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Admissions Policy

Given that one of the core values of the Siskiyou School is embracing cultural and economic diversity, it is our intention, and policy, to welcome students from a broad range of social, economic, and cultural backgrounds.

While we do not discriminate against any student for admission based on race, creed, religion, gender identity, or national orientation, we do strive to accept children that have needs that we can meet and will be successful in our school. Children are admitted with all deliberate intention, through careful assessment and evaluation to ensure a good fit for the child, the family, and the school.

For current Siskiyou families, enrollment involves two steps ; for families new to the school, the enrollment process involves three steps. The steps are described below.

Admission Process Overview

 THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS

For CURRENT Siskiyou School families, enrollment involves two steps:

  1. Submit an application with the $100 fee (can be paid online HERE) and photos.

  2. Schedule a time for your child with Ms. Alison Hutchins.

For families NEW to the school, the application process involves three steps:

  1. Submit an application with the $100 fee (can be paid online HERE) and photos.

    Click Here for 2023-2024 Application for Admission

    Click Here for 2023-2024 FIRST GRADE Application

    Click Here for 2023-2024 KINDERGARTEN Application (currently FULL)

  2. Meet with the Administrator. Call our Admissions Manager, Kristin Beers, at 541-482-8223 to schedule your meeting.

  3. Schedule a visit and interview/readiness assessment for your child with Ms. Alison Hutchins.

Admission Process Details

Learn about Waldorf Education and the Programs at the Siskiyou School

Main Lesson or Open House Tour: As part of the enrollment process, we offer a Main Lesson Tour for parents to get a sense of our program and to see how our children respond to the curriculum. During the Main Lesson Tour, parents visit grades 1-8, the heart of each school day at the Siskiyou School.

An Open House Tour is offered the second or third Friday of the month at 2:00 after school is out. The children are not on campus but attendees do get to feel our learning and play spaces and have a time for questions about the curriculum and our school program.

Meet with the Administrator (about 45 minutes)

I look forward to meeting you, answering any questions, and hearing about your child and what brings you to this school. It is wonderful if both parents can attend this introductory meeting. From the school standpoint, 9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday is ideal for these visits, but if that doesn’t work for you, we will find another moment. We ask that parents come without children as it is nice to be able to talk openly during this visit. Please call Kristin in the office to sign up for a time. Please note, this link will only allow you to view days and times, not sign up.

Submit an application

Applications are due at the time of your meeting with the Administrator, but are welcome emailed to Kristin anytime. Complete applications are to include filled application form along with the following:

Schedule a visit and readiness assessment for your child (about 30 min.)

Ms. Alison Hutchins will show your child the campus and conduct a grade level readiness assessment. We keep it light and fun, and the children open up quickly and enjoy the experience. The visit allows us to get acquainted with your child and get a sense where they are developmentally. It also gives your child a chance to begin to get to know the school to which they may be coming.

Enrollment/Acceptance Letter

Once a child’s application and readiness-assessment are completed, the application is reviewed by the faculty and acceptance letters with enrollment paperwork are mailed out.

ANSWERS TO FAQs

Where can I find more information about your current program?

Please use our website for your reference; https://www.siskiyouschool.org. You will find videos to watch, tuition information, program information, and much more on the website. For other questions, please always feel free to call the office at 541-482-8223. Kristin will be happy to answer your questions.

What will tuition be for the next year and when is the first payment due?

The first tuition payment for each school year will be due July 1st. Tuition rates are set each year by the Siskiyou School Board in the early spring. They will be announced in March during our re-enrollment time. For current tuition information, please go to our website at https://www.siskiyouschool.org/new-page-3. Tuition includes all fees with the exception of a $200 enrollment fee for current students/siblings each year and $300 for new students, paid at the time of enrollment.

Is tuition assistance available and when will we know how much we might receive?

Yes, tuition assistance is awarded to all qualifying families. Applications to the SSS online are due in April. Awards are announced in May. During the introductory visit, the administrator will give a picture of how the school’s tuition assistance program works and what new families might expect to receive.

What happens if there are too many applicants?

Priority admission is given to siblings and to children coming from local Waldorf kindergartens. Then we consider children from other area programs and from out of the area. While we usually start out with more applicants than we can accept, by the time September comes around we have consistently ended up with a healthy class size in the twenties. We have learned to trust the process.

What is the birthday cut-off date for first grade enrollment at the Siskiyou School?

Like most Waldorf Schools, we want incoming first graders to have turned six by June 1st before entering the school in the fall. This cut-off date is firm as we have seen the benefits of social and emotional maturity in our students and the impact that readiness makes on the class as a whole.

What if we are not sure our child is ready for first grade? 

Where readiness is a question not related to birthdate, we conduct a readiness assessment, talk with the child’s kindergarten teacher, look at the overall makeup of the incoming class, and have conversations with the parents. The purpose of these steps is to reach clarity and consensus with the parents about how the child will best be served in the long run. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, with each factor weighed carefully, as the decision affects the child’s whole twelve years of school. Our official cut-off date is June 1st.

Do you accept children with remedial or behavioral issues?

We certainly do, but, again, on a case-by-case basis after assessments, observations, and conversations with the child’s previous teachers and parents. Ultimately, the question for us is, can we meet the child’s needs within the context of the whole class? We want each child to experience success, and each class to flow well. If we determine that the child’s needs are beyond what we can support or that the child’s needs may compromise the teacher’s ability to hold the rest of the class, we recommend that parents explore other placements.

Who will be the first-grade teacher next year?

We make teacher announcements in April or May. Parents and children will have a chance to meet the teacher before summer. We trust that the right candidate for this group of children will emerge as has happened year after year for each new Siskiyou School class.

We look forward to meeting you and your child and introducing you to our program!

Aurilia McNamara
Siskiyou School
Administrator

Application Form

Click Here for 2023-2024 Application for Admission

Click Here for 2023-2024 FIRST GRADE Application

Click Here for 2023-2024 KINDERGARTEN Application (currently FULL)

Enrollment Procedure

Once a child’s application process is completed, the application is reviewed by the faculty.

Acceptance letters are mailed out including a welcome letter from the Administrator and a New Student Enrollment Agreement.

For the child to be enrolled, the office must receive a completed and signed Enrollment Agreement, along with the $300 new family enrollment fee ($200 for students with currently enrolled siblings).

After receiving the Enrollment Agreement, parents will be mailed the remaining Enrollment Documents, or in the spring if applying for the upcoming school year.