October 2026 Enrollment Data
Background Check Policy
Purpose
The Montessori School of Wooster is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all students. This policy establishes requirements for criminal background checks for employees and volunteers who have direct contact with students.
Scope
This policy applies to:
All teaching employees
All nonteaching employees
All volunteers who have direct contact with students
Policy Statement
No individual shall be permitted to work or volunteer in a position involving direct contact with students without first undergoing and successfully passing required background checks in accordance with applicable Ohio law.
Background Check Requirements
1. Employees (Teaching and Nonteaching)
All prospective employees must complete:
A Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) background check
A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background check
Conditions of Employment:
Employment is contingent upon receipt of satisfactory results
Background checks must be completed prior to the start of employment
Employees must undergo periodic rechecks as required by Ohio law or school policy
2. Volunteers with Direct Student Contact
Any volunteer who will have unsupervised or direct contact with students must:
Complete a BCI background check
Complete an FBI background check, if required under Ohio law (e.g., non-Ohio residents within the past five years)
Supervision Exception:
Volunteers who are always under direct supervision of a cleared employee may be exempt from full background checks, at the discretion of the school administration
Disqualifying Offenses
Individuals may be disqualified from employment or volunteer service if background checks reveal offenses that would:
Prohibit employment under Ohio law
Raise concerns about the safety and well-being of students
The school reserves the right to evaluate results on a case-by-case basis, consistent with legal requirements.
Confidentiality
All background check results will be treated as confidential
Records will be securely maintained and accessed only by authorized personnel
Compliance and Enforcement
Failure to comply with this policy will result in ineligibility for employment or volunteer service
Any employee or volunteer found to have falsified information will be subject to immediate termination or dismissal
Responsibility
The Head of School or designee is responsible for:
Ensuring compliance with this policy
Maintaining documentation of completed background checks
Monitoring renewal requirements
Review of Policy
This policy shall be reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to remain compliant with Ohio Revised Code and best practices for student safety.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The governing board of Montessori School of Wooster located at 1170 Akron Rd. in Wooster, OH 44691 has adopted the following racial nondiscriminatory policies. The Montessori School of Wooster recruits and admits students of any race, color or ethnic origin to all its rights, privileges, programs and activities. In addition, the school will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, employment, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.
The Montessori School of Wooster will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or ethnic origin in the hiring of its certified or non-certified personnel.
This policy applies to all aspects of the School’s operations, including but not limited to:
Admissions and enrollment
Educational programs and activities
Financial aid and scholarships
Employment practices, including hiring, promotion, and compensation
Discipline and student services
The Montessori School of Wooster is committed to providing equal access to its programs and activities and will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and applicable Ohio law.
Title IX Compliance
In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and applicable Ohio law, the Montessori School of Wooster does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs or activities. This includes protection against sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.
The School has designated the following individual to serve as its Title IX Coordinator, responsible for overseeing compliance with Title IX and handling reports of sex-based discrimination or harassment:
Title IX Coordinator
Joe Edinger. Head of School
Montessori School of Wooster
1170 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691
330.264.5222
edinger@woomontessori.org
Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, to the Title IX Coordinator at any time, including during non-business hours. Reports may be made in person, by mail, by telephone, or by email.
Reporting and Complaint Procedure
Any student, parent, employee, or community member who believes they have been subjected to discrimination, harassment, or retaliation is encouraged to report the concern promptly to the Head of School, Title IX Coordinator, or another designated administrator.
The School will:
Respond promptly and equitably to all reports
Conduct a fair and impartial investigation
Take appropriate corrective action when warranted
Maintain confidentiality to the extent possible
Prohibit retaliation against any individual who reports a concern or participates in an investigation
Compliance Statement
The Montessori School of Wooster complies with all applicable federal and state non-discrimination laws, including but not limited to:
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Ohio Civil Rights Law (Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4112)
Student and Stakeholder Focus Policy
(Aligned with Ohio Administrative Code 3301-35-04)
Adopted: April 9, 2026
Effective: Immediately
I. Purpose
The Montessori School of Wooster is committed to fostering independence, responsibility, and academic excellence through a student-centered approach. This policy ensures that student and stakeholder needs are understood, monitored, and addressed in accordance with Ohio law and the mission of the School.
II. Expectations for Students
The School shall:
Establish and communicate clear expectations for:
Academic performance
Attendance
Student conduct
Ensure expectations are developmentally appropriate and aligned with Montessori philosophy while meeting state standards.
III. Assessment and Data-Informed Decision Making
The School shall:
Diagnose and assess student needs using:
Classroom-based assessments
State performance data (when applicable)
Local measures and observations
Use data to guide:
Curriculum development
Instructional practices
Student support and intervention
Monitor effectiveness of:
Programs
Instructional materials
Facilities and services
IV. Continuous Improvement
The School shall continuously improve programs and policies by:
Gathering stakeholder input, including:
Parents/guardians
Students (as appropriate)
Faculty and staff
Community members
Conducting periodic satisfaction evaluations.
Using collaborative teams to:
Analyze data
Identify strengths and gaps
Improve implementation of programs
V. Communication with Families
The School shall:
Provide regular communication to parents/guardians regarding:
Academic progress
Attendance
Conduct
Offer conferences and progress updates in a timely manner.
VI. Curriculum and Instruction
The School shall implement a curriculum that is:
Systematically planned
Aligned with Montessori philosophy and state standards
Developed with stakeholder input
A. Required Areas of Study
The curriculum shall include:
Personal safety and assault prevention (K–6)
Foreign language
Technology
Family and consumer sciences
Business education
B. Courses of Study
Each course of study shall:
Align with the School’s mission and goals
Define learning expectations and outcomes
Include a scope and sequence
Provide methods for assessing student progress
Address developmental stages
Incorporate:
Project-based learning
Real-world application
Technology integration
Be reviewed and updated regularly
VII. Assessment System
The School shall maintain an assessment system that includes:
Regular evaluation of student progress
Intervention procedures for students needing support
Guidelines for using assessment results in:
Instruction
Promotion decisions
Student guidance
Multiple and appropriate assessment methods
Professional development for staff on assessment practices
Communication of assessment results to students and families
VIII. Student Learning Opportunities
All students shall have access to opportunities to:
Acquire necessary knowledge and skills
Meet course of study objectives
Engage in interdisciplinary and experiential learning
The School may provide:
Advanced learning opportunities
Flexible credit options (for upper-level students)
IX. Credit and Graduation (High School Program)
For applicable grade levels, the School shall:
Award credit proportionately based on instructional time
Allow advanced coursework where appropriate
Recognize integrated coursework toward graduation
Issue diplomas upon completion of requirements
X. Student Achievement Monitoring
The School shall:
Provide regular progress reports to families regarding student academic performance, development, and engagement.
Maintain secure student records in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Establish clear criteria for Promotion and Retention, including:
A. Promotion Criteria
Students will be promoted based on a comprehensive review of:
Demonstrated mastery of course of study objectives
Progress toward individualized learning goals consistent with Montessori principles
Completion of required coursework and projects
Attendance and engagement in the learning process
Social-emotional readiness and developmental appropriateness
B. Retention Criteria
Retention may be considered when a student demonstrates:
Insufficient progress toward essential academic standards
Significant gaps in foundational skills
Lack of engagement despite documented interventions
Social-emotional readiness concerns impacting learning
C. Intervention Requirement
Prior to retention, the School shall:
Implement documented intervention strategies
Communicate concerns with parents/guardians
Provide opportunities for remediation
Engage in collaborative decision-making with families
Final decisions shall reflect the best interest of the student and Montessori philosophy.
Maintain procedures for Admission, Placement, Withdrawal, and Transfer Credit Acceptance, including:
A. Admission
Students shall be admitted in accordance with School policies and applicable state and federal law.
The School shall not discriminate on the basis of any protected class.
Admission is subject to program capacity and alignment with the School’s mission.
Required documentation may include proof of age, immunization records (or exemptions), prior school records, and custody documentation (if applicable).
B. Placement
Placement shall be determined using prior records, developmental readiness, and assessments as appropriate.
Multi-age classroom placement will align with Montessori practices.
C. Withdrawal
Parents/guardians must provide notice of withdrawal.
The School shall document withdrawal and transfer records in accordance with law.
D. Transfer Credit Acceptance
The School shall recognize and accept the transfer of credits earned from any chartered public or chartered non-public school within the United States, in accordance with applicable state law.
Official transcripts or equivalent documentation shall be required.
Accepted credits shall be applied toward graduation requirements as appropriate.
E. Homeschooled Students
Students entering from a home education program shall be admitted in accordance with Ohio law.
The School shall review documentation such as portfolios, assessments, and coursework records.
Placement and credit determination shall be based on demonstrated competency and developmental readiness.
The School may require informal assessments or a trial placement period.
F. Final Determination
Final decisions regarding placement for homeschooled or non-chartered educational experiences shall rest with School administration.
XI. Health and Safety
The School shall:
Maintain policies and procedures to ensure student safety and wellness
Comply with all applicable:
Local
State
Federal laws
Conduct required safety drills and maintain emergency preparedness
XII. Policy Review
This policy shall be:
Reviewed regularly by school leadership and governing authority
Updated as necessary to remain compliant with Ohio law and responsive to student and community needs
XIII. Adoption
This policy is adopted by the governing authority of the Montessori School of Wooster and shall be implemented in all programs serving students.
