Admission Process
The following steps outline Touchstone's Admissions process:
1. Visit the school
Call or email us to arrange a visit. We’ll tour the school, explain our educational approach, and answer your questions. You may also wish to attend one of our Open Houses. These are held on the first Thursday of November, February, and May, from 4:30-6:30 pm.
Note: If you are unable to attend one of our Open Houses, please call the school to arrange a visit at a more convenient time.
2. Complete the Application Form.
We encourage families to complete the Application Form by January 31st, so the admissions process can be completed by May; however, we do accept applications year round. Applying early ensures you will have a greater choice of school visit dates for your child.
By completing the Family History section on the application form, you have the opportunity to provide us with specific information about your family. The information on this form provides us with insight into your child, his/her development, and your thoughts on the kind of school environment that would be most beneficial to his/her academic and social development.
Please enclose a $500 deposit with the Application Form. If you submit the Application Form via e-mail, please mail your deposit to the school. The deposit and all subsequent fees are non-refundable, unless your child is not accepted into the school. Upon acceptance to the school, the $500 deposit is credited to your child's tuition for the year.
Note: Your child's application form will not be processed until the school receives your $500 deposit.
Note: Every application package includes information on our Financial Assistance Program.
3. Bring your child to Touchstone
Bring you child to participate in a small group session (and possibly an individual session) while you meet with a member of the Executive.
Group Session
Children applying to Touchstone meet with one or two of the school's teachers for a small group session. During this session, children participate in a number of activities. These sessions are an opportunity for your child to become acquainted with the teachers and vice versa. We try to make these sessions as enjoyable as possible for the children. We want the children to relax and have fun, so we can see them as they really are.
Note: In preparing a young child for a school visit, most parents find it is wise to be as low key as possible. For example: "This is a school we like; you have been invited to visit and see what you think of it. You'll play games with some other children and the teachers, and I'll be close by."
Meeting with Executive member
While your child participates in his or her group session, you meet with or more members of the executive. During this session, the school's mission statement and key objectives are discussed.
4. Additional steps
Preschool teacher evaluation
After your child visits Touchstone, his or her preschool teacher is called for an objective evaluation. This third-party reference is a valuable source of information for the Touchstone admissions process. The evaluation is provided directly to the school in strict confidence. The outcome of the interview is not shared with the applicant's parents.
Teacher visits
The teacher of the youngest class visits each child in his or her home prior to the beginning of the school year. This allows the teacher to become acquainted with his or her students.
5. Notification of Admissions Decisions
Parents are notified of admissions decisions after all steps of the admissions process are complete. We maintain waiting lists for classes that are full, and notify the parents if an opening occurs for their child.
