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

Schedule for application/admission

Preschool Applicants 

• 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 and Kindergarten 

• Applications must be received no later than February 12. 
   
• Decision letters will be mailed on March 6 for Junior Kindergarten applicants and March 15 for Kindergarten applicants. 
   
• If you apply after February 12, your decision letter will be emailed after March 23. 
   
• If you apply after March 23, decision letters are typically sent emailed within two weeks of completion of the application process. 
   
• Once your child is accepted, you can secure his or her space by paying the non-refundable enrollment fee within seven days of the date of your acceptance letter (no later than 10 a.m. on March 23 for first round applicants).

Waitpool. 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. If space is not available, students who would otherwise have been accepted will be placed in the waitpool. 

Enrollment Application & Fee. Complete our online application and submit it along with a non-refundable $100 application fee. Applications are accepted beginning November 1. We encourage families to apply early to ensure more availability for interview and assessment dates. To be considered in the first round of decisions, your application is due no later than February 1. After that date, applications will be accepted based on available space.

Required Forms. To complete the application file, we will need a photo of your child and any educational assessments, if applicable. For students applying to Junior Kindergarten or Kindergarten, we will need completed Gesell Parent and Teacher Questionnaires along with a completed Confidential Student Evaluation form from your child’s current teacher. 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 with a stamped envelope, addressed to ACDS. Once completed, the teacher should send these documents directly to our office via mail or email.

Student Shadow Dates. Students entering Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten will shadow for one day in the Preschool or Junior Kindergarten class. Once we receive your student's application, we will contact you to schedule your child’s shadow dates and ask you to fill out a shadow student information form. Once the shadow dates are scheduled, please complete the form and return it to the Admissions Office at least 36 hours before the start of the first shadow day.

Class Schedule. All classes meet Monday through Friday and classroom doors open at 8 a.m.

Preschool and Junior Kindergarten

• Preschool enrolls 4-year-old children. 
• Junior Kindergarten enrolls young 5-year-old children. 
• Programs run from 8 a.m. until noon. 
• Apple Tree extended care program is available for all classes until 6 p.m.

Kindergarten

• The Kindergarten day is from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. 
• Also included in basic tuition for Kindergarten is an optional supervised, student-directed program from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Apple Orchard. 

Readiness Assessment. Students entering Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten will participate in a Gesell Institute assessment administered by a member of our Early Childhood Education staff. Our goal is to determine each child's skill level in areas such as logic and sequencing; auditory, visual and verbal development; and socialization; and to determine developmental readiness for Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten. There is no need for your child to study for this assessment.

NOTE: Students entering Preschool do not participate in an assessment.

Please contact Amber White in the Admissions Office to schedule your child’s assessment.

Family Interview. We interview every family applying to the school. Once the developmental assessment is complete, you will participate in a short interview with a member of the Admissions Office. We may ask that either the prospective student and parents/guardians or just the parents/guardians attend this interview. 

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.

1. Enrollment Application & Fee. Complete our online application along with a non-refundable $100 application fee. Applications are accepted beginning November 1. 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, your application is due no later than February 2. After that date, applications will be accepted based on available space.

2. Required Forms. To complete the application file, we will need a photo of your child, and copies of report cards for the current school year and the year prior, any educational assessments, and standardize test results, if applicable. Please note the required confidential student evaluation needs to be signed by a parent and then handed to your child’s current teacher. Once completed, the teacher should send it directly to our office.

3. Student Shadow Dates. Students entering first through eighth grades will shadow for two consecutive days in their current grade. Once we receive your student's application, we will contact you to schedule your child’s shadow dates and ask you to fill out a shadow student information form. Once the shadow dates are scheduled, please complete the form and return it to the admissions office at least 36 hours before the start of the first shadow day.

4. Student Shadow Experience. The school day is from 8am to 3pm. On your child’s first shadow day, please bring your student to the front office between 7:50 and 8am. Your student may go directly to his/her homeroom class the second day. Pick-up is at 3pm on the blacktop side of the elementary classrooms or for middle school shadows, pick up is located at the corner of Trinidad Drive and the exit to the ACDS parking lot.

a. What happens during the shadow dates?
Your child will have a “shadow buddy” who will guide your child through the day’s regular classes. Your child will have the same homework and class assignments as the other students. Please make certain he/she brings the homework to class the second day.

b. What should my child bring?
Your child should wear his/her typical school clothes and bring a snack and a lunch, if you aren’t purchasing a hot lunch ($5.75 - $7.00) for the day. Many children also bring a backpack with some paper and pencils, but all additional materials will be provided. When you bring your child to school, please turn in to the office a copy of your child’s report card for the last two years and any standardized testing and educational assessments your child may have completed, if not already submitted.

c. Will my child go through special academic screening?
No. The purpose of the shadow is for the school to determine where your child is within the ACS curriculum and for your child to see if the school is the right place for him/her. The class work and homework that your child completes will be used to determine if he/she is at the appropriate level for our academic program.

d. Sixth grade applicants only: Since my child is applying to sixth grade but shadowing in fifth, will he/she be able to spend any time in sixth grade?
Yes, your student will spend two class periods in sixth grade, usually during the second shadow day.

5. Family Interview. We interview every family applying to the school. Once your child has completed his/her shadow, you will participate in a 30-45 minute interview with a member of our admissions team. This can be scheduled after school on the second day of the shadow visit or on another date that is convenient for your family.

a. What happens in the family interview?
We will discuss why you’ve chosen ACDS, what your goals are for your child, and how you plan on being involved as parents. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions about ACDS. Both parents and the applicant are expected to attend the interview. Siblings are also welcome to attend.

b. What other information should I bring?
For children entering first through eighth grade, please bring a photo of your child, and copies (if not already submitted) of report cards for the current school year and the year prior, any educational assessments, and standardize test results, if applicable.

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. If you apply by February 2, your decision letter will be mailed on March 16. If you apply after February 2, your decision letter will be mailed after March 23. If applying after March 23, decision letters are typically emailed within two weeks of completion of the application process.

7. Enrollment. Once your child is accepted, you can secure his or her space by paying the non-refundable enrollment fee and completing the enrollment confirmation within seven days of the date of your acceptance letter (i.e., no later than 10am on March 23 for first round applicants).

New Applicants

We are currently accepting applications for the 2018-19 school year. Please contact Admissions for information on availability.

You may submit an application for the 2018-19 school year beginning November 1, 2017. Please read all of the information in this section and then complete an Application for Admission to ACDS by clicking on the “Apply online” button below.

 

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.

To complete the application, please submit copies of your student's:

• Birth certificate
• Report cards for the current year and the year prior
• Any educational assessments and standardized test results, if applicable

These can be delivered via mail, as scanned documents, faxed (408-997-6823) or hand-delivered to the Admissions Office.

Additional Required Documents

Teacher Evaluation: Preschool - 1st grade

Teacher Evaluation: 2nd - 7th grade

You may download the above form(s) or contact the Admissions Office to have a copy emailed to you. Your child’s current teacher should complete this form and return it directly to ACDS.

Apply online

We interview every family applying to the school. 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 interview? 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 2. Junior Kindergarten decision letters will be emailed on March 6. 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 (i.e., no later than 10am on March 13). If you apply after February 2, your decision letter will be emailed within two weeks of the family interview, if after March 13.

Kindergarten through Seventh Grade

If you apply by February 2, your decision letter will be emailed on March 15. If you apply after February 2, your decision letter will be emailed after March 23. If you apply after March 23, you will receive a decision email within two weeks of completion of the application process. 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 (i.e., no later than 10am on March 23 for first round applicants).

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, 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!