Admission FAQs

Click on the sections below to review some of our most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Early Childhood and K-6 admission. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Beth Behar at 310.889.2275 or [email protected] for K-6th grade or Jayne Rosen at 310.889.2297 or [email protected] for Early Childhood.

Early Childhood FAQ

WHAT ARE THE FIRST STEPS OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS?

The first step in applying to Wise School is to return the completed Application with the non-refundable application fee of $150 to the Office of Admission. The Office of Admission will then schedule a student screening and a parent interview with a private campus tour. Families will be notified of the days and times via email and are asked to confirm those dates and times with the Office of Admission upon receipt.

WHEN ARE APPLICATIONS DUE?

Prospective applicants and their parents are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible. The application deadline is December 14, 2019. This is not a postmark deadline, but the date that all applications must be received by the Office of Admission.

WHAT ARE WISE'S ADMISSION CRITERIA?

Our Early Childhood program begins for children around age 2 to 5. Consideration for admission is based upon the application for admission, our meeting with your family.

WHEN WILL WE BE NOTIFIED OF OUR ADMISSION DECISION?

Admission decisions are issued to all families with current applications by December 31. Once your contract is returned with your deposit, your child is considered enrolled in our school. A deposit is required in February to enroll annually and Enrollment Contracts are finalized in early April.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I COME TO CAMPUS FOR MY CHILD'S VISIT?

Depending on your child’s age, you will be invited to one of two types of visits with your child: a Transition intake interview or a play date. Transition in-take interview: Families with children entering Transition (two-year-olds) are invited to meet 1:1 with one of our administrators to learn more about our Transition program and ask important questions pertaining to your child’s transition to school. At this meeting, we want to learn more about your family, your child, your child’s friends, and the program you are interested in attending. This interview is for adults only. Play date: Families with children entering N1, N2 or N3 are invited to come to school with their children and spend a few hours in our classrooms. While your child plays, you will complete some paperwork telling us more about your family and child, including friends already attending Wise.

WHAT KIND OF STUDENT DOES WISE SEEK TO ADMIT?

Wise seeks to welcome children who are creative and curious, along with their families who are committed to the values of our School and who have the ability to contribute to the School community throughout their time here and beyond.

HOW CAN I LEARN ABOUT FINANCIAL AID?

If you wish to apply for financial aid, please check back to this website in October 2019 to download the required forms.

DO I NEED TO JOIN STEPHEN WISE TEMPLE IN ORDER TO HAVE MY CHILD ATTEND WISE?

Yes, all families whose children attend Wise School are required to be members of the Temple.

K-6 FAQ

WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?

The main point of entry to Wise School is in Kindergarten. In all other grades spaces are available based on attrition. Therefore, openings are not always available in all grade levels.

WHEN ARE APPLICATIONS DUE?

Prospective applicants and their parents are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible. The application deadline is January 31, 2020. This is not a postmark deadline, but the date that all applications must be received by the Office of Admission.

WHAT ARE WISE'S ADMISSION CRITERIA?

Consideration for admission is based upon the application for admission, the screening, the parent interview, transcripts, teacher and administrator recommendations, ISEE scores and ERB scores (where applicable). Parents should deliver the authorization for release of transcripts as well as teacher and administrator recommendation forms to the appropriate individuals at their school as early as possible. Transcripts and recommendations are mailed to Wise by your child’s school and are due by January 31, 2020.

WHAT ARE THE FIRST STEPS OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS?

The first step in applying to Wise School is to complete the online application by January 31, 2020. The Office of Admission will then schedule a student screening and a parent interview. Families will be notified of the days and times via email and are asked to confirm those dates and times with the Office of Admission upon receipt.

WHAT KIND OF STUDENT DOES WISE SEEK TO ADMIT?

Wise seeks to admit bright, motivated, creative, and involved students who, along with their families, are committed to the values of our School’s mission and who have the ability to contribute to the School community throughout their time here.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I COME TO CAMPUS FOR MY CHILD'S SCREENING?

Applicants and their families will be given a date and time for a student screening and parent interview. While the applicant is being screened by one of our teachers, parents will meet one-on-one with our Head of School.

HOW CAN I LEARN ABOUT FINANCIAL AID?

The Wise School Financial Aid Program enrolls qualified students whose parents demonstrate financial need. All applications must be completed no later than Friday, January 10, 2020. We use FACTS Grant and Aid to assess financial eligibility for our families. Please log in and fill out the online application. Our School code is 35910. The following must be uploaded in PDF format to FACTS.

DO I NEED TO JOIN STEPHEN WISE TEMPLE IN ORDER TO HAVE MY CHILD ATTEND WISE?

Yes, all families whose children attend Wise School are required to be members of the Temple.

WHEN WILL WE BE NOTIFIED OF OUR ADMISSION DECISION?

Admission decisions will be mailed on March 13, 2020. Enrollment Agreements are due on March 23, 2020.

HOW LARGE IS THE WAITPOOL AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

The size of the wait pool varies from year to year. Our wait pool is non-prioritized and a decision to fill a space with a student from the wait pool may not necessarily be made on a first-come, first-served basis. We make every effort to notify candidates placed in our wait pool of space availability by the end of April. However, there is no guarantee that a space will become available.

HOW MUCH WEIGHT DOES THE ADMISSION COMMITTEE GIVE TO STANDARDIZED TESTS?

Test scores are one aspect of a student’s file. These scores are used to illuminate a child’s academic record and provide a standardized measure of evaluation for the Admission Committee.

CAN A STUDENT TAKE THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAM (ISEE) MORE THAN ONCE (FOR APPLICANTS GRADES 5 & 6 ONLY)?

Yes. Starting with the 2017-2018 school years, students may take the ISEE exam up to 3 times during the admission year.

IS THERE A UNIFORM OR DRESS CODE?

Wise requires its students to wear a uniform. Requirements are sent home at the beginning of each School year and students are expected to be appropriately and neatly attired according to the guidelines.