« Financial Assistance | Main | PHS Curriculum Grid »
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Transitional Kindergarten? The transitional kindergarten (TK) 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. Rather than doing a third year in preschool, some families opt for a transitional kindergarten year at PHS. Children turning five years old in the late spring, summer and fall of 2011 are eligible for our TK program. The transitional kindergarten has its own classroom and approximately 12 children and one teacher. We look for readiness in areas of social maturity and academic development. Eligible applicants for the TK class often exhibit mature academic abilities that make them almost ready for kindergarten, such as experience working with numbers and letters, and being comfortable with drawing and using scissors. TK students are not necessarily expected to perform at levels comparable to the children in our kindergarten class, as we assess the developmental level of each child and work with him or her accordingly.What is your birthday cut-off for transitional kindergarten and kindergarten eligibility? Any child who turns 5 before September 1, 2011 can apply to the kindergarten program at PHS. Children who turn 5 after September 1, 2011 and by December 1, 2011 can apply for our transitional kindergarten program. Over the last several years, many families have opted to wait to send their child to kindergarten if their child turns five in the summer and as a result we often have a group of children enrolled in TK that could technically enroll in kindergarten but are better suited for our transitional kindergarten.
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 second grade and ends at 3:00 P.M. Third through fifth grade begin at 8:30 A.M. and end at 3:10 P.M. Sixth through eighth grade begin at 8:25 A.M.and finish at 3:20 P.M.
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. We offer packages based on unlimited more limited use. After-school drop-in rates are $20 daily if used until 4:30 P.M. and $30 daily if used until 6:00 P.M. Financial assistance is awarded 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. The school is exploring alternative lunch options one day a week, which families can sign-up to participate. Organic milk is available for lower school students.
Are there sports teams at PHS? Intramural sports are often organized by parents in kindergarten through 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 three days, and eighth grade travels to places in California for one week. Many other grades go on camping trips at different times during the year.
What does it cost to attend PHS? 2010–2011 tuition is $20,975 for grades TK–3 and $22,250 for grades 4–8. The Board of Trustees sets tuition each January for the following year, and it increases every year. New families also pay a one-time new student enrollment fee of $1,000.
What are my payment options? All families pay a 10% deposit to hold their child’s place, due on March 24, 2011. 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 May 15 with $100 tuition discount. The two-installment plan requires paying 60% of the tuition by May 15 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. Regardless of the donation amount, 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 mentor 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.
Is there a volunteer requirement? All families are asked to contribute a 'Day in the Life' of their son/daughter by volunteering 24 hours of service to the school. This commitment sends a strong message of support and partnership to our students and serves as a model of giving to the communities in which we participate.
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 and soon after a parent education/back-to-school night in the fall. We invite grandparents and special friends to visit campus in November, and in late March we hold our annual school auction. May Festival is celebrated off-campus the first Sunday in May.
« Financial Assistance | Main | PHS Curriculum Grid »
