Early Steps Montessori Academy

Funding fit for Early Steps Montessori Academy

Early Steps Montessori Academy is listed by the Florida Department of Education as a participating school in the Florida Tax Credit / Family Empowerment Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) program. A Hillsborough family can therefore use the state award here: $8,429 per student in grades K-3; $7,837 per student in grades 4-8 for the 2026-27 school year, paid quarterly to the school through EMA.

Early Steps Montessori Academy is listed as a Unique Abilities (FES-UA) participant. It reports serving 3 disability categories (listed below). A student with a qualifying diagnosis or IEP can use FES-UA, which averages about $10,000 and can pay for therapies and tutoring as well as tuition.

Because the school serves pre-K, ask whether it is a Florida VPK provider — the 4-year-old year is free for every Florida child — and whether it accepts School Readiness child care assistance. A child who starts in VPK here can continue into kindergarten on the state scholarship without changing schools.

Independent schools set their own need-based aid; the state scholarship applies on the same terms as at any religious school.

Check my funding for this school →

Disability categories the school reports serving

• Speech impairment
• Specific learning disability
• Gifted

Questions to ask this school

1. Do you accept the Florida Private School Scholarship, and do you work with Step Up For Students, AAA, or both?
2. What is tuition for my child's grade after the scholarship is applied, and are there registration, book or uniform fees outside it?
3. What additional assistance do you offer — need-based aid, sibling, church-member or parishioner rates?
4. By which EMA quarterly deadline can you submit my child's enrollment?
5. Which of the disability categories you report to the state do you currently have capacity for, and do you accept FES-UA for therapies on campus?
6. Are you a VPK provider, and do you accept School Readiness?

Deadlines that apply right now

• Nov 15, 2026Final day for new families to apply for the 2026-27 Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) and Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA)
• Dec 15, 2026New 2026-27 students must accept or decline their award in EMA; Quarter 3 enrollment must be submitted and parent-approved
• Jan 1, 2027Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program begins — Florida opted in, with Step Up as administrator
• Feb 1, 20272027-28 application season opens for renewing and new families

Private schools near Early Steps Montessori Academy

10 private schools are registered with the state in Carrollwood & Northdale; 9 accept the Florida Private School Scholarship. See all of them →