Admissions & Tuition
Welcome to Garrett Park Nursery School. We are thrilled you are considering our cooperative community for your child's early education. Whether you are joining us from Kensington, Bethesda, Rockville, or right here in Garrett Park, we aim to make our admissions process simple, transparent, and welcoming.
The Co-op Experience, Reimagined
Many cooperative preschools rely on parents to serve as "assistant teachers" just to meet legal classroom ratios. This often requires 20+ volunteer days per year, extensive employee-level training, and mandatory CPR certifications.
At GPNS, we do it differently. We offer the best of both worlds: the high professional standards of a private school with the warm community of a co-op.
Two Teachers, Every Class. We hire two highly qualified teachers for every classroom. Our student-teacher ratios are always met by professionals, not parents. This ensures consistency for your child and peace of mind for you.
Potty Training Support. We know every child develops at their own pace. Unlike many schools, potty training is not required for admission. We are happy to support families through every stage of the process in a pressure-free environment.
Be a Parent, Not "Staff". When you co-op (just ~7-8 days a year), you are a guest volunteer, not a required staff member. This means less paperwork, less training, and more time focusing on your child's joy.
All-Inclusive Enrichment. We believe in a full education. That is why our Music Program and multiple Field Trips (both in-house and off-campus) are standard for our 3s and 4s classes.
Transparent Tuition (No Hidden Fees) Unlike other schools, we do not charge "extras." Your tuition covers everything:
An Inclusive Community We are proud to be a fully secular, non-religious school that welcomes families from all backgrounds and traditions.
The Garrett Park Cooperative Nursery School admits students of any race, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. GPNS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of their educational policies, admissions policies, student-aid policies and other school-administered programs.
At GPNS, we do it differently. We offer the best of both worlds: the high professional standards of a private school with the warm community of a co-op.
Two Teachers, Every Class. We hire two highly qualified teachers for every classroom. Our student-teacher ratios are always met by professionals, not parents. This ensures consistency for your child and peace of mind for you.
Potty Training Support. We know every child develops at their own pace. Unlike many schools, potty training is not required for admission. We are happy to support families through every stage of the process in a pressure-free environment.
Be a Parent, Not "Staff". When you co-op (just ~7-8 days a year), you are a guest volunteer, not a required staff member. This means less paperwork, less training, and more time focusing on your child's joy.
All-Inclusive Enrichment. We believe in a full education. That is why our Music Program and multiple Field Trips (both in-house and off-campus) are standard for our 3s and 4s classes.
Transparent Tuition (No Hidden Fees) Unlike other schools, we do not charge "extras." Your tuition covers everything:
- NO Cleaning Fees
- NO Material/Activity Fees
- NO Field Trip Fees
An Inclusive Community We are proud to be a fully secular, non-religious school that welcomes families from all backgrounds and traditions.
The Garrett Park Cooperative Nursery School admits students of any race, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. GPNS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of their educational policies, admissions policies, student-aid policies and other school-administered programs.
Flexible Programs to Fit Your Family
Age Requirement: To align with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), children must turn the age of the class by September 1st of the enrollment year.
|
The Discoverers (2s)
Tuesday & Thursday 9:15 AM – 11:45 AM A gentle, nurturing introduction to school focusing on separation, parallel play, and sensory exploration. Flexible Options:
|
The Wonderers (3s)
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:15 AM – 11:45 AM Children build friendships and collaborative skills through structured circle time, music, and hands-on projects. Flexible Options:
|
The Explorers (4s)
Monday – Friday 9:15 AM – 11:45 AM Our Pre-K program prepares children for Kindergarten through inquiry-based learning, early literacy, and independence. Flexible Options:
|
Tuition & Schedule (2025-2026)
| Tuition 2025-26 | 2s ClassTue/Thu | 3s ClassMon/Wed/Fri | 4s ClassMon-Fri |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Only9:15 AM - 11:45 AM | $369/mo | $480/mo | $695/mo |
| Full Day9:15 AM - 1:00 PM | -- | $680/mo | $1050/mo |
| One Additional Morning*9:15 AM - 11:45 AM | $111/mo | $111/mo | -- |
| One Additional Full Day*#9:15 AM - 1:00 PM | -- | $185/mo | -- |
| One Additional Afternoon#11:45 AM - 1:00 PM | $75/day/mo | $75/day/mo | $75/day/mo |
| Extended Day**1:00 PM - 2:30 PM | -- | $90/day/mo | $90/day/mo |
* Additional days offered to 2s or 3s students in a different class if there is availability and teachers consider them to be developmentally ready.
** Extended Day will only run if a minimum 5 students enroll per day.
# 2s students may become eligible for Full Day if the teachers consider them to be developmentally ready, and staffing allows, at a rate of $75/day/month.
Note: Listed tuition rates are for the 2025-26 school year. Rates for 2026-2027 will be updated in Feb 2026. Rates may increase each year.
Enrollment Timeline & Priority Status
Priority Deadline: January 31, 2026. We encourage families to apply early to secure their spot! All applications are initially placed on a waitlist. Enrollment offers are sent out starting March 1st, following this priority structure:
- Current GPNS families
- Alumni families
- Garrett Park residents
- New families enrolling in the Extended Day program
- General community applicants
Join Our Community in 3 Steps
Step 1: Visit Us
Seeing is believing! Come say hello! We invite you to visit our charming school building and meet our teachers.
👉 Schedule a Tour (Recommended times: 8:45 AM or 11:30 AM on school days)
Can't visit in person yet? Take a sneak peek with our Virtual Tour.
Step 2: Apply Online
Applications for the 2026-2027 school year are now being accepted. Limited spots available in 3s class for 2025-2026 school year. We process applications in the order received ($50 application fee).
👉Start Application on Jovial Links to our secure family portal.
Step 3: Secure Your Spot
Once accepted, our VP Membership will guide you through the enrollment process and welcome you to the family!
Seeing is believing! Come say hello! We invite you to visit our charming school building and meet our teachers.
👉 Schedule a Tour (Recommended times: 8:45 AM or 11:30 AM on school days)
Can't visit in person yet? Take a sneak peek with our Virtual Tour.
Step 2: Apply Online
Applications for the 2026-2027 school year are now being accepted. Limited spots available in 3s class for 2025-2026 school year. We process applications in the order received ($50 application fee).
👉Start Application on Jovial Links to our secure family portal.
Step 3: Secure Your Spot
Once accepted, our VP Membership will guide you through the enrollment process and welcome you to the family!
Tuition Assistance & Scholarships
GPNS Scholarships
We believe that financial barriers should not prevent a child from experiencing our community. GPNS offers a limited number of partial, need-based scholarships each year. These are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage families to apply early. The application process is strictly confidential. To learn more or request an application, please email our VP Membership at [email protected].
State & County Vouchers
As an MD EXCELS certified provider, GPNS is authorized to accept financial assistance vouchers from state and county programs. We encourage eligible families to apply to these programs as early as possible, as they often have waitlists.
We believe that financial barriers should not prevent a child from experiencing our community. GPNS offers a limited number of partial, need-based scholarships each year. These are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage families to apply early. The application process is strictly confidential. To learn more or request an application, please email our VP Membership at [email protected].
State & County Vouchers
As an MD EXCELS certified provider, GPNS is authorized to accept financial assistance vouchers from state and county programs. We encourage eligible families to apply to these programs as early as possible, as they often have waitlists.
- Working Parents Assistance Program (WPA): A Montgomery County program that helps eligible families with childcare costs.
- State of Maryland Child Care Scholarship: Provides financial assistance for childcare and early education to eligible Maryland families.
