Frequently Asked Questions About the Admission Process

1. What does the application process include?
   • An application form
   • An application fee of $150
   • Teachers return the forms directly to the school
   • School records
   • An interview with the parents, which serves two purposes. First, it allows the parents to evaluate the School in relationship to their child's needs and their personal philosophies. Second, it allows the School to appraise the parents' level of interest in the School.
   • An interview with the student, which includes a nationally-normed assessment.
   • A visit to the classroom of the applicant's peers. Visits to kindergarten are one-half day, while all other prospective students visit class for one day.
   • An application is considered complete when we have not only received the application and application fee, but when all supporting information has been received and all interviews have taken place.

2. How do you decide which students to admit?
   • The Oakwood School reviews the applications based upon a number of factors including grades and test scores, the parent interview, the student interview, the references and special talents of the child in areas such as art or music or co-curricular activities.
   • In addition to selecting talented students, we are attempting to build a class. We want to admit an interesting variety of students to make engaging classes.

3. When is the application deadline?
   • January 31 for kindergarten and February 15 for all other grades. Having an admission deadline allows us to evaluate the entire pool of applicants.
   • Each year the applicant pool is different and consequently admission decisions may vary from year to year.
   • These dates are guidelines. The application process is open all year, offers of placement are awarded if space is available and applicants are deemed qualified.

4. What is the waiting pool?
   • At Oakwood, the waiting list might more aptly be termed the waiting pool because it is not ranked. If a candidate receives a letter giving them waiting pool status, this is an affirmation that they are qualified and likely to be successful at the school, however, the school does not currently have a space.