Admission Philosophy
The Barstow School is a community of learners where adults and children of all ages come together in a mutually supportive, trusting environment that nurtures intellectual, physical, emotional and moral growth.
The Barstow School seeks to enroll new students from preschool (age 3) through grade 11 who demonstrate they can help achieve and maintain this vision for a challenging learning community. We seek students who are self-motivated and highly ethical, who value achievement and respect their fellow students and faculty and who provide diversity and balance in our student body ethnically, economically and socially.
Admission to Barstow is based on a combination of criteria. In grades where vacancies exist, admission decisions will be based on previous school records, campus visits, teacher recommendations, personal interviews and portfolio items. Each is evaluated in an effort to enroll those students who demonstrate that they will benefit from Barstow’s college preparatory program. Barstow is not able to serve students with learning or behavioral difficulties.
In evaluating candidates, the Admission Committee takes into consideration:
- Aptitude and curiosity
- Academic achievement and readiness
- Social and emotional development
- Self-motivation and honesty
- Interests and talents beyond the classroom
- Family support of child and of the institution
The number of qualified applicants may exceed the number of openings in any class. In such circumstances, the admission committee determines the highest priority needs for each class and the school as a whole, and subsequently accepts students who best meet those criteria. In the event that there are more acceptable applicants than space, an applicant may be placed in the wait pool. When a place becomes available, the admission committee chooses a student from the wait pool to fill the spot.
Since Barstow is a family school, siblings of current students, and children of alumni and faculty are encouraged to apply and are carefully considered. However, such family ties do not guarantee a place in any given class. Each child will be considered on an individual basis. Please be prepared to submit all admission materials and go through the admission process for each child. The admission committee must make decisions that most appropriately meet the best interest of the school and each class.
The Barstow School is an allergy aware campus and works collaboratively with families to meet the individual needs of students with food allergies.
