Admissions
Admissions – Procedures & Policies
Thank you for your interest in the Orchard Valley Waldorf School. The admissions procedure provides the
opportunity both for parents to gain a fuller picture of our program and for the Admissions Committee to
evaluate a student’s needs. The instructions below should guide you through the admissions process. Please
call the Enrollment Coordinator, at (802) 456-7400, if you have any questions.
You may submit an application at any time during the school year. We have an open enrollment policy which
means that when a space becomes available, the school will fill it immediately from the waiting pool of
applicants. We will hold an application on file for up to 3 years. You do not need to re-apply each year.
Re-enrollment for current students is completed during February. We begin accepting new students for the fall term in March.
Admissions Process
1. Initial Application for New Applicants: The first step in the admissions process is to complete an
application and return it with the non-refundable application fee. We will confirm receipt of your
application. You may want to attend a “Windows on Waldorf” event for the grades or an “Open
House” for our early education programs. It is also beneficial to schedule an Observation Morning to see
the class of interest in action.
2. Admissions Interview: Once an application has been received, the parents will be contacted to schedule an interview with the class teacher. We strongly encourage both parents to attend. This interview is an opportunity for parents and teacher to exchange pertinent information. Questions about the program and Waldorf pedagogy are discussed to help the family determine if the program is right for their family and child.
Applicants to the early childhood programs are placed in a waiting pool. We prioritize applications based on (1) siblings already enrolled at OVWS, (2) alumni or returning families, (3) family transferring from another Waldorf school and (4) by date of receipt of the application. We will begin interviewing new applicants in March and will issue acceptance packets beginning March 15th for the first group of applicants and again beginning May 1st for the next group of applicants. We may conduct group interviews with 2 or more families present along with both early childhood teachers for each campus. Following this time period, we will process applications as they are received and accept students from the waiting pool as space is available.
Main campus age requirements:
• Grade 1: 6 years by June 1
• Kindergarten: 4 years old by September 1
• Nursery: 3 ½ years old by September 1Child’s Garden age requirements:
• Preschool: 3 ½ years old by September 1
• Apple Blossom Nursery: 2 ½ by September 1
3. Student Visit: Pending the result of the admissions interview, those applicants for grades 2 through 8
are invited for a student visit to spend three days visiting in the appropriate class. There is no student visit for early education classes.
4. Assessment: For applicants to early education programs, no formal assessment is performed.
Applicants to 1st grade will be scheduled for an assessment with the early education teachers and
another student. For applicants to grades 2 through 8, a one-on-one assessment will be conducted
during the student visit by the Educational Support Teacher. The assessment lasts approximately 45
minutes and takes into consideration the academic, social and developmental progress of the student.
5. Notification of Acceptance: Parents are notified by mail of the admission decision. Upon acceptance you will receive an acceptance packet.
6. Finalize Enrollment: Return of enrollment forms and payment of an enrollment deposit finalizes enrollment. A completed and signed Enrollment Agreement and the enrollment deposit are due within two weeks after acceptance to hold your child’s place in the class. Deposits paid will be credited toward the tuition obligation. Financial questions may be addressed to our Business Manager. School policy and state law require that all enrollment forms must be returned to the school prior to a student attending class.
7. Accessible-to-All Tuition Adjustment Program: You may apply for tuition adjustment following acceptance. Once the tuition adjustment process is complete, an amendment to the Enrollment Agreement will be issued.
All inquiries should be directed to: Dawn McConnell at (802) 456-7400 or dawn.m@ovws.org
Admissions Policy
For students transferring from another school into the grade school, a release of student records form will be needed in order for us to receive your child’s prior school records. We may need a signed release of information for your prior school records in order to do our interview and assessment process. Class placement will depend on the student’s age, grades already completed and the academic, social and developmental progress of the student. As part of the admissions process, we will complete an assessment during the student visit which will help us to determine class placement.
Parents should educate themselves as to a basic understanding of Waldorf education. For your child to achieve the most benefit from his/her education, it is important that parents be in agreement with and supportive of the school’s philosophy and the work teachers are doing in school.
OVWS is happy to meet with families to assess whether we are able to meet the needs of any children with special needs. OVWS is committed to meeting each child’s social, emotional and intellectual needs but there may be times when our scope of remedial and support services are not adequate to meet the needs of a child while balancing the needs of the class. As a private school we do not have the resources or a mandate to provide an appropriate education for all children regardless of disability. OVWS reserves the right to deny acceptance or continued enrollment in the school if the faculty does not believe the school can adequately meet a child’s needs.
