For more than 50 years, Mercy Montessori has educated the whole child, developing a strong foundation for learning for students in preschool-8th grade. Mercy offers outdoor learning spaces, weekly swim lessons, a farm-to-table microeconomy program, sliding scale tuition, and financial aid (including EdChoice!). Discover the magic of Mercy!
General Info:
Address: 2335 Grandview Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45206
Phone: (513) 475-6700
Website: www.mercymontessori.org
Q&A with Mercy Montessori Center:
What makes Mercy Montessori Center unique?
Mercy Montessori, founded in 1969, is Cincinnati’s oldest Catholic, Montessori elementary school. Mercy provides a personalized education for children in preschool through 8th grade, and is a regional school drawing from nearly 60 TriState zip codes. Mercy has an income-based sliding scale tuition model as well as financial aid opportunities (including EdChoice), creating a socioeconomically diverse student body. As part of the curriculum, Mercy offers weekly swimming lessons in the on-campus, indoor pool, a farm-to-table microeconomy program (Farmessori), religion, Spanish, music, and art. Mercy Montessori is a sponsored ministry of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and is a member of Mercy Education.
In May of 2023, Mercy hired its first Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) who works with staff, students, families, and stakeholders to cultivate a community where every person feels seen, heard, and valued. When considering school choice, we know that families seek schools that actively work to provide a culturally responsive and enriching education experience. With families representing 60 zip codes, the core of our DEIB work is to provide guidance and support that builds a diverse, equitable, and inclusive school where all those who are part of our community feel a sense of belonging. Click here to learn more about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at Mercy
What is Mercy Montessori Center’s age/grade range?
Mercy offers a unique educational experience for students in preschool through 8th grade.
A note about enrollment age: In order to maintain proper Montessori balance in the 3-6 year old classroom, enrollment preference/priority will be given to children who are three years old by September 30th. Families of potential future students may apply at any time. The Admissions Directress will maintain open communication about availability based on applications received.
What is your enrollment policy? Are there any key dates parents should be aware of?
Mercy accepts applications throughout the year and spaces are offered on a first come, first serve basis for students who complete the application process. Important financial aid application deadlines are: February 3rd (Archdiocese aid) and February 20 (Mercy Financial Aid programs).
Do you offer financial assistance?
Mercy has a sliding scale tuition program that provides customized tuition rates for each families’ income. In addition, several financial aid programs and scholarships are available through the school. These include: Mercy Aid, Sr. Jacinta Scholarship for multi child families, and The Mechley, Felton, Gartner Scholarship, We have limited spaces for students seeking the Ohio Ed Choice and Ed Choice Expansion Scholarship. Lastly, we have 21 spaces annually for the Jon Peterson Scholarship.
What are the standard school day hours?
Mercy’s school hours are: Preschool: 8:35 am – 11:45 am; K-8: 8:35 am – 3:15 pm
Does Mercy Montessori Center offer before/after school care?
Mercy offers daytime childcare for 3 and 4 year old students from 11:45-3:15. Additionally, after school care is offered for students in K-8th grade from 3:15 until 5:45pm.
Does Mercy Montessori Center have a homework policy?
“It is certain that the child’s attitude towards work represents a vital instinct; for without work his/her personality cannot organize itself and deviates from the normal lines of its construction.” (Dr. Maria Montessori, ‘The Secret of Childhood’, Orient Longman Limited, 195)
Homework is a part of Mercy Montessori’s curriculum expectations, but should not dominate home and school life. Our vision for homework at Mercy is that students see the value in practicing and reviewing skills for automaticity and that parents have high expectations and aspirations for their children and communicate these in a supportive manner. The purpose of homework at Mercy Montessori is to assign work that reinforces skills taught in the classroom from previous lessons or to practice math facts/vocabulary words. Homework will be given on a weekly basis from levels one through eight to practice basic skills. The teaching staff encourages parents to be supportive and sensitive to their child’s/children’s needs to complete homework assignments each week.
Does Mercy Montessori Center offer support for students with special needs?
At Mercy, students with special needs are supported through a variety of academic support services and programs. On campus we have a school psychologist, intervention specialist, and speech pathologist provided through the Cincinnati Public School Auxiliary Services program. In addition, we are a provider for the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program.
What specialty classes / extracurricular activities does Mercy Montessori Center offer (gym, art, language, sports etc.)?
All students enrolled at Mercy Montessori receive weekly instruction in swimming, religion, Spanish, art, gym, Farmessori / microeconomy, music, and playtime in our natural playspace, the Ecolab. Students in grades 4-8 also have digital citizenship classes.
Mercy offers a number of sports and extracurricular opportunities. Mercy Meteor sports teams include soccer, volleyball, basketball, swim team, track, and baseball. Other clubs and programs offered at Mercy include hiking club, cooking club, FIRST LEGO League (robotics team), Clover Buds, Girl Scouts, yearbook, acting, Stitch Fix Services, School of Rock, ballet, strings, and Power of the Pen.
What are Mercy Montessori Center’s safety policies?
Mercy works closely with local law enforcement and our fire department to ensure the safety of our students and staff. We have a School Resource Officer that helps our school administration design and implement safety protocols and drills so our students and staff are prepared for emergency situations.
Additionally, we are a recipient of the Ohio K-12 School Safety Grant to continue our vigilance in ensuring the safety and security of every individual who enters our building.
Who should parents contact to learn more about Mercy Montessori School?
Thank you for taking the time to learn about our school. We welcome you to further explore our community by visiting www.mercymontessori.org or contacting our Admissions Directress, Amanda Grimm ([email protected]).
Mercy Montessori Meet-Ups: Virtual Information Sessions
Discover the Magic of Mercy!
Mercy is hosting an in-person, Open House on Sunday, February 4th from 1-3pm. Tour the school, meet our teachers and administrators, and learn more about what Mercy has to offer! Please register here.
If you can’t make it on February 4th, we invite you to join Mercy principals, Patty Normile and Krista Taylor, and Admissions Directress, Amanda Grimm, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Director, Dee Watson for a virtual information session about Mercy Montessori. At these sessions, our administrators will share information about our school and answer your questions. All chats will take place on Google Meet, click here to register. We look forward to meeting you!
- January 9 at 9am
- January 10 at 6:30pm
- March 12 at 9am
- March 13 at 6:30pm
