PRE-KINDERGARTEN ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Penn Charter's new pre-kindergarten opens September 2008. For more information about the program and the application process click here.

LOWER SCHOOL ADMISSIONS PROCESS
The admissions process for entrance to Penn Charter's Lower chool, grades K-5, includes several parts, each designed to give us different but important information about our applicants. Each child is unique and special, and we strive to make thoughtful, appropriate matches between families and our school. In order to accomplish this we ask that you complete the following steps.

Parents Interview
Appointments to meet with the Lower School Admissions Director and tour the school are available beginning in October. This is an opportunity for you to tell us about your family, your child’s development, your hopes and expectations for education, the environment you feel would be most advantageous for your child and anything else that gives us insight into your child.

External Testing (required for K-5 only)
The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-3 rd Edition( WPPSI-III ) is administered to young children, and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-4 th Edition ( WISC-IV ) to ages 6 and above. The Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration (VMI) is also administered to kindergarten applicants. This evaluation will provide us with information regarding strengths and weaknesses in areas that are important for academic achievement. This will give us a clearer understanding of a child’s intellectual abilities and learning style. It is the responsibility of the parents to arrange for this testing and to see that the results are sent to the admissions office.

Click here for a list of several different recommended testing facilities. Scheduling must be done through the specific agency and we suggest that you call as early as possible. We will also accept reports of Wechsler tests administered within the last two years by a certified school psychologist. We encourage families for whom the cost of testing is prohibitive to call us.

Classroom Observation
Pre-K, kindergarten and first grade applicants are scheduled for a morning Play Day; applicants to grades 2 through 5 visit for two school days beginning in mid October. This allows our staff the opportunity to watch children in action. We can observe social interactions, a child’s ability to make transitions, to focus, to follow directions, to take initiative or require support, to work both independently and cooperatively, and to use language to express needs and feelings.

Math and Reading Assessments
These tests, which Penn Charter students also take, are given to candidates for grades 2 through 5 during their two-day classroom visit. This allows us to gauge where a prospective student fits in academically.

Teacher Recommendation and Transcript Release Form
Pre-kindergarten: Applicants for pre-K need only submit a current year's teacher recommendation form, if applicable.
K-5: Please take these forms to your child's school no earlier than November, and be sure they send us a copy of transcripts from both this year and last year. Report cards and comments from the current teacher provide insight into a child's day to day educational profile and social interactions as well as academic achievement.

For more information, contact:

admissions@penncharter.com