Pine Crest

How do we apply for our child to be admitted to Pine Crest School?

Fill out the application and return it with the $100 application fee. Call the office to arrange a family interview and tour when classes are going on. You can print the application, recommendation and questionnaires from our web site.

Do we have to do anything else after we apply?

Yes.

Request that the current school send Pine Crest a copy of student grades along with the completed School Recommendation Form.

Bring your child when he/she is invited to Pine Crest for testing and/or for a class visit if entering Grades Pre-Kindergarten through 8. Bring your child for a tour (PK-12).

If entering Grades 6 - 11, register your child for the SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test).

If our child has good grades will he/she get into Pine Crest?

School grades of A and B are a good indicator of success at Pine Crest. However, other factors are just as important. A complete student�s file is considered: the last two years of marks, the recommendation form from the current school, the campus interview, and the admission test scores. Students at Pine Crest are working above grade level, so a student receiving good grades who is doing grade level work at his/her current school might not be ready to enter Pine Crest�s accelerated program.

How many students will be accepted?

We expect about 350 new students spread over fourteen grades and two campuses. Some grades always have a larger number of new students to enter our school because we add teachers and homerooms.

Does Pine Crest offer scholarships?

No. Pine Crest does not offer academic, fine arts, or athletic scholarships to anyone. However, families who need financial assistance can apply for need-based financial aid.

How do we apply for financial aid?

When you fill out the admission application, please mark the �YES� in the area requesting financial aid information. The financial aid form (PFS � Parent Financial Service) must be completed and sent to Princeton, NJ by March 15th or earlier, if possible. Copies of both parents� 1040 and W-2 must be sent to Pine Crest Admission Office by April 1st. These deadlines are very important for all financial aid. (Request a financial aid flyer from Pine Crest for additional information.)

How much financial aid will our child get?

Each family�s need is different. The SSS Office in Princeton, NJ calculates this for many schools and universities. The family (both parents) income, expenses, assets and debts are taken into account. The aid amount is based on how much the family would need in order to afford the Pine Crest School tuition for each student. Some families need no help, some need a little, and some need assistance with a major portion of tuition and fees.

If we have more than one child applying, do we have to write separate applications for each?

Yes. The admission application process may be different for each child depending on the grade level, and the process may be completed for each at different times. However, only one PFS form for the family is needed if you apply for financial aid.

If one of our children is accepted, then will that automatically mean that the others will?

No. Each student file is evaluated separately. Although we would like to have all the children in the family attending the same school, it is not always possible to do so. Space may affect this and the needs of your children may differ.

When will we know if our child is accepted into Pine Crest School?

Decisions are made when the student�s file is complete. Of course, the early applicants who complete the process soon, will hear before late applicants or those who do not complete all requirements for admission early. Once a file is complete, the Pine Crest Admission Committee will vote regarding the student�s admission and the family will be notified within two weeks.

When will we know if we will receive financial aid?

The admission process is separate from the financial aid process. You may hear about your child�s admission earlier. Once all financial documents are received, you will receive a letter advising if you qualified for financial assistance, and if so, the amount being awarded to help your family. All financial aid awards are confidential. Other families and faculty members do not know who receives financial aid.

What expenses will I have beyond tuition?

Families are responsible for school uniforms. If the child needs a laptop computer, or school transportation, it should be reported when financial aid is requested. Extended Day, tutoring if needed, and some class trips may incur additional costs. Financial aid may assist with some of these expenses, if necessary. It is important to discuss these matters openly with an Admission Office staff member and must be added to the PFS form.

What areas are tested for admission?

The testing for Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and grade one involves the developmental aspect of these young children. Motor skills, ability to focus, etc. are observed by our Pre-primary teachers and learning specialists. Reading, vocabulary and mathematics are the areas that are included in all admission tests for Grades 2 � 12. Pine Crest administers tests to students applying for Grades PK � 5. Those entering Grades 6 � 11 must register and take the SSAT. Testing information is important, but we also look at the record of school marks, student motivation and behavior and extracurricular talents that can contribute to the life of our school community. Supportive parents and guardians are important to a cooperative relationship.

What scores are needed to be accepted?

Since the scores are only one factor, along with current school marks, recommendation and observations from visits, there is no specific score requirement. We must ensure that the scores in all areas are close to our own students� in their own grade.

Can we help prepare our child for testing?

For Grades Pre-Kindergarten �5, ensure that your child comes for the activity day and testing when he/she is healthy and well rested. If entering Grades 6 � 11, of course, a good night sleep before is important also, but you may have your child check the website of SSAT where he/she can answer sample test questions online. Also, your child can look at sample questions by purchasing the Prep Book through the website or at a local bookstore.

When should we schedule our family tour and visit?

You are welcome to call our office to schedule your family tour and student interview prior to sending us the application if you are unsure that you want your child to apply, or if you have questions before applying. If your family knows enough about Pine Crest and wishes to apply, you can send the application, fee and questionnaire first and then schedule your appointment time. You should plan on spending about 1 � hours at Pine Crest for this purpose. Of course, bring your child for this visit.

What is SSAT?

SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) is the test used by many private schools for admission into Grades 6-11. You can visit their website www.ssat.org to become more familiar with this test, to register online, or for your student to answer practice questions.

How long does the admission process take?

The length of time varies depending on each family's timing. The following steps are necessary (although not always in this order):

Application, fee and questionnaire(s) sent to Pine Crest
Tour and interview
Testing
Activity Visit (if applicable)
Recommendation form completed by student's current school.

Once all the above are done, Pine Crest's Admission Voting Committee reviews the file and a decision is made. This final part of the process takes 7-10 days. The total amount of time is greatly dependent on how quickly your family can submit and schedule all the above listed steps.

What is a �Class Day Visit�?

Pine Crest tries to invite as many applicants as possible to spend a day in our classrooms when they are applying to enter Grades 1 � 8. This provides the children an opportunity to meet our current students and teachers, and gives our school a chance to see them interact and study in our classroom setting. This will be scheduled only after all testing information and school records are received in the Admission Office, if time permits.

If I want to apply to both Fort Lauderdale (Grades PK � 12) and Boca Raton campus (Grades PK-8), do I have to send two applications?

For admission for the 2008/09 school year, only one application is required even if applying to both the Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton campus. Only one fee for $100 will be charged.

Grades 1-5: Do you have a playground and is there recess?

Yes, we have a playground for Lower School in grades 1-5. Each of the grades schedules some recess time during the day.

Grades 1-5: Do you have a reading program?

Yes, we have a superior reading program and it is the center for much of what is accomplished in our program. We have reading textbooks that are anthologies which include a wide variety of stories. We also use "trade books" in our program. Additionally, students have the opportunity to use "Reading Counts," a reading incentive program in our library.

Grades 1-5: Do the teachers offer extra help?

Our teachers offer extra-help sessions after school. Students in fourth and fifth grades have a daily study hall. This is an ideal time for students to receive individual help when they need it.

Grades 1-5: Is there an "honor code"?

Yes, we have an honor code that all of our students follow. It states, "I will not lie, cheat, or steal; I will respect myself and others."

Grades 1-5: Do students bring lunch? How is the food?

Students lunch is covered in the tuition costs, so it is not necessary to bring lunch. We have an extraordinary chef who sees that our lunches are of high nutritional value, as well as offering a variety of choices. There are hot and cold food choices, salad bars, a deli bar, as well as soup and usually hot dogs or PBJ sandwiches!

Grades 1-5: Do you have P.E. and how often?

Students in Grades 1-3 have P.E. class four days a week and one day they go to a dance class. Our P.E. teachers provide many fun physical activities and games. P.E. is scheduled everyday in Grades 4 and 5, but students can also continue dance classes if they wish.

Grades 1-5: What is your school mascot?

We are the Pine Crest Panthers! Go Panthers!

Grades 1-5: Do you change classes?

All students go to enrichment classes on a daily basis. Enrichment classes include Art, Music, Dance, Science lab, Spanish, Library, and P.E. through Grade 3. Grades 4 and 5 are departmentalized so students move through out the day from class to class.

Grades 1-5: Are there musical instruments we can learn to play?

Beginning with Pre-k, students may take piano or strings lessons. In fourth and fifth grades, students may also learn to play a band instrument (wind or percussion) and be a member of the Lower School Band. Our orchestra and band are incredible!

Grades 1-5: What languages do you learn?

On the Fort Lauderdale Campus Spanish is taught from Pre-k through Grade 5 during the school day. An optional Mandarin Chinese class is offered.

On the Boca Raton Campus Mandarin Chinese is an option also. Spanish is taught in Pre-k through Grade 3. In Grades 4 and 5, our students may study Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and French.

Grades 6-8: How many classes do you attend each day and how long is each period?

In Fort Lauderdale, the day consists of ten 45 minute periods, which includes lunch. In Boca Raton, the campus has eight 45 minute periods and a lunch period.

Grades 6-8: What technology is used?

Starting at Grade Six, students are required to have wireless laptop computers. Computers are used in all classes and for some homework assignments. Students will have received computer training since pre-primary grades.

Grades 6-8: What foreign languages are offered?

Students in Middle School may choose to study Spanish, French or Mandarin Chinese.

Grades 6-8: What sports are played in Middle School?

Middle School sports include football, cross-country, girls� volleyball, basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, track and field, lacrosse, swimming, diving, tennis and cheerleading. Boca Raton does not offer cross-country or track and field, but have had some of our middle school students go to the Fort Lauderdale Campus to join teams.

Grades 6-8: Is there an after-school help system if you fall behind?

All teachers schedule after-school help sessions at least twice a week.

Grades 6-8: Do you have band, chorus or orchestra?