PRIME MONTESSORI ACADEMY

The Wellness & Presence Codex

A Standard of Health, Harmony, and Reverence for the Child

At Prime Montessori Academy, wellness is not a procedural requirement—it is a foundational expression of respect for the child and the community.

Our curated ateliers depend upon continuity, equilibrium, and the quiet rhythm of daily presence. For this reason, the Academy maintains a precise, carefully considered wellness policy to safeguard each child’s health, protect the collective, and ensure the integrity of the Montessori experience.

This policy is written with intention, clarity, and the elevated care expected of a luxury, high-trust educational setting. It reflects our belief that a healthy community is a shared responsibility, honored through mindfulness, transparency, and partnership.

I. Guiding Principles of Wellness

We affirm that:

  • A child’s well-being is central to their developmental flourishing.

  • The community thrives when each child arrives rested, healthy, and ready to engage.

  • The integrity of the Montessori work cycle requires a stable, protected environment.

  • Illness disrupts not only the child’s experience but the learning of others.

For these reasons, the Academy is unable to accommodate children who are visibly unwell or in the early stages of illness. Wellness is a communal ethic—one we hold with reverence.

II. Reporting Absences & Communicating Illness

Families must notify the Academy of any absence through the Graceful Absence Declaration Form on the Prime Family Lounge.

Please indicate:

  • Whether the absence is illness-related

  • Any communicable condition

  • Any behavioral or physical symptoms observed at home

Transparent communication allows us to steward the ateliers with care.

III. Requirements for Returning to School

To maintain the highest health standard, a child may return to school only when fully recovered, able to participate comfortably, and when the following criteria have been met:

A child must be symptom-free for a full 24 hours, without the aid of medication, from:

  • Fever over 100.4°F

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea

If a fever was present at any point, a doctor’s clearance note is required prior to return.

Extended Absences

Any illness lasting more than three days, or involving a communicable condition, requires a physician’s note confirming that the child:

  • is no longer contagious or

  • is undergoing treatment and fully able to participate in the environment.

IV. Communicable Illnesses & Academy Timelines

Certain conditions require longer exclusion periods regardless of a physician’s clearance, in order to protect the community. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Hand, Foot & Mouth

  • RSV

  • Influenza

  • Croup

  • Bronchitis

  • Viral gastrointestinal infections

Children diagnosed with Hand, Foot & Mouth must remain home for a minimum of five days.

The Academy reserves the right to determine an extended timeline when necessary to preserve communal safety.

V. Medication & Treatment

The Academy may administer medication only when a Medication Authorization Form is on file.

Families must ensure:

  • All dosages are administered exactly as prescribed

  • Medication regimens have begun at least 24 hours before the child returns to school

  • No over-the-counter medications are used to mask symptoms

VI. Illness During the School Day

If a child becomes ill while at the Academy, families will be contacted immediately.

We ask that:

  • The child be picked up ideally within 30 minutes

  • A backup contact be available if a parent cannot arrive within one hour

  • Emergency contact information remain current at all times

While awaiting pickup, the child will rest in a quiet, supervised space separate from the atelier.

Children who are sent home for illness may not attend any same-day programs or enrichment experiences.

VII. Maintaining the Integrity of the Ateliers

A child should not attend school when:

  • Their health prevents meaningful participation

  • Their symptoms may compromise the well-being of others

  • Their presence disrupts the harmony of the atelier

The Academy is not licensed for the care of sick children.

Repeated disregard for the wellness policy—such as bringing a child to the academy while unwell or failing to pick up an ill child promptly—may result in administrative review and, if necessary, termination of enrollment.

VIII. Tuition & Attendance

Please note that tuition is not reduced, prorated, credited, or refunded for student absences due to illness.

This supports continuity of staffing, environment preparation, and the Academy’s operational standards.

IX. A Shared Ethic of Care

We ask each family to hold this policy with the same intentionality with which it was crafted.

By honoring wellness, we honor:

  • The child’s dignity

  • The educator’s responsibility

  • The community’s collective health

  • The sanctity of the Montessori work cycle

Together, we ensure that the Academy remains a place of serenity, grace, and optimal development—a place where children can flourish.

Graceful Absence Declaration
Graceful Absence Declaration