UCDS at a Glance
School and Class Size
In the 2011–2012 school year, UCDS has enrolled 319 students: 109 in our Early Elementary Program for children age three through Kindergarten; and 210 in our Elementary Program, which includes grades one through five. UCDS is committed to small classes of 18 students and a student to teacher ratio of 8:1.
Admission
UCDS recognizes and teaches to the individual learning styles found within all students. Through our admission process, we work to build diverse and successful groups of learners. This thoughtful process allows us to thoroughly evaluate and consider each individual applicant as we look for children who will thrive in an environment that is respectful, innovative, academically rigorous, and where the students enjoy taking intellectual risks.
Accreditation and Affiliations
University Child Development School is accredited by the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools (PNAIS) and the Washington State Department of Early Learning (DEL), and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Washington Federation of Independent School (WFIS). UCDS is also approved by the Washington State Board of Education as an elementary school and a Washington State in-service provider.
Faculty
UCDS currently employs 21 classroom teachers, ten resident teachers, and Spanish, Physical Education, Art, Music, Science, Technology and Library specialists. The UCDS faculty has been nationally recognized for its excellence and innovation in educating children.
School Hours and Extended Day Program
School is in session Monday through Friday from 8:20 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. Early Elementary Half-Day students attend from 8:20 - 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Childcare is available from 7:30 a.m. until the start of classes for all students and after school until 6:00 p.m. for full-day students. Fees for the 2011–2012 Extended Day Program are as follows: mornings are free of charge; the cost for afternoons will vary depending on the number of days selected; for five afternoons a week, the rate is $265 per month. The program is also available on a daily, drop-in basis for $25 per day (financial aid is available).
Tuition
Tuition is determined annually by the Board of Trustees. The 2011–2012 school year full-day tuition is $20,900; half-day tuition is $13,585.
Financial Aid
UCDS is committed to making our program accessible to all families. Our admission process is need-blind. All admission decisions are made independently of financial aid considerations. Financial aid is a grant used to offset the cost of a UCDS education. Financial aid does not need to be paid back by the family. In the 2011–2012 school year, 21% of students receive financial aid, totaling more than $730,000.
