Our Process

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Lower School Process
Middle School Process

Lower School Admissions (DK–5th grade)

1. Visit the School.

Visiting our school is a required component of our admissions process. The tour is a terrific opportunity to see The Willows in action –- you’ll visit our state-of-the-art facilities, observe classes in session, and hear directly from teachers about our philosophy and curriculum. Tours are held on weekday mornings throughout the fall and are led by current Willows parents. You’ll also have a chance to meet our Head of School and ask any questions that you may have.

Each tour begins at 9:30am and ends at approximately 12:00pm. You can call the school directly, check our website calendar, or email us to find out about tour dates. Please call the school to reserve a spot for a tour.

We also offer Open House evenings three times during the year, when you can visit the campus, meet our faculty, and hear from students. Reservations are not necessary for the open houses.

2. Complete an Application.

You may call 310.815.0411 or email the school directly to request an application for admission. Our application deadline is December 21, 2008.

3. Schedule an Interview.

After visiting the school and submitting an application Prospective parents meet with Kim Feldman, the Director of Admissions, to discuss their children, share information, and ask questions they may have about the school. A post card will be sent to the family once the school receives their application reminding them to schedules an interview. Please do not bring your child to this appointment.

4. Student Visits.

For students applying to Developmental Kindergarten and Kindergarten, we schedule pre-school visits so we can see children in their own learning environments, where they are already comfortable and familiar with the routine. The school schedules preschool visits directly with the preschool. These visits usually take place in late February and early March. If children are not in school the day of our visit we will schedule a time for the student to visit at our school. If the child is in a daycare facility, or at a school which does not allow us to visit, we will schedule a time for the student to visit at our school. Students who are applying for grades 1–5 spend a half-day at The Willows. They participate in the regular daily routine at their current grade level. This gives us an opportunity to see your child in a classroom environment, interacting with teachers and peers. Students also spend approximately half an hour during their visit in a one-on-one meeting with a teacher to complete an inforal assessment. The school will call to schedule student visits after the winter break.

5. Other Requirements.
In addition to the application, we require the following additional materials:

for Developmental Kindergarten: Form filled out by the preschool and sent directly to the school. This form is sent directly from the Willows to the preschool. (Students should be 4 1/2 years old by September 1)
for Kindergarten: Form filled out by the preschool. This form is sent directly from the Willows to the preschool. (Students must be 5 years old by September 1—no exceptions)
for grades 1–5: Student Evaluation Form filled out by the applicant's current teacher and sent directly to The Willows. This form is in the application packet.

The Willows Community School subscribes to a policy of equal opportunity with respect to employment, participation in available programs, and access to schools and student services. All individuals without regard to race, color, religion, natural origin, age, sex or disability are provided equal employment opportunities and access to programs administered under the auspices of The Willows Community School.

Middle School Admissions (6th–8th grade):

1. Attend a Middle School Open House.

The Open House is a required component of our admissions process, for parents as well as for prospective students. It’s a terrific opportunity to see The Willows in action –- you’ll visit our state-of-the-art facilities and meet with our Head of School to learn about the school’s program and philosophy. You’ll also hear directly from teachers about the curriculum. While parents tour the school, students participate in a “mini-day” at The Willows, attending four short classes that give them the feel for the school and its philosophy.

There are three open houses each year. One is on a Saturday morning from 9:30 am -12:00 pm, November 1st. We have two evening Open Houses on Wednesday, December 3rd and Wednesday, January 7th from 7:00-9:00 pm. Reservations are required. Please call the school at 310.815.0411 x102 or email the school to reserve a space. You may also reserve a spot by filling out the postcard included in the application packet.

2. Complete an Application.

You may call 310.815.0411 or email the school to request an application. We will send you a postcard to let you know that we have received your materials. Our application deadline is January 30th, 2008.

3. Schedule Interviews for Parents and Student.

Parents and their children schedule their interviews for the same day. Parents meet with Kim Feldman, Director of Admissions, to discuss their children, share information, and ask questions they may have about the school. At the same time, their child meets with a teacher for a one-on-one interview and an informal assessment.

4. Other Requirements.
In addition to the application, we require the following materials:

Teacher Recommendation forms (found in the application packet). These must be sent directly to the school by teacher completing the recommendation.
Standardized test scores. We ask that all students applying to the middle school complete the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) by March 1 of the application year. You can learn more about the test and register at Education Records Bureau website.
Administrative recommendations form to be completed and returned directly to the school.