Requirements for Prekindergarten-Grade 1 Applicants

Prekindergarten Age Requirements

Children entering prekindergarten must be 4 years old by June 1, 2012. The Admissions Office waits until applicants are at least 3 years, 10 months old before administering the IQ test. Children who turn 4 close to our June 1 deadline take the IQ test in early April. In order to accommodate children with birthdays close to our June 1 cut-off, the Admissions Office accepts half of the prekindergarten class when decisions are mailed on Thursday, March 15, 2012. Applicants who are wait-pooled for prekindergarten are considered again when the Admissions Committee meets in April to evaluate children with birthdays near the cut-off date. Admissions decisions for the remaining spaces in prekindergarten are mailed Friday, April 6, 2012.

Kindergarten and Grade 1 Age Requirements

Applicants for kindergarten must be five years old by September 1, 2012. Applicants for grade 1 should be six years old by September 1, 2012.

Given that Nueva draws candidates from many educational backgrounds, grade placement is assessed in the context of a child’s age cohort, social and emotional development, skills, and the mission of the school. The process of determining placement for eligible candidates begins with observing your child in the age range which is standard at The Nueva School: kindergarten applicants must be five years old by September 1st in the year in which they apply. With each grade, the child will be one year older: so, six for first grade, seven for second, eight for third, and so on. When parents have a question about placement based on the child’s current grade or skills, the Admissions Office will make a recommendation to parents after the child’s campus visit.

Additional Requirements Post-Testing

Prekindergarten–Grade 1 Playgroups
Candidates will be invited to attend a two-hour playgroup with other children in the admissions process. The playgroups provide an opportunity for the Admissions Committee members to spend time with your child. Children will participate in various interactive activities and projects. Parents have the option of attending an informational parent tea on campus during this time.

Student Evaluations
The Independent School Common Confidential Student Evaluation Form for Grades PreK - 1, and the Supplemental Student Evaluation Form must be completed and mailed directly to the Admissions Office by your child’s current teacher. Completed forms should reach the office by the date of your child’s playgroup, or no later than 5 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012, whichever occurs first.

School Records — Applicants to Grade 1
The Official Transcript Request Form should be submitted to your child’s school. Progress reports/grades from kindergarten should reach the Admissions Office by the date of your child’s playgroup, or the deadline by 5 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012, whichever occurs first.

School records may be submitted past the January 13th deadline. Please have school officials mail documents to our office. Please do not instruct them to fax documents.

Late applications may be accepted for PK. Please contact our office at 650-350-4528 for more details.