When Should You Apply to Private School? A Month-by-Month Admissions Timeline

Planning for a child’s educational journey is an exciting milestone. Understanding the admissions process and timeline at Waterford School can help make the process feel far more manageable. Through this guide, you will learn about key dates and stages in the Waterford admissions process.

Applying for Waterford School

To be considered for admission, every child needs a complete application. Waterford’s application process is done entirely online. Many families find themselves able to complete the application in a short period of time. Applicants must meet the following age requirements by September 1 – 

• 3 years old for PreK-3
• 4 years old for PreK-4
• 5 years old for Kindergarten

If you have any questions about grade placement, the Admissions Office is happy to assist.

Many families begin the application process with an inquiry. Waterford offers many opportunities to experience its 41-acre campus, including Open Houses and Waterford Wednesday events. A tour and meeting with the Admissions Team will provide insight into the curriculum and student life, while also allowing you to get to know the people who will assist you throughout the application process.

Application Deadline

Applications open annually on October 1 for the following school year. Families have until January 31 to submit their application to Waterford. Applications submitted after the deadline are accepted on a rolling basis, as spaces become available.

Assessments for Admission at Waterford

After submitting an application, the Waterford Admissions Office will contact you to schedule an interview and any applicable assessments. For Middle and Upper School applicants, this includes a one-on-one literacy assessment. Lower School students, in addition to the literacy assessment, will take a math survey in Classes II-V. These assessments are designed to feel like a review of concepts your child has already learned. For PreK applicants, children will be invited after the application deadline to participate in an in-person classroom assessment, where PreK teachers will evaluate readiness.

Many other application questions can be found on the Waterford Application FAQ page.