Admissions Checklist for New Families 

 

Applicants for admission should complete the following steps in January for consideration of first available spots in our Nursery, Kindergarten and Grade School.  All applicants will be notified of admissions decisions by mid-March.  

 

The following steps are detailed below:

 

1. Attend introductory information session

2. Complete application packet and tuition assistance application (if applicable)

3. Schedule interview and child visit

 

Once we receive your application packet and school records, we will set up your interview and child's visit. 

 

 

1. Introductory Information Session: Prospective applicants are encouraged to gather information and experience Waldorf education through one of our information sessions.  Registration is required with our Admissions Director at 978-927-1936. These sessions are for adults only.  Prospective students will have an opportunity to visit the school during the admissions process.   

 

  

2. Application Packet: Complete the application form (Early Childhood application; Grades application) and submit to the Admissions Office along with:

  • family photograph
  • school records release form for current records available and year-end reports from prior year (for Kindergarten and the Grades)
  • school records and testing/evaluations (please include samples of school work)
  • non-refundable application fee ($75 for the Grade school, $50 for Early Childhood)

Give the signed records release form to your child’s current school to forward school records to CAWS. As soon as we receive your forms, we will contact you to arrange an interview and student visit.  

 

3. Tuition Assistance is available to families in need. Parents of prospective students in 5-day Kindergarten and the Grades may complete a FACTS application online with their application. Eligible candidates will be notified of their award upon their child’s acceptance into the school. 

 

4. Teacher Interview: Upon receipt of the application packet, an interview will be set up for both parents and child with two teachers; your child’s prospective class teacher and another member of our faculty. Following the interview, a decision will be made toward continuing the admissions process.

 

For Nursery and Kindergarten, the teachers will have an opportunity to get to know your child through his/her play while you get to know the teachers and learn more about the program. The parents and teachers will have an in-depth discussion about your child’s home life, parents’ long-range goals, goals of the curriculum, how the school partners with families in an ongoing relationship to support the healthy development of the child and the class, and answer any questions you may have. 

 

For First Grade, parents and a Kindergarten and Grades teacher will have an in-depth discussion about your child’s educational background, parents’ long-range goals, the class community, the curriculum, how the school partners with families in an ongoing relationship to support the healthy development of the child and the class, and answer any questions you may have. During this time, your child will receive an Extra Lesson assessment to gain a picture of the child’s sensory-motor development for academic readiness.

 

For Grades 2-8, each teacher will spend time getting to know your child.   Your child will not be interviewed, per se, but is welcome to ask the teacher questions. The parents and teachers will have an in-depth discussion about your child’s educational background, parents’ long-range goals, the class community, the curriculum, how the school partners with families in an ongoing relationship to support the healthy development of the child and the class, and answer any questions you may have. 

 

5. Child Visit (for Kindergarten and Grades): Your child will join other children in his/her peer group so that our teachers may observe your child, what s/he is working on in all aspects of development and whether s/he could be met to thrive at CAWS. 

 

            For Nursery: Your child’s observation day happens in the interview.

 

            For Kindergarten:  Your child will join the Kindergarten for the morning.  

 

For First Grade: Your child will be invited to join a current Kindergarten class(es) in session Friday all day from 8:10 am to Noon so that the teachers may observe his/her social, emotional and physical readiness for First Grade. A longer visit will be necessary for children with additional learning needs. Please plan to attend and register for our First Grade Readiness and Curriculum Presentation on January 29 at 7:00 pm to learn more about developmental milestones for this important transition. In preparation, you will receive a copy of article in advance of this meeting.  

 

For Grades 2-8: Each child applying to grades 2-8 is accompanied by an Admissions Team comprised of the Admissions Director, Educational Support Consultant, Class Teacher and a member of the Educational Support Committee. Upon determining the age-appropriate class for your child, s/he will join the class for a minimum of three consecutive days. A longer visit may be scheduled for prospective students with special needs. During a child’s visit, the class teacher and subject teachers will have an opportunity to observe your child’s developmental capacities across academic, social, artistic and physical aspects of the curriculum. Your child will also receive an "Extra Lesson" assessment during the visit. 

 

6. Admissions Decision:  You will be notified by mail regarding the status of your child's application within 10 business days of the last day of your admissions process with our school. A conditional acceptance for children with additional learning needs will require a longer process.  If at any point in the admissions process it is determined that our school’s admissions criteria are not able to be met, our admissions director will call you to close the process.

 

7. Enrollment:  A decision letter and contracts will be mailed by mid-March (or sooner) and will be due back, with a $200 enrollment deposit, within 10 days. If your child is wait-listed (or wait-pooled for Nursery), we will be in touch to confirm whether you would like to continue being on our waiting list.

 

8. School Entrance:  Upon enrollment, you can expect to receive the following to support your transition into the school:

  • A family mentor from your child’s class will be in touch to invite you to upcoming school events and support any questions you may have.
  • In July, you will receive an orientation packet with all necessary documentation for school entrance. In addition, there will be paperwork to be completed for your child's file prior to the opening of school.
  • You will receive a class list to join class activities, arrange play dates, et cetera.
  • Your child’s teacher will be in touch regarding preparations and upcoming meetings for the new school year and a home visit for your child. This is a special one-on-one time to support your child’s transition into the school.
  • For new Early Childhood families, an orientationwill be scheduled in June.
  • Be sure to read your newsletter for a community work-and-picnic gathering prior to the first day of school.
  • Our New Parent Reception at the beginning of the school year will give you an opportunity to meet other parents and members of CAWS administration.