T
he admission process at Blue Oak School includes opportunities for applicants to visit the School and gain a better understanding of our educational program, philosophy and mission. Applicants for admission are accepted starting September 1 for the following school year. This checklist is a guide to help families navigate the application process.
1. Please complete an inquiry form to begin the application process
Inquiry forms are available on each campus at the front desk, and they are also available online.
2. Schedule a personal visit to campus
All families who are considering filing an application for admission for the fall of 2012 are encouraged to begin their exploration of Blue Oak School with a personal visit. Visits are scheduled based on the entrance grade of the child and are scheduled at times convenient to each family. Some evening appointments are available.
Families interested in a broader overview of Blue Oak and its offerings may elect to attend an Information Session (sessions are available for Kindergarten, Lower School and Middle School) or a general Preview Program. Information Sessions are held during the week, while Preview Programs are generally held in the evening or on a weekend. Please call Andrea Biocca at 261-4500 to schedule your visit.
3. Complete the Application as early as possible
The application is available in hard copy or can be downloaded from our website. Please consult the Admission Calendar for application deadlines. The application consists of:
- Application for Admission
- Parent Statement
- Student Statement - (for applicants applying for Grades 6 - 8)
- Student Record Release Request - Please complete and submit the form to your child's current school
- Teacher Recommendation(s)
- Application fee of $50 (This fee may be waived for families experiencing financial hardships)
Families interested in an early admission response or who are applying to a grade with limited space should apply during our first round of admissions. First round applicants are due on February 1, 2012 with admission decisions mailed the first week of March 2012. A second round of admission decisions is available with an application deadline of April 1 and notification the first week of May. Applications for admission after May 1 are accepted only if space is available.
4. Assessment
Blue Oak asks that each child visit school so that we can have an opportunity to observe each applicant in a classroom setting or with other children their age.
Kindergarten students will initially visit when school is not in session, spending either a morning or afternoon visiting the kindergarten classroom where Blue Oak faculty will observe each child's current level of performance. Children have an opportunity to work together, work individually and experience the worlds of art and music. Assessments provide us with an opportunity to look at where each child's skills fall and a sense of the areas where the student may need additional support and encouragement. This year's kindergarten Assessment Day is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, February 18, 2012.
Students applying for grades 1 - 5 will schedule an assessment during a class day and will be individually assessed by the classroom teacher during their class visit.
Assessments for Kindergarten and Lower School are required for all applicants.
Students applying for grade 5 will spend time visiting with the current fifth grade class, but will also be invited to visit the Middle School campus during the application process. Middle School student assessments will be scheduled during class visits.
5. Parent Meeting
Parents are welcome to schedule appointments throughout the admissions process. We often find that the kinds of questions a parent has will be significantly different between the time a family first inquires about Blue Oak and the time when actual admission decisions are made. Once the assessment visit has been held, many parents welcome the opportunity to meet to review their child's application, assessment and class visit. We are happy to meet with parents at this time, but it is important to note that enrollment decisions are not made at this meeting. If you are interested in meeting after your child has completed the application and assessment process, please call Barb at 261-4522 to schedule your visit.
6. Decision Letters
The Admissions Committee reviews all completed files. Admissions Committee decisions / notification letters will be mailed the first week of March or the first week of May, depending on which round of admission the family has chosen.
For additional information, please contact the Admission Office at 707-261-4522 or admissions@blueoakschool.org.