Q. What are you looking for during the student interview?
A. The interview process gives us the opportunity to get to know your child in person. We want to make the best decision about the fit between our school setting and resources and your child’s needs, considering academic, social, and emotional realms.
Return to topQ. What happens during the interview?
A. All of our interviews are conducted by one or more members of our faculty. Teachers interview for the age or grade level that they teach, so they bring considerable experience and expertise to the interview process. The substance of the interview is focused on engaging your child in work that typifies age- and grade-appropriate material. The visit is informal and friendly, and we make every effort to reduce or eliminate any jitters that may exist at the outset.
Return to topQ. What are the logistics of the interview process?
A. The process for Early Childhood and first grade interviews is quite different than for the 2nd-6th grade interviews, as explained below.
For our Early Childhood and first grade applicants, the interview usually takes place on a Saturday morning and lasts for approximately ½ hour. Parents arrive at the school at pre-determined appointment times and check in with the Admission Director in our enrichment room. Snacks, drinks, and simple play materials are available while children and parents wait. At the designated time, one of our teachers will greet you and ask your child to accompany her back to one of the classrooms. In the classroom, she will involve your child in classroom activities. Our teachers are highly experienced and generally very good at helping your child feel comfortable in this process. They will make adjustments and work with you at the time of the interview to ensure a positive and productive interview process.
For our 2nd-6th grade applicants, interview appointments are scheduled by the Admission Director and take place on a school day morning. These 2-hour visits occur in the classroom and involve your child in regular classroom activity as well as informal, teacher-directed assessments. On the day of the interview, you should bring your child to the Admission Office, after which he/she will be escorted to the appropriate classroom. At the end of the visit, he/she will return to the Admission Office where you can meet your child.
Return to topQ. What should my child wear to the interview?
A. Your child should wear comfortable, neat clothing to the interview. There is no need to dress up or wear any special clothing for this visit.
Return to topQ. Will my child be asked to participate in a play group as part of the interview?
A. Early Childhood applicants are not asked to participate in a play group as part of our interview process. The interview is a one-on-one meeting with the teacher. Older children who are interviewing in the classroom will have an opportunity to interact with other students, but this is not part of a formal assessment.
Return to topQ. What if my young child will not separate from me for the interview?
A. Sometimes very young children will have difficulty separating from parents to participate in the interview with the teacher. Our teachers will work with you and your child to try to create a sense of safety and security so that he/she can proceed with the interview with parents waiting nearby. If your child is not able to separate, we will consider all options and recommend a course of action. Sometimes we are able to bring very young students back for a second visit when they are even just a few months older, and that additional time can make a difference.
Return to topQ. What kind of advance preparation is required or recommended?
A. Have your child get a good sleep and eat a good breakfast! Other than that, there is no advance preparation required for the interview. Since children take their cues from parents, we recommend that both you and your child stay relaxed and approach the visit with a healthy sense of curiosity and adventure! Parents of very young children can explain to them that they will be visiting a new school and will have a chance to play some fun games with a really nice teacher!
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