Procedures for Admission

You can request an information packet by completing our Admission inquiry form. The information will be mailed directly to your home and includes an Application for Admission.

Admission to the School is based on each student's academic records, teacher references, personal interviews, observations by our faculty, a student questionnaire (for grades 3-12) and/or our admission testing.  Admission is granted on a rolling basis and the entire process typically takes three weeks.

There are five phases to the admissions process:

Phase 1: Application Form, Current School Grades and Questionnaire

This part of the process is completed by the applicant and his/her parents or guardians and usually occurs prior to a school visit. The Application for Admission form must be submitted to the School with a $50 non-refundable fee. Applicants should submit the School Records Release form and the Teacher Reference forms for Math and English (for grades 1-12) to the applicant's current school. Applicants for grades 3-12 must also complete the Student Questionnaire form.

Phase 2: School Tour / Visit Day

The student applicant and his/her parents are invited to Prairie's campus to tour the School providing the family an opportunity to see the campus and observe faculty and students in action. In addition, the applicant will spend a day in the life of the school. Applicants for the Early School and Kindergarten programs visit for three hours in the morning; applicants for grades 1-12 stay for the entire academic day.

Phase 3: Placement Testing

Applicants for Early School through grade 5 will be given a placement test during their scheduled visit day. Placement testing, for grades 7-12, is scheduled on a Saturday in the fall. For students in grades 5 and 6, a placement test is offered on a Saturday in the winter. Alternate arrangements may be made for students unable to make the scheduled test dates.

Phase 4: Evaluation by Admissions Director, Faculty and Headmaster

After all parts of the application have been received and family visits are complete, the Director of Admissions meets with the Prairie faculty members who observed the student during his/her visit to review strengths and possible areas of concern. The faculty's recommendations are essential in the decision-making process. The completed application is then discussed with the appropriate Division Head, and, on occasion, with the Headmaster. Families are kept informed throughout the application process.

Phase 5: Final Notification

If the student is accepted, he/she is issued an enrollment contract. This contract must be signed and returned within 14 days with a $500 tuition deposit. The signed contract and deposit secure the applicant's place at the School, and the deposit is applied to the second semester tuition billing.