FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Admissions Process
Can I still apply for the 2024-2025 school year?
Yes. Families interested in admissions to Blue Oak for the 2024-2025 school should contact the Admissions Department at 707-261-4500 or apply directly. Click here to apply.
What are the points of entry at Blue Oak School?
The primary entry points are TK, Kindergarten and Sixth grade. The number of spaces available each year in grades 1-5 and 7-8 can vary from year to year.
Do you have a cut-off age for TK and Kindergarten?
Yes. Children applying for the Kindergarten program must turn 5 by September 1 of the year they enter Kindergarten at Blue Oak School. Children are eligible for our TK program must turn 5 between September 2 and June 2 during their Transitional Kindergarten year at Blue Oak School.
When is the best time to start the admissions process?
Blue Oak begins accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year in October. Families are encouraged to visit the school between October and January either by scheduling an individual visit or participating in a Group Tour, Information Session and/or Open House program.
How are prospective students assessed?
Children applying to both the Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs participate in a one-on-one assessment activity. All candidates for the Kindergarten program also participate in a morning “TK/Kindergarten Play Day” which allows us to observe children at play and interacting with others. This playdate typically occurs in early February.
Candidates for grades 1-8 are asked to spend a shadow day at Blue Oak School, completing a short academic assessment during their shadow day visit.
Tuition & Fees FAQs
What does it cost to attend Blue Oak School?
Our comprehensive tuition for 2023-2024 is:
- $22,900 – Kindergarten – 5th Grade
- $28,400 – 6th – 8th Grade
What is included in the Tuition?
Tuition includes all expenses related to the academic program at Blue Oak. This includes books, supplies, and the cost of field trips. It does not cover Choice Lunch, Neighborhood Care costs or enrollment fees for after-school enrichment programs.
Does Blue Oak School offer tuition assistance?
Through its Indexed Tuition program, Blue Oak offers more than $1.1 million dollars in tuition assistance. Families who believe that they will need tuition assistance to enroll their child at Blue Oak are encouraged to complete the process of applying for an Indexed Tuition contract by completing the TADS application for assistance. For more information, refer to the Tuition & Affordability page.
Does applying for tuition assistance impact the admissions decision?
No. All admissions decisions are made prior to reviewing a family’s request for tuition assistance.
Assessment FAQs
Do you give grades? Standardized tests?
Blue Oak School ulitilizes authentic forms of assessment to measure and track our students’ learning. Authentic assessment occurs in many forms. Some examples include pre and post assessments in math, running records to determine reading comprehension and fluencey levels, and skills checklists associated with specific units of study. We do not engage in standardized testing.
Community FAQs
What information do you have about your student body (racial/ethnic diversity, geographic diversity, socio-economic diversity)?
The 2024-25 student body is drawn from American Canyon, Calistoga, Benicia, Fairfield, Green Valley, Napa, Rutherford, Sonoma, St. Helena, Vacaville, Vallejo, and Yountville.
42% percent of the students attending Blue Oak identified themselves as non-Caucasian.
40% percent of our students received indexed tuition contracts.
How many students are in each grade in the Lower school? In the Middle School?
The average Lower School class size ranges from 18 – 20 students. Our Middle School grades vary from 24 – 36 students total, each section consisting of academic cohorts of 18 students or less. Middle School exploratory classes are multi-age and range from 8 to 12 students. Middle School Advisory groups average 12 students per advisor.
How long is the school day?
Day begins at 8:20am and ends at 3:20pm for both Lower and Middle School. Our Aftercare Program is available until 5:30pm.
Do you offer an extended day program? Enrichment classes?
Yes. The After Care Program is available in the Lower School from 3:20pm to 5:30pm for all Blue Oak School families. Middle School students may choose to participate in the After Care Program and will be brought over to Lower School by an administrator.
Blue Oak School offers a rich selection of after-school enrichment classes for both Blue Oak School students and students from the community. Classes change every six to seven weeks.
Do you offer child care during the holidays, or teacher professional development days?
Yes. Camps are offered during many holiday breaks and on all professional development days and conference days.
Do you have a cafeteria?
Blue Oak students eat snack and lunch at outdoor designed areas on both campuses. During the rainy season, lunch moves into our classrooms.
We strive to be “waste free” at lunchtime, asking students to bring food to school in reusable containers. When food service is available at lunch, snack and during school events, Blue Oak School strives to utilize compostable options.
Looking for more information?
For more information, email Meredith Wilson, Director of Admissions or call 707.261.4522