ADMISSIONS POLICY

Shattuck-St. Mary’s Forest City (SSM-FC) is an American curriculum school, and choosing the right school is one of the most critical decisions facing parents. The admission team at SSM-FC is committed to ensuring that all prospective families are well informed about the SSM-FC learning community and how we support each child’s individual pathway at every stage of their educational journey.

SSM-FC is a co-educational international school offering our multicultural student body a rigorous American curriculum from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. In early childhood students learn with the Reggio Emilia approach and standards-based academics that culminate with the Advanced Placement program.  SSM-FC also provides a robust social/emotional and extra-curricular program to support the development of the whole child.

Admission is offered on a rolling basis until all spaces are filled. This means there is no specific deadline to apply, and admission of new students occurs throughout the school year.

Students with language, identified, or exceptional needs will be admitted based upon the school’s ability to meet their educational needs with supplemental programs. Applicants are admitted on the basis of the school’s ability to ensure that every child has a reasonable chance at being successful. Students are retained and promoted on the basis of the student’s ability to build respectful, responsible, and collaborative relationships as outlined in the academic and behavioral standards of the school.

Admissions Criteria

SSM-FC charges the admission committee to make decisions in the best interest of the applicant, as well as in the interest of the specific grade level. The admission committee of Shattuck St. Mary’s Forest City evaluates and considers the following:

• Evaluation of qualifying test results

• Review of academic records from the former school

• Recommendations from the former school

• English language proficiency

• Student Language Profile

• Documentation of any identified educational or medical needs

• Interview with the applicant and his or her family

In accordance with its commitment to being a family school, special consideration is given to qualified siblings of currently enrolled students. Despite this consideration, there is no guarantee of admission.

Placement Policy

Shattuck St. Mary’s Forest City places students in age-appropriate grade levels and also considers the most recent grade completed.

SSM-FC Typical 2023-2024 grade assignments based on age

Arrangements for the Admissions of Students Requiring Additional Support

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

All students applying to SSM-FC are screened to see if any support is needed through English as an Additional Language (EAL). If the Admissions screening determines that a student needs EAL support, parents are notified of the potential level of support in writing in their acceptance offer. Additionally, parents are informed that a full English language proficiency assessment is administered within their child’s first weeks of attendance to confirm the appropriate level of EAL support. The WIDA is used to determine the placement of students into one of six proficiency levels (1-6),  based on their English abilities in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

English is the language of instruction at SSM-FC, and we aim for all students to be able to read and write at their age level. However, SSM-FC recognizes the importance of mother-tongue language development and values and supports the acquisition of additional languages. If a student is identified as required EAL services, the service is provided for an additional fee based on the level of support needed.

Parent Involvement in Student’s Multilingual Assets Profile

Families new to Shattuck-St. Mary’s Forest City will complete a language profile questionnaire which provides the following information:

• The student’s first language (mother tongue)
• Additional information on years of study in first language
• Additional languages of study or fluency
• The language of the mother, father, and/or guardian
• The language(s) spoken at home
• The language of previous schooling
• The child’s interests and strengths
• The preferred language of communication between home and school

Diversity Statement 

Shattuck-St. Mary's School, Forest City is an inclusive community committed to creating and fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful of people from all backgrounds. We are dedicated to representing and growing with the increasingly diverse world in which we live. Further, we seek to promote our community’s active interest in and celebration of diversity. This goal is directly related to creating quality and well-rounded programs for our students and our entire community. Sharing knowledge and interpretations of our limitlessly expanding world with people of different experiences broadens and strengthens each individual’s capacity for growth. Diversity increases the breadth and depth of education and is crucial to a full understanding of ourselves and the world around us. A commitment to diversity includes opportunities for honest and open reflection; it is a commitment to the process of becoming more fully human, and to encourage the unlimited potential of each individual.

May 2022.