Application Process

Our Early Childhood Education program is designed to prepare your child for elementary school through joyful learning and instructional play. Our program builds problem-solving skills, empathy and a positive self-image while encouraging teamwork and fostering awareness and enjoyment of physical skills.

Preschool, Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten Applicant Families:

1. Before applying, please attend an open house or school-day tour.

2. Complete the Online Application and submit the $100 application fee. 

Applications are accepted beginning November 1 for the following school year. We encourage families to complete their application early to ensure more availability for interview and student shadow dates. For preschool, applications are processed on a rolling basis starting November 1. To be considered in the first round of decisions for Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten, applications are due no later than February 1.

3. Program age eligibility:

• Preschool: 4 years old by December 31
• Junior Kindergarten: 5 years old by December 31
• Kindergarten: 5 years old by September 1

4. Required Forms to complete the application file:

• Photo of your child 
• Any pertinent educational assessments, if applicable. 
• In response to the continued impact of COVID-19, a number of Bay Area independent schools are changing our approach to Kindergarten Screening this year. In the past, families visited each school in person in order to complete their required kindergarten assessment. For those applying during the 2020-2021 school year, Almaden Country Day School is accepting one set of Shared Kindergarten Videos in lieu of the previously required kindergarten assessment.  Videos can be filmed on a cell phone in the comfort of your home or any other setting. No special preparation, materials, or equipment will be required. Detailed instructions on how to complete this requirement will be outlined during the application process. (Kindergarten applicants only)
• Confidential Student Evaluation form from your child’s current teacher.
• Parent Questionnaire

All of these files are available on this page. Please note that both the required evaluation form and questionnaire must be signed by a parent and then handed to your child’s current teacher. Once completed, the teacher should send these documents directly to our office via mail or email, admissions@almadencountryday.org.

5. Family Conversation. 

We interview every family applying to the school. Once the developmental assessment is complete, you will participate in a short conversation with one or two admissions representatives. We may ask that either the prospective student and parents/guardians, or just the parents/guardians attend this meeting. 

Here is what we will cover:

• Why you’ve chosen Almaden Country Day School
• Your goals for your child
• Your child's specific interests or favorite activities
• Your desired level of parental involvement
• Any questions you or your family members may have

Please feel free to bring any relevant assessments or reports from previous schools or programs.  If this will be the first time your child is attending a school or if no assessment was completed for him or her in preschool, you do not need to bring any additional information.

6. Decision Letters/Emails. 

At Almaden Country Day School we strive to accept students who will be a good fit for our program while considering the preferences and needs of the family. We do not enroll on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are accepted based on available spaces and on the results of the student shadow and family interview. Where space is not available, students who would otherwise have been accepted will be placed in a wait pool. Decision letters for preschools are typically emailed within two weeks of completion of the application process. For applications received before February 1, decision letters will be emailed on March 4. If you apply after February 1, your decision letter will be emailed after March 11. 

7. Enrollment. 

Once your child is accepted, you can secure his or her space by paying the non-refundable enrollment deposit within seven days of the date of your acceptance letter. 

Please call or email the office if you have any questions about the application process, 408.997.0424 or admissions@almadencountryday.org.
 

1. Before applying, please attend an open house or school-day tour.

2. Complete the Online Application and submit the $100 application fee. 

Applications are accepted beginning November 1 for the following school year. We encourage families to complete their application early to ensure more availability for interview and student shadow dates. To be considered in the first round of decisions, applications are due no later than February 1.

3. Required Forms to complete the application file:

• Photo of your child 

• Any pertinent educational assessments, if applicable. 

• Confidential Student Evaluation form from your child’s current teacher.

• Parent Questionnaire

You can access or upload these forms on the application website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact, admissions@almadencountryday.org.

4. Family Conversation. 

We meet with every family applying to the school. Once your child has completed his/her shadow, you will participate in a 30 minute conversation with one or two admissions representatives. This can be scheduled after school on the second day of the shadow visit or on another date that is convenient for your family.

Here is what we will cover:

• Why you’ve chosen Almaden Country Day School

• Your goals for your child

• Your child's specific interests or favorite activities

• Your desired level of parental involvement

• Any questions you or your family members may have

Please feel free to bring any relevant assessments or reports from previous schools or programs.  If this will be the first time your child is attending a school or if no assessment was completed for him or her in preschool, you do not need to bring any additional information.

5. Decision Letters/Emails. 

At Almaden Country Day School we strive to accept students who will be a good fit for our program while considering the preferences and needs of the family. We do not enroll on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are accepted based on available spaces and on the results of the student shadow and family interview. Where space is not available, students who would otherwise have been accepted will be placed in a wait pool. For applications received before February 1, decision letters will be emailed on March 4. If you apply after February 1, your decision letter will be emailed after March 11. 

6. Enrollment.

Once your child is accepted, you can secure his or her space by paying the non-refundable enrollment deposit within seven days of the date of your acceptance letter. 

Please call or email the office if you have any questions about the application process, 408.997.0424 or admissions@almadencountryday.org.

New Applicants

We are currently accepting applications for the 2018-19 school year. Please contact the Admissions Office for information on availability. For the 2019-20 school year, you may submit an application beginning November 1. 

Apply online

We encourage families to complete their application early to ensure more availability for interview and student shadow dates.

Once you have submitted the online application and the $100 application fee, an Admissions staff member will contact you to set up your child's shadow days or assessment date.

Required Forms to complete the application file:

• Photo of your child
• Any pertinent educational assessments, if applicable. 
• Confidential Student Evaluation form from your child's current teacher.
• Parent Questionnaire

You can access or upload these forms on the application website once you have submitted your application. If you have questions, please feel free to contact admissions@almadencountryday.org.

 

Apply online

Once your child has completed the shadow dates, you will participate in a 30-minute interview with a member of our admissions team.

What happens in the family conversation? We will discuss why you’ve chosen ACDS, what your goals are for your child and how you plan on being involved as parents. Parents/guardians and the applicant are expected to attend the interview. Siblings are also welcome to attend.

What other information should I bring? If you have not already uploaded, mailed or dropped off a photo of your child, please bring one to the interview. Family photos are great too! For children entering first through seventh grade, please bring copies (if not already submitted) of report cards for the current school year and the year prior, any educational assessments, and standardized test results, if applicable.

At Almaden Country Day School we look to accept students who will be a good fit for our program while considering the preferences and needs of the family.

We do not enroll on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are accepted based on available space and on the results of the assessment or student shadow, family interview, and supporting documentation. Where space is not available, students who would otherwise have been accepted will be placed in a wait pool.

Preschool (for 4-year-old students)

Preschool applications are processed on a rolling basis beginning November 1. Decision letters are generally emailed within two weeks of completion of the application process.

Junior Kindergarten (for young 5-year-old students)

To be considered in the first round of acceptances, applications must be received no later than February 1. Junior Kindergarten decision letters will be emailed on March 4. Once accepted, you can secure your child’s space by paying the non-refundable enrollment fee and completing the enrollment confirmation within seven days of the date of your acceptance letter. If you apply after February 1, your decision letter will be emailed within two weeks of the family interview, if after March 11.

Kindergarten through Seventh Grade

If you apply by February 1, your decision letter will be emailed on March 4. If you apply after February 2, your decision letter will be emailed after March 11. Once accepted, you can secure your child’s space by paying the non-refundable enrollment fee and completing the enrollment confirmation within seven days of the date of your acceptance letter. 

Non-Discrimination Policy 

Almaden Country Day School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

If you would like more information regarding Admissions we invite you to send an e-mail to the Admissions Office including your child’s name, the grade for which they are applying, and the best way to contact you.

Thank you for your interest in Almaden Country Day School!