Below are some of the most common questions parents ask before enrolling their children at St. Francis of Assisi Montessori School of Cainta (SFAMSC).
1. Do you accept SPED and gifted children?
We are happy to welcome gifted children to our school.
However, as we are a mainstream school, we require a recommendation from a developmental pediatrician confirming that the child is ready for a mainstream classroom setting. This helps ensure that we can properly support your child’s learning needs.
For children undergoing therapy or with existing developmental support plans, we also request reports from doctors and therapists. These help us better understand the child’s needs and make appropriate classroom adjustments whenever possible.
In Preschool, teacher aides are available to assist with supervision and support when needed.
2. Do you accept 3-year-old enrollees?
Our youngest level is Senior Casa 1, which requires the child to be at least 4 years old by the start of the school year.
3. Do you offer Senior High School?
No. SFAMSC currently offers programs from Preschool to Grade 10 only.
This is a deliberate decision. Rather than expanding into Senior High School, we chose to focus on providing a strong basic education for our learners. Senior High School requires a different structure, specialization tracks, and resources. By concentrating on Preschool through Grade 10, we maintain the quality and attention our students deserve.
4. How many students are there per class?
Our classes typically have 18 to 20 students per section, allowing teachers to provide closer supervision and individualized support.
5. What are your class schedules?
Class schedules vary by level and are designed to support both academic learning and age-appropriate development.
Preschool (Senior Casa 1)
Morning: 8:00 AM – 11:10 AM
Afternoon: 12:30 PM – 3:40 PM
Preschool (Senior Casa 2)
Morning: 8:00 AM – 11:50 AM
Afternoon: 12:30 PM – 4:10 PM
Grades 1 to 3
Morning: 7:30 AM – 12:10 PM
Afternoon: 12:30 PM – 5:10 PM
Grades 4 to 6 (Morning section only)
Monday–Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Wednesday–Friday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Junior High School (Morning section only)
Monday–Thursday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
6. How do you prevent or address bullying?
At SFAMSC, we take bullying concerns seriously and proactively. We minimize bullying through:
Cultivating a strong culture of kindness and cooperation
Close teacher supervision supported by small class sizes
Campus and classroom CCTV monitoring
Clear policies aligned with the Philippine Anti-Bullying Act
Prompt investigation and response when concerns arise
Regular communication with parents during the process
Our goal is to maintain a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment for every student.
7. Are your classrooms air-conditioned?
Yes. All classrooms at SFAMSC are fully air-conditioned.
8. Do you still offer online classes?
SFAMSC is currently fully face-to-face.
However:
We conduct two scheduled online learning days per month
We temporarily shift to online learning during class suspensions due to typhoons, transport strikes, or emergencies
This helps maintain the online classroom skills of our students and teachers and prevents delays in learning during class interruptions.
9. Do you offer discounts or scholarships?
Yes.
We offer:
Sibling discounts
Academic performance-based tuition discounts
For eligibility and details, please inquire at our Accounting Office.
10. Do you offer different payment plans?
Yes.
To help families manage tuition payments more comfortably, we offer:
Annual payment plans
Semestral payment plans
Quarterly payment plans
Please contact our Accounting Office for complete details.
11. What are the requirements for enrollment?
For Preschool
Photocopy of PSA Birth Certificate
Photocopy of Baptismal Certificate (for Catholics)
Four (4) pieces 2x2 ID photos
Report Card or School Form 9 (SF9) from the previous school year (If it is your child’s first time in school, this is not required.)
Medical Certificate (only if your child has a medical condition)
Completed Enrollment Form
For New students/Transferees: Grades 1 to 10
Report Card or School Form 9 (SF9)
Photocopy of PSA Birth Certificate
Photocopy of Baptismal Certificate (for Catholics)
Four (4) pieces 2x2 ID photos
Certificate of Good Moral Character from the last school attended
Completed Enrollment Form
12. What is your refund policy?
SFAMSC follows the DepEd Manual of Regulations for Private Schools (Section 66):
Withdrawal within the first week of classes: 10% of tuition is withheld
Withdrawal within the second week: 20% is withheld
No refunds starting the third week
Reservation and miscellaneous fees are non-refundable.
13. Are you recognized by DepEd?
Yes. St. Francis of Assisi Montessori School of Cainta is recognized by the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) and complies with national standards for curriculum, faculty, personnel, and facilities.
We are fully K–12 compliant.
School ID: 403044
You may verify this through the DepEd BEIS (Basic Education Information System).
Recognition details:
Preschool Department: Recognition No. K-001, s. 2000
Grade School Department: Recognition No. E-042, s. 2003
High School Department: Recognition No. RIV-A067, s. 2006
Tutorial and Review Center: SEC No. CRN-A199900724
Bureau of Immigration: MCL-2012-081
14. Is SFAMSC a progressive school?
Yes.
At SFAMSC, we focus not only on academics but also on creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, character formation, and real-world skills.
Instead of relying mainly on lectures and memorization, we emphasize active learning, student participation, and meaningful experiences.
Our school motto, Cura Personalis, reflects our commitment to the development of the whole child.
15. Which universities do SFAMSC graduates enter?
SFAMSC provides a well-rounded education that balances strong academics with meaningful extracurricular experiences, supported by close teacher guidance and supervision.
Our graduates have successfully entered respected institutions such as:
Ateneo de Manila University
University of Santo Tomas (UST)
De La Salle University
San Beda University
Mapúa University
Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP)
Many continue to perform well in Senior High School and later pursue careers in fields such as medicine, engineering, business, accounting, communications, nursing, and the arts.
16. Why should we enroll our child at SFAMSC instead of a more expensive exclusive school?
We regularly study the curriculum, teaching methods, activities, and best practices of respected private and exclusive schools. We then adapt what works and apply it to our own program, so our students can receive a strong and competitive education from Preschool to Grade 10.
One advantage of SFAMSC is that our class sizes allow teachers to know their students better and give them more personal attention. We do not only focus on lessons and grades. We also help form the child’s character, discipline, confidence, and values.
The success of our alumni shows that this approach works. Many SFAMSC graduates have gone on to respected schools such as Ateneo, De La Salle, UST, UP, San Beda, and other excellent institutions. Many of them tell us that the lessons, study habits, techniques, and values they learned at SFAMSC helped them adjust and perform well in their new schools.
Some of our own teachers also tutor students from other private and exclusive schools. Because of this, they can compare the lessons and competencies taught in those schools with what we teach at SFAMSC. Their feedback is that many of our lessons are on par with, and closely aligned with, those taught at more expensive schools.
For parents, this means very good value for your hard-earned money. Your child receives a quality education and personal guidance at a more practical cost, while your family can save more for future college or university expenses.
And in the long run, when your child applies for a job someday, employers will usually look more closely at their college or university degree, skills, character, and achievements—not where they studied in grade school.
At SFAMSC, we help prepare your child for the future while providing your family with practical, meaningful value today.
17. How do you help shy or anxious children adjust to school?
We understand that starting school can feel overwhelming for some children, especially preschoolers who are entering a classroom for the first time.
Our teachers help them adjust gently and patiently. We welcome them warmly each day, follow familiar routines, and give them time to observe, play, and participate at their own pace. We do not force children to immediately join group activities if they are not yet ready. Instead, we help them feel safe first, then slowly encourage them to take small brave steps.
We also build connections through simple conversations, play, classroom jobs, buddy activities, stories, and positive praise. Even small moments—like joining a song, answering a question, or playing beside a classmate—are celebrated.
We work closely with parents, because children adjust best when home and school support each other. With patience, consistency, and care, most children gradually become more confident and comfortable in school.
Our goal is for every child to feel that SFAMSC is a safe, happy, and welcoming place to learn.
18. Is there an entrance exam or assessment?
Yes. Before enrollment, we ask new students to take a free assessment to help us understand their current academic level, strengths, and areas where they may need extra support.
Depending on the child’s age and grade level, the assessment may include reading, language, mathematics, and other basic skills. It is not meant to pressure the child. It simply helps us understand their readiness, proper placement, and how we can best help them in the classroom.
The assessment may be taken during school hours. We only ask parents to inform us at least one day in advance so we can schedule a teacher to assist and supervise the student.
The length of the assessment depends on the child. Some children finish in around 30 minutes, while others may need an hour or more. We allow each child to work at a reasonable pace so we can better understand their learning needs.
After the assessment, we will discuss the results with the parents. If the child needs additional help, we may recommend tutorials, review sessions, or a different grade level placement. In some cases, if we feel the child has needs our school may not be able to fully meet, we may also recommend another school or educational setting better equipped to support them.
Our goal is always to help parents find the best educational environment for their child.
19. Do you have school service or transport assistance?
SFAMSC does not operate its own official school service. However, some parents in our school community offer private service rides for students.
Parents who offer transportation assistance may register their details with the school office. When available, we may help connect interested families with parent-providers based on their location or route.
Please note that these transportation arrangements are private agreements between parents. The school only helps facilitate communication and does not directly operate, manage, or guarantee the service.
20. Do students attend Mass or religious activities?
Yes. SFAMSC is a non-sectarian school that draws inspiration from Catholic values, especially the life and example of St. Francis of Assisi.
As part of our school culture, we celebrate First Friday Mass and help facilitate First Holy Communion for Catholic students. Students from other faiths are welcome to attend school religious activities respectfully, but they are not required to participate in Catholic religious rites, receive sacraments, or act against their own beliefs.
We respect the beliefs of all families and welcome students from all religious backgrounds, including other Christian denominations, Muslim families, and those belonging to other faith traditions.
Our goal is to nurture faith, compassion, respect, service, and good character while maintaining a welcoming and inclusive school environment for everyone.
21. How can I apply for admission to SFAMSC?
To apply, please visit our enrollment page.