2018
GUIDE TO THE APPLICATION PROCESS
2019
Beauvoir’s mission is to provide an extraordinary early childhood education in a diverse community that values every individual. Beauvoir’s program encourages creative, courageous learners and builds an enduring foundation for a lifelong spirit of inquiry and joy in learning.
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ADMISSIONS WELCOME Dear Families, Welcome to Beauvoir and thank you for expressing an interest in our wonderful community. For the past 85 years, we have been committed to preserving childhood by fostering curious, creative, and courageous learners on the scenic grounds of the Washington National Cathedral. We are a unique Episcopal institution of learning. Every teacher at Beauvoir is grounded in the work of early childhood and honors the formative years as the most crucial ones for future life success. In and outside the classroom, they demonstrate their expertise in the early primary years, committed to helping all students realize their unique strengths and potential. Likewise, Beauvoir educators pride themselves in providing abundant opportunities for students to share their diversity of ideas, stretch their imaginations, question the world around them, and become global-minded citizens. Early childhood research states that many of the human seeds of character and promise are “planted and tilled” during the primary years, as young children begin to practice key attitudes and aptitudes—kindness, integrity, critical thinking, healthy risk taking, perseverance, resilience, and moral character. I can’t think of a better “garden” to care for these blossoming citizens of the world than Beauvoir. Children emerge from the third grade, confident in their abilities to relate to others, problem solve, and become agents of change in their communities and beyond. Beauvoir is pleased to provide you and other prospective families with this “Guide to the Application Process” in an effort to help you learn more about our school and the timeline for applying. During the admissions season, we encourage you to attend one (or more) of our school-hosted events, including parent tours or meetings and open houses. Please visit our website to learn more about our program and offerings for young, budding minds. Should you have any questions along the way, please know our Beauvoir team is happy to assist. Sincerely,
Cindi Gibbs-Wilborn Head of School
A pre-kindergarten through third grade coeducational elementary school that focuses solely on early childhood education
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IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN MISSION Beauvoir’s mission is to provide an extraordinary early childhood education in a diverse community that values every individual. Beauvoir’s program encourages creative, courageous learners and builds an enduring foundation for a lifelong spirit of inquiry and joy in learning.
LIFE RULES Beauvoir’s social curriculum revolves around our Life Rules of kindness, respect, responsibility and honesty. The Life Rules are reinforced in daily class discussions and reflected in all-school community meetings, assemblies and chapel programs. Values are discussed with parents at workshops and actively shared through school-wide service projects, chapels and classroom activities.
VISION We embrace learning as a lifelong endeavor and are committed to building a community where every child grows, explores, questions, creates and achieves – individually and together. We align our practices, decisions and investments with our goal to be a childcentered, safe and deeply engaging learning community.
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CORE VALUES As an Episcopal School, we value a diverse and inclusive community. We welcome students and families from all faiths and backgrounds and celebrate our individual stories and collective experiences. As citizens of the world, we dedicate ourselves to serving others and strive to contribute to the greater good. Our Core Values of childhood, collaboration, creativity, curiosity and courage complement and support our Life Rules. Childhood We value a “beautiful view� of childhood and its extraordinary capacity for wonder, learning and discovery. We inspire a sense of possibility in every interaction and experience at Beauvoir. Collaboration We value working together as an authentic and inclusive community to imagine, to create, to solve problems, and to support each other in all that we do. Creativity We value creativity in learning, action and problem solving, and empower our community of faculty, staff, parents and students to explore, develop and celebrate creative abilities. Curiosity We value curiosity as an essential component of inspired learning. We model and encourage curiosity for all in our community. Courage We value the courageous spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, challenge and confusion. We empower learners to engage in the world with brave resilience.
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OUR COMMUNITY DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
CHILDREN
Beauvoir is committed to enrolling children from a wide variety of family structures, as well as ethnic, racial, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds. This year, Beauvoir’s student body is 44% racially and ethnically diverse.
Children are at the center of Beauvoir’s mission and core values. Strong relationships among our diverse group of students, parents, faculty and staff are essential to a child’s development.
All faculty and staff participate in the Mosaic Committee, created to focus on multicultural issues as they relate to the curriculum and educational philosophy of the School, in order to create a community that is welcoming and inclusive of all people. Kaleidoscope, a parent-led initiative and committee of the Parents Association affirms and supports the Beauvoir community as one in which parents approach conversations related to diversity and inclusion with vibrant curiosity, courage and interest in connecting across differences. Beauvoir participates in outreach at the Black Student Fund Fair, Latino Student Fund Fair and the Rainbow Families DC Fair. Faculty and staff attend the People of Color Conference. More than 25 languages are spoken by Beauvoir families, including Spanish, Chickasaw, Greek, Russian, Turkish, Japanese, Mandarin and Farsi.
We believe that it is important to instill a sense of empathy and understanding through the Beauvoir Life Rules: kindness, respect, responsibility and honesty, in order to build a strong community. Beauvoir children participate in service activities that actively engage them in creating and building relationships with others to benefit their city, their country and the world.
EDUCATORS Our faculty’s expertise in early childhood education ensures a dynamic and meaningful educational experience for children. A comprehensive professional development program supports educators’ commitment to professional growth and includes attending and leading conferences focused on literacy, diversity, technology and more. Faculty members include classroom teachers, specialists, learning resource teachers, librarians, nurses, a chaplain and a school counselor, with an overall student-faculty ratio of 6:1. Beauvoir is committed to hiring a diverse faculty and staff; 14% of the faculty and staff are male, 32% bring racial and ethnic diversity. A total of 76% of faculty members have or are currently pursuing advanced degrees, including three doctoral degrees.
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PARENTS
LIFE ON THE CATHEDRAL CLOSE
Beauvoir parents are an integral part of our diverse and inclusive community through their involvement in the life of the School each and every day. We value their contributions, whether reading in a classroom, eating lunch with their children or sharing family traditions. Beauvoir parents make lifelong relationships with one another.
Located on the beautiful grounds of the Washington National Cathedral, along with St. Albans School and National Cathedral School, Beauvoir is one of five Episcopal Cathedral Schools in the nation.
The Parents Association (PA), which includes every parent at Beauvoir, supports and builds community through various events such as the Annual Scholarship Auction, Book Fair and additional service activities. The PA engages and supports parent volunteers who share their time and talents enriching the life of the School.
PARTNERS Family members and grandparents of Beauvoir students are engaged, welcomed and celebrated as important members of the School community and participate in the daily lives of the children throughout the school year. Alumni remain actively involved at Beauvoir long after they graduate, returning regularly for reunions, supporting the School and enriching and enlivening the Beauvoir community. Alumni include artists, scientists, authors, entrepreneurs, musicians and architects.
The Cathedral’s mission as “a house of prayer for all people” supports Beauvoir’s mission by valuing differences, recognizing commonality and respecting all faiths and cultures. All students participate in monthly chapel services and gather in the Great Crossing of the Cathedral to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas and the end of the school year. Beauvoir’s outdoor play space is a unique setting that supports and expands the curriculum outside of the traditional classroom, providing an experiential learning environment where children take healthy risks and build lasting relationships. All children plant and harvest produce in the Beauvoir Children’s Garden and bring the harvest to the School’s kitchen for inclusion in school meals.
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EDUCATING THE WHOLE CHILD CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS An integrated curriculum promotes the development of literacy in all forms. Through reading, writing, mathematics and technology, our curriculum empowers students to express their ideas on paper, orally and through digital mediums.
Project-based learning across all subject areas encourages students to collaborate, research, experience and discover, leading to a deeper understanding of their communities, and people and cultures around the world.
A research-based math program teaches mathematical knowledge, problem-solving, reasoning, creativity, communication and collaboration.
Recognizing that young children learn with their whole bodies, art, music, movement and drama classes celebrate the arts and connect us to the world in which we live.
Spanish instruction for students during the school day is supported by research that points to the benefits of learning a second language early in life.
Outdoor time at least twice per day acknowledges that time spent outdoors boosts a child’s happiness, health, confidence and resilience.
Maker Spaces and scientific inquiry enable students to gather, create, invent and engage in hands-on learning and problem-solving that empowers them to meet the evolving needs of the 21st century.
A school-wide Global Studies program explores geographical regions worldwide and celebrates the families and cultures within the School. Global Studies culminate in the creation of interactive exhibits, shared with parents and guests, at Beauvoir’s annual Museum Night.
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As an Episcopal school, Chapel services value all spiritual traditions and celebrate individual beliefs. Community service projects promote service to others, which include the Kindergarten Flea Market and BINGO with second grade “grandfriends.” After-school opportunities from 3–6 p.m. include: the After Beauvoir Center (ABC); enrichment classes such as soccer, cooking, chess and yoga; and the Beauvoir Language Institute, offering instruction in Spanish, French and Mandarin.
OUTPLACEMENT TO FOURTH GRADE In partnership with a full-time Outplacement Director, Beauvoir parents are given the opportunity to reflect on their child’s strengths and explore the many educational possibilities available. Beauvoir children enter the next step of their educational journey with confidence and a love of learning. The Outplacement Director guides parents throughout the entire admissions process. The Director advocates for the students through a keen knowledge of each child and a strong relationship with other schools. Schools attended in recent years are listed on Beauvoir’s website. Throughout the fall, Beauvoir hosts Admissions Directors from area schools to provide information to third grade parents about their programming and processes.
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APPLYING TO BEAUVOIR ENROLLMENT
PARENT MEETING (optional)
Beauvoir enrolls approximately 380 boys and girls in pre-kindergarten through third grade. We admit approximately 60 children to pre-kindergarten and 25 children to kindergarten each year. Children are admitted to the first, second, and third grades should an opening occur.
Parents interested in meeting with a member of the Admissions Team are asked to tour the School prior to their appointment. Some parent meetings are available at select times following tours. Meetings are limited and are available from September through December; register online at www.beauvoirschool.org/admissions.
Applicants:
Age:
By:
Pre-K
4 years old
August 31, 2019
K
5 years old
August 31, 2019
1st grade
6 years old
August 31, 2019
2nd grade
7 years old
August 31, 2019
3rd grade
8 years old
August 31, 2019
PARENT TOURS Parents and guardians interested in applying children for the 2019–2020 school year are required to tour Beauvoir unless they have previously toured the School. Tours for prospective parents are offered on selected weekday mornings from mid-September through December and last approximately 75 minutes. Please register for a tour online at www.beauvoirschool.org/admissions.
OPEN HOUSES (optional) Open Houses provide a unique opportunity to hear more about Beauvoir’s philosophy and program directly from faculty, administrators and other members of the community. Open Houses last approximately two hours. Please register online at www.beauvoirschool.org/admissions. Thursday, October 18, 2018 at 9:15 a.m. Sunday, November 11, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.
APPLICATIONS (Due January 4, 2019) Apply online through Ravenna, our online application portal, at www.beauvoirschool. org/admissions. An application is required in order for the Admissions Team to schedule pre-kindergarten and kindergarten visits. There is a non-refundable $65 application fee.
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APPLICANT VISITS Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten
(90 Minutes) All applicants to pre-kindergarten and kindergarten visit the School. The Admissions Team will send you an email with a date for your child’s visit, which may be scheduled for as early as mid-November or as late as February. Children visit Beauvoir with 6–8 applicants similar in age. Parents are required to remain at the School during the visit. We are unable to offer tours during these visits. First Through Third Grade We welcome first, second, and third grade applicants. Please keep in mind that children are admitted in these grades when an opening occurs. Therefore, not all applicants will be asked to visit the School. Should the possibility of an appropriate opening occur, we will contact you to schedule a classroom visit for your child.
TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS (Due January 4, 2019) One teacher recommendation is required for each applicant. Beauvoir values observations and thoughtful impressions from your child’s current teacher. Parents are able to send the teacher recommendation form to their child’s teacher directly through Ravenna, our online application portal.
APPLICANT EVALUATION (Due January 4, 2019) All applicants are required to take a standardized student evaluation. These assessments evaluate children in the areas of verbal and nonverbal development and the information is designed to offer an objective view of development and learning in young children. Parents schedule an appointment with an evaluator of their choice. Evaluation results should be sent directly from the evaluator to elizabeth.yen@cathedral.org. Please refer to our website for a list of evaluators. Children applying to pre-kindergarten and kindergarten are administered The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV). The Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V), is used for children who are entering Grades 2–3. Children applying to 1st grade take the WPPSI if they are 5 or the WISC-V if they are 6.
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REPORT CARDS (Due January 4, 2019)
FINANCIAL AID (Due January 9, 2019)
For first through third grade applicants only, Beauvoir requires a copy of your child’s most recent report card. Report cards should be sent directly from the current school to elizabeth.yen@cathedral.org.
Beauvoir welcomes families to apply for financial aid and we are committed to making a Beauvoir education accessible to families from a wide variety of economic backgrounds. More than 1.7 million dollars in grants were awarded last year to approximately 24% of Beauvoir students. Grants are awarded on the basis of need as determined by Beauvoir and TADS. Although we try to accommodate as many families as possible, we are not always able to meet all requests for assistance. Families receiving financial aid also receive some assistance for the After Beauvoir Center, enrichment classes and the Beauvoir Language Institute. More information about how to apply for financial aid is available in the Guide to the Financial Aid Process and on our website at www.beauvoirschool.org/ financialaid. Families can begin the financial aid application process through TADS as early as October. Please submit documents by January 9, 2019.
OUT-OF-TOWN APPLICATIONS We welcome out-of-town applicants to Beauvoir and look forward to working with families to accommodate their schedules. Please apply online and inform us as soon as possible of any dates you plan to be in the area. Whenever possible, we like to have children applying for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten participate in our regularly scheduled group visits. The required applicant evaluations can be administered by any evaluator in your region.
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CONTACT US
ADMISSIONS DECISIONS
The Admissions Team will be happy to help you during the admissions process. We hope that you will call us with any questions or concerns. We look forward to working with you.
Decision letters, contracts and financial aid grants are communicated to prospective parents in early March and contracts are due back in mid-March. If vacancies occur after that time, they are filled from the waiting list.
Margaret Hartigan Director of Admissions and Financial Aid (202) 537–6492 margaret.hartigan@cathedral.org
2018-2019 TUITION & FEES
Elizabeth Yen Associate Director of Admissions (202) 537–6493 elizabeth.yen@cathedral.org
Application Fee ..................................................$65 Registration Fee:...........................................$1,250 Tuition ...............................................................$36,655 This includes lunch and all materials. Full, Two and Ten Payment Plans are available for tuition.
Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, military or veteran status, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation, or political affiliation in the administration of its employment or Admissions programs.
ADMISSIONS CHECKLIST All steps are required unless designated as optional. PRE-KINDERGARTEN AND KINDERGARTEN APPLICANTS
FIRST THROUGH THIRD GRADE APPLICANTS
Parent Tour
Parent Tour
Weekdays from late September through December.
Weekdays from late September through December.
Parent Meeting (optional)
Parent Meeting (optional)
Weekdays from late September through December. Appointments are limited and scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis
Weekdays from late September through December. Appointments are limited and scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Open Houses (optional)
Open Houses (optional)
Thursday, October 18, 2018 at 9:15 a.m. Sunday, November 11, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 18, 2018 at 9:15 a.m. Sunday, November 11, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.
Application
Application
Please apply directly online at www.beauvoirschool.org/admissions. The application and a non-refundable fee of $65 must be received in the Admissions Office by Friday, January 4, 2019.
Please apply directly online at www.beauvoirschool.org/admissions. The application and a non-refundable fee of $65 must be received in the Admissions Office by Friday, January 4, 2019.
Photo
Photo
If you do not upload a photo to your child’s Ravenna student profile, please submit one to Beauvoir by Friday, January 4, 2019.
If you do not upload a photo to your child’s Ravenna student profile, please submit one to Beauvoir by Friday, January 4, 2019.
Applicant Visits
Applicant Visits
Visits are scheduled from November through February for those who have submitted an application. The Admissions Office will contact you regarding your child’s visit.
If an appropriate opening is available, we will contact you to schedule your child’s visit after we receive all of his/her application materials.
Applicant Evaluation WPPSI-IV test results due by Friday, January 4, 2019.
WISC-V test results due by Friday, January 4, 2019. (WPPSI-IV test results due for first grade applicants under 6 years of age)
Teacher Recommendation Form
Teacher Recommendation Form
Please submit the form to your child’s current teacher. Due by Friday, January 4, 2019.
Please submit the form to your child’s current teacher. Due by Friday, January 4, 2019.
Financial Aid Forms
Most Recent School Report Card
Submit documents by Wednesday, January 9, 2019. More information about the financial aid application process can be found at www.beauvoirschool.org/financialaid.
Due by Friday, January 4, 2019.
Applicant Evaluation
Financial Aid Forms Submit documents by Wednesday, January 9, 2019. More information about the financial aid application process can be found at www.beauvoirschool.org/financialaid.
Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School 3500 Woodley Road NW Washington, DC 20016 202.537.6485 beauvoirschool.org
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