Admissions Requirements
At Linden Grove School, our goal is to ensure that every student who joins us feels like they truly belong and that we can provide them with all the support they require to thrive. Our admissions process isn't just about the new students. We also make sure our current students can continue to receive the support they need. To accomplish this balance, prospective students must meet the requirements below to be considered for admission.
Age Requirements:
- Students must be entering kindergarten through 7th grade.
- Exceptions may be made for new 8th-grade students under special circumstances. Please contact Kristin Tennyson, Head of School, at headofschool@lindengroveschool.org for more details.
- Kindergarten applicants must be five years old by September 30.
Potty Training Requirements:
- All students must be potty-trained: wearing underwear during the day, going potty on the toilet in public places, and wiping him/herself.
- It is acceptable for a child on the k-2 team to need reminders, a potty schedule with bathroom breaks no shorter than 2 hours apart, and help with fasteners or other fine motor needs.
- Verbal prompts and visual reminders can be provided; physical assistance can be given to K-2 students while the child is developing stronger bathroom routines, and it must be able to be faded out within 6 weeks with a plan.
Language Requirements:
- Children must be verbal and speak in two or three-word phrases or short sentences.
- Communication does NOT need to be spontaneous. AAC devices may be used to support verbal language but should not be the primary mode of communication.
Attention, Behavior & Independence Requirements:
Children must have attention capabilities that meet the following criteria:
- Upon gaining the child's attention, the child will look at an item after an adult points to it.
- Kindergarten children should be able to attend to non-preferred activities for 2-3 minutes, only needing minimal prompts and/or motivators. As the children get older, attention to tasks should increase accordingly.
- Children should also be able to attend preferred activities for 5-10 minutes with only minimal prompts and/or motivators. As children get older, attention to tasks should increase accordingly.
Children who require behavioral support must have a plan that can be implementable without using a 1:1 aide or having more than one adult in the classroom simultaneously.
Students must be independent in feeding themselves. Staff may assist with opening food containers, microwaving food, and prompting to eat while supervising the lunch group as a whole.