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International Montessori School

United States, Durham

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The school at a glance
Instructs in French, Spanish, Mandarin
Fees $0 - 29,360
Ages 1 - 14 years
Pupil numbers 159
Type Co-educational
Opened 1996
Bus Service No
Part of
International Montessori School
Academic offering
Curriculum Montessori Curriculum
Taught languages English
Typical class size 20
Strengths Languages, Academic Enrichment, Outdoor Education
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Elementary, Middle School
Introduction

International Montessori School (IMS) is a language-immersion Montessori program serving children from 18 months through eighth grade across campuses: the Academy Campus in Durham and the Barbee Chapel Campus in Chapel Hill. IMS offers Montessori classrooms with immersion in French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. Programs run Toddler (18-36 months), Early Childhood (3-6), Elementary (6-12), Middle School (12-14), and Summer Camp (3-6). Lower Elementary is taught entirely in immersion language with English language arts taught separately; Upper Elementary uses roughly 70% English and 30% immersion for core subjects; Middle School features a project-based curriculum with a foreign language requirement and optional third language, plus Socratic seminars and a micro-economy. The school is American Montessori Society accredited. IMS serves campuses as one community, with Barbee Chapel on 37 acres enabling outdoor learning and field trips. The program emphasizes bilingualism and biculturalism as lifelong assets, alongside arts, music, PE, and collaborative projects.

This campus is part of International Montessori School

3001 Academy Road, Suite 300, Durham, NC 27707

The Essentials

International Montessori School has 159 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in French, Spanish, Mandarin.

Location
Two IMS campuses: Academy Campus, 3001 Academy Road, Suite 300, Durham, NC 27707; Barbée Chapel Campus, 5510 Barbee Chapel Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517.

Stages
Toddler (18-36 months); Early Childhood (3-6 years); Elementary (6-12 years); Middle School (12-14 years). Summer Camp is also offered.

Type
Language-immersion Montessori school for students from 18 months through 8th grade.

Pupil Nationality Mix
IMS is a diverse, international community with families from many cultures and languages; language immersion in French, Spanish, and Mandarin.

Country affiliation
United States

School day structure
Regular day: 8:15 AM–3:00 PM; After School: 3:00 PM–5:30 PM.

Bus service
Bus service is available for Early Childhood, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle Grades. One-way bus fee is $650; two-way bus fee is $1,000. Toddler has no bus option.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Snacks are provided during Summer Camp; lunch is brought from home.

Governance and Ownership
The school is a non-profit, independent institution governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Directors made up primarily of current and former parents. The Board provides fiduciary oversight and guides long-term strategic planning. The Head of School serves as an ex-officio member.
Fees

Annual tuition at International Montessori School ranges from up to USD 29,360 for 2026/27.

Application & One‑Time Enrollment Fees
- Application fee: USD 100 per household. USD 75 for siblings applying at the same time.
- Enrollment fee (new students): USD 1,500.
- Sibling enrollment fee: USD 1,000.

Annual Tuition — 2026/27 (by program)
- Toddler (Regular Day): USD 21,150 per year. Per standard 10‑payment plan installment: USD 2,115.00.
- Early Childhood (Regular Day): USD 19,695 per year. Per 10‑payment installment: USD 1,969.50. (Half‑day Early Childhood for 3s & 4s: USD 14,710 per year.)
- Lower Elementary (Regular Day): USD 19,695 per year. Per 10‑payment installment: USD 1,969.50.
- Upper Elementary (Regular Day): USD 20,530 per year. Per 10‑payment installment: USD 2,053.00.
- Middle Grades (Regular Day): USD 22,680 per year. Per 10‑payment installment: USD 2,268.00.

Program add‑on fees (annual amounts)
- After‑School program (annual): Toddler USD 5,500; Early Childhood USD 4,515; Lower Elementary USD 4,515; Upper Elementary USD 4,515. Per 10‑payment installment, divide these amounts by 10 if included in the tuition payment plan (e.g., Toddler after‑school = USD 550.00 per installment).
- School supply fee (annual): Toddler USD 60; Early Childhood USD 30 (USD 40 for Kindergarten); Lower Elementary USD 50; Upper Elementary USD 55; Middle Grades USD 75. These are charged per year.
- Bus fees (annual): One‑way USD 685; both ways USD 1,050 (Kinder one‑way and both‑ways shown as same amounts, noted TBD for Kinder). These are charged per year.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Standard payment plans available:
- Lump‑sum payment: one‑time payment of the full annual tuition due by March for the school year beginning in August. A pre‑payment discount of 3% applies to payments made in March (not available to families receiving financial assistance or after March 31).
- Monthly (standard) payment plan: the annual tuition is divided into a tuition deposit equal to 10% of tuition charged in March, with nine additional equal payments for a total of 10 payments; for practical purposes this yields ten equal installments of 10% each (deposit + nine payments). For new students the tuition deposit and enrollment fee are due March 5 or upon acceptance to reserve a place; for returning students the tuition deposit is charged in March according to existing payment dates. Remaining payments begin in August. In late enrollments, remaining tuition is amortized across the remaining scheduled payments, which may result in fewer than 10 payments. Continuous enrollment billing for returning families begins automatically unless the family notifies the school of withdrawal by February.
- How installments are applied: the standard monthly plan effectively results in 10 equal installments (each installment = annual tuition ÷ 10). Additional program fees (after‑school, bus, supply fees) are charged as annual amounts; families may include these in payment arrangements according to the tuition management system and the school's billing procedures.

Boarding
- Boarding is not applicable. IMS operates as a day school (programs, campus hours, and campus listings reflect day‑program operation; no residential/boarding program or boarding fees are published).

Other costs and optional charges
- Application fee and enrollment fees (see above) are one‑time charges at application/acceptance. The application fee is billed at application submission and is non‑refundable.
- Summer camp: separate registration and fees apply. Camp weeks require a non‑refundable 50% deposit at registration; the balance is due by May 31; cancellations or switches are allowed up to May 31. All transaction convenience fees for camp are non‑refundable. Families enrolled at IMS are billed through the school's tuition management system.
- School supply and bus fees (listed above) are charged annually when applicable. Additional incidental fees (field trips, special materials, extended‑care beyond stated after‑school program, etc.) may be charged as they occur; such incidental fees are not listed as standard annual charges in the published schedule.

Refunds and withdrawal timing
- Application fee: billed at application and specified as non‑refundable.
- Continuous‑enrollment and withdrawal timing: for returning students, billing for the upcoming year begins automatically unless the family notifies the school of withdrawal in February of the current year; this timing determines whether billing will commence for the upcoming year. Specific refund amounts or the refundability of the enrollment fee are not published in the publicly available tuition and admissions materials.
- Summer camp cancellations: camp deposits are 50% non‑refundable; the remaining balance and cancellation window are described under summer camp policies.

Fee payment channels and practical notes
- Billing and payments are processed through the school's tuition management system; available payment plans (lump‑sum or monthly/10‑payment plan) are administered through that system. Specific, detailed lists of accepted payment methods (for example, which credit cards are accepted, whether ACH/bank transfer is accepted, or whether payment by check is permitted) are not published in the public fee pages. Families set payment methods and automatic billing within the tuition management portal as part of enrollment and payment‑plan setup.

Summary of the key published 2026/27 figures
- Annual tuition (Regular Day): Toddler USD 21,150; Early Childhood USD 19,695; Lower Elementary USD 19,695; Upper Elementary USD 20,530; Middle Grades USD 22,680. Per 10‑payment installment: divide each annual tuition by 10 (examples given above).

Note on items not publicly specified
- The published materials list program and annual fees, the application fee (stated non‑refundable), the enrollment fee, payment plans, and summer camp cancellation terms. The school's publicly available pages do not publish a detailed enrollment‑fee refund policy, an exhaustive list of accepted payment methods (credit card brands, ACH, etc.), or a uniform fee or uniform‑purchase requirement. For items not listed publicly (for example, enrollment‑fee refundability or exact accepted payment instruments), families arrange specifics through the admissions or business office and the tuition management portal.
Academics

International Montessori School teaches Montessori Curriculum for students aged 1 to 14.

Curriculum
IMS is a language immersion Montessori school for children aged 18 months through eighth grade. It offers three immersion languages - French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese - across two campuses: the Academy Campus in Durham and the Barbee Chapel Campus in Chapel Hill. Programs run Toddler (18-36 months), Early Childhood (3-6), Elementary (6-12), Middle School (12-14), and Summer Camp (3-6). In Lower Elementary, classes are delivered entirely in the immersion language with English language arts taught separately; in Upper Elementary, 70% of the week is in English and 30% in the immersion language, with English classes for core subjects and some English-based arts classes. Middle School uses a project-based curriculum with a foreign language requirement, continuing the target language, and options to add a third language; it includes Socratic seminars and a micro-economy. Families choose a single immersion language when enrolling.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
IMS emphasizes more than academics and honors each child's individuality. The focus is on curiosity, independence, compassion, collaboration, and critical thinking, preparing students for the future with confidence and self-knowledge. The curriculum demonstrates strong academic outcomes while supporting holistic development, with younger children reading and older students tackling more complex tasks. IMS fosters an international, collaborative community and partners with families to support the child's growth at home and at school. Language immersion strengthens social-emotional skills, including verbal expression and social flexibility, at earlier ages. The program also nurtures self-direction and empathy as integral parts of daily learning.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
IMS has a Learning Support Specialist on the Administrative & Support Team. The school is committed to inclusion and equity through a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion program that supports neurodiversity and inclusive practices. IMS aims to provide a safe, respectful environment where students of diverse backgrounds feel valued and have access to supports. DEI work includes ongoing staff development and anti-bias, anti-racist learning integrated into the classroom.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
IMS offers language immersion in three languages: French, Spanish, and Mandarin. Most staff are native speakers of the language of the classroom they serve. For families who do not speak the immersion language, IMS provides guidance and home activities to support language development.

Mental Wellbeing
IMS focuses on social and emotional skills through its Montessori and language-immersion approach. The school promotes a safe learning community that values curiosity, collaboration, and empathy. Equity and inclusion efforts, along with anti-bias learning and parent education, contribute to students' mental wellbeing. IMS emphasizes partnership with families to support wellbeing across home and school.

Safeguarding
IMS envisions a safe learning community that values all students and families, guided by equity and inclusion and anti-bias learning in the classroom. The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion program was formed in 2022 to advance safe, inclusive practices and to ensure historically muted voices are represented in leadership and teaching. The school commits to ongoing staff development and an anti-racist, anti-bias curriculum to protect and support every learner.
Parent Experience

History
International Montessori School was founded in 1996 as a place where young children of French-speaking parents could find community. It has grown into a multilingual Montessori program offering language immersion in French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. IMS emphasizes bilingualism and biculturalism as gifts for lifelong learning. Since 1996 IMS has expanded to two campuses: the Academy Campus in Durham for Toddler and Early Childhood and the Barbee Chapel Campus in Chapel Hill for Elementary and Middle School, forming a single IMS community.

Community
IMS is a diverse community of teachers and families from many cultures, languages, and backgrounds. Many families speak English at home yet value the benefits of fluency in another language and understanding of other cultures. IMS fosters connections across cultures and welcomes families with ties to other countries, honoring those connections. Regardless of location, children and families on both campuses come together as a single IMS community.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Two IMS campuses form one community: the Academy Campus in Durham and the Barbee Chapel Campus in Chapel Hill. The Academy Campus houses the Toddler and Early Childhood programs and is in central Durham with close proximity to Duke University. The Barbee Chapel Campus serves the Lower and Upper Elementary programs and the Middle School, and sits on 37 acres of land in Chapel Hill. IMS was founded in 1996 and emphasizes multilingual, multicultural education across languages and cultures.

Academic Facilities
Language immersion in French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese is integrated into Montessori classrooms. Programs run from Toddler (18-36 months) through Middle School (12-14 years), with Summer Camp offered. The school is American Montessori Society accredited. IMS serves children from 18 months through eighth grade.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers programs for children age 18 months through eighth grade in three immersion languages - French, Spanish, and Mandarin. The curriculum emphasizes curiosity, independence, compassion, collaboration, and critical thinking. The curriculum presents skills at the time when children are most ready to learn, with examples such as four-year-olds reading, six-year-olds completing long division, and nine-year-olds classifying botanical specimens.

Arts & Creative
Elementary students enjoy weekly classes in art, music, and physical education. These experiences support creative expression and motor development within the Montessori framework. The arts are integrated with the curriculum to foster creativity and collaboration.

Cultural & Language
IMS offers three immersion languages—French, Spanish, and Mandarin—across its programs. The Toddler Community is conducted in English, with families selecting a language track in Spanish, French, or Chinese; language programming is determined at initial acceptance and cannot be changed.

Social & Hobbies
Elementary students develop deeper friendships and a growing connection to the local community. They participate in group projects and collaborative activities that promote teamwork and social learning.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Elementary students have weekly physical education classes. Students participate in day-long field trips at various times during the school year. IMS operates across two campuses, with the Barbee Chapel Campus on 37 acres, enabling outdoor learning and recreational opportunities.
Languages

Language Provision
French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese are taught as target languages. Families choose a single immersion language track at enrollment and remain in that language through Early Childhood; immersion begins in Early Childhood. The school serves Toddler (18-36 months), Early Childhood (3-6 years), Lower Elementary (6-9 years), Upper Elementary (9-12 years), and Middle School (12-14 years). Lower Elementary spends 80% of the week in the immersion language and 20% in English, while Upper Elementary spends 30% in immersion and 70% in English, with English Language Arts taught separately; Middle School requires foreign language study and may allow adding a third language.

Bilingual Teaching
The school provides one-way immersion in French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese for students from 18 months through eighth grade. The Toddler program is English-only, and immersion begins in the Early Childhood classroom. Early Childhood is 100% immersion in the chosen language, while Lower Elementary spends about 80% of the week in the immersion language and 20% in English, and Upper Elementary spends about 70% of the week in English and 30% in immersion. In Middle School, all students study a foreign language, with the option to continue in their target language and add a third language.

Immersion Programs
IMS offers three immersion languages: French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. The Toddler program is English-only; immersion language tracks begin in Early Childhood. Early Childhood provides 100% immersion in the chosen language. Lower Elementary has 80% immersion and 20% English; Upper Elementary has 30% immersion and 70% English; English language arts are taught separately, with language cohorts for immersion. Middle School requires foreign language study, with the option to continue in the target language and add a third language.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Inquire & Connect: Submit an inquiry form and schedule your Virtual Information Session. The Virtual Information Session is a 45‑minute call to learn more about language immersion, Montessori, and IMS. Both are required for your application. 2. Apply: After your virtual information session, you are welcome to apply for your child's admission. A complete application includes a non-refundable $100 application fee and additional information/forms. Priority consideration applications for the 2026‑2027 school year are now closed and we will review applications on a rolling basis as space permits. 3. Tour: When all other parts of the application are received, you will be invited to an on-site visit. Rising Kinders as well as all elementary and middle school aged students will spend a day as a member of the classroom. Priority consideration deadlines apply: documents must be submitted by January 2, 2026 for priority applications and related items; after this round, all other applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as spaces are available.

Scholarships
IMS provides internal financial assistance and accepts NCSEAA K12 Scholarships. In the 2025‑2026 school year, 15% of students received some level of internally‑provided financial assistance. Financial assistance applications are completed through Clarity; create a Clarity account and obtain the school access code by emailing admissions@imsnc.org; a $65 fee per household is charged when submitting the Clarity application. If offered a space, the financial assistance award is issued with the enrollment agreement. Payment plans include Lump Sum Payments (one‑time annual tuition due by March for the August start; 3% prepayment discount for March; not available to those receiving financial assistance or after March 31) and Monthly Payments (a 10‑payment plan with a 10% deposit due March; remaining payments begin in August; returning families have automatic enrollment). External resources listed include the NC Opportunity Scholarship Program and the ESA+ Program. Priority applications for new and returning families must be received by January 2, 2026; after that, applications are reviewed as funds are available.
School Events
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