Admissions Process

Admissions Standards

Candidates to Waterford must demonstrate an interest in learning and a readiness to develop their talents. Students enrolled at Waterford will study, practice and achieve in an academic environment. Students must be ready to learn and to engage with the faculty in the process of learning.

The Admissions Committee will carefully evaluate a student’s strengths as they relate to success at Waterford.

To gauge a student’s ability and assess achievement, the Admissions Committee will consider previous standardized testing. Further admissions testing will be administered by the school. Consideration will be given to a student’s previous academic record, teacher recommendations, progress in school, personal attributes, and special interests and talents.

Ultimately, Waterford will enroll students who show promise, who are willing to make the commitment to work hard and whose parents are willing to provide the necessary support for the student and the school.

Application for Admission

Parents should complete and submit an application for enrollment to the school with a $35.00 non-refundable fee. Additional admissions forms requesting school records and teacher recommendation form(s) will be forwarded upon receipt of the initial application.

School Visit and Interview

All applicants and their parents/guardians should visit the school. This important part of the admissions process allows the school and family to become a better acquainted. During the visit, the applicant will interview with selected members of the school’s administration and faculty as well as tour the campus and visit classes. Please call the Admissions Office to schedule this visit.

Admissions Evaluation and Testing

All applicants are evaluated to assess scholastic achievement. Applicants for Preschool and Kindergarten will be evaluated by the appropriate grade level teacher. The Admissions Office will call to schedule a time for the evaluation. Applicants for Grades 1 to 8 will complete grade-level testing. Candidates for admission to Upper School will take sections of the ERB Comprehensive Testing Program. The Waterford School will administer this evaluation on Saturday mornings during the admission season and then by appointment during the remainder of the year.

Diversity & Nondiscrimination Policies

The Waterford School recognizes that the intellectual curiosity and self reflection it desires for its students can best be accomplished in an environment that contains multiple points of view engendered by diverse life experiences. Toward that end, the School has established policies designed to attract and retain faculty, students and families, who represent socio economic and ethnic diversity.

The Waterford School admits students of any race, color, 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 race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.