Admissions
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. The admissions process at NBS is “need-blind,” meaning the ability to pay does not affect acceptance decisions. 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 may be more applicants than spaces.
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. Interested families may begin the admissions process by contacting us and requesting information and application materials.
Admissions decisions are arrived at through a process involving an admissions committee comprised of teachers and members of the board.
Tuition
Tuition for the 2020-2021 school year is $11,500. Arrangements for payment may be made according to individual family needs. Generally, families elect to pay on a quarterly or monthly basis.
There is 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. Requests for financial aid have no impact on admission decisions and are completed following enrollment.
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, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation.
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. The admissions process at NBS is “need-blind,” meaning the ability to pay does not affect acceptance decisions. 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 may be more applicants than spaces.
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. Interested families may begin the admissions process by contacting us and requesting information and application materials.
Admissions decisions are arrived at through a process involving an admissions committee comprised of teachers and members of the board.
Tuition
Tuition for the 2020-2021 school year is $11,500. Arrangements for payment may be made according to individual family needs. Generally, families elect to pay on a quarterly or monthly basis.
There is 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. Requests for financial aid have no impact on admission decisions and are completed following enrollment.
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, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation.
Application Information
1. Application
Contact the school to request application documents. Prospective students should fill out a student questionnaire (by hand, if possible). Parents should fill out the parent forms. All materials can be sent to the school address (below) to be received by March 15th.
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 Prospective Family Meeting on January 31, 2021 from 3:30 until 5 PM when they will have an opportunity to hear from teachers, current students, and alums. Parents are then encouraged to schedule a time to meet with staff 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, Rose 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 (3:30-5PM January 31, 2021 )
_____ 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 you have questions, or to request application materials, please call the school at 388-3269 or contact us
1. Application
Contact the school to request application documents. Prospective students should fill out a student questionnaire (by hand, if possible). Parents should fill out the parent forms. All materials can be sent to the school address (below) to be received by March 15th.
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 Prospective Family Meeting on January 31, 2021 from 3:30 until 5 PM when they will have an opportunity to hear from teachers, current students, and alums. Parents are then encouraged to schedule a time to meet with staff 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, Rose 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 (3:30-5PM January 31, 2021 )
_____ 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 you have questions, or to request application materials, please call the school at 388-3269 or contact us
Family Involvement is very important. How can parents and families help ?
The involvement of parents is the life-blood of a healthy, thriving school. From mundane tasks like helping with organizing and cleaning up to more glorified efforts like volunteering skills or expertise in the classroom, we look to families for support, enthusiasm and goodwill. Other ways of helping include fundraising, driving to field trips, chaperoning events; help in planning community service, donating materials, books, equipment, furniture, building/repairing, long-range planning, and/or legal counsel.
The North Branch School operates independent of state funding and depends solely upon tuition, grants, charitable contributions and school fund-raising. Parents are eagerly sought to assist in raising monies to benefit the school’s operation and growth. All parents are expected to work on various fundraising committees. Major fundraisers are an auction in the fall, a penguin plunge when the pond ices over and a winter hockey tournament.
Another vital way parents help is through equal measures of understanding and a sense of humor. Schools are fragile, evolving organisms, and teaching children is a delicate, human art. Perfection is rarely possible, particularly with young adolescents, whose surging life force is exhilarating, exhausting and often more than bewildering. The teaching maxim, “Emphasize process, not product,” is apt as children work to discover and define themselves. Ted Williams, one of baseball’s greatest hitters, batted over .400 only once. If our school hits close to that average, we’re doing quite well.
The involvement of parents is the life-blood of a healthy, thriving school. From mundane tasks like helping with organizing and cleaning up to more glorified efforts like volunteering skills or expertise in the classroom, we look to families for support, enthusiasm and goodwill. Other ways of helping include fundraising, driving to field trips, chaperoning events; help in planning community service, donating materials, books, equipment, furniture, building/repairing, long-range planning, and/or legal counsel.
The North Branch School operates independent of state funding and depends solely upon tuition, grants, charitable contributions and school fund-raising. Parents are eagerly sought to assist in raising monies to benefit the school’s operation and growth. All parents are expected to work on various fundraising committees. Major fundraisers are an auction in the fall, a penguin plunge when the pond ices over and a winter hockey tournament.
Another vital way parents help is through equal measures of understanding and a sense of humor. Schools are fragile, evolving organisms, and teaching children is a delicate, human art. Perfection is rarely possible, particularly with young adolescents, whose surging life force is exhilarating, exhausting and often more than bewildering. The teaching maxim, “Emphasize process, not product,” is apt as children work to discover and define themselves. Ted Williams, one of baseball’s greatest hitters, batted over .400 only once. If our school hits close to that average, we’re doing quite well.
