A welcoming start
Before school begins, families can arrange a home visit or an early classroom visit. Meeting a teacher in a familiar setting helps children build trust and make a comfortable transition to school.
Admissions
Join the waitlist.
Our regular school year closely follows the Missoula County Public Schools calendar, with learners returning to classrooms in late August, and we proudly offer summer programs too. Priority enrollment for current families runs in February; open enrollment begins in March.
Explore, Create, & Care
Limited 2026–27 openings
A few places remain for this school year. Inquire about current availability for your child.
2027–28 waitlist open
We are accepting names for the 2027–2028 academic year. Contact us to add your family to the waitlist.
Introducing Roots
Our new Roots program will welcome children starting at 18 months. Ask us about program and enrollment details.
2026–27 tuition
Per month, Sept – May
- 4 days, Ages 2$1,160
- 4 days, Ages 3–5$1,120
- 5 days, Ages 2$1,350
- 5 days, Ages 3–5$1,300
MCS accepts the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship through the State of Montana, and offers limited financial aid. Contact us for the application.
Hours & extended care
- Instructional day8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
- Before care (optional)7:30 – 8:30 AM · $10/day
- After care (optional)3:30 – 5:30 PM · $20/day
- Drop-in careBefore: $12/day · After: $24/day
Extended care is available Monday–Friday for enrolled children ages 2–5, with options for 1–5 days per week. Drop-in spaces depend on classroom ratios and are not guaranteed.
How enrollment works
Step 1
October – January
Waitlist families receive invitations to tour and attend open houses.
Step 2
February
Current families re-enroll, alumni waitlist enrolls, then remaining waitlist families are invited in order.
Step 3
March
Enrollment opens to new families. One-time $200 enrollment fee for new families.
Step 4
Year-round
Join the waitlist anytime. Families who join later are added in the order received.
We had 3 amazing years at MCS.
Watching our child grow with such a wonderful group of teachers and staff made every penny we spent worth it. As we've had to move on to kindergarten, we've seen that the experiences and community she gained are not something replicated elsewhere. I miss her coming home covered in paint, proudly displaying armfuls of art projects. She gushed about bug days, dance parties, and being a superhero of kindness, but also about the supportive, kind teachers who hugged her when she was feeling sad or scared and were her biggest cheerleaders during the day.
We all wish we could have stayed there forever!
Tours & the waitlist
Book a tour or join the waitlist
Tell us a little about your family and we'll be in touch about tours, open houses, and next steps. You can also reach us directly at info@missoulacommunityschool.org or (406) 542-2833.
A partnership with your family
Connected from the beginning
Everyday communication
Brightwheel is our primary channel for direct family–teacher communication. Weekly classroom newsletters keep you connected to children's projects, discoveries, and classroom life.
Sharing your child's growth
Family–teacher conferences take place twice a year, in November and March. The March conference includes a walkthrough of your child's digital learning portfolio. Families and teachers can also request a conversation whenever needed.
Common questions
- What are the learner-teacher ratios at MCS?
- Ratios are kept as small as possible to allow individualization and close relationships. Honeybees (2s) have a 1:4 ratio, Otters (2–3s) 1:6, Rabbits (3–4s) 1:8, and Foxes (Pre-K) 1:8.
- What scheduling options are available?
- We offer 4-day (Monday–Thursday) and 5-day (Monday–Friday) enrollment only. We do not offer half days. See the tuition chart above for options and rates.
- Is financial aid available?
- Yes. Our generous families contribute to the MCS scholarship fund, and the Board fundraises for this assistance program. Contact the office for the tuition assistance application. MCS also accepts the Best Beginnings Scholarship administered through the State of Montana; see the Best Beginnings section above for eligibility and application links.
- Is my child required to be immunized to attend MCS?
- As a licensed childcare center, MCS enrolls children who have been immunized or have a conditional enrollment or exemption form completed in compliance with state regulations. Records or exemptions are due before the first day of school.
- My child turns two after school starts. Can they attend this fall?
- For our two-year-old classrooms, children may begin attending on their second birthday if it falls after the first day of school but before October 31st; tuition holds the spot until then. Children turning two after October 31st are considered case-by-case. Our new Roots program will welcome learners starting at 18 months. Contact MCS for details.
- How does MCS approach toilet training?
- Our two-year-old classrooms support children as they build toward toilet independence, and three-year-old classrooms are a good fit for children already using the toilet independently. If your child isn't there yet, that's not a problem. We'll partner with you on a shared plan so learning happens at school and at home at the same pace.
- How does MCS approach food and mealtimes?
- We follow the Satter Division of Responsibility in Feeding: adults decide what, when, and where food is served; children decide whether and how much to eat. Mealtimes are calm, social, and pressure-free: mindful eating in practice.
- Are parent volunteer hours required?
- No. MCS is not a parent co-op, but parent involvement is valued: families visit classrooms, share skills, host field trips, join committees, or serve on the Board of Directors.