|
Neighborhood Schoolhouse Admissions
The Neighborhood Schoolhouse is committed to
serving a diverse student body. Its admissions policy is based
on the belief that each child is an individual with special
gifts and learning styles, who deserves to be known as a whole
person. For many students our school will be the right fit;
for some a different school may be better suited.
The admissions procedure is constructed to give the Admissions
Committee (composed of classroom teacher(s), Principal, and
another teacher/board member) an opportunity to learn as much
as possible about the child, in order to determine whether
the child will be well-served by our school. In all cases
admissions decisions will be made on an individual basis by
the Admissions Committee with consideration of all aspects
of the criteria for admission.
Criteria for Admission
In general, registration will be open for children, ages
three through eleven. When a family submits an application,
it is put in the waiting pool for available spaces while
the admissions process proceeds.
In the admissions process, preference is given to eligible
siblings of current and former students as well as children
of staff and board members. The Committee then reviews applications
to determine the school’s ability to meet the applicants’
educational needs. We are especially looking for families
whose philosophy of education matches our own and who show
a long-term commitment to our school community.
When there are not enough openings for all eligible students,
those not admitted may request a place on the waiting list.
Special Considerations:
1) Preschool Admissions:
Students entering the preschool program must be three
years old by September 1 and must be toilet-trained.
2) School-aged children:
We require a Teacher Interview form, a Parent Interview
form and school records.
3) Special Needs Students:
The Neighborhood Schoolhouse is not approved for special education,
nor does it employ teachers with special education certification.
While we try to meet the needs of all students, there are
some needs that may not be best met in our school. We will
review IEPs, observe/assess students, and consider the needs
of the whole class when considering whether we can meet the
needs of any individual applying to our school.
Admissions Procedure:
1) Parents contact the school to express
interest. An Inquiry Packet is sent.
2) Parents schedule a visit, during which they
receive a tour of the school and spend time in the classroom
they are specifically observing.
*Teachers may be available for questions at this time;
if not, a follow-up call is encouraged.
*The Principal is generally available for questions
and follow-up.
3) Parents fill out an application form and pay the
non-refundable $25 fee to continue with the admissions process.
(Note: Application forms/fees may be completed earlier in
the event that spaces are limited and you wish to reserve
a spot in the waiting list.)
4) Students visit the classroom for at least a half-day
(kindergarten and primary), and a full day (elementary).
During this visit, students are expected to participate in
classroom activities. In addition they
may
be asked to read one-on-one with a teacher and do some simple
assessments (a writing sample or math sheet, for example).
5) Parents are asked to submit a Parent Interview form.
For school-aged children, we also request a Teacher Interview
form and school records.
6) The Admissions Committee meets to consider applications.
7) Families notified of acceptance/nonacceptance.
8) Parents register and pay $250 registration fee ($200
for preschool) in order to formally enroll.
Any time: Applications
are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Early March: Currently
enrolled families must notify the school about re-registration.
Mid-March: New applicants
are notified of acceptance/space availability.
March 25: Registration
forms and $250 fee for new families are due back to school.
Early April: Tuition contracts
are mailed.
May 1: Tuition contracts
are due back and payment cycle begins.
Note: Applications after March 15 will be accepted on a rolling
basis, and will follow the same procedure as described above.
|
