The Bay School

About The Bay School

2012-13 Tuition Rates
Early Childhood Program available for 3-4 year old: call them directly for rates
PreK
3 mornings with supplies: $3,675 a year
4 mornings with supplies: $4,325 a year
Kindergarten: $4,700 a year
1st-8th: $9175 a year

Once the parents have visited the school, the next step is to complete an application form and a school records release form, and submit them along with an application fee of $25.

If you are applying to the elementary school (grades one through eight), we will send the school records release form that you have signed to your child's current school. This will authorize your child's school to send us a copy of your child's records. If you would rather we wait until after your child's visit, please let us know. We do, however, require the records before we can consider your child's application. In addition, we ask that you sign an authorization, as part of the application form, that will enable us to talk to your child's current and former school/district teachers and staff so that we may have as complete a picture as possible of your child.

Financial Aid
If you are applying for financial aid, please request an application package from the school's administrative assistant. Financial aid application forms must be submitted directly to the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) by March 15th to be considered in the first round of financial aid grants. Applications submitted after this date are accepted for grades in which there is space. To the extent that additional funds become available, financial aid may be awarded to late applications. Financial aid is available for full-time elementary school applicants. Kindergarten applicants are also eligible to apply for financial aid (a) if there is at least one other sibling who is applying for financial aid, or (b) if s/he is enrolled in the five (5) morning Kindergarten program plus three (3) or more afternoons per week in the afternoon Kindercare program.

Child Visits
Once you have mailed the application, please call the school office to arrange a day for your child's visit to the Bay School. We have found that a low-key approach seems to work best for preparing your child for the day. The format is dependent on the age/grade of your child. The visit is as much for the child to form an impression of us as it is for us to have a chance to get to know your child.

For children applying to the Kindergarten, we ask that applicants and their parents meet with one, or both, of the Kindergarten teachers. These visits are a chance for the teachers to get to know the parents and the child in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. They also serve as an introduction of the school for the child. These visits are usually scheduled after school, either near or in the Kindergarten classroom allowing the family a chance to see the Kindergarten room.

We offer two concurrent programs: a three-day Pre-Kindergarten program and a five-day Kindergarten program, for ages 4-6 years old. Children eligible for Pre-Kindergarten must be at least four (4) years old by July 1st prior to school entrance. Children eligible for Kindergarten must be at least five (5) years old by July 1st prior to school entrance.

For children applying to first grade, we ask children to visit the first grade class during the morning circle and main lesson time, from 8:10 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. Please have your child bring a snack. Children must be six years old by July 1st prior to school entrance to attend the first grade. If there is a question about a child with a summer birthday entering the first grade, the faculty will assess the child's readiness for the first grade program.

For children applying for grades two through eight, we suggest a full day\'s visit. We ask that parents have their child or children at the school at 8:10 a.m. to allow time to meet the class teacher and student host. In the course of the day\'s visit, we usually ask a child who is in third grade or above to write something for us and to do a little math. We do not administer standardized tests for admissions. Please have your child bring a snack, lunch, and appropriate clothes for outside play. Visiting children stay until school dismissal time, which is at 2:45 p.m.

Admissions Decisions
Admissions decisions are made by the full faculty. Decisions are based on the child's academic abilities and potential, past achievement and behavior, his/her œfit  with the class and school, and a family's support of the school's philosophy. Those whose applications are complete by April 1st (application, fee, school records and visit) will receive the school's decision by the end of April. Later applications will be acted on within two weeks of the child's visit, assuming that the application is complete. Applications made during the summer are decided by the Director and the class teacher. Parents are notified of admissions decisions by the Director within two days of the decision.

Waiting List Status
Children who have been accepted into the school but cannot be admitted due to lack of space will be placed on a class waiting list. Spaces can open over the summer as families change their plans due to moves or other considerations. If this should occur, parents are notified of the availability of space immediately.