FAQs

UCDS students are placed in multi-age classrooms with individualized instruction for better academic, social and emotional development. Therefore, UCDS has a September 1st birth date policy with no exceptions.

• Applicants applying for preschool must turn 3 years old before September 1st.
• Applicants applying for pre-kindergarten must turn 4 years old before September 1st.
• Applicants applying for kindergarten must turn 5 years old before September 1st.

The UCDS admission season begins in September and closes in March for the following school year. For example, if your child will begin kindergarten in the fall of 2029, please start your application in the fall of 2028. UCDS provides a step-by-step process in our web-based admission system, Ravenna. Please click here to sign up for a required tour and begin the application process.

To ensure the quality of our admission process and provide applicants our most thoughtful consideration, UCDS only accepts 300 applications per year. If we reach our 300 applicant threshold prior to the application deadline in January, we will accept late applications and place them in a preliminary wait pool.

UCDS uses standardized test results as one component for building an overall picture of your child as a learner. When combined with the other application materials, the testing information helps us better understand each child’s unique learning style. Admissions at UCDS are not determined by a test-score threshold.

On average, we accept approximately fifty-five Early Elementary students each year; twenty three year olds, twenty four year olds, and fifteen kindergarten students. Acceptance into our Elementary Program is based on attrition and can vary annually in number and grade level.

UCDS Admission Committee considers student visits, parent/guardian questionnaires, teacher recommendations, parent/guardian interviews, and testing information (for Kindergarten and older applicants) to create a complete picture of each child and their family. We aim to create peer groups for children that foster academic rigor, respect and critical thinking.

At UCDS, we value the relationships that families build within our community, and we recognize the importance of siblings learning and growing together at the same school. We also understand that each child is unique, and our goal is to ensure that our school is the right fit for every student.

Sibling applicants for Preschool are required to apply through the standard admission process. For those applying to Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten, families may choose to apply through the early sibling application process or within the regular admission timeline.

While we know families often hope for all their children to attend the same school, we thoughtfully consider each applicant as an individual. The Director of Enrollment Management and Outreach partners closely with sibling families—providing guidance and clear communication about the sibling application timeline and process. Our goal is to make the admission journey both thoughtful and personal, honoring each child’s potential and each family’s connection to our community.

Field trips and overnights require additional costs over the course of the school year (approximately $800). Families receiving a tuition assistance award also receive financial assistance for these required curricular events.

Extended Day Program (EDP) is available to families before and after school. Complimentary Morning EDP is from 7:00 am until the start of classes. Afternoon EDP is open until 6:00 pm. Fees for Afternoon EDP will vary depending on the number of days contracted.

After-school clubs are offered to students throughout the year. Financial assistance is also available for the Extended Day Program and After-School Clubs.

Every UCDS parent/guardian is automatically a member of our Parent Guardian Association (PGA). The PGA is a dynamic group of parents/guardians that organizes and hosts a wide range of social and community events over the course of the school year. Families are welcome to be as involved as they like in the PGA, but there are no time obligations or other requirements. Additionally, parents/guardians may help chaperone field trips as needed.