The Admissions Process

Playgroup

Playgroups are for children up to age three, accompanied by a parent. Groups are limited to 8 participants. Each class will have a free playtime during which artistic activities will be offered, a circle time and a healthy organic snack suitable for the season. Articles with information about artistic activities, the art of storytelling and puppetry, and different aspects of child development and Waldorf education will be provided.

Early Childhood

Children in our Nursery program must be 2-½ years old and fully potty trained by the first day of attendance. Children in our mixed age Kindergarten program must be 4 years old by May 31st. New children may be added during the school year with faculty approval. If a child is transferring from another school, his/her student records are necessary. Children are generally not admitted to the Early Childhood program after March 1st.

Teachers try to arrange to visit each new family joining their class at some point in the school year. This is done to strengthen the bond between school and home. Children love to share their "treasures" and a cup of tea with their teacher!

Grades

School readiness is studied carefully in Waldorf Education. All children who will be six by June 1st will be evaluated for entry into First Grade. A child must be six by June 1st to enter First Grade in that year. Individual evaluation is required for Grade 2 and above. New children may be added during the school year with faculty approval. If a child is transferring from another school, his/her student records are necessary. Children are generally not admitted to the Grades Program after February 1st.

Teachers try to arrange to visit each new family at some point during the school year. This is done to strengthen the bond between school and home. Children love to share their "treasures" and a cup of tea with their teacher!

General Admissions Procedures

For new students, please complete the enrollment form and return to the office, along with a non-refundable application fee of $75 (per family). Checks should be made to TWEA (Tucson Waldorf Education Association). Applications will be evaluated on a first come first served basis. Our application deadline is March 15th for the following school year. Applications completed after March 15th will be considered when there is an opening in a class. You may submit an application at any time during the school year. We have an open enrollment policy, which means that when a space becomes available, the school will fill it from the waiting pool of applicants. We will notify you of acceptance as soon as possible.

Upon receipt of your application, you will be contacted to schedule an appointment for an interview with a class teacher. This interview is an opportunity for parents and teacher to exchange pertinent information about our school and your child. Please make every effort for both parents to attend. As this first meeting is only for parents, please arrange for child care for your child(ren). The teacher will schedule an additional appointment to meet your child.

You will receive written notification from the school upon acceptance. At this time the Administration will contact you to review your financial obligations. You will be asked to sign a contract with the school and complete the necessary releases and forms. These documents must be in order before the first day of school.

Re-enrollment

Early enrollment is held in January - February for the next school year. Re-enrollment applications will be distributed to current students during this time. Complete the application and return it to the school office along with the non-refundable application fee of $50 per family. The non-refundable re-enrollment application fee is $100 per family.

During early enrollment preference is given first to returning students, then to their siblings. After this, availability of space will be determined on a first come first served basis, and a waiting pool is established. The teachers review the applications to establish classes of new and returning students based on a balance of age, gender, and cultural diversity. The early childhood faculty will try to honor requests for specific classroom placement with this in mind.