Orcas Montessori School has launched its third annual appeal for donations to the Appleseed Fund. The fund provides scholarship support, so that no family seeking a Montessori preschool or kindergarten experience for their child is turned away.

This fall marks the 25th Silver Anniversary for Orcas Montessori School.

“It’s our mission to make quality preschool programming available to as many island children as possible,” says Director Teresa Chocano.

She says tuition at the Orcas Montessori is about half of what families on the mainland would pay. Still, island families struggle to pay for their children’s preschool education.  This year more than 60 percent of the children attending Orcas Montessori receive financial assistance in order to attend.

Donations of any size are gratefully accepted.  In addition Orcas Montessori is looking for “Silent Partners” to donate $1,000 to fully fund one scholarship student through the Appleseed Fund. The Silent Partner will receive two updates on their child’s progress during the school year and will have an opportunity to visit the school, observe the classroom and enjoy lunch with the children.

In return Orcas Montessori School pledges to match each $1,000 donation with another $1,000 raised through efforts such as the school’s annual Spring Auction event and our Apple Crisp and Holiday Wreath sales.  All scholarship families pay a portion of their child’s tuition.

Three generous partners already have committed to the 2012 scholarship program.

“We welcome team funding too, and are looking for partners to match a $500 scholarship we just received,” said  Moriah Armstrong, a current board member and founder of the school. “Perhaps a group of friends or co-workers would like to partner up to help keep one of our island children in preschool.”

The school is a 501c3 non profit organization founded in 1987.

The fund was named in honor of the heirloom apple orchard gracing the school’s play yard.