Q. What are the hours of the school day?
A. The school day begins at 8:00am for those children enrolled in Early Birds. Half Day programs meet from 9:00am – 12noon and Full Day programs meet from 9:00am – 3:00pm. Aftercare is available until 6:00pm. Lunch from 12:00 – 1:00pm is available for children enrolled in a Half Day program.
Q. Does Acorn Hill provide meals?
A. Acorn Hill provides a wholesome, organic mid-morning snack to all children, and another wholesome, organic mid-afternoon snack to children enrolled in Aftercare (3-6pm). Children staying for lunch bring their own lunch from home.
Q. Does Acorn Hill provide transportation?
A. Acorn Hill does not provide transportation. Some families arrange carpools and the office can provide lists of families in the same zip code. The Ride On bus, route 8, stops at the corner of our property at Brunett Avenue and Lycoming St.
Q. Where are you located?
A. Acorn Hill is located just inside the beltway, west of Colesville Road, off of Sligo Creek Parkway.
Q. How many students do you have?
A. Acorn Hill has over 100 students, with 70 in our nursery and kindergarten classes and 35 infants and toddlers enrolled with their parents in our Birth to 3 parenting groups.
Q. Is Acorn Hill a certified kindergarten?
A. Acorn Hill is both a certified nursery and kindergarten, licensed by the Maryland State Board of Education (MSDE) and an approved child care center, through the Office of Childcare, MSDE. Acorn Hill is a certified Waldorf kindergarten through the Waldorf Early Childhood Association (WECAN) and is recognized by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA).
Q. What is your average class size?
A. Most morning groups have about 16 – 18 children, with 2 teachers. Afternoon groups range from 10 – 12 children, again with 2 teachers.
Q. What training have your teachers received?
A. All our lead teachers have completed certification in Waldorf Early Childhood Education and have bachelor’s degrees or equivalents. All teachers take annual continuing education courses in Waldorf education and more.
Q. How do I apply to Acorn Hill?
A. You can print out an application from our website or call our office, 301-565-2282, to receive a hard copy. Rather than having intake interviews or child visits, parent attendance at one of our regular Information Evenings is a required step in our admissions process. For more information please call our school office directly, 302-565-2282.
Q. Is there a deadline for applying?
A. Applications are accepted in the fall of the year prior to entry. The deadline to apply is February 1 for first-consideration acceptances.
Q. What if I miss the application deadline?
A. Applications received after February 1 are processed on a rolling basis, with admissions decisions made as openings are available.
Q. When can I expect to hear about the admissions decision?
A. Admissions decisions are sent out in early March. Financial aid decisions are sent out at the same time, early March.
Q. Is there financial aid?
A. Acorn Hill offers financial aid on a limited basis. Please call the school office, 301-565-2282, for more information and an application. Financial aid applications are due with the student application and the deadline is February 1.
Q. How do I schedule a visit?
A. Please call the school office, 301-565-2282, to make an appointment to observe one of our classes. Observation mornings begin in October. In addition to our regular Information Evenings, we hold 2 Open Houses each year, in November and January. Open Houses are popular events, with teachers, parents and board members available to answer questions. Children are welcome and activities especially designed for young children set up in each classroom.
Q. May I bring my child to visit your school?
A. Children are welcome at our Open Houses, but classroom observations and Information Evenings are for adults only. You may drop by our school with your child between the hours of 9:00am – 3:00pm, for a look around our playground and public areas.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
Please call our school office at 301-565-2282.
Thank you for inquiring about Acorn Hill Waldorf Kindergarten & Nursery. We look forward to hearing from you soon.