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the admissions process
Admission & Tuition Assistance Policies/Procedures
We believe enrollment in our school should not be limited to applicants who can pay full tuition; our Tuition Assistance Program enables us to help many deserving students who could not otherwise afford to attend.Families who wish to consider admittance to Wilson are invited to submit an application and indicate on the application an interest in receiving tuition assistance materials from the Admission Office. To be certain all materials will be ready for the early March meeting of the Tuition Assistance (TA) Committee, all application materials must be submitted according to the deadlines detailed within. There should be no mystery about applying for admission or tuition assistance. Families are encouraged to call the Admission Office, if they have questions. Qualifications for Admission
Admission is competitive and is determined by predicting the applicant’s probable success in our educational program. The early childhood and primary level applicants must
demonstrate normal development, enthusiasm, intelligence,
facility in school-related skills, and a generosity of spirit.
The intermediate level applicant (grades four, five and six)
must present a record of strong academic performance
and involvement in extracurricular activities appropriate to
one’s grade level and age. The applicant’s standardized
test scores should indicate above average percentiles
and stanines for achievement and ability, as well as above
grade/age level scores in the academic skills of reading,
mathematics, science, and language arts. The applicant
must have positive recommendations for behavior and
motivation. Academic progress reports also are considered.Decisions about Admission
Admission decisions are not made until all requirements have been met. Therefore, it is recommended that parents submit necessary paperwork by the deadlines outlined within. Acceptances are mailed in mid March with an acceptance required from parents in accordance with the Common Response Date agreed upon by ISSL (Independent Schools of St. Louis) schools. Information regarding tuition assistance awards will be provided with enrollment contracts.
Tuition Assistance
Our Tuition Assistance Program supports the school's mission regarding economic diversity. Awards are used solely to help families who demonstrate economic need. All students are eligible for consideration. The specific amount of assistance depends on the family's financial need and can vary. All families pay some part of the cost. The Wilson School reserves the right to modify procedures, terms and qualifications. The Tuition Assistance Committee is made up of the Director of Admission and non-parent members of the Board of Trustees. The Tuition Assistance Committee determines qualification and re-qualification. Awards are offered and renewed yearly, according to the conditions stated in the grant letter and current school rules and procedures. Confidentiality is absolute. Tuition Assistance Resources
We offer a limited number of awards each year. Traditionally, between 24% and 26% of our students receive tuition assistance.The Jane M. Breckner Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Jane M. Breckner Memorial Scholarship Fund began as an endowed fund to honor the memory of a much admired former headmistress of the Wilson School. The Fund's purpose is to provide tuition assistance to families who without some form of financial support could not otherwise afford a Wilson education. Families who have multiple children enrolled at Wilson can be considered for an award. Completion of the tuition assistance application process is required of all who wish to be considered. Current and returning families only are eligible. Distribution of this fund is managed by the TA Committee in consultation with the Head of School.Procedures and Conditions
Parents of Wilson students should contact the Director of Admission for special instructions for new or renewal awards.1. Call the Admission Office at 314.725.4999 for a packetof admission materials, an explanation of the admission procedures or if you have questions. 2. Call the Admission Office for an appointment to tour the school and to discuss the school program. 3. Following your tour of the school, submit an application by January 30, 2012 if you feel Wilson would be a “good fit” for your child(ren) and family. The non-refundable $75 application fee helps cover the cost of the time and the effort involved in determining an applicant’s qualifications. 4. A decision regarding your child’s award amount will be provided with the enrollment contract offer. Award decisions are made only for families who fulfill admission and tuition assistance application requirements and meet established deadlines. The following deadlines must be met by February 1, 2012: The Parent's Financial Statement Form should be mailed to School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS), or filed online at SSS.NAIS.org/parents. A $47.00 fee is required at the time of application. Photocopies of W-2s and 1040 for the 2011 tax year are to be submitted to Wilson's Admission office by February 1, 2012. Application for tuition assistance is done on an annual basis. The amount of the award may change from year to year, depending on your financial situation. Fall
Arrange a school tour and a parent conference. Most parents submit an application for admission in November and December.January 20, 2012
By this date you should have submitted the Application for Admission and the $75 fee. (Applications for classes in which there are openings will continue to be accepted after January 20.) Arrangements for your child’s classroom visit at Wilson also should be made by this date. Because of the limited number of available dates, the scheduling of these visits begins in December. The visits take place in January, February and the first two weeks of March. If your child is applying for pre-kindergarten, a visit to his/her preschool will be arranged by Wilson’s pre-kindergarten teachers.March 15, 2012
You will receive notification regarding the status of your child’s admission to Wilson by this date.April 11, 2012
If an enrollment contract has been offered to your child, you must return the signed contract and enrollment deposit by April 11, 2012, the Common Response Date shared by ISSL schools. A 10% deposit is required at this time to ensure a place for your child has been reserved. Information regarding your family’s tuition assistance award will be provided in tandem with the enrollment contract offer.January 15, 2012
• Current Wilson families must re-apply for tuition assistance on an annual basis.• Submit the SSS Parents’ Financial Statement Form to SSS or apply online at SSS.NAIS.org/parents. Submit W-2’s and 1040 for the 2011 tax year to Wilson’s Admission Office if they are not already on file.March 1, 2012
• Submit W-2’s for the 2011 tax year to the Admission Office.April 16, 2012
• Submit 1040 for the 2011 tax year to the Admission Office.All Families
Meeting the filing deadlines is mandatory when applying for tuition assistance. When completing the PFS, be certain you include The Wilson School’s number provided in the SSS PFS booklet on your form so the final computation will be forwarded to us. It takes at least one month from the time the form is mailed to SSS until the computation report reaches us. The information you provide will allow SSS to estimate an amount your family can be expected to pay toward school fees. The forms, needed from both natural parents, should be for the latest tax year. We will consider the assets of both biological or adoptive parents, if living, before making any awards. We cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed responsibility for educational expenses. If the custodial parent has remarried, we also will consider the assets of the step-parent, always bearing in mind the obligations that the step-parent has to his/her own biological children. The Wilson School is committed to diversity. It is a non-sectarian institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, family life-style or disability in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, financial aid programs, athletic or other school administered programs or employment practices.
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