Tuition & Assistance
Exmissions
FAQs
Admission Process
How To Apply
Our application process is simple and designed to help us get to know each other. We offer open houses so that parents can explore our school and meet some of our team. The application includes questions about your family, your child, and your interest in dual-language education.
After the application is received, we schedule a family meeting. The family meeting provides an opportunity for us to get to know your family better, to discuss what you are looking for in a school, to talk about the program options for your child’s age, and to answer any questions you have. Children are welcome to join the family meeting, but they are not assessed during the meeting or at any other point in the admissions process.
We welcome you to reach out with questions and look forward to meeting you.
Tuition & Assistance
As a not-for-profit, La Escuelita relies on tuition as its primary source of revenue. Tuition is set annually by the Board of Directors and represents the cost of operating the school, including rent, teacher salaries, benefits, and supplies. Tuition is all-inclusive; there are no field trip fees or other additional costs to attend. Typically, a deposit is paid at the time of placement acceptance with the reminder of the tuition paid in four installments throughout the summer and fall.
Tuition for the 2024-25 school year is as follows.
Rojo and Amarillo Classrooms
Ages 2.0-3.5
Azul and Anaranjado Classrooms
Ages 3.0-4.5
Verde Classroom
Ages 3.7-5.4
Tuition Reduction
Approximately 25% of La Escuelita families receive tuition reduction. This percentage has been consistent since the opening of the school and represents a community effort to include families from a broad range of incomes and backgrounds. Tuition reduction allocation is based on need and the availability of funds. For some families, tuition reduction allows payments to be spread out over the course of the year; for other families, the overall amount of tuition is reduced according to income and assets.
Application Deadlines & Notifications Dates
2024-25
Early Decision
Applications Due: Friday, December 1, 2023
Notification Date: No later than Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Parent Reply Date: 5 business days from notification and no later than noon on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.
Regular Notification
Applications Due: Thursday, January 11, 2024
Notification Date: Thursday, February 29, 2024
Parent Reply Date: No later than noon on Thursday, March 7, 2024.
Rolling Notification
After January 12th, applications are still accepted on a rolling basis.
Exmissions
When the time comes to leave La Escuelita, we ensure that both children and families are prepared. The exmissions process begins with a general information meeting with Kelley Grant, our Executive Director. In this session, Kelley presents an overview of the kindergarten admissions process for both public and private schools. Within the following few weeks, a one-on-one meeting is held to gain a better understanding of which schools the parents would most like to explore. Follow-up discussions are held as needed, as parents visit schools and receive tours, to further refine choices.
No two exmissions meetings are the same, as each family’s needs are different. We are proud to tailor our support to the diverse families that attend La Escuelita, and our graduate list truly reflects that individualized assistance, with students attending a wide variety of both public and private schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my child need to already speak Spanish to attend La Escuelita?
No, not at all! Teachers are very adept at including English-dominant children into classroom play and activities, and every classroom has a mix of children from monolingual English and Spanish to students who come from bilingual (or trilingual or quadrilingual!) families.
What is your sibling policy?
We are a family-oriented school. Siblings have first priority for admissions and are offered placement before non-siblings. However, every year there are open places in every class for new families, and we welcome and value new members of the community.
Why don’t you assess children through playgroups?
We believe, and research has shown, that a dual-language, developmentally appropriate preschool education can benefit all children. There is no need for an assessment at the time of application, only a willingness on the part of the family to support bilingualism.
If at any point while a child attends La Escuelita, based on discussions during family meetings or observations during class, it seems that a child may benefit from outside specialist support (e.g., speech or occupational therapy), we assist families in finding those services. Qualifying for, or needing specialist support does not preclude attendance at La Escuelita.
Should I choose 2 days per week, 3 days per week, or 5 days per week for my 2 year old?
This is a conversation to have with the Educational Director during your family meeting. Some 2 year olds are eager to be in a social environment every day, while others benefit from a slower transition from a home to school setting.
Are there spots for families that choose Regular Notification?
Of course! La Escuelita recognizes that not every family is ready to commit to a dual-language preschool before hearing from all their options. While many seats are filled by those families choosing Early Notification, in previous years there have been spaces for families applying through Regular Notification.
What’s the difference between the morning and afternoon classes?
Both classes cover the same curriculum, use the same themes, and have the same teachers. However, the afternoon classes tend towards slightly older 3s in the 3/4s. Some families prefer the three-day-per-week afternoon schedule, while others prefer more consistency and Spanish-language exposure that the five day morning schedule offers.
How do you handle separation?
To facilitate separation, our teachers visit with each student in small groups before the school year begins. By meeting your child in a more intimate setting, teachers make their initial connection when a child is comfortable and supported. Teachers introduce themselves to the student, leading him/her in an individual piece of an art project which will later decorate the classroom door, greeting children on their first day of school.
When the school year begins, some children move to new situations easily and others need a more gradual approach. Caregivers should be available as the child is learning to separate. Your child’s teacher will guide your family through the process. There is no set timetable, as some children are ready to separate on the first day, while others need a week or two to settle into their new environment.