Info For Parents
Why choose an independent school?
An independent school is independent in two critical ways:
• Independent in governance – schools are organized as not-for-profit corporations governed by a board of directors.
• Independent in finance – schools charge tuition and raise money to operate as opposed to being supported primarily by public monies.
It is the independence of independent schools that offers the four essential freedoms that make them strong:
• The freedom to define their own mission (why they exist, whom they serve).
• The freedom to regulate admissions (admitting only those students appropriate to the mission).
• The freedom to define teacher credentials.
• The freedom to teach what the teacher decides is important (free from state curricular and textbook mandates).
Independent schools, contrary to popular belief and their portrayal in the media, are not “elitist” in any way except in terms of academic expectations. The typical independent school often has more diversity (racially, ethnically and socio-economically) than the neighboring public schools. (Park Tudor’s student body is 23% diverse.)
The socio-economic diversity is supported by a significant commitment to financial aid: Independent school students come from all family income levels, and 33% of them typically are supported by financial aid. Research shows that families new to independent schools choose our schools primarily because they perceive the quality of teaching to be exceptional and the moral climate to be appropriate.
Independent schools are different as well in terms of the effectiveness of the partnership between parent and school: We speak in a unified voice about a common set of goals and values, and it is this coalescing of parental and school voices that points students towards achievement and guides them towards decent behaviors and good citizenship.
Parents' Guide to selecting an independent school
Entry Points
Total Number of Students - 984
• Hilbert Early Education Center - (Preschool Kindergarten, Junior Kindergarten, Senior Kindergarten) - 92
• Lower School (Grades 1-5) - 265
• Middle School (Grades 6-8) - 205
• Upper School (Grades 9-12) - 422
Though we typically accept at least a few students at all grade levels during a given admission cycle, there are "natural entry points" at which multiple openings exist each year. These include:
Preschool Kindergarten: Typically 10 morning and 10 afternoon spots
Junior Kindergarten: Typically 5 morning and 5 afternoon spots
Senior Kindergarten: Typically 15 all-day spots
1st to 5th Grades: Typically 3 spots at each grade level
6th Grade: Typically 10 spots
7th and 8th Grade: Typically 5 spots
9th Grade: Typically 40 spots
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Q. At what age does Park Tudor begin enrolling students?
A. A child must be three years old by June 1 of the year he/she would begin preschool kindergarten. Our preschool and junior kindergarten programs are both half-day programs.
Q. How can I receive a brochure/application for Park Tudor School?
A. From this web site, you can complete a registration form to have a brochure/application mailed to you. You also may call us at (317) 415-2777.
Q. How do I arrange a shadow day for my child?
A. All Middle and Upper School applicants are required to “shadow” at Park Tudor prior to the application deadline. The shadow can be arranged by calling the admissions office at 415-2777.
Q. What kind of test must my child take to be considered for admission? Is there a minimum score my child must achieve?
A. For specific details on which tests satisfy the application testing requirement, see Admissions Requirements. These tests allow us to compare applicants to our current students and help us to ascertain if there is a good fit. Test scores are only one part of the application process; the application in its entirety – teacher recommendations, grades, the visit/interview and the test scores – are reviewed by the Admission Committees when they meet. It is important to note that the strength of an individual application will be determined in part by the strength of the applicant pool.
Q. How many applications do you receive each year?
A. We do not publish the specific number of applications received per year; however, the ratio of applications to openings has remained fairly constant at 3 to 1 over recent years.
Q. Does Park Tudor have a wait pool?
A. Yes, we have wait pools for most grade levels during an admissions cycle. Those applicants whom we believe are qualified for Park Tudor but for whom we don’t have a spot are offered a spot in the wait pool. There is no preference in the wait pool and it does not carry over from year to year. Families in the wait pool are asked at the start of the admissions process if they would like to reapply.
Q. Can my child apply after the application deadline?
A. We accept applications after the deadline. Applicants are placed in the wait pool and considered with other applicants should an opening develop. The application process for preschool, junior and senior kindergarten is more complex and cannot be recreated after the deadline.
Q. Does Park Tudor have a religious affiliation?
A. No, Park Tudor is a nondenominational school.
Q. Do siblings and children of alumni have preference for admission to Park Tudor?
A. While we believe in developing a sense of “family” within the school, we cannot guarantee the admission of siblings, faculty/staff children, and/or children of alumni based on association alone. These prospective students must demonstrate the academic ability, strong motivation, and sound character they would need to succeed at Park Tudor School and their admission is subject to our desire to have a balanced, diverse class. If the Admission Committee is faced with two equal candidates, one of whom is a sibling or alumnus child, the sibling or alumnus child is offered the open position.
Q. What is the student/teacher ratio?
A. The student/teacher ratio varies as follows by grade:
Preschool Kindergarten – 5:1
Junior and Senior Kindergarten – 7:1
Grades 1, 2 & 3 – 8:1
Grades 4 & 5 – 14:1
Middle School – 14:1
Upper School – 14:1
Q. What is the boy/girl ratio?
A. While we attempt to keep an equal number of boys and girls in each grade level, this is difficult to do. The more important consideration is enrolling the most qualified applicants.
Q. How diverse is your school?
A. 23% of Park Tudor students are racially or ethnically diverse. Faculty/staff diversity is lower but is continually improving.
Q. Do Park Tudor students wear uniforms?
A. Students in grades 1-5 wear uniforms. Students in all other grades follow a dress code specific to their division.
Q: What options are available for financing a Park Tudor education?
A: There are several options:
• Annual, bi-annual, and quarterly payment plans
• Park Tudor financial assistance
• Limited merit awards for students in grades 9-12 (see tuition/financial aid section)
• Appleseed Awards for diverse students in grades 6-12 (see tuition/financial aid section).
Q: If I apply for financial aid, will it affect my child's chances of being admitted?
A: No. The admissions process is need-blind. A child's acceptance to PT is based solely on the strength of the application. Once a child is accepted, the financial aid requirements are addressed.
Q: How is eligibility for financial aid determined?
A: Financial aid at Park Tudor is based on demonstrated need as determined by the School and Student Service (SSS) in Princeton, New Jersey, the same organization that determines college financial aid. All family resources, including income and assets, are analyzed in this process.
Q: How do I get a financial aid application?
A: The School and Student Service (SSS) offers an online application at https://sss.ets.org.
Q: What if my tax information is not available at the time of the application deadline?
A: We understand that your 2007 1040 Income Tax forms may not be ready by our application deadline. Therefore, please ESTIMATE your tax information on the PFS. When your 2007 Income Tax form is complete we will expect you to mail a copy to Park Tudor. Remember, we must have a SIGNED copy of your income tax return, W-2 forms and any associated schedules.
Q: What is the deadline for the financial aid application?
A: Park Tudor’s deadline for filing your PFS directly to SSS in Princeton, New Jersey is January 1, 2008. Families who file after the deadline place their financial aid at risk; at this point, the process shifts to first-come, first-served.
Q: What if I have more than one child applying for financial aid. Do I have to complete a form for each child?
A: No, you do not. The financial aid form allows you to include information for up to three children. If you have more than three children applying, please request another PFS form.
Q: If I am the non-custodial parent, do I have to file a financial aid form?
A: Both custodial and non-custodial parents are required to complete the PFS form.
Q: When will our family be notified of our financial aid award?
A: Tentative grant awards will accompany the acceptance letter, which will be mailed on February 15, 2008 for grades 9-12 and on March 14, 2008 for grades preschool kindergarten-8.
If you can’t find the answer to your question here, please e-mail us.
