Admission
Admission Process
1
Inquire
Thank you for your interest in The Parish School for your child! We look forward to meeting your family and supporting you on your journey to finding the best program for your child.
Please fill out this form to begin the process to learn more about The Parish School.
2
Schedule a Tour
We encourage all families to tour our campus to learn about the programs we offer and the children we serve. Tours last approximately 1 hour and include an overview of the campus and classrooms.
Please call, email or log on to the Parish Portal for specific dates and times.
3
Submit an Application
Visit www.parishschool.org/admissions/apply for instructions on how to apply. Once we receive your application and application fee, your child is placed on our applicant list. Candidates are processed in the order of completed file. Please note that application fees are non-refundable. We encourage families to inquire and tour prior to submitting an application.
Please submit the required documents listed on our application checklist.
4
Formal File Review
Once a file is complete, the director of admissions reviews the completed application and required accompanying documents. Recommendations are made to continue the admissions process or discuss other program recommendations.
5
Informal Screening
If recommended after a student’s file is reviewed, an informal screening with an admissions team member will be scheduled. The screening is a one-on-one session that will help determine if your child is a candidate for a classroom visit. No formal report is provided.
Optional: Apply for Financial Assistance
Applications for financial assistance may be submitted at any time during the year, however, it will not be reviewed by the Financial Assistance Committee until after you have completed your contract, provided funds are available. The Parish School provides tuition assistance for qualified families of any race, color, religion and ethnic origin.
Learn more about how to apply on our Financial Assistance page.
6
Classroom Visit
If recommended following your child’s screening, a classroom visit will be scheduled. Classroom visits are two days. The admissions and instructional teams observe and interact with your child during the visit. Areas observed consist of engagement and group participation, play skills, redirectability, response to intervention in a group setting, as well as following routines, transitioning through activities and the ability to work independently. Because we tailor a child’s placement specifically to his or her educational, social and language needs, the class each child visits may not necessarily be the class in which he or she will be eventually placed, if admitted.
During the visit, parents have the opportunity to schedule a one-hour classroom observation. Parents may provide written feedback that will be considered in the admissions process.
7
Admissions Decision
The final step of the admissions process is an internal meeting consisting of members of the school staff who have been involved in your child’s admissions process. If accepted, a contract will be issued. In order to secure placement, the contract deposit must be remitted when the contract is returned.
Questions? Please contact:
Admissions Office
admissions@parishschool.org
Phone: 713.467.4696 x 2517
Application Checklist
Applicants are processed in order of their completed file. The following items are required before moving forward in the admission process. All documents are found and submitted on the Parish Portal.
Minimum requirements for early childhood students:
- Application – must be submitted with a $200 application fee
- Early Childhood Questionnaire – completed by your child’s teacher
- Child Development Inventory – for children under age 6
- Speech-Language Evaluation
- For more information on our immunization policy, please view the FAQs below
Minimum requirements for elementary students:
- Application – must be submitted with a $200 application fee
- Elementary Questionnaire – completed by your child’s teacher
- Full evaluation completed by neuropsychologist OR developmental pediatrician OR diagnostician (private or through your local school district
- For more information on our immunization policy, please view the FAQs below
Other documents such as occupational therapy evaluations, medical evaluations, hearing and vision screenings, etc. are also helpful and accepted.
Contact the Carruth Center if you are in need of an updated speech-language or developmental/educational evaluation to complete the application process.
Admissions FAQs
Do you accept new students during the school year?
What are the hours of the school day?
The hours of the school day depend on which level is the most appropriate placement for your child. They are as follows:
- Emerging Language (2 and 3 years): Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Preschool and Pre-primary (3 – 5 years): Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Elementary: Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Do you offer before or after school childcare?
Yes! There are before and after school optional programs that are available for additional fees.
How do I complete my child’s file?
What is a screening?
It is a one-on-one informal assessment with your child. Your child will meet one-on-one with a speech-language pathologist for 30-45 minutes and then parents will be asked to join. Only one parent is required to attend, but both are welcome.
What is a “level”?
What happens after the screening?
Based on the speech-language pathologist’s findings, she may or may not recommend your child for the next step, which is to visit in the classroom. The visit will be a minimum of two days. Various professionals on staff will be observing and interacting with your child while he/she visits the classroom.
Will I get to see my child in the classroom while he/she visits?
Yes, you will get a chance to observe your child behind a one-way mirror on the second day he/she visits.
Who determines if The Parish School is appropriate for my child?
- The Director of Admissions
- The Director of Early Childhood/ Elementary
- The instructional team from the classroom your child visited
- The Head of School
When do I find out if my child will attend The Parish School?
Within a few days after your child has completed his/her visit.
Do I have to pay up front?
For all families, a minimum tuition deposit of $3,950 is due when you return your contract. The remaining balance is paid according to your payment plan of choice (see below).
There are three (3) payment plans:
- Total payment plan: Full amount is due in June.
- Two-payment plan: The first half of tuition is due in June; the second half is due in January.
- Ten-payment plan: Tuition is paid over ten months, starting in June (or if starting after the start of the school year, however many months until April). A 3.5% carrying charge will apply.
If you have any questions about payment plans, please contact the business office at businessoffice@parishschool.org.
Tuition seems expensive. What does my tuition pay for?
Tuition covers approximately 80% of operating costs. The remaining amount is raised through contributions from the school’s annual fund, foundation gifts and other friends of the school.
How do I find out about financial assistance?
The application process for financial assistance can be found online under Financial Aid. Any questions can be directed to the Business Office, at 713.467.4696 × 1112.
I’ve heard that our health insurance may reimburse us. How does this work?
If your child attends The Parish School, as an out-of-network provider we are able to provide the Services Provided Form, which some health insurance plans reimburse. The process can be a lengthy one and payment results vary. Insurance reimbursement information can be obtained by clicking the following link: http://www.carruthcenter.org/fees-forms/insurance-and-tax/.
After reviewing the webpage and contacting your insurance carrier, if you have additional questions, please reach out to The Parish School’s Business Office.
Are there other resources to help with insurance reimbursement?
Group Speech and Language Therapy provided during your child’s school day may be eligible for reimbursement through your private insurance. Although we do not accept insurance and are considered out-of-network, the business office will provide you with an itemized statement upon request so you can submit to your health insurance provider for reimbursement.
Where do children go after attending The Parish School?
As a school of intervention, the ultimate goal is to prepare children for a more typical classroom setting. Many children transition to a variety of public and private schools in Houston and surrounding areas. While all students make substantial progress at The Parish School, some may continue to demonstrate learning differences, which require a specialized learning environment into junior high and high school. Our staff works closely with parents and other schools in determining the next placement for a student so he or she is able to continue to experience success.
What is The Parish School's policy on vaccinations?
State law requires that all children receive certain immunizations. For the health and safety of our community, parents will be required to provide a current record of all state-required immunizations upon enrollment to The Parish School each year (effective June 6, 2019). The only exemptions considered for the Elementary program will be for medical reasons. However, per childcare licensing, students enrolled in the Early Childhood program may seek an exemption for reasons of conscience. Contact the Healthcare Coordinator, Angela Burris, with questions.