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Frequently Asked Admissions Questions
| When are applications due? |
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| Applications for Primary (preschool), Kindergarten, and Level 1 are due by December 10, 2012. Applications for Elementary (Levels 2-5) and Middle School (Levels 6-8) must be submitted no later than January 25, 2013. All supporting materials (recommendations and transcripts) are due by January 1. To request an application packet, please complete our online form. |
| When should I start the process? |
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| We encourage families to return their applications as early as possible prior to the deadline so that we can schedule the required visits and interviews. Return of supporting materials as close to the January 1 date as possible allows us to make decisions based upon the most recent and up-to-date information on the applicant. |
| Do you accept late applications? |
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| Applications are always welcome; however, first priority is given to those received by the deadline. If classes are full, qualified and approved applicants will be placed in a wait pool. |
| When can I visit the school? |
| Prospective Primary and Elementary parents are encouraged to attend our fall Open House in October. For those who miss this event, Admissions Coffees are available by reservation. Middle School applicants and their parents attend an Open House in November or January. |
| How many students do you take each year? |
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| Openings vary from level to level. Since Primary (starting at 2 years, 9 months) is our entry level, the most openings occur for that age group. Approximately 35 Primary students are admitted each year. For Kindergarten (5 years by September 1) there are usually about 25 openings. Openings in the Elementary grades (Levels 1-5) are based on attrition and vary from year to year. We enroll about 20 new students in Middle School. We do not admit students to Level 8, although an exception will occasionally be made if a student is moving to the area from out of the state or from another country. |
| How many children are in each classroom? |
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| Each Primary classroom has a maximum of 20 students with a Head Teacher and a full-time Assistant Teacher. Head Teachers and Specialists, with the support of the Assistant Teacher, facilitate individual, as well as small group instruction. There are two to three sections per grade level in Elementary with a maximum of 18 students per section. Each section in Kindergarten, Level 1, and Level 2 has a Head Teacher and an Assistant Teacher. In Levels 3-5, one Assistant Teacher is shared between the two classes. The teacher-to-student ratio for Middle School is 1:15, or less, with each student connected to one advisor for weekly meetings in a smaller group of eight students. |
| How diverse is the Turning Point Community? |
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| Our students represent a broad mix of ethnic and socioeconomic diversity. Forty-five percent of our student body is made up of diverse ethnicities. We work closely with the Independent School Alliance for Minority Affairs and our geographic location consists of families of color. |
| What type of student is Turning Point looking for? |
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| In the early childhood Montessori based program and developmental K-1 transition program, we are looking for families who are committed to their children’s education and the Turning Point philosophy. The tremendous benefit of Turning Point’s program is that children are able to develop at their own pace, with each student’s readiness being used as the gauge by which skills are taught. We are looking for Middle School students with a variety of backgrounds and talents who will be able to make significant contributions to the Turning Point community through their academic achievement, creative talents, athletic abilities, positive social behavior, and participation in the School’s programs. |
| How much weight does the Admissions Committee place on standardized test scores for Middle School applicants? |
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The ISEE scores are just one component we use for evaluating each applicant. Equal weight is given to academic history, teacher recommendations, and the personal interview. The essay portion of the ISEE is also an important factor in the admissions decision.
Turning Point is an ISEE test site on December 1, 2012 for students entering Levels 5-8 in the fall of 2013. |
| Does Turning Point give preference to sibling applicants? |
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| Turning Point is committed to being a family community and gives priority to qualified siblings who would be well-served by its program. |
| Is financial aid available? |
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| Turning Point has a financial aid program. While the budget cannot accommodate everyone’s needs, all interested families are still encouraged to apply. Financial aid is very limited in Primary and Kindergarten and not available to late applicants. |
| Do you have a transportation service available in my area? |
| With the help of the Parent Support Association, we facilitate carpool matching for interested families. |
| Do you have after school programs/daycare? |
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| Morning Care is available from 7:30-8:30 am (gratis) and After School Care until 6:00 pm (charged on a daily basis). A variety of After School Programs are offered each trimester at an additional cost. Both Athletics and Performing Arts are available as After School Classes, as well as within the daily curriculum. |
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