Question 1

What grades are taught at Heritage School?

Accepted Answer

Our mutli-age program serves students grade one through eight. Students interact with peers across this specturm and learn and explore together. Math groups are assigned acording to development level and study work centers around our 'Youngers' teaher-led study and our 'Olders' independent research studies.

Question 2

Can students of any age (Grades 1-8) apply for enrollment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Applications are accepted yearly at all grade levels; Openings at each level vary by year.  Students entering as an Older (Grade 5+) must demonstrate the developed research skills, independence, and self-management skills that are fostered and developed at Heritage School starting in the first grade. We acknowledge that this can be challenging for some children who are transferring from other school programs and systems. Our goal is to enroll students who we believe will find success and joy in our unique programming.

Question 3

How many new students do you take each year?

Accepted Answer

The number of new students entering Heritage School varies from year to year.  We usually have a total enrollment between thirty and forty students.  We accept students in grades one through eight.  We do not take kindergartners.

You may call or email us to find out if there is an opening at this time.

Question 4

Will you have openings for new students in the coming school year?

Accepted Answer

Current Heritage families sign contracts in early March if their children will re-enroll for the coming school year. We usually fill openings before the end of the current school year, but we occasionally have openings in the summer. Please send an email inquiry for updates about current openings.

Question 5

What is the cost of annual tuition? Are scholarships available?

Accepted Answer

For the 2022-2023 school year, tuition is $9,360 per student enrolled, plus a $500 tuition deposit per child. Heritage does not offer scholarships at this time.

Question 6

Can I talk to someone to learn more about Heritage School?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Please submit an inquiry form for the initial contact, and a teacher will contact you by phone to answer questions.

Question 7

When may I schedule a visit to Heritage School?

Accepted Answer

A parent visit is part of our Admissions process. As part of this process, parents will schedule a morning visit (8:30-11:30am). Parents will tour the building and observe Morning Meeting, math groups, break, and part of study. As children write in journals during Morning Meeting, parents meet with teachers privately, so faculty can learn about the child and answer questions. Most visits take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday in February, March, April, and even as late as May. (We rarely schedule visits for the fall, since our highest priority time is to help our newest students transition into our program.) By springtime, even our youngest are usually fairly independent, resourceful learners, allowing us to accommodate more visitors to the classroom.  If your child is not yet old enough for first grade, it is best to wait until the spring of your child's kindergarten year to schedule your child's visit.  We accept older students too, and we usually schedule their visits for the springtime.

Question 8

May I take my child with me when I visit Heritage?

Accepted Answer

We prefer that you come without children for your first visit.  We want you to give your undivided attention to observing the school, and we have found that it can be distracting for parents to juggle attending to their children's needs and focusing on what is going on between teachers and students.  If you are interested in pursuing enrollment after visiting the program firsthand, we will schedule a separate visit for your child, who will have the opportunity to be a guest student for a half day or full day (with a couple of Heritage students as special hosts).

Question 9

How do you decide which children you will accept? Do you test?

Accepted Answer

We take many factors into account when we consider whom to enroll.  We do not require academic testing as a condition of enrollment.  We do find that students entering first grade at Heritage will transition best if they can recognize all the letters of the alphabet and know most of the initial consonant sounds as well as some of the vowel sounds. Some students enter already reading; others acquire reading skills during their initial year at Heritage. Not all students enter Heritage School at the first grade; many children have been accepted at older grade levels.  Heritage School includes students with a variety of strengths, needs, and learning styles.  We welcome those of all racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.

Question 10

If I turn in an application form, will I get on the "waiting list?"

Accepted Answer

We keep a file of applicants instead of a “waiting list.” The term "waiting list" implies that there is a chronological listing of students who will be given a spot once an opening occurs.  The process of enrollment at Heritage takes more factors into consideration since we have such a wide range of ages.     We keep all applications on file and contact parents should an opening occur in their child's age group.  During enrollment season, we encourage parents of prospective students to come and observe the program in action and then we arrange visitations for the prospective students.  After allowing as many visitations as possible, we make our enrollment decisions.

Question 11

Does Heritage School offer scholarships?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, we do not yet offer scholarships to Heritage.   We are hopeful though that we will eventually be able to do this once our nonprofit is more firmly established.

Question 12

Does Heritage offer before and after school care?

Accepted Answer

School doors open each day at 8:15am and children are dismissed at 2:45pm. There is no on-site before or after school care available. Parents are encouraged to collaborate together, as needed, to create carpooling groups and organize babysitting co-op systems. Some of the children participate in after-school programs that include transportation from the school.

Question 13

Is Heritage a school for gifted children?

Accepted Answer

A public school TAG coordinator once visited Heritage and noted that this is the model for what TAG education aspires to achieve. However, we believe all children are “gifted” and that most children can thrive in a program that allows them to explore their interests, participate in hands on learning, and be supported by a solid academic framework. Every child deserves enriching educational experiences, not just those labeled “TAG.”

Question 14

Do you require testing before you accept students?

Accepted Answer

No. We do not require academic testing before we accept students at Heritage School. However, we do ask that parents observe the school in action, during the school day, and we then ask that those interested in pursuing enrollment bring their children to spend time as guest students on a separate visit. This allows us to get to know prospective students in the context of a day at Heritage, and it allows the children to experience  learning in this kind of environment. After students are accepted (which is usually in the spring), we do some diagnostic testing just before school starts in September so we can know where to begin.

Question 15

Does Heritage exist as a reaction against public schools?

Accepted Answer

No. Heritage School is not at all adversarial to public education. There are many fine teachers who strive to provide exemplary educational experiences for children in public schools and we hold these teachers in high esteem. They are charged with multiple, challenging tasks. We support public education, which serves a vital need and deserves better funding in order to accomplish its important mission. We just find ourselves drawn to teaching in an environment that allows us to construct a curriculum that can more easily be tailored to individual children’s needs.

Question 16

How did you choose the name, "Heritage School," which more often brings to mind a fairly conservative connotation?"

Accepted Answer

One of our founders, Parviz Samiee, suggested this name, which was inspired by Persian culture, which places immense value in one’s heritage. He wanted to provide a lasting educational heritage for children, and a school that fosters an abiding love for learning seemed a fitting match for the name, “Heritage School.” Conservative would not be a fitting description of this school, which offers a more innovative curriculum. We do not, of course, reject the time-honored, traditional values that anchor our society. We find that a more progressive educational approach allows us to incorporate teaching strategies that open doors to a vibrant, flexible learning environment.

Question 17

Is Heritage a religious school?

Accepted Answer

Heritage School does not promote any specific religion. Our founders drew their spiritual direction from Christianity. The values of cooperation, self-discipline, compassion, and reverence for life are basic foundations of their Christian faith. They recognized that Christianity is by no means the only great religion espousing these values, but their faith inspired them to build Heritage School.    In accord with our intention to foster moral development, we want our students to respect people of diverse beliefs as well as those who are not affiliated with any religion. Our school community welcomes and includes people of many faiths, as well as people who follow no particular religious tradition. We teach children to love others. We believe children's moral development will be enhanced in an atmosphere that includes opportunities for informal discussions of faith if relevant to the subject. For example, studies of Gandhi, Albert Schweitzer, or Janusz Korczak include discussions of how their religious beliefs influenced their lives.   The spiritual values that anchor our school are those that promote reverence for life and the development of ethical values in an inclusive, nurturing environment. We model these principles in our daily relationships with one another.

Question 18

Aren't most private schools a refuge for children of the wealthy?  Is this a school where "status" matters?"

Accepted Answer

We can’t speak for other private schools, but Heritage School includes students of diverse backgrounds. While tuition is not inexpensive, we strive to keep it as affordable as possible.  Heritage parents come to us looking for a safe, wholesome, nurturing educational environment where their children can develop to their full potential academically. They are not here for “status.” They seek challenge but don’t want a “pressure cooker” approach. This is not a “prep school.” Heritage parents love to see our younger students fully enjoy their lives as children, inspired to work wholeheartedly at school but unencumbered by busy work masquerading as “homework.” Heritage parents love to see the older students undertake sophisticated studies, like Shakespeare, but they are delighted to know that children are encouraged to be children at Heritage.    Social status plays no part in the decision to send one’s child to school here; the parent community is supportive, friendly, and down to earth. Many make genuine sacrifices to send their children to Heritage, and there is a warm camaraderie among Heritage parents. We especially love to see the lasting friendships that grow among parents, not just among students.

Question 19

What kinds of fundraising activities happen at Heritage School?

Accepted Answer

Although tuition is the main source of income at Heritage School, we do have some limited fundraising traditions. For example, each September we have a Back to School Social with a Silent Auction. Particaipation in all fundraising programs is voluntary, and chidlren are never asked to "sell" items for the school's benefit.