet at this time.

Step 2. Parents will have completed the applicationi packet with current immunizations records before visiting the school on their second visit. This packet will be reviewed by the director and teacher to determine what class the child will most likely be placed into.

Step 3. Potential studetns next have the opportunity to visit the school with their parents. This visit can be for as long as it needs to be. They are invited to sit in and watch a Montessori classroom in action.

Step 4. The director and the teacher will reach a decision on admission and an enrollment fee of $200.00 is then required. This fee is non-refundable. This enrollment fee provides a secure position in the class.

Step 5. Any other enrollment papers must be completed before the first day of school. Tuition, supply fee, and the purchase of an Apostles Day School tote bag must be paid by the first day of school. A list of all the forms follows:

The Mission of Apostles Day School, as a ministry of the Church of the Apostles, is to provide students of all backgrounds and potentials with a rich Christian early childhood academic experience utilizing authentic Montessori methods in a safe and supportive environment. In partnership with students, families, educators, church and community members we will provide the skills which enable students to begin the process of becoming lifelong learners and responsible contributors to our community.

Dr. Maria Montessori began her work in the slums of Rome in the early 1900's. Her deep respect for the child and his natural desire to learn was a primary and revolutionary tenet of her method. Her method has spread around the world, and her philosophy of early childhood development and teachability has won wide acceptance in education.

The concept of a day school at Apostles was conceived within the Christian Education ministry of the church. To respect and nurture children is in the heart of the congregation. The Godly Play curriculum has been established in the Sunday School program and is designed with the same principles as the Montessori curriculum. The present wing of the Church of the Apostles was designed to house a pre-school.

The Montessori classroom is uniquely designed to optimize the child's sensitive years, when he can learn readily by absorbing information from an enriched environment. The child grasps abstract concepts that are first introduced through materials he can manipulate. The child can learn to read, write and calculate in the same natural way he learns to walk and talk because the Montessori classroom invites him to learn according to his own periods of interest and readiness. As the child is guided in the correct use of materials, he learns how to order his inner self, which leads to self-discipline, harmony and a prevailing atmosphere of respect within the class.

The child maintains his enthusiasm for learning, which is key to being a truly educated person. Parents are encouraged to be active partners in their child's education, at home and at school.

Montessori Matters

The curriculum is divided primarily into five categories: practical life, sensorial, language, math and spiritual formation.

The real life activities in practical life foster independence, coordination of fine and gross motor movement, order and concentration. Through these activities the child learns how to learn. It is the basis for future learning, the doorway to the Montessori curriculum.

The primary purpose of the sensorial materials is to help the child receive precise and detailed information so that he may classify and establish order in his world. Music and art education, part of each day's activities, deepen the child's appreciation of beauty. Keys to future learning, language, reading and writing are incorporated in all areas of the curriculum. The child quickly and joyfully acquires new concepts and skill when allowed to progress at his own pace.

Montessori math materials allow abstract concepts to be concretely evident. If given access to math equipment in early years, the child can easily learn many facts and concepts that would require rote drill in later years.

Godly Play is a Christian educational path on which children may form a true, faithful relationship with God as they learn sacred stories through the use of engaging story figures and creative activities. Chapel is held once a week where the children participate in a worship experience while listening to a Bible story. Songs and liturgy complete the chapel experience..

The child's spirit is nourished with scripture, liturgical study, and worship. The child meditates on God's Word through the use of sensorially rich materials in his search for an ever-deeper understanding of the Kingdom of God.

School Schedule: Start date, September 4, 2007
Holidays, Inservice days will be announced. We follow the Coppell ISD School calendar.

Daily Schedules: Students may arrive between 8:55 and 9:00 a.m. Dismissal: Promptly at 2:00, by class.

There is a non-refundable $200.00 Enrollment Fee for all students. Enrollment Fees are due with the Enrollment Request Form.

Sibling discount: 10% discount on tuition of younger sibling. (Sibling discount not applicable to Registration Fee.) Fee will be returned if space is not available.

Tuition is payable in 9 equal payments, beginning September 5. Tuition is due no later than the 10th of each month. Checks may be made payable to Apostles Day School or ADS.

Uniforms will be required for students in Primary Classes and optional for students in the Introductory Classes. Colors: red, white and navy. Details to be announced.

Detailed information on Policies and Procedures, School Calendar, Uniforms, and Montessori and Godly Play philosophy will be provided in a Parent Handbook.

Is the Montessori teaching method right for my child?
--by Diana Smith

Every parent wants the best education for their child. We know that education forms the future of our children, society, and civilization. Making the right choice for our children is what Montessori education is all about.

Apostles Day School is getting ready for the 2007-08 school year! The focus of our school is the Christian Montessori curriculum where children learn values and principles that will last for a life time. This high quality program is enhanced by certified Montessori teachers and classroom aides, who are Montessori trained. What exactly is a Montessori Method?

The Montessori Method was developed by Maria Montessori, the first woman to earn her degree in medicine in Rome! She was truly a pioneer. Maria Montessori was forced to do her lab work at night because it wasn't considered appropriate for women and men to work together in this area.

After she earned her degree, she began to work with physically and mentally challenged students. She, along with Piaget and Itard, two other well known educators, developed certain techniques to help children with learning differences learn. Maria Montessori developed learning materials or "works" as they are referred to among Montessorians that targeted specific areas and modalities of learning, so that she could help the children and adults learn despite their difficulties. It worked so well that she eventually used these techniques and materials with children in the "slums" of Rome.

She found that the materials and techniques were very effective with children of average intelligence as well. "Montessori Houses" started popping up all over Europe and eventually spread to other continents, as well. The Montessori Method is increasing in popularity among the parents of today who want a more individualized approach to education, based on the developmental stages of their children. Americans have been fans of the Montessori philosophy for well over 50 years, but the public school systems are more visible in the neighborhoods of the United States. However, we are seeing more of a demand than ever before for the Montessori curriculum.

Apostles Day School is not just a school, but a ministry of the Church of the Apostles. It was born out of a love and respect for children as the “gifts from God” that they are to us. They are truly our future and that is why we are here.

Now that you know a bit about our school, please take the time to look at our classrooms. Feel free to stop by our office from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday during the school year and call for summer hours to request information and take a tour of our classrooms. We are currently enrolling students for next year and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

To contact Apostles Day School, call 972-393-0655.

Apostles Day School News Update