Applying to Westside School
Our application process is designed to help parents, teachers and the Admissions Committee evaluate how our school can serve the needs of your child. Above all, we want your child to be placed in the best possible learning environment.
General Class Information
Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten
We offer the following 5-day programs for children ages 3-4.
Preschool:
Half Day:
9:00am - 12:00pm for age 3+ (must be 3 by Aug. 31)
Pre-kindergarten:
Half Day: 9:00am-12:00pm for age 4+ (must be 4 by Aug. 31)
Full Day:
9:00am - 2:45pm for age 4+ (must be 4 by Aug. 31 )
Kindergarten
Kindergarten students must be 5 by Aug. 31.
The Kindergarten program is full day, 5 days a week and starts at 8:45am and ends at 2:45pm.
Grades 1-5
Classes start at 8:45am and get out at 3:15pm.
Application Process
If you are interested in applying to Westside, please call (206.932.2511) or email (info@westsideschool.org) and ask for an admissions packet.
Families must apply by the due date to be considered in the first round of invitations to the School. Westside continues to accept applications and extend invitations as long as there are places in the grade.
Please return the following forms:
1. Application Form and Family Questionnaire
To begin the application process, we must receive the completed application form along with a $65 non-refundable fee. Please attach a recent photo of your child. A cropped photo is acceptable. The application is due no later than January 14, 2010.
The Family Questionnaire helps us gain a better understanding of your child and your goals for his or her education. It also helps us understand your educational philosophy and your ability to support Westside School .
2. Teacher Recommendation
Please ask your child’s current teacher to complete this form and return it in the envelope provided. If your child is applying to PS or PK, and have had preschool experience, please ask their teacher to complete the Teacher Recommendation form and return it in the envelope provided. They must send it in no later than January 14, 2010.
3. Student Reports and Records (Grades 1-5 only)
In order to receive reports and records from your child’s school, a permission form needs to be completed by you and given to your child’s current school. The school will mail the reports and records directly to us.
School Visit and Observation
Preschool/Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten Visits and Observation will be held on February 27 and March 6, 2010.
We will call you to schedule a one-hour session either on February 27 or March 7 where your child will join a small group of their peers and participate in activities similar to those found in our programs. This gives teachers a chance to interact with and observe your child. During this time, parents will have an opportunity to talk with the Head of School and learn more about the program.
Classroom Visit and Observation for 1st through 5th Graders: January - February
Your child will spend a half-day in the classroom corresponding to his or her current grade level and will be expected to participate in all the activities of our program. Children in grades 1-5 will be asked to complete a short writing sample and a grade appropriate math diagnostic test. During this time, parents may leave our campus after they have handed in a release form and the phone numbers where they can be reached in the event of an emergency. We will call you to set up a visitation for your child.
Invitations will be mailed with contracts to prospective families on March 18, 2010.
We look forward to learning more about your child! Please don’t hesitate to contact Kathy Winans (Office Manager) or David Berger (Director of Admissions) at 206.932.2511 or kathyw@westsideschool.org or davidb@westsideschool.org should you have any questions.