FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1. How many students does SK have per class?
   2-day-2's (Thursday & Friday) = 8
   3-day-2's (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) = 10
   Three's class = 16
   Pre-K class = 18
   
   
2. What are the staff/student ratios?
   In the 2's classes 3/8 and 3/10 respectively.
   In the 3's class it is 4 to 16
   In the Pre-K it is 4 to 18
   
   
3. What schedule do you follow?
   Spring Knolls follows the Montgomery County School calendar, and Montgomery County Public Schools for inclement weather.
   
   
4. When will I know about my child's status at SK?
   Applicants will be notified by the last week of February whether their child is being offered a place at Spring Knolls. (Note: Children entering the 2's class must be 2 years old by the start of the September term.) Once a completed application and fee are received, your child's name will remain in an ongoing waiting pool that is valid for the following year.
   
   
5. Placement in the Two's classes.
   For specific reasons, Spring Knolls aims to put younger 2 year olds (birthdays July-September) in the 2-day-2's class (Thurs & Fri), and the older 2 year olds (birthdays June and preceding months) in the 3-day-2's class (Mon, Tues, Wed).
   
   
6. Are children admitted on a "first come, first in" basis, and if not, what is the SK selection criteria?
   Spring Knolls has a "Waiting pool" of applicants, versus a chronological "Waiting List". The admissions policy (see page 2 of the Parent Handbook) is as follows: "Maintaining a diverse student population, reasonable age and gender balance, and adequate proportion of co-oping parents at each class level are primary goals of Spring Knolls, as is a commitment to the children of Spring Knolls parents, alumni, and staff. Spring Knolls therefore gives priority to applicants whose admission would further one or more of these goals. Because there may be more applicants than available spaces in particular classes, it may not be possible to admit all priority applicants in a given year."
   
   
7. What will I have to pay before September (if anything), if my child is offered a place?
   If a place is offered to your child, you must pay (within 9 days of the offer) the equivalent of one month's tuition (which will be applied to the month of June the following year) in order to hold the child's place. This deposit is non-refundable if the child eventually does not take the place or is subsequently withdrawn from the program. Parents vote on tuition increases at the April Parent meeting before the current school year. This increase would be reflected in the September tuition statement.
   
   
8. What is a "normal day" like in the 2's class/3's class/4's class?
   (Please note that separate, more detailed sheets, are available on the display table at the Open House, for each class program.)
   • Two's class = Supervised free play, teacher directed activities (water play, sand play, easel painting, dress up). Clean up, and circle time. Hand washing and snack. Outside play. Special art project. Music and movement. Free play.
     
     
   • Three's class = The day starts with free play (30-45 minutes), thereafter follows (order may differ), art/craft project, trip to toilet, hand washing, snack, listening to a story or music, learning about a special theme like Native American Indians. Depending on the weather, the children end the morning either with (1/2 hour) play outside in the playground or in the gym.
     
     
   • Pre-K class = Free play, group art project, circle time with songs, art/science or cooking activity, snack, books/writing table or puzzles, music/puppets, toileting and hand washing, outdoor play.
   
   
9. Miscellaneous:
   • The responsibilities of the co-op family are summarized in the "Responsibility" sheet.
     
     
   • Commitment is vital. SK is like an extended family. We count on everyone's input for the smooth running of the school.
     
     
   • Teacher background and experience are outlined in the SK brochure.