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Frequently Asked Questions
Please click below to read PHS Admissions FAQ.
What is your birthday cut-off for kindergarten eligibility? Any child who turns 5 before September 1, 2008 can apply to kindergarten at PHS. Children who turn 5 after September 1, 2008 and before December 1, 2008 can apply to be in kindergarten at PHS for two years.
What is two-year kindergarten? The two-year kindergarten is designed for children who are ready to transition to a bigger elementary school setting and the academic and social challenges of kindergarten, yet who will be too young for first grade the following year. The two-year kindergarten is contained within, not separate from, the regular kindergarten; children participate in the same activities. We accept between four and six children into the two-year program every year, and are looking for kindergarten readiness in areas of social maturity and academic development. Eligible applicants for the two-year kindergarten often exhibit mature academic abilities that make them ready for kindergarten, such as experience working with numbers and letters, and being comfortable with drawing and using scissors. Two-year students are not necessarily expected to perform at levels comparable to the older children, as we assess the developmental level of each child and work with him or her accordingly.
What time does the school day begin and end? The school building is open from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. The school day begins at 9:00 A.M. for kindergarten through third grade and ends at 3:00 P.M. Fourth through eighth grade begins at 8:25 A.M. and ends at 3:15 P.M. (fourth and fifth grade), and at 3:20 P.M. (sixth through eighth grade).
Do you have an after-school program, or before-school care? Children are welcome to arrive beginning at 8:00 A.M. and play on the yard with staff supervision until the school day begins. For an additional cost, students can attend the after-school program, which begins immediately after dismissal until 6:00 P.M. After-school is billed in 30 minute increments and hours can be pre-purchased at $10.00 per hour, or $12.00 per hour for drop-in. Some financial assistance is available depending on the percentage of tuition your family pays.
Where do the children eat lunch? On most days our students eat lunch in the classrooms. Teachers help facilitate lunch groups so that students have an opportunity to eat with a variety of classmates. Middle school students eat in the theatre, and on Fridays they have lunch at Julius Kahn Park. All students bring lunches from home. Organic milk is available for lower school students.
Are there sports teams at PHS? Intramural sports are often organized by parents in kindergarten thropugh fifth grade. Sixth through eighth grade students participate in a co-ed league that includes cross-country and volleyball in the fall, basketball in the winter, and futsol (indoor soccer) and softball in the spring.
How often do the students leave campus? Service learning is embedded in the curriculum and teachers find many ways for students to volunteer in the community. Our students go on field trips an average of once a month. Sixth graders spend two nights in Pt. Reyes with their classmates, seventh grade visits the Yosemite Institute for two nights, and eighth grade travels to Four Corners for one week. Many other grades go on camping trips at different times during the year.
What does it cost to attend PHS? 2007–2008 tuition is $18,040 for grades K–3 and $19,200 for grades 4–8. The Board of Trustees sets tuition each January for the following year, and it increases every year.
What are my payment options? All families pay a 10% deposit to hold their child’s place, due on March 19, 2008. The deposit is applied toward the following year’s tuition and is non-refundable. Families also pay a one-time new student enrollment fee of $1,000. Families receiving financial assistance pay a reduced enrollment fee, based on their tuition contribution. Families are expected to pay the remaining tuition in one, two, or ten installments. The one-pay plan requires payment in full on June 1 with $100 tuition discount. The two-installment plan requires paying 60% of the tuition by June 1 and the remaining 40% by December 31. The ten-installment plan charges a 5.5% annual interest rate and requires monthly electronic funds transfers beginning in June and ending in March.
What additional costs can I expect? Most costs, such as books, field trips, and materials are built into your child's tuition. Starting in fourth grade, families are expected to purchase a short list of supplies over the summer. Every family is asked to contribute to the Annual Fund, with 100% parent and faculty/staff participation as the goal. Whether your family can give $5 or much more, we view any donation as a sign of support in our school community.
How can I get involved in the PHS community? There are so many ways to participate in our school community. Parents help in classrooms, monitor drop-off in the mornings, plan and organize events, spread the word about PHS through community outreach, help in the library, drive on field trips, serve as buddy families to new families entering the school, cook with classes, and join committees. We offer many ways to become involved outside the school day and expect our parents to participate as much as possible in our school community.
What kinds of events and activities can I expect to be a part of if my family joins the PHS community? In September, all families are invited to celebrate at our fall gathering. This is a time to get to know the teachers, staff, and other families in the school. We also offer a new parent orientation, parent education, and a Back-to-School Night in the fall. Follies, an all-school production written by the eighth grade and a long-standing tradition at PHS, is performed by the entire student body at the Herbst Theatre in December. We invite grandparents and special friends to visit campus in November, and in April, we hold our annual auction called Art for Kids’ Sake. May Festival is celebrated off-campus the first Sunday in May.
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