Now more than ever The Common School’s approach to teaching and learning is making a difference in our students’ lives and in our greater community. We invite you to tour our campus and witness for yourself our mission in action!
Application Overview
We invite you to explore The Common School and experience firsthand our classrooms, community, and mission before submitting an application for your child.
Inquire
You may submit an inquiry at any time for the upcoming school year.
Filling out the form below doesn’t commit you to applying—it simply lets us know you’re interested and allows us to share more information, answer your questions, and help you get to know our school better.
1
Caregiver Tour and Admission Conversation
Tours begin in October and are available by appointment only.
Appointments can be scheduled once you’ve submitted an inquiry. We’ll reach out via email or phone to arrange a time that works for you.
During your visit, you’ll have the chance to explore our campus and learning spaces, experience our community and culture firsthand. The tour is followed by a conversation where we can learn more about your child and family, share insights into our educational philosophy, and answer any questions you may have. We can also answer questions about affording a Common School education.
These visits are designed for caregivers only and typically last about one hour. We look forward to welcoming you and giving you a glimpse into life at The Common School!
2
Submit an Application
The online application is available [here]. Families are asked to complete a few short questions to help us understand your child and family, and to submit teacher forms, written records, and a $50 application fee.
We welcome families to apply in the fall and encourage applications to be submitted by January 31. Applying by this date gives us the best opportunity to get to know your family and helps us plan for the upcoming school year.
We understand that this is an important decision and that parents are busy, so late applications are always welcome. If you need extra time to decide, please reach out to Ale Alcaraz, Director of Enrollment, at admissions@commonschool.org — we’re happy to support you.
3
Child visit
Visits are scheduled beginning in January.
The Admission Office will reach out to schedule your child’s visit. Our youngest children typically visit in small groups or individually, while older children visit one-on-one.
The purpose of the visit is twofold: to get to know your child and to give a real sense of life at The Common School. We want this to be an engaging and enjoyable experience, helping your family feel more connected to our community and our approach to learning.
4
Notifications
Admissions Notifications & Enrollment
Admissions decisions are shared beginning in mid-February each year. Your child’s enrollment is confirmed with receipt of a contract and deposit.
5
Questions?
We’re here to support you every step of the way. Please reach out to Ale Alcaraz, Director of Enrollment and Programs, at admissions@commonschool.org or 413-256-8989 with any questions
Admissions Considerations at The Common School, we strive to create a vibrant, diverse community where every child can thrive.
We carefully review each application to ensure that The Common School is well-suited to meet the needs of each applicant.
For children with special needs, careful consideration is given on an individual basis to determine if the School has the resources to support the applicant.
To enter our programs, children must be three years old by September 1 for Nursery and five years old by September 1 for Primary 1.
We are excited to meet your family and look forward to the possibility of welcoming your child into our joyful, curious, and caring community!