Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Financial Assistance & Scholarships
Voluntary (VPK) Pre-Kindergarten Program
A constitutional amendment passed by Florida’s voters in Nov. 2002 required a voluntary pre-kindergarten (VPK) program for all four-year-old children by fall 2005. House Bill 1-A was signed into law by Governor Bush on January 2, 2005, creating a program designed to prepare four-year-olds for kindergarten and build the foundation for their educational success. The program allows a parent to enroll his or her eligible child (four years old by September 1 and residing in Florida) in a VPK program. The VPK program is FREE for eligible children; regardless of family income. The program is voluntary for children and providers.
To sign up your child for the VPK program contact the VPK Enrollment Specialist in your area.
Orange County
(407)532-4254
Osceola County
(407)846-5311
Seminole County
(321)832-6407
Want to learn more about the program? Visit Florida’s Office of Early Learning for more information.
There is much confusion among parents, as to what “VPK” really is. Many are under the misconception that a VPK student is in a special classroom with a special curriculum geared just for 4 year olds. While this might be the case for many preschools, it’s not for Montessori schools. The Montessori classroom is composed of a mixed age group of students, usually 3 years to six years old.
The Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten(VPK) Program is a state funded program for all four year old regardless of income. The state of Florida’s goal for this program is to offer educational opportunities for students prior to entering Kindergarten. The state requires that the program foster physical and academic readiness for kindergarten. Achievement of these goals are tested upon completion of the program. The goals are met within the Montessori environment and without deviating from the Montessori method. All four year olds in the Montessori classroom receive equal educational opportunities, whether or not they are registered in the VPK program.
The state of Florida’s guidelines for VPK students mandates that a child must be four years old by September 1st in order to be eligible for the August school year. Due to state enrollment-based requirements, Orlando Montessori Bilingual Academy offers limited spaces in the VPK program on a first-come, first-served basis with priority placement given to current OMBA Students. Over-enrollment of the VPK program would alter the balance of students that is
essential to the optimum functioning of the Montessori multi-age environment.
Parents interested in the VPK program must apply and be accepted through the state of Florida.
Parents are advised to check availability of spaces in their child’s classroom as acceptance in the VPK program by the state of Florida does not guarantee availability in the VPK program at OMBA.
Community Coordinated Care for Children (4C)
(Community Coordinated Care for Children)
Florida’s Office of Early Learning serves in a role to help facilitate communications among the coalitions and is assisting in the development of the Early Learning Coalitions Statewide Network. Any questions regarding the network or school readiness initiatives should be addressed to: The Office of Early Learning at 1-866-357-3239 or by visiting their website at floridaearlylearning.com.
Step Up for Students (Kindergarten — 6th grade)
scholarship program was created by the Florida Legislature in 2001 and is funded by corporations that receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for their contributions. The income requirements vary by the size of the household. These scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn if you are qualified for a scholarship, please go to https://www.stepupforstudents.org/
or call 877-7FL-SUFS.
HOPE Scholarship
Is your child being bullied or a victim of violence?
The Hope Scholarship allows parents of children in public school to find a new learning environment for their child who is being bullied or a victim of violence.To learn more information about the hope scholarship click here
or call 1877735-7837