Eligibility

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The first step of the admissions process is an eligibility inquiry. Please contact us  with the ages and number of children you hope to enroll at Ponderosa. Children can start class as young as 34 months old, provided that their birthdate falls in the first six weeks of their first term. Children are enrolled on a first-come, first-serve basis, depending on availability, based on the child's age and NAEYC-mandated ratios. Kindergarten 1, PS3 and PS4 are half day classes. Pre-First (Kindergarten 2) is a full day class. Within the same class, spaces are filled on a first come, first served basis according to the following priority system:

 

• Currently enrolled students

• Children* of full time staff

• Children* of part-time staff

• Siblings** of currently enrolled children

• Previous Ponderosa families 

• General Public

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*Children should be understood to mean cohabitating dependents and/ or minors for which the individual holds legal guardianship. Adopted and foster children are included in this definition of a family.

**Siblings should be understood to mean at least two minors which share one or more of the same legal parent/ guardians, whether the sibling individuals are biologically related or not. Adopted and foster children are included in this definition of a family.

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Testing

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Ponderosa Preschool does not require aptitude tests for its students in preschool (PS3 or PS4 classes). Ponderosa PS4 students seeking to continue to Kindergarten 1 should submit an individual IQ test when registering for Kindergarten 1.

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All prospective Kindergarten 1 or Pre-First (Kindergarten 2) students must submit the results of an individual IQ test administered by a licensed psychologist measures verbal and non-verbal cognitive aptitude or learning potential. (It is NOT an achievement test, which measures learned academic content and children should NOT be "prepped" for this test.) To be considered for admission to Ponderosa Preschool, applicants must achieve a full scale or composite score at the 85th percentile or above. This score is an indicator of a child’s potential for success with the other students of high academic potential at Ponderosa Preschool. Families with Twice Exceptional children who believe their child's learning profile impacted their score should contact us directly.

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For children between 4.5 and 6 years old, Ponderosa accepts the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV). Children older than 6 years of age may submit the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V). Ponderosa is also willing to consider the Stanford-Binet, V; the KABC-II NU; or the DAS-II. If your student previously attended a full-time public school gifted program, we are willing to accept the test results that qualified them for that program, provided that those results or participation are less than two years old. Ponderosa strongly suggests families schedule their test early, as psychologists may book several months in advance.

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Because the IQ test is designed to measure how the brain works, rather than what a child knows--which is an achievement test, like the SAT-- children should not be exposed to test content, preparation exercises and testing tasks ahead of time. (For helpful advice on what to do instead, click here.) Children who are "prepped" in this way often exhibit test-taking behavior that indicates this prior exposure. Psychologists are bound to report this prior exposure in their full report, and Ponderosa will not be unable to accept such results as valid. Be advised that children must wait one year before being re-administered the same cognitive test.

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Pending test results, Ponderosa may conditionally enroll students or place such students on a waitlist, depending on current capacity and at the Director's discretion.

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Timeline

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In general, Ponderosa suggests the following timeline for families of rising Kindergarteners and older students. Prospective preschool families do not need to complete testing. 

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• 6 months before the first day: Schedule your child's testing appointment.

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• 3-6 months before the first day: Contact us to schedule a tour. Participate in a tour to learn more about our school, interact with current students, and observe a lesson.

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• Within 5 business days of your tour:  your family makes an enrollment decision. Your family will need to pay the tuition deposit (or registration fee, for preschool families) to secure your spot. Your family will receive a Welcome Packet with enrollment forms to complete before the first day of class.

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• On the first day a child attends school, the office must have in each child’s file:

• A completed Student Information Form

• A Chicanos Por La Causa Information Form (CPLC is our USDA school lunch food service partner)

• A signed Enrollment Agreement, including Schedule & Tuition Agreement

• A signed and initialed Affirmation Form

• A signed General Medical Form

• A signed Enrollment Agreement, including Schedule & Tuition Agreement

• A copy of your child's current immunization record

 

• During the first month of school: Ponderosa will schedule a 30-minute home visit. This is different from a parent/teacher conference because primary goal of a home visit is to maintain a friendly, professional relationship between the adults at home and at school. 

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• By the end of the first month of school, Ponderosa must have a completed Student Specific Medical Form and medical action plan on file, for those students requiring one.

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 Transitions

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Families may expect separation difficulties at the beginning of school, especially if this is the child’s first experience with education outside the home. The teachers are experienced and competent in helping your child make this transition. It is important to note that as the child goes through further stages of development, it is not unusual for the child to express some separation anxiety later, as well. Generally, the transition jitters ease after a few days, but gifted children are a unique group. We welcome preschool families to take as long as five weeks to stay with their child and adjust to school in a way that feels right for the child and family. Families will continue to pay regular tuition during this transition time.

 

 

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