Enrollment
Enrollment
Your child must must be at least 2 years and 9 months old by September 1st (3 years old by December 31st) to attend Family Cooperative Preschool at the start of the year.
Please contact us to learn more or to schedule a visit. An Application Form will be available for you on the day of your visit. You can return your application with the application fee before our deadline of January 12. We will hold our enrollment lottery that week and inform you immediately about your status as either enrolled or on our wait list. Parents who have missed the application deadline are encouraged to apply year-round in the event of openings.
Contact Family Cooperative Preschool
Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students
Family Cooperative Preschool does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, sexual orientation, marital status, national or ethnic origin, or religion in its educational or admission policies, financial aid, or any other school-administered programs.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition is set annually by the Board of Directors. For the 2024-2025 school year, the annual tuition is below:
2 Day Program - $4120
3 Day Program - $5150
Extended Day Fee - $28/day
Families who choose the Extended Day Option (1 or 2 days) will have a fee added to their annual tuition.
Every effort is made so that children in the 2 day program are able to come to school twice a week, even if there is a holiday during that week. This is accomplished by using Wednesdays as make-up days.
A $150.00 non-refundable deposit is due on February 1. This reserves your child's spot in the school. It is applied to the annual tuition.
Each family must pay one tuition installment by May 15. This payment is non-refundable.
Payment Schedules
There are 3 options available for the balance of the tuition:
1 payment (due September 1)
2 payments (due September 1 and January 1)
9 payments (due by the 1st of each month September - May)
Policies
Family Cooperative Preschool uses a lottery style drawing to determine acceptance into the programs or waitlist status. To achieve a balanced class and meet the needs of the students, the final configuration of each session is at the discretion of the Director. Priority is given to families previously associated with the school. Applications are encouraged year round.
Withdrawals after September 1st are subject to the current month’s tuition in full. The initial $150 deposit and the first installment payment are non-refundable. No refunds or deductions are allowed for illness or other absences during the school year.
Family Cooperative Preschool does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, gender identity, color, sexual orientation, marital status, national or ethnic origin, or religion in its educational or admission policies, financial aid, or any other school-administered programs.
Toilet training is not an eligibility requirement for enrollment.
Families are expected to fulfill their co-oping duties, attend one of the three clean-up parties, support fundraising efforts and join a committee on the Parent Executive Board.
Financial Aid
Family Cooperative Preschool provides short and long-term tuition assistance, based upon need. Financial Aid applications are included in the January enrollment mailing. Additional copies can be obtained by contacting the school at 978-682-4012.
Financial Aid at Family Cooperative Preschool: Questions and Answers
Why is offering financial aid a core value of Family Cooperative Preschool?
The group of parents who founded our school in 1952 and Mrs. Mary Charles, a prominent North Andover resident and benefactress to the school throughout her life, believed strongly that the school be open and available to the entire community. One of the ways we try to honor that legacy is to offer financial aid to help defray the cost of tuition. The fund we maintain for financial aid is named for Mrs. Mary Charles, and we are proud to be one of the very few preschools we know of to offer financial aid.
Who are the people involved in making financial aid decisions?
The Financial Aid Committee is made up of three volunteer members who are not currently associated in any way with Family Cooperative Preschool, other than that they care deeply about the school. They might have had children who attended several years ago, but that is not a prerequisite. The Family Co-op Board of Directors is responsible for nominating and approving members of the Financial Aid Committee. One member of the Board of Directors serves as Liaison to the Committee. That Board member is the contact person for parents who have questions or concerns about financial aid and for the Family Co-op Treasurer if there are questions regarding tuition payments. The names of families who are receiving financial aid are known only to the Financial Aid Committee, the Board Liaison and the Treasurer.
What is the timeline?
Applications for financial aid are included in the enrollment acceptance packet emailed mid January. The application must be filled out and mailed to the Board Liaison by February 1. The Financial Aid Committee meets in February to discuss and decide upon the distribution of funds. Recipients are notified by March 1.
How much money is available to each applicant?
The goal of the Financial Aid Committee is to grant money to help defray the cost of tuition to families who, due to financial circumstances, would not otherwise be able to attend Family Co-op. It is expected that families will contribute some of the tuition on a monthly basis; thus, in almost all cases, partial rather than full financial aid is given.
How does the Financial Aid Committee work?
The Financial Aid Committee meets after receiving all the applications from the Board Liaison. Each application is reviewed. There is no preference necessarily given to siblings of former recipients, current students who already receive aid, or families with multiple students. In other words, each application is reviewed based on the financial need represented in the application. There is no guarantee that every applicant will receive financial aid or that they will receive the amount requested. The Committee does the best it can with the total amount allocated.
What if I don't receive the amount I need to enroll?
We realize that the first non-refundable deposit toward tuition is due before you are notified of the amount of financial aid you will receive. If you are unable to enroll your child at the school because you receive less financial aid than expected, that initial deposit will be refunded to you. In such circumstances please contact the Director for a refund.
What happens if my child is accepted after the February 1 deadline?
Most of the allocated amount of financial aid is distributed when the Committee meets in February. However, your Financial Aid Application will be reviewed regardless of when you submit it.
What if I have a financial emergency after school starts?
Emergency financial aid may be requested at any time during the school year using the same application process. If parents have the need for financial aid during the school year, they can request an application from the Director.
If you have any questions about the Mary Charles Financial Aid Program at Family Cooperative Preschool, please feel free to contact Cathy Bakkensen, Board Liaison, cbakkensen@aol.com.