Welcome. Bienvenidos. Welkom. Selamat Datang. Failte.
Welcome. Bienvenidos. Welkom. Selamat Datang. Failte.
Each year, the enrollment process for the next school year begins in the late Fall/Winter and ends with the lottery in the Spring.
Admissions + Enrollment
River Montessori Charter School is proud to be a FREE + PUBLIC option in the myriad educational choices available in Petaluma. As you learn more about Montessori you will find that we are an authentic Montessori school and adhere rigidly to the philosophy while balancing our obligations to California state standards as a public school. While no easy task, we are committed to Montessori Education, and work tirelessly to ensure confidence in our holistic and rigorous academic program for children.
In order to help families determine if RMCS is a match for their children, we host a two-step prospective parent/guardian program designed to deepen the understanding of Montessori philosophy and the culture of our school. We look forward to introducing you to our school!
Step 1.
MONTESSORI INFORMATION NIGHT
These casual meetings are a perfect opportunity for parents and guardians to receive an in-depth overview of River Montessori Charter School and Montessori pedagogy.
Upcoming Info Meetings 6:00 - 7:00:
January 13 | February 2 | March 3
Step 2.
TOUR + OBSERVATION
Tours are typically offered on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8:45, and last about 90 minutes. Please call school to schedule your tour or click Schedule below.
We recommend attending a Montessori Information Night prior to a Tour + Observation.
Rolling Admission
RMCS offers rolling admission through the school year, as spaces allow.
The new school year at River Montessori Charter School officially kicks off in late July, but we enroll year-round because sometimes a child’s emerging or changing educational needs simply won’t wait for a semester’s end. Enroll your child at any time and our experienced and compassionate staff will make it a smooth and successful transition for your child and you.
Application Process 2027-2028
Transitional Kindergarten/TK children must be four by September 1. Kindergarten children must be five by September 1.
1.
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Complete the Application for Enrollment by
March 5, 2027.Application Coming Soon!
2.
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Click HERE to upload documents directly to Admissions Office.
3.
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Public Lottery
March 9, 2027 @ 4:30 p.m.Enrollment/Waitlist Offers: RMCS emails offers immediately following the Public Lottery and upon any available opening.
Enrollment Packets follow acceptance of offer and are due within 1 week.
Questions? Call or email.Available for download: CDE Charter School Complaint Notice & Form
Available for download: CDE Charter School Complaint Notice & Form
Showcase Events
Want to experience our community first-hand? Join the fun…
River’s TK/K Enrollment Faire
Explore. Play. Enroll.
Prepare for the next step in your child’s education by meeting our faculty, touring our classrooms, and ket your child explore our purposeful learning materials.
1/23/2027 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Creator Faire
The Creator Faire at River Montessori is a celebration of the arts and sciences with dozens of hands-on activity stations. Always open to the public, this event is a great opportunity to engage with River students as they share their creations and expertise.
Interactive Curiosities by Student Makers
JOIN US: 10/17/2026 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Open House
This annual event is a wonderful opportunity to learn about Montessori curriculum directly from River students, who will have transformed our schoolhouse into a gallery opening for their student art show, and will also be hosting their 3rd annual Poetry Slam.
Curriculum, Art Show + Poetry Slam
2/25/2027 @ 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
PEF Education TK/K Night
Come See River’s Table
Is your little one ready to take their first big step into school? Join the Petaluma Educational Foundation (PEF) for a free, interactive evening designed to help Petaluma-area parents explore top Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten options for their children!
10/20/2026 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
RMCS International Family Festival
Join us for River’s International Family Festival, a vibrant world faire hosted by our students and families, where the heritage, history, food, arts, and traditions of cultures from around the globe come together in one joyful celebration. Come as our guest and see the heart of our Montessori community, where children learn to honor every culture as part of one human family, and leave feeling like you've just left the best family reunion ever!
Many Cultures, One Community
11/19/2026 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.