Admission Process

1. 1. School Tour

As one of the first steps we recommend to prospective families (often following initial information gathered from our website or acquaintances), is a school tour. Visitors can attend an Open Day, where parents visit the school premises at a scheduled time. They become familiar with the layout of the classrooms, selected materials, and the basic characteristics of education at Jolly HOMESCHOOL. Montessori environments differ significantly from traditional school settings, and our experience shows that this first encounter often helps guide parents in their decision-making.

1. 2. Observation

The next step after the school tour is observing the learning process. Throughout the school year, several observation dates are scheduled for interested families. During observation, parents see the full educational process—from the introduction of a new topic, through follow-up activities, to children’s independent work in developing writing, reading, counting skills, project work, and more. During observation, it is important that parents do not disrupt the learning process. They sit along the edges of the room and quietly observe. After some time, they may move to another classroom. A teacher will later create space for discussion in a way that does not disrupt the children’s activities while allowing time to answer parents’ questions.

1. 3. Course (Overview of Montessori Education Principles)

After the observation day, parents attend a short seminar on the basic principles of Montessori education. We present the working methods in the school, the materials we use, expected learning outcomes, developmental principles across different age groups, and their specifics. From our experience, completing this course helps parents better understand our goals, core pillars of education, and how everything works in practice. This allows us to better align parents’ expectations with what the school offers.

1. 4. Questionnaire and Partnership Agreement

Since additional questions may arise after the visit and initial discussions, we send parents a questionnaire after completing the course. Our goal is to understand their expectations of our school. It is important for us that parents begin cooperation with our school only when they are confident that we can meet their expectations. We then confirm this mutual understanding through a Partnership Agreement, where we define our cooperation. We believe that partnership between school and parents is not only about providing education but also about shared values, strengthened through joint activities, meetings, and events. Participation in these activities is highly beneficial for everyone—from children, who see their parents actively engaged with the school, to parents themselves, who gain new social connections and insights into educational methods. Ultimately, cooperation between parents and the school benefits the school as well, as it fosters mutual understanding and prevents misunderstandings.

1. 5. Meeting with Parents, Student, and School Representatives

In the next step, we meet with the parents and the child who wishes to study at our school. During this meeting, we focus mainly on the child—discussing their interests, expectations, and personality.

1. 6. Application and Contract

After evaluating all previous steps and meetings, if parents decide to enroll their child in Jolly HOMESCHOOL, they will receive an application form and a signed Contract. The application is binding and subject to a fee of €100, payable to the school’s account. Parents send both the application and signed Contract to the school (or deliver them in person).

1. 7. Admission Decision

After receiving the application, payment, and signed Contract, the school issues an official admission decision.

1. 8. Specifics for Students Entering Higher Levels (Second and Third Cycles)

For students entering higher levels, the process is very similar, but with greater involvement of the child. Like parents, the child also completes a questionnaire, allowing us to determine whether our offer aligns with their expectations. We also request a motivation letter, where the student explains why they chose our school or why they are leaving their previous one. To assist, we provide guiding questions. As a final step, we would like the child to spend a trial week at the school (duration may vary by agreement). After this trial period, all parties (school, parents, child) evaluate whether they see potential in the cooperation.