Admission
to The North Branch School is open to anyone, regardless of race, nationality,
creed, sexual orientation, physical ability, class, color, ethnic origin or
religious affiliation. In
addition, the admissions process at NBS is “need-blind,” meaning the ability to
pay does not affect acceptance decisions. The school is committed to a balanced
enrollment with regard to learning profiles, gender, race and socio-economic
diversity. In addition, we give
first consideration to siblings, though sibling status does not always
guarantee a spot. It should also be noted that the school is quite small
(twenty-seven students), and therefore, in a given year, there are only a handful
of openings available.
We do not
have a “kind of kid” we are seeking.
Rather, we seek to put together a balanced class with respect to
learning styles, gender, age, abilities and affinities, family background,
geography, and socio-economic diversity.
Each year there are innumerable variables which go into making a
class. We emphasize again that
there are always more applicants than spaces.
Interested families may begin the admissions process by calling the school and requesting information.
The deadline for all application materials is March 15. The application fee is $50.00. This amount be may be waived or reduced if it presents a financial hardship.
Admissions
decisions are sent out April 20 . Those
applicants for whom there is not space will be placed on a waiting list.
Decisions
from families are requested by April (date to be announced). If
there are still openings after this date, the school will begin admitting
families from the waiting list.
Admissions decisions are arrived at through a committee process involving an
admissions committee comprised of parents, teachers, and members of the board.
Tuition
Yearly tuition for the 2009-2010 school year is $8300. Arrangements for payment may be made according to individual family needs. Generally, families elect to pay on a quarterly or monthly basis. The school sends a letter in August preceding the school year outlining the schedule of payments.
There is a limited amount of financial assistance available
to be distributed on the basis of demonstrated need. The school is committed to
making every reasonable effort to assist families financially.
Non-Discrimination Policy
In hiring, admissions and administration The North Branch School does
not discriminate on the basis of physical ability, gender, race, national or
ethnic origin, creed, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, or religious
affiliation.
Application Information
1.
Application
Prospective
students should fill out the student questionnaire (by hand, if possible).
Parents should fill out the parent forms.
Applications are due March 15.
All materials can be sent to the school address (below).
The
application fee is $50.00 (non-refundable). This fee may be waived if it presents a financial hardship.
2.
School Visits
Families
interested in enrolling their child are encouraged to attend our school
open-house in mid January where they will have an opportunity to hear from
teachers, current students, and alums. Parents are then encouraged to schedule
a time to meet with a parent alum at the school. Together with the “group
interview” below, these visits give students and families a feel for the school
and its culture, and provide several different forums for questions.
3.
Group Interview
Students
who apply are asked to attend a group interview after school with Tal and a
handful of other applicants. This
usually happens after the open house and parent visit, and before the
Application Deadline. Parents may
call the school to arrange a time in late February or early March.
4.
Transcripts and Records
Please sign
the Transcript Release Form and submit it to your child’s current school. Please inform the school that they
should send all pertinent materials, transcripts, records, IEP’s, or other
information to The North Branch School.
5.
Math Teacher Recommendation
A
teacher recommendation from a current math teacher is useful in providing us
with more specific information in this area. Please give the form to the applicant’s present math teacher
and ask that it be mailed directly to The North Branch School. This recommendation will remain
confidential. You may want to provide a stamped and addressed envelope for the
convenience of the teacher.
A
completed application should include:
_____
NBS prospective family open-house in January (call for date)
_____
Application Fee ($50.00, non-refundable)
_____
Prospective student’s application
_____
Student’s writing sample (other work or art samples are optional but welcome)
_____
Parent’s form
_____
Math teacher recommendation
_____
Transcripts and records sent to The North Branch School
_____
Parent interview/visit (to be arranged)
_____
Group interview (to be scheduled after application is submitted)
If there are questions, please call the school at 388-3269. Mail completed forms to:
Admissions
The North Branch School
P.O. Box 209
Ripton, VT 05766