What determines if my child is accepted?
The Perkins School is an inclusive and vibrant learning community. We look for families who understand and support our mission. We strive to build a community that represents a diversity of cultures, family orientations, and student strengths and styles. Throughout the admissions process, we encourage families to explore all of the facets of the school and ask questions to help insure full understanding of Perkins’s philosophy, culture, and mission.
What is early kindergarten?
We are not restricted to following a calendar to determine when a child is academically and socially/emotionally ready to begin kindergarten. Instead, we consider each child as an individual. Some children who turn five years old in late summer or early fall are ready for kindergarten. In other words, they may be entering kindergarten “early.”
Will my child be given an I.Q. test?
No, we do not require an I.Q. test, though we do ask to be provided with a copy of any testing, including an I.Q. test.
Tuition and Child Care
What does tuition really cover? Will we incur additional costs or fees during the year?
Tuition covers your child’s enrollment for the school year. Versus charging for each separate field trip, emergency preparedness requirements, learning assistance, or other periodic fees throughout the year as is a common practice among independent schools, we have a one-time annual fee. During the 2024-2025 school year, the fee for the lower grades (kindergarten and 1st) is $385; for the upper grades (2nd through 5th) the fee is $495. Parents of 4th and 5th graders also pay for their child’s overnight science camp. Fees will be reviewed for the 2025-2026 school year in December 2024.
Do you offer before and after-school care? What are your hours and fees?
The Extended Day Program (EDP) is available after school until 6:00 P.M. every school day (with limited space available beginning at 7:30 AM). EDP is open 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM during mid-winter break and spring break, on parent/teacher conference days, and on most teacher development training days. There is a daily drop-in fee and a discounted annual fee. Rates for the 2024-2025 school year will be posted in August.
Nuts and Bolts
What are your class hours?
Kindergarten & 1st Grade: 8:35 A.M. to 3:10 P.M.
Second and Third Grades: 8:25 A.M. to 3:20 P.M.
Fourth and Fifth Grades: 8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
What is your student population?
We have about 130 students.
Do Perkins students get dirty?
The Perkins experience can be quite messy! Foundational understandings in various disciplines are often rooted in hands-on activities. Children here are fully immersed in all aspects of their experience both inside and outside of the classroom. They sculpt with clay, paint, cook, build, garden and more. During recess our students build with planks and logs in our sandbox, play sports, climb in trees and play with our water collection moats. Students leave Perkins with a strong foundation in academic skills, a zest for learning, and a need for a good scrubbing.