Celebrating a Monumental Year at Montessori Key West
As each school year comes to a close we are always grateful for the beautiful journey of the year behind us, and it is bittersweet to say goodbye for the Summer knowing this particular group of children and staff will change and evolve for the year ahead. The 2025/2026 school year has been especially momentous for us as a community because in addition to 
Raising Kind Humans, we accomplished some major milestones and achieved goals we have been working towards as an Administration & Board for many years.
Here are some major milestones achieved in the 25/26 School Year:
- Purchased, renovated, outfitted and opened a brand new satellite campus for our Upper grades (4th grade through High School!) cementing our presence in Old Town and expanding our ability to provide authentic Montessori education to our island children.
- Received our IMC Accreditation, making us the only fully accredited Montessori school in Monroe County.
- Several members of our staff completed a rigorous Montessori certification program while also managing to work miracles as full time Guides. Congratulations to Ms Suzanne & Ms Ashley R – these two have earned their Summers!
- In a difficult climate to find and keep good staff, we have managed to retain the majority of our staff and brought on several amazing new team members along the way.
- Looking at next year, we are retaining 96% of our current student population (this figure is unheard of) and while it is difficult to turn away so many new families hoping for spaces, we are so proud to welcome so many of our beloved families back and deeply appreciate your trust in us.
As we close out the 25/26 School Year we want to send a sincere thank you to all of you. Thank you for your support, your belief in what we are doing, your willingness to learn, your open-mindedness, and your commitment to giving your children an experience of school that is extraordinary…
Re-Enrollment Fees & Paperwork
Returning students have been invoiced a $50 re-enrollment fee, and have received a re-enrollment package for 2026/2027 via email. In order to be offered re-enrollment your balance must be paid in full. If you do not receive a re-enrollment package and are expecting one, please reach out to the office. Attached are the 2026-2027 CALENDAR & the Tuition and Fees 2026-2027 rates, for those who missed the Corporation meeting last week.
Work/Pay Deadline – June 1
Each family commits to 10 hours of work/pay volunteer hours as well as 2 fundraising hours each school year. These are to be fulfilled by June 1, and are the parent’s responsibility to record in the Work/Pay binder that lives in the office. Unfulfilled work/pay hours are billed at $30/volunteer hour & $110/fundraising hour. Avoid being billed for your unfulfilled hours by helping out with any of the following tasks, or reach out to let us know you’d like some hours and we will find a way to help get them done!
- Set up/Clean up End of Year Potluck Friday, May 29
- Next week during Teacher Work Week:
- We are in need of gutter cleaning at Varela Street campus – can you help?
- Scrubbing picnic tables
- Powerwashing
- Pizza delivery Fridays at 11:30AM in the Summer
- Each classroom has a wishlist of items to purchase – these count as Work/Pay! Would you like to purchase something for your child’s classroom? Tell us!
Step Up Award IDs
Families receiving Step Up Funding for the 2026-2027 School Year (students ages 5 and above as of Sept 1, 2026, as well as students ages 3 and up who qualify with a Unique Ability): Applications are live but due soon, according to their website. Please prioritize submitting your application for Step Up Funding ASAP and once approved, send your Award ID to office@montessorikeywest.com.
Summer Camp Sign Ups
We offer Summer Camp for students ages 5 and under. Montessori Key West Summer Camp is offered all weeks of the summer except the first and last (teacher work weeks.) Camp is offered 8AM-3:30PM for $350/week. Half day students may attend half day camp from 8AM-11:30AM for $175/week. In response to your survey feedback this Summer we will offer Extended Day care until 5PM in both programs for $75/week. Please see attached Summer Camp 2026 Sign Up Flyer (5). Returning students for 26/27 School Year will receive priority for Summer Camp weeks. We have limited space, so please return and complete your sign-ups ASAP (Toddler is full for most weeks, so new registrations will be added to the Waiting List.) Weeks are not refundable nor transferable, so please only sign up for the weeks you will need. A special thank you to our staff working over the summer to make year-round care available for our families who need it.
This Week @ MCS
Pictured:
1. Toddlers take a snack break during a successful Water Day
2. Upper Elementary & Middle School friends at Sea Camp
3. A few Middle School & Rising Middle School friends in Sarasota at the New Gate Global Gathering
4. Our fabulous 2026 Kindergarten graduates
Upcoming Events (more info below)…
Wednesday, May 27: Kindergarten Graduation @ 5:30PM, Front Lawn
Friday, May 29: Last Day of School
Friday, May 29: End of School Potluck @ 2:30PM, Front Lawn (No Aftercare)
NO SCHOOL OR CAMP June 1-5 – Staff In-Service Week
Monday, June 8: Summer Camp Begins
Kindergarten Graduation
The entire community is invited to join in a ceremony celebrating our graduating Kindergarteners tonight at 5:30pm on the front lawn. Cake and refreshments provided.
End of School Potluck
Please plan to join us on the last day of school, Friday, May 29th at 2:30PM for a Party & Potluck on the Front Lawn. Music by DJ Jimmy Jamz! Bring a picnic blanket and a dish to share. There is NO AFTERCARE this day – all students will be dismissed at 2:30PM.
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