kindergarten admissions

Once an application is submitted, Kindergarten applicants will be invited to campus for two kindergarten-readiness screenings. The first is a 30-minute, one-on-one developmental assessment with the Director of Student Support. The second involves a morning playgroup with a group of other applicants.  We offer these playgroups on successive Saturdays in February.

Developmental readiness is based on measuring cognitive and social maturity, not an academic achievement or intelligence test. Research has shown that children mature at varying paces, and not all children are ready for the same challenges and activities at the same age. Similarly, we cannot rush readiness—it is part of a child’s intrinsic nature.

Knowing our program, we strongly recommend that applicants for kindergarten turn 5 years old by September 1. However, chronological age is not the only, or best, indicator of developmental readiness. Thus, we might recommend that some children who meet the age cut-off wait a year before beginning our Kindergarten program.

In addition to the aforementioned assessments, the Admissions Committee will take into consideration an applicant's preschool experience, possibly even observing an applicant in his/her preschool environment in order to get the fullest picture of an applicant.