Admissions

Frequently Asked Questions About Admissions

When are school tours given?

Tours for the 2011 - 2012 school year begin in September 2011 and continue until late January 2012. Tours start at 8:30 with an orientation with Rita Franklin, Director of Admission, and several Synergy parents. Classroom visitations are from 9:20 on. Tours are mandatory before applying to the school.

How does Synergy select students for admission?

We are an inclusive community and accept a wide range of children. The criteria we use for evaluation includes: academic and social readiness for each grade level, philosophical match between the school and parent(s), and willingness on the part of families to support and participate in the school.

We actively recruit a diverse population in terms of ethnicity, income, family structure, including gay and lesbian parents, single parents, adoptive, and foster parents.

Does Synergy accept children with learning differences?
We do accept children with learning differences. In evaluating the possibility of admission, we look at the specific needs of the child and our ability to meet those needs, the numbers of children with learning differences already in the class, and other support services the child is receiving outside of school. We have a half time learning specialist on site who works with teachers, students and parents to identify learning needs and strategies to meet these needs. She also helps parents find outside resources if necessary to further support their child’s needs. In addition, our teachers are experienced at working with all types of learners and many are trained through the Schools Attuned program, developed by Dr. Mel Levine.

What does it cost to send a child to Synergy?

Synergy’s tuition is one of the lowest of local private schools. In a recent study of Bay Area private elementary school tuition, our tuition was the fourth lowest in the survey. Our policy of maintaining a low tuition while providing a high quality education enables us to attract families from all economic backgrounds.

Tuition for the 2011-2012 academic year is $14,800. Tuition may be paid in 1, 2, 6, or 10 payments. The first ‘deposit’ payment is made one week after acceptance.

Approximately one third of our families receive some form of financial aid to meet tuition payments. Financial aid ranges from approximately 8% tuition assistance to 80% tuition assistance.

What can I expect in the interview process?

Prospective Kindergarten students come for a 50 minute play date on a Saturday in February. Children play in the Kindergarten classroom with a variety of materials, and are individually asked a small number of questions (such as, “What do you like to do at school?”). There are approximately 15 students with 5 teachers, including the kindergarten teachers and the admissions director.

Parents for Kindergarten applicants participate in a small group interview with a current Synergy administrator and/or teacher. We ask some questions of each member of the group, and members of the group also have an opportunity to ask questions.

1st through 4th grade applicants are asked to visit for an hour and a half in the morning with a group of applicants. They participate in age-appropriate activities and complete sample writing, reading, and math work. They are also interviewed individually by a teacher. Parents participate in a small group interview with a current Synergy teacher and/or administrator. We ask some questions of each member of the group, and members of the group also have an opportunity to ask questions.

5th grade applicants spend a morning in a 4/5th grade classroom, participating in the work of the class and being interviewed individually by a teacher. They complete sample writing, reading, and math work. Parents are interviewed individually by the admissions director.

Middle School applicants spend a day shadowing a middle school student and participating in the work of each class. They take a math screening test, complete a writing sample and a reading fluency and comprehension assessment.

Middle school parents are interviewed individually by the admissions director.