The admissions process at Stanbridge
If you are currently looking for placement for your child, we will work with you step-by-step through the admissions process to understand your child's needs, their learning differences, their challenges and strengths, and ensure that you and your child feel comfortable and confident if Stanbridge is the right fit.
Stanbridge Academy is a private K-12 school, fully accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Stanbridge is also certified by the California State Department of Education as a licensed K-8 Non-Public School (NPS). For information about NPS placement, please see the information at the bottom of this page.
Stanbridge Academy is a private K-12 school, fully accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Stanbridge is also certified by the California State Department of Education as a licensed K-8 Non-Public School (NPS). For information about NPS placement, please see the information at the bottom of this page.
For private placement, please click here to take the first step. Our Admissions Director will be in contact with you for an initial conversation and take it from there. We appreciate your interest in our school and look forward to talking with you soon.
Stanbridge Academy offers open enrollment throughout the school year. If a class is full, qualified students are placed in a wait pool and families are notified as soon as placement is available. Tuition is prorated based on your student's start date.
Admissions at Stanbridge follows a four-step process:
Admissions at Stanbridge follows a four-step process:
- Fill out an online Inquiry Form
- Complete an online Application
- Campus visits
- Admissions decision
Step 1: Initial Inquiry
The first step in our Admissions process is to complete an initial inquiry. Our Director of Admissions will follow up with you for an initial conversation and to answer any questions you have about our program before proceeding to Step Two.
Step 2: Complete an application
If you feel that Stanbridge may be a good fit for your student, the next step is to complete an application. Stanbridge operates on an open-enrollment cycle. For your child to be considered for placement, our online application requires the following documentation which should be submitted to Director of Admissions, Emily Mitchell, at emitchell@stanbridgeacademy.org or through our secure on-line portal:
(you will receive log-in information upon completing the inquiry form)
Step 3: Campus tour and student shadow
After your completed application is reviewed, your family will be invited to tour our campus and your student will shadow within the appropriate class. Our Admissions Director will work with you to schedule a tour that allows you to observe with teachers and faculty in your child's grade division, along with members of our administrative and support staff. Shadow days are typically set up as a two, consecutive, full-day visits so that prospective students can get a true sense of our school's culture and community. Shadows participate in classes at Stanbridge, and are paired with a current student peer ambassador throughout their visit. Students in grades 4–12 may be given a reading and math assessment as part of their shadow experience.
Step 4: Admissions decision
After your child has completed the necessary shadow visits, the Director of Admissions will discuss with you feedback from our staff. Based on those discussions, your child may be invited to attend Stanbridge Academy. More information on tuition and financial aid is available here.
The first step in our Admissions process is to complete an initial inquiry. Our Director of Admissions will follow up with you for an initial conversation and to answer any questions you have about our program before proceeding to Step Two.
Step 2: Complete an application
If you feel that Stanbridge may be a good fit for your student, the next step is to complete an application. Stanbridge operates on an open-enrollment cycle. For your child to be considered for placement, our online application requires the following documentation which should be submitted to Director of Admissions, Emily Mitchell, at emitchell@stanbridgeacademy.org or through our secure on-line portal:
(you will receive log-in information upon completing the inquiry form)
- A brief narrative describing your child’s strengths, challenges, and interests
- A current photograph of your child
- Report cards and standardized testing results
- Copies of all educational, academic, and/or psychological testing
- Speech and language report (if applicable)
- Copy of IEP/504 (if applicable)
- A $150 non-refundable processing fee (payable by check or online)
Step 3: Campus tour and student shadow
After your completed application is reviewed, your family will be invited to tour our campus and your student will shadow within the appropriate class. Our Admissions Director will work with you to schedule a tour that allows you to observe with teachers and faculty in your child's grade division, along with members of our administrative and support staff. Shadow days are typically set up as a two, consecutive, full-day visits so that prospective students can get a true sense of our school's culture and community. Shadows participate in classes at Stanbridge, and are paired with a current student peer ambassador throughout their visit. Students in grades 4–12 may be given a reading and math assessment as part of their shadow experience.
Step 4: Admissions decision
After your child has completed the necessary shadow visits, the Director of Admissions will discuss with you feedback from our staff. Based on those discussions, your child may be invited to attend Stanbridge Academy. More information on tuition and financial aid is available here.
How is my child considered for NPS placement?
All NPS School placements require a referral from your child’s school district. If your child is currently enrolled at a Bay Area public school, you must begin the process by talking with your local special education coordinator from the district about an alternative placement. Once a referral is received from your school district, Stanbridge will provide further information about the program and coordinate next steps.
When a school district makes a referral, an educational packet is sent which includes but is not limited to: the student’s current IEP, evaluations and assessments, behavior support plans, and report cards. Upon review of these materials, parents are asked to engage with Stanbridge to further understand our program offerings, supports, and parent/guardian expectations.
Please know that we cannot offer advice or be a part of any discussion with you and the district to make our school the district’s Offer of FAPE. In these conversations, or in a Due Process Hearing, we can only share that your child fits the profile of the students we serve. We cannot advocate for either families or districts when it comes to the Offer of FAPE your child receives.
Can I schedule a tour or shadow visit directly with Stanbridge if desiring NPS placement ?
All Stanbridge tours and shadow visits require a referral from your child’s school district, if desiring NPS placement. Once a referral is received from your school district, a member of the Stanbridge admissions team will provide further information about the program and coordinate the tour and shadow visits similar to the procedure listed above.
All NPS School placements require a referral from your child’s school district. If your child is currently enrolled at a Bay Area public school, you must begin the process by talking with your local special education coordinator from the district about an alternative placement. Once a referral is received from your school district, Stanbridge will provide further information about the program and coordinate next steps.
When a school district makes a referral, an educational packet is sent which includes but is not limited to: the student’s current IEP, evaluations and assessments, behavior support plans, and report cards. Upon review of these materials, parents are asked to engage with Stanbridge to further understand our program offerings, supports, and parent/guardian expectations.
Please know that we cannot offer advice or be a part of any discussion with you and the district to make our school the district’s Offer of FAPE. In these conversations, or in a Due Process Hearing, we can only share that your child fits the profile of the students we serve. We cannot advocate for either families or districts when it comes to the Offer of FAPE your child receives.
Can I schedule a tour or shadow visit directly with Stanbridge if desiring NPS placement ?
All Stanbridge tours and shadow visits require a referral from your child’s school district, if desiring NPS placement. Once a referral is received from your school district, a member of the Stanbridge admissions team will provide further information about the program and coordinate the tour and shadow visits similar to the procedure listed above.
