Admissions Process & Requirements
Da Vinci Academy seeks to enroll
intellectually gifted and talented students in grades Pre-K to
8. Our families talk about the joy of finding the "right fit"
here at Da Vinci Academy, and our curriculum and school environment
can be a good match for a variety of students. We invite
interested families to contact us and begin a conversation about
what our school has to offer and how our program may fit the needs
of your child.
As a school for gifted and talented
students, Da Vinci Academy has requirements for admission and
a specific process that families must complete. Choosing the
right school is a major decision that families make, and similarly
for the school, it is important to admit students who will be
successful in our learning environment. The primary goal for
both sides is to determine the right match between the student and
our program, so therefore a careful and cooperative effort between
families and the school is needed to serve the best interest of
each applicant.
The following steps outline the
admissions process and requirements:
1. Families schedule a
one-on-one tour with the Director of
Admissions, or attend one of the Open House tours scheduled
throughout the year. This initial visit can be just for the
parents, or they may bring the child/children with them.
During the tour, the Director of Admissions will explain the next
steps, the application materials, and other requirements.
2. Families wishing to apply for
admission will receive the application materials and may begin filling
those out and returning them to the
school. There is a $50 non-refundable
application fee due with the returned application.
3. For students entering grades
1-8, IQ test results are required as part of the admissions
process. The IQ results are a helpful measure of cognitive
ability and potential, and we look for Full Scale scores of 125 and
above on the Wechsler (WISC) test. IQ results are not the
sole indicator of a student's ability to succeed in our program,
however, so we consider all aspects of the applicant's
qualifications when making admissions decisions. Applicants
with Full Scale WISC scores below 125 will be considered
case-by-case with consideration given to the other factors that
indicate a child's ability to succeed in our school.
The school may ask families to
complete additional testing or evaluations (at the
family's expense) if there are other issues or factors that
need to be considered when reviewing the student's
qualifications.
Families can submit results and
documentation from a previous IQ test, or schedule testing by
contacting one of Da Vinci Academy's recommended IQ testers. IQ
testing is not required for applicants to Pre-K or Kindergarten,
although families are welcome to have kids tested at age 4-5 using
the WPPSI version of the WISC. In the absence of IQ results,
the Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers will observe and evaluate
applicants during the full-day class visit to help determine
the child's skill level and readiness for our program.
4. The Director of Admissions and
the appropriate teacher(s) will coordinate with the family to
arrange for the applicant to have a classroom visit. Candidates
for PK4 through 8th grade are expected to visit for at least one
full school day. Candidates for PK3 are generally scheduled
to do two half-days.
5. After all the application
materials, test results, and class visits are completed, the
Admissions Committee will review the application and decide whether
an enrollment contract will be offered.
6. Families are notified of the
admissions decision. If an enrollment contract is offered,
families must return the signed contract and a 10% tuition deposit to secure
the enrollment spot. Families may apply for need-based financial
aid.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Da Vinci Academy policies do not
allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual
orientation, disability, national or ethnic origin in the
administration of its admissions, employment or academic policies,
or any school administrative programs.