Admission Policy and Process
Preschool Process
Tuesday/Thursday: Applicants are three to three and a half years old and fully toilet trained by September 1 of the year they plan to enter The Pegasus School. Screening involves a brief observation and assessment of the applicant in the Admission Office. This is the only screening process in which parents are invited to be present with the prospective student.
Monday/Wednesday/Friday: Applicants are three and a half to four years old and fully toilet trained by September 1 of the year they plan to enter The Pegasus School. Screening involves observing children in small groups (10-12) for a three-hour assessment by the preschool faculty in the preschool room. During this time, faculty direct a typical preschool day involving circle time, directed activities, cognitive skills and free play.
Pre-Kindergarten: Children are four to five years old and fully toilet trained by September 1 of the year they plan to enter The Pegasus School. Screening involves preschool faculty working with a small group of applicants (10-12) for a three-hour assessment in the pre-kindergarten classroom. During this time, faculty work with children in directed activities, cognitive skills, and free play.
Kindergarten and First Grade Process
Applicants must be five years old by September 1 of the year they enter Kindergarten or six years old for first grade. Decisions are based on matching applicants with our mission and philosophy through examination of pertinent material including a confidential teacher recommendation, the applicant’s most recent report card (if available), a parent questionnaire, and an on-site assessment as described below:
Kindergarten applicants: Approximately 15 applicants at a time are invited to gather here for a play group for two hours to simulate a school setting. The Pegasus School Kindergarten and First Grade faculty direct this interactive forum to get to know the applicants. Various activities are set up in the classroom to engage children in play. Additionally, the faculty direct a cognitive screening to assess students for Kindergarten readiness.
First Grade applicants: The first grade teachers meet individually for about an hour to assess a student’s reading, math, and cognitive ability as well as readiness for first grade. Based on a review of all applicants by the admission committee, applicants that appear to be qualified are invited to return for a class visit with the grade level in which they are currently placed. Final decisions are made after the class visit.
Second through Eighth Grade Process
Second through Fourth Grade: All applicants attend a group testing session with our faculty. During this session, applicants take a math test, reading comprehension test, a writing assessment, and participate in a small group discussion with applicants for their grade level. Based on a review of all applicants by the admission committee, applicants that appear to be qualified are invited to return for a class visit with the grade level in which they are currently placed; e.g. a second grade applicant will visit one of our first grades. Final decisions are made after the class visit.
Fifth-Eighth Grade: These applicants are required to take the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam – see www.iseetest.org) that assesses their math, verbal, and writing skills. Based on a review of all applicants by the admission committee, applicants that appear to be qualified are invited to return for a class visit with the grade level in which they are currently placed; e.g. a fifth grade applicant will visit one of our fourth grades. Final decisions are made after the class visit.
The Pegasus School admits students of any race, color, religion, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, age, national and ethnic origin, or physical challenge, in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, or its athletic or other school administered programs.