ADMISSIONS

There is a difference at Whitby School. Here, we are passionate about what we do and how we do it. We value the wisdom inherent in each child, respect them as individuals, and honor their distinct spirits. And it shows. Come and walk around our school and witness it in action. You'll come to understand that our unique brand of education, one that melds a Montessori approach with recognized learning standards, produces remarkable students. Whitby graduates are inquisitive self-starters who are willing to try new things. They are bright and confident, and they love to learn. In the words of one parent: "They shine." Come and see the difference yourself.

Application Process

Families interested in learning more about the admissions process for the 2008-09 school year, should contact the Admissions Office between the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, to request an information packet. Additional information can be obtained by emailing smiller@whitbyschool.org Childrens House Program The Stepping Stones program, 18 months to 3 years old, and the Primary Program, ages 3 to 6, require an application along with a non-refundable application fee of $75.00 submitted by December 15, 2007. Parents should contact the Admissions Office to schedule a parent-only tour. Once the application and tour have been completed, parents should call the admissions office to schedule a required appointment for the child's applicant assessment interview. Assessment Interviews are performed by Teachers in The Childrens House and are scheduled on selected Fridays in December and January. Elementary Program The Lower School, grades 1 through 4, and the Middle School, grades 5 through 8, require an application and non-refundable application fee of $75.00 submitted by December 15, 2007. Lower School Applicants Parents should contact the Admissions Office to schedule a tour of the school with their son/daughter. An interview with an admissions officer will be conducted at the end of the tour. Lower School applicants are required to have a half day in class visit from 8:30 am to 11:45 am. Middle School Applicants For Middle School applicants, there is a full day visit from 8:30 am until 4:00 pm. Day visits are scheduled by calling the Admissions Office. Applicants must submit from the current school two (2) teacher recommendations and along with an official school transcript mailed directly to the Admissions Office at Whitby School. For an applicant’s file to be considered during the first round of admissions decisions the file must be completed by January 16, 2008. Admissions decisions will be mailed to families the end of February 2008. Rolling Admissions begins after the first round of Admissions decisions have been made and continues throughout the spring and into the summer. A Rolling Admissions decision will be made once a file is completed. Enrollment will be offered only if there is available room within the grade to which the applicant has applied.

Phase-In Program For Stepping Stones and Primary Students It is our belief that rather than starting Stepping Stones and new Primary students on the first day of school, it is best to allow them to go through a period of adjustment, helping them to make an easy and comfortable transition to Whitby School. The School understands the importance of helping children and their parents adjust during the first few weeks of school in September. Separation from parents and familiar environments, particularly after a long summer, can sometimes be difficult. Recognizing this, Whitby has implemented a program to help with this adjustment. STEPPING STONES: All Stepping Stones students (18 months to 3 years old) and their parents have an individual meeting with the student’s classroom teachers during the first week of school. During the second week the class is split in half, with each half meeting at different times. During the third week the class is combined but still for a shortened scheduled. Stepping Stones students fully begin school when they are ready, sometime after the second week of school. PRIMARY: New Primary students (3 to 6 year olds) and their parents have an individual meeting with the student’s classroom teachers during the first week of school. Following this initial visit new Primary students have a shortened schedule that continues into the second week of school. Primary students will not fully begin school until sometime during the second week of school.

Financial Aid

Whitby School’s Financial Aid Program is based on the belief that all academically qualified students should have the opportunity to attend Whitby. The Financial Aid Program has been established to provide tuition assistance to families who otherwise would not be able to afford the tuition. A family's Financial Aid grant is based on need as determined by the guidelines and formulae established by School and Student Services (SSS) for Financial Aid, an independent organization located in Princeton, NJ, and Whitby School. SSS provides an objective way of defining the reasonable contribution each family should make towards the education of their child. Financial aid is ideally the difference between the cost of tuition at Whitby and a family’s calculated ability to pay. Based on the information submitted by a family, SSS communicates to Whitby what it appears a family is able to pay. However, this is only a starting point. The calculations from SSS are an estimation which Whitby uses as a guide to determine a financial aid grant. Due to a limited budget, the School cannot guarantee being able to meet the needs of all qualified applicants. Financial Aid is available beginning in Primary 3 (5 year olds). If interested in being considered for aid, contact the Admissions Office at Whitby.

Meet the Office Tinisha Garnett Director of Admissions Susanne Miller Admissions Assistant Asante Green Registrar, Administrative Assistant Registrar Admissions Office 969 Lake Avenue Greenwich, CT 06831 (203)869-8464 www.whitbyschoool.org

Whitby School admits students of any race, color, gender, national or ethnic origin to all 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, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan policies, athletic and other school programs. Whitby School is accredited by the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools and the American Montessori Society. Whitby School is a member of the Educational Records Bureau, the Parents League and the REACH Prep program.