Family Portal
Here you will find links to pertinent information about our school. If you have any questions along the way, please start by calling the front desk at (231) 929-9325.
Family Handbook
School information, policies, and procedures.
Getting Ready for School
Use this page to prepare for the first day of school
BATA
BATA runs buses between the Children's House and downtown
Business Directory
Our business directory features TCH family-owned businesses
Calendar
Look further ahead on our Family Calendar and sync with Google Calendar
Classroom Pages
Learn more about your classroom and find pertinent links
Community Bulletin
Student, Parent and Community messages
Events
Events are great ways to become more connected with what is happening at school
Extracurriculars
Elementary and Middle School athletic and club offerings
Get Involved
Engage, Volunteer and giving opportunities
Learning Resources
Learn more about Montessori and find resources that will support you support your child
Make a Payment
We use Diamond Mind for tuition payments and tuition related fees (enrollment deposits, field trips, tuition, childcare, lunch, etc.)
Re-Enroll
To launch the 2026-27 school year, several important dates and action items will need your attention.
Featured Learning Opportunity
Coffee with Trisha
Wednesday, April 22, at 8:30 a.m. in person at The Children’s House and on Zoom
For the entire TCH community
As part of our commitment to social and emotional learning for our students, these conversations focus on topics related to the emotional well-being and mental health of children, parenting, and supporting both your child and yourself. Drop in to connect through engaging and timely parenting topics. Trisha Short, our Mental Health Consultant, will facilitate the discussion.
Upcoming Community Event
Bright Futures on the Fairway
Monday, May 11, at the Traverse City Country Club
Check-in and Continental Breakfast: 8:30, Shotgun: 10:30
Limited to 36 teams
Join us on the course and help us build bright futures, one swing at a time. The outing will include a putting contest, prizes, continental breakfast, lunch, and more.
Adult Learning Resources
Virtual Resources:
Video Recordings
Watch the Independence series and Montessori Up Close videos from The Children's House archives.
ISACS Parent Series 2025-26
Parents & Caregivers, we hope you will join other independent school parents for the six evening webinars led by a celebrated team of experts to help you support and guide your children in all areas of their development. We look forward to learning right along with you!
MindUP Take-home Lessons
Students K-6 receive MindUP lessons each Monday. To continue and share what is being taught, MindUP take-home lessons are available to families and updated weekly on this Google Document.
Recommended Podcasts
We recommend the Ask Lisa podcast for families with tweens and teens, the Good Inside with Dr. Becky podcast for families with younger children, and Raising Parents with Emily Oster, a show that tackles parenting questions with data, not trends.
Reading Material:
The Children's House Blog
Timely and pertinent Montessori, school, and parenting topics are shared in our blog. Faculty, staff, and even students contribute to this growing collection of posts.
The Children’s House Website
Visit our Social and Emotional Learning webpage to learn how The Children's House and Compass Montessori Junior High support our students and faculty.
Parent Library
Our selection of Montessori and parenting books and videos are available in the admin wing; borrow from the Front Desk.
Where to start:
Education and Peace by Maria Montessori
Montessori Madness! A Parent to Parent Argument for Montessori Education by Trevor Eissler
The Montessori Potential: How to Foster Independence, Respect, and Joy in Every Child by Paula Lillard Preschlack
How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success by Julie Lythcott-Haims
Trisha Short's Recommended Books to support Social & Emotional Learning
The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired by Daniel J. Siegel
The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel
Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason by Alfie Kohn
Parenting from the Inside Out: How a Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive by Daniel J. Siegel
Raising Good Humans: A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting and Raising Kind, Confident Kids by Hunter Clarke-Fields MSAE
Get Involved
The best way to make the most of your family's time at The Children's House is to be involved. You make a difference!
Ways to Get Involved
Volunteer
There are many ways to get involved at The Children's House and Compass Montessori Junior High. Throughout the year, we post volunteer opportunities, fundraising needs, and special events and gatherings in Waypoints. We also directly reach out to those who express interest in a certain area.
Fill out this interest form to get started. Please mark anything that sounds interesting to you and share your skills and talents with us throughout the year.
Ways to Get Involved
Giving
The Children's House is a nonprofit organization and an independent school. Our annual giving program is called the Bright Futures Fund. This year, the fundraising goal is $275,000 so that we can offer the highest quality Montessori experience while keeping tuition at an accessible rate for our region.
You can help us reach our Bright Futures Fund goal by giving at a level that is right for you. Read more and give here.
Ways to Get Involved
CHiPA
Children's House Parent Association (CHiPA) welcomes all parents/guardians to be involved in the life of our school.
Agenda, Zoom Links, and Meeting Schedule
Staff Snack Stash Sign Up Sheet
Ways to Get Involved
Substitute
Working in our classrooms can be very rewarding. Being a sub is a flexible position that helps you earn credit toward your student’s tuition and gives you a glimpse into the daily life of a Montessori classroom.
Email Andrew if you want to know more about these opportunities.