ADMISSIONS
Prospective parents are encouraged to arrange a classroom visit in order to experience our programs first-hand. Curriculum Days and Community Observation Days are listed on our website and you may call the School Administrator to schedule a visit. If you cannot attend a scheduled day, you can make arrangements to visit on an alternate day.
Currently enrolled students, Mountain Tots children, and siblings receive enrollment priority prior to open-enrollment. Parents will be notified of re-enrollment (including qualifying Mountain Tot families and siblings) by the second week of March and be sent a registration form or admissions paperwork.
For children who are new to the program, parents will submit a completed Application Form, a $25 non-refundable application fee, and an Interview Questionnaire. The School Administrator will then contact the parents to arrange an interview with the class teacher. This interview is an opportunity for parents to speak with the teacher about their child and to learn more about Lakeside’s program. After the faculty reviews the application and interview, parents will be notified by email within two weeks of the child’s admission status. A $130 deposit must be received by the school in order to hold the child’s place in the program.
Parents will have a financial meeting with the School Administrator to sign the tuition responsibility contract and discuss volunteer commitments. All financial information is confidential. Parents are asked to read the parent handbook prior to this meeting. Completed and signed enrollment forms are required prior to start of school.
Lakeside School, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or
ethnic origin in its admission.
"Everyday, my sons are given new opportunities to explore the changing seasons, the natural landscape, and thier growing abilities as human beings. I can't think of a better way to be introduced to the magic of learning."
Application Process
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Contact our School Administrator to set up an observation during the school day. You can come during an Open House day or schedule another time. Visits are usually between 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. from Monday through Thursday.
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After you have visited the school, set up an interview with the program teacher and the school administrator to learn more about the program you're interested in and to tell them about your child. (Children should not be present during this discussion.)
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Once you've decided Lakeside School is a good fit for your family's needs, submit an Application Form, Tuition Assistance Form (if needed), and a $25 application fee.
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After the faculty has reviewed your application and tuition needs, you will receive a decision letter, medical forms, and questionnaire to complete and return to us before your child's first day of school. At this time, you will be required to submit a non-refundable deposit: $150 for programs during the school year; $35 for Summer Sprouts. The deposit will go towards your Maintenance Fee.
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Before your child's first day of school, the program teacher will contact you to arrange a home visit. This is an opportunity for your child and the teacher to begin building their relationship and parents are not expected to actively participate.
Application Forms
Early Withdrawal Policy
If a family should decide to withdraw their child from Lakeside’s programs, cancellation must be made in writing before July 1, 2018 in order to receive a full refund (minus the $130 non- refundable deposit).
Families who choose to withdraw a student:
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prior to October 19th (end of the six week trial period) will have tuition prorated and any unused portion returned.
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prior to January 1st will be responsible for 50% of tuition costs.
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prior to April 1st will be responsible for 75% of tuition costs.
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after April 1st will be responsible for 100% of tuition costs.
Any parent contemplating withdrawal should set up a meeting with the teacher or School Administrator to address any questions or concerns that the parent or teachers may have.
TUITION
Founded as a grassroots, parent-organized school, Lakeside has built our organization to meet the needs of and be accessible to families of all backgrounds. As a 501(c)3 non- profit organization, we keep our costs to run the school as low as possible and rely heavily on volunteer efforts and fundraising to complete our budget needs.
Please follow the links below to see our tuition schedules.
FINANCIAL AID
Lakeside School also offers a limited amount of Tuition Assistance each year to families who cannot meet the Oak Tier costs. We encourage you to talk with the Administrator about the financial aspects of attending Lakeside. We want to help every family find a way to send their children to Lakeside!
Please note, the Essex County Child Care Subsidy program still has funding available for working parents with children under the age of 6 whose family income meet the requirements. Please visit the Essex County Department of Social Services for more information or call their Day Care Unit at (518) 873-3431.
