Frequently Asked Questions

Applications are due January 31, 2021. After January 31, we will accept applications on a space-available basis and there may be wait pools for some grades. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

Green Acres seeks students who will thrive in an academically challenging and developmentally engaging atmosphere, and who have demonstrated the potential to work both collaboratively and independently.

Our goals in the admission process include valuing and expanding all aspects of diversity, balancing gender, and enrolling students with a variety of strengths and interests. We also consider a family’s commitment to the School’s philosophy, current or historical connection to the School, and the needs of the particular grade to which the student is applying.

Pre-Kindergarten students turn three or four by September 1 of the year they will be starting school, and most Kindergarten students turn five by that date. For applicants to Grades 1-8, students are admitted to the grade level appropriate for their development.

Due to the COVID-19 health crisis, we are waiving visits for Early Childhood applicants at this time.

Typically, applicants to Pre-K and K participate in a group visit. If the application deadline has passed, prospective students are scheduled for a visit with the current class. Students visit for a half day and leave at noon. They engage in purposeful work and multiple activities with our teachers in a group setting during a structured choice time, group time, and a Specials class. Snack is provided that day. The visit gives us an opportunity to assess our young students through a developmentally-appropriate process.

Due to the COVID-19 health crisis, we are waiving visits for Early Childhood applicants at this time.

We have two dates set aside for the visiting days: Saturday, February 1, 2020 and Friday, February 7, 2020 and we ask you to hold open both dates. With information about the applicants we can balance the groups based on gender and birthday in order to make the groups comfortable for each child. You will be notified about specific times for your child’s visit by mid January. During these group visits we request parents to remain on campus.

Please click here to learn more about how we are processing visitors to these grades during the COVID-19 health crisis.

Students applying to Grades 1-8 visit for a full day with their current peer group. They spend time with students and transition in small and large groups throughout the day. They work on multiple math and literacy based activities with teachers and participate in regularly scheduled Special Subject periods. Observations and assessments are made by our teachers during the student visit. This visit, together with the parent interview and information parents arrange to send about their children, provides the material we need to determine a successful match.

School starts at 8:15 AM and ends at 3 PM each day.

Yes! Bus routes change and adapt yearly, depending on our families' needs. This year's bus route is as follows:

Morning Stops

• Chevy Chase Library
• Lynbrook Center
• Bethesda Library
• Acacia and Locust (through October)
• Pike and Rose

Afternoon Stops

• Marcliff/Tilden
• Locust and Acacia
• Bethesda Library
• Giant at Westbard
• Lynbrook Center
• Chevy Chase Library

Yes! Click here to learn more.

10-12 students per class.

At Green Acres, we begin the process of helping families feel part of the community right away. 

During the Green Acres Admission Process:
- Staff and current parents make personal contacts with families.
- Applicants visit with their Green Acres peers and begin to make friends.
- Greetings from Green Acres emails keep you informed.
- The New Parents Breakfast in March provides answers to your questions.

After Enrolling:
New Family Liaisons, assigned to each new family, begin their year-long association with you to welcome you, answer your questions, and help you and your child make contacts, essentially guiding you through the year. Liaisons attend many school events with you.
- New Families Pizza Party in May – at Green Acres!
- Summer Popsicles on the Green Acres Playground: relaxed times for families in each grade to make connections with new folks. Individual summer play dates are often arranged during these events.
- During the first week of school – admission staff and teachers walk new students to their classrooms until they feel comfortable on their own.
- Welcome Breakfast and Orientation for New Parents – Early September
- New Parents Board Reception – Mid September
- Back to School Nights – Mid September
- All School Family Picnic – Late September
- Parent Coffees and many more activities through the year.

No. Our admission process is needs-blind.

Admission decisions are made after re-enrollment of current students is complete in late February. We notify applicants of decisions in early March. We accept applications at other times, but applications received after the application deadline will be processed on a space available basis.

Green Acres School reserves the right, in the administration of admission practices, to determine whether the program, curriculum, and resources of the school are reasonably able to accommodate a student’s needs. While the School is interested in the individual student, in some situations accommodation may not be reasonable given the School’s resources and its program.

The application is a request for an offer of admission. If your child is offered enrollment, you, as parent(s) or guardian(s), must sign an Enrollment Agreement to reserve a space. Once an enrollment agreement is signed, parents/guardians are responsible for all tuition and fees for the full academic year unless written notice of withdrawal is received before June 1. All fees and deposits are nonrefundable.

Green Acres School reserves the right to exclude any student permanently or temporarily at any time if the Head of School deems any such action advisable, either in the interest of the child or of the school.