1. Submit the Application
New Applicants
You may submit an application for the 2013-14 school year beginning Nov. 1, 2012. Please read all of the information in this section and then complete an Enrollment Application by clicking on the “Apply online” button below.
We encourage families to complete their application toward the beginning of the school year to ensure more availability for interview and student shadow dates.
Once you have completely submitted the online application and $100 fee, an admissions staff member will contact you to set up the student’s shadow days or assessment date.
To complete the application, please submit copies of your student’s report cards for the current year and the year prior, any educational assessments and standardized test results, if applicable. These can be delivered via mail, as scanned documents, faxed (408-997-6823) or hand-delivered to the Admissions Office.
An evaluation from your student’s current teacher is also required. Please download the Prek-first grade evaluation form or the 2nd-8th grade evaluation form, or contact the Admissions Office to have a copy mailed to you or the teacher. Your child’s current teacher should complete this form and return it directly to ACS.
To submit a paper copy of your application to the Admissions Office with a $100 non-refundable fee, you may download the Enrollment Application or call (408) 997-0424 x295 to request that an application be mailed to you.
2. Student Assessment
The Admissions Office will call to schedule a student assessment.
Kindergarten Readiness Assessment
Students entering Jr. Kindergarten and Kindergarten will participate in a Gesell Institute assessment administered by a member of our Early Childhood staff.
NOTE: Students entering Begindergarten do not participate in an assessment.
Should my child study for the assessment? No. The assessment is designed to determine developmental readiness for Jr. Kindergarten and Kindergarten (i.e., fine and gross motor skills; logic and sequencing; auditory, visual and verbal development; and socialization skills).
What are the age limits for entrance into your Early Childhood programs?
Begindergarten: 4 years old by December 2
Jr. Kindergarten: 5 years old by December 2
Kindergarten: 5 years old by September 1
Grades 1-8: Shadow Days
Students entering first through eighth grades will shadow for two consecutive days in their current grade. The school day is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Once your application is received, you will be contacted to schedule the shadow dates.
What happens during the shadow dates? Your child will have a “shadow buddy” who will guide your child through the day’s regular classes. Your child will have the same homework and class assignments as the other students.
What should my child bring? Your child should wear his/her typical school clothes and bring a lunch, unless you would like to purchase a hot lunch for that day. Many children also bring a backpack with some paper and pencils, but all additional materials will be provided.
Will my child go through special academic screening? No. The purpose of the shadow is for the school to see if your child is at basic grade level in academics and for your child to see if the school is the right place for him/her. The class work and homework that your child completes will be used to determine if he/she is at the appropriate level for our academic program.
Summer Applicants
Students seeking admission during the summer months will be scheduled for testing with an ACS teacher.
3. Family Interview
We interview every family applying to the school. Once your child has completed the shadow dates, you will participate in a 30-minute interview with a member of our admissions team.
What happens in the family interview? We will discuss why you’ve chosen ACS, what your goals are for your child and how you plan on being involved as parents. Both parents and the applicant are expected to attend the interview. Siblings are also welcome to attend.
What other information should I bring? If you have not already uploaded, mailed or dropped off a photo of your child, please bring one to the interview. Family photos are great too! For children entering first through eighth grade, please bring copies (if not already submitted) of report cards for the current school year and the year prior, any educational assessments, and standardize test results, if applicable.
4. Notification
At Almaden Country School we look to accept students who will be a good fit for our program while considering the preferences and needs of the family. We do not enroll on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are accepted based on available spaces and on the results of the assessment or student shadow, family interview and supporting documentation. Where space is not available, students who would otherwise have been accepted will be placed in a wait pool.
Begindergarten (for 4-year-old students) and Junior Kindergarten
To be considered in the first round of acceptances, applications must be received no later than Feb. 6. Begindergarten and Junior Kindergarten decision letters will be mailed by March 7. Once accepted, you can secure your child’s space by paying the non-refundable enrollment fee and completing the enrollment confirmation within seven days of the date of your acceptance letter (i.e., no later than 10 a.m. on March 14). If you apply after Feb. 6, your decision letter will be mailed within two weeks of the family interview.
For Begindergarten (our program for 4-year-old children) and Junior Kindergarten, the morning program is from 8 – 11 am and the afternoon program is from 12 – 3 pm. Afternoon Begindergarten meets on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; all other programs are five days a week. When applying for Begindergarten or Junior Kindergarten, please indicate whether you prefer a morning or afternoon program. ACS reserves the right to place students in either the morning or afternoon program to ensure a balanced classroom setting. If your first preference is full, you can ask to be put on the waiting list for that class.
Kindergarten through Eighth Grade
If you apply by Feb. 6, your decision letter will be mailed on March 14. If you apply after Feb. 6, your decision letter will be mailed within two weeks of the family interview. Once accepted, you can secure your child’s space by paying the non-refundable enrollment fee and completing the enrollment confirmation within seven days of the date of your acceptance letter (i.e., no later than 10 a.m. on March 21 for first round applicants).
*Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy
If you would like more information regarding Admissions we invite you to send an e-mail to the Admissions Office including your child’s name, the grade for which they are applying, and the best way to contact you.
Thank you for your interest in Almaden Country School.