Admissions FAQ

The Application Process

How do I apply to Ms. Lam Montessori?

The first step is scheduling a campus tour. Tours are 60 minutes and take place during the morning work period, so you can observe children in the classroom before making any decisions. After your tour, our admissions team will walk you through the next steps for enrollment.

Schedule a Tour at Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights, or Park Slope

When does enrollment open?

Admissions for the 2026-2027 academic year is now open. We encourage families to schedule a tour as early as possible, as seats fill on a first-come basis.

Is there a waitlist?

Yes. Our programs, particularly MiCasa and Primary, fill quickly. Families who tour early are best positioned to secure a spot for their preferred campus and start date.

Can I apply to more than one campus?

Yes. We operate five campuses across Brooklyn: two in Williamsburg, one in Brooklyn Heights, one in Park Slope, and our Williamsburg Elementary campus. If you have flexibility on location, let our admissions team know and they can help identify where availability exists.

Programs and Age Ranges

What programs does Ms. Lam Montessori offer?

We offer three programs across our Brooklyn campuses:

  • MiCasa (18 months to 3 years). Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope

  • Primary (3 to 6 years). Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope

  • Elementary (1st through 6th grade). Williamsburg (Kent Ave) campus

What is the difference between MiCasa and Primary?

MiCasa is our Toddler program for children aged 18 months to 3 years. It is a full Mandarin-immersion Montessori environment focused on independence, language acquisition, and practical life skills.

Primary serves children aged 3 to 6 in a three-year mixed-age classroom with 5 curriculum areas: practical Life, sensorial, language, mathematics, and cultural awareness - alongside Mandarin immersion. Children who complete MiCasa transition directly into Primary with a strong Mandarin and Montessori foundation already in place.

Do you offer part-time or half-day options? Yes. Half-day programs (8:00 am to 11:30 am) are available for MiCasa, Toddler, and Primary. Full-day programs run 8:00 am to 3:00 pm for those programs and 8:00 am to 3:30 pm for Elementary.

Tuition and Fees

What is the tuition at Ms. Lam Montessori? Tuition for the 2026. 2027 academic year:

Full Day (8:00 am. 3:00 pm):

  • MiCasa: $41,500 / year

  • Toddler and Primary: $39,500 / year

  • Elementary: $43,500 / year (8:00 am. 3:30 pm)

Half Day (8:00 am. 11:30 am):

  • MiCasa: $37,500 / year

  • Toddler and Primary: $35,500 / year

After-school care (3:00 pm. 6:00 pm) is available for an additional fee.

For full tuition details including after-school rates and summer programs, visit our Tuition page.

Mandarin Immersion

Do I need to speak Mandarin at home?

No. The majority of Ms. Lam families speak only English at home. Children acquire Mandarin through full-day immersion at school. Speaking Mandarin at home is helpful but not required. Children develop strong English skills through home conversations, books, and formal English instruction introduced after 4.5 years old.

How much Mandarin will my child actually learn?

Children who begin in MiCasa at 18 months and continue through Primary typically develop fluency, including tonal pronunciation, by the time they leave Primary at age 6. They can speak, read, and write in both Mandarin and English.

Will learning Mandarin confuse my child or slow down their English?

No. Decades of research confirm that children learning two languages simultaneously do not experience confusion or delays in either language. Temporarily mixing words from both languages is a normal developmental stage.

Campus Tours

What happens on a Ms. Lam tour?

Tours are 60 minutes and take place during the morning work period. You will observe children working in the classroom, meet our admissions team, and have time to ask questions. Tours are available at our Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights, and Park Slope campuses. Virtual tours are also available for families unable to attend in person.

What time do tours take place?

In-person campus tours begin at 9:15 am. This timing is intentional: it lets you observe the morning work period - the heart of the Montessori day.

Can I bring my child to the tour? You are welcome to bring your child. Many families find it helpful for their child to see the classroom environment in person before their start date.

Schedule a Tour

Still Have Questions?

Our campus administrators are happy to help.