Westmount Admissions: Kindergarten

Please note: the Kindergarten admission process has been reviewed and significant changes have been made for 2012-2013, as follows:

1. Kindergarten is becoming part of our programming for gifted learners.
2. Enrollment in Kindergarten, which used to be 'first come, first served' is now going to be based on a screening of students, based on profiles provided by parents and other nominators.
3. Siblings will continue to have the first opportunity for Kindergarten spaces, HOWEVER, the siblings MUST meet the screening criteria described in #2 above.
4. Students who are admitted into the 2012-2013 Kindergarten class will be assessed in March 2013 for entrance into grade one. Enrollment in Westmount's Kindergarten program does not guarantee enrollment in grade one, but Westmount's 2012-2013 Kindergarten students will be given first priority in 2013-2014 placement decisions.

Please note: as with all pulblicly funded kindergarten programs in Alberta, the birthday cut-off for 2012-2013 Kindergarten applicants will be February 29, 2008. Children born later than February 29, 2008 will need to wait until subsequent school years to apply for kindergarten.

TO APPLY FOR KINDERGARTEN for the 2012-2013 school year:
Step 1. PREPARE your documentation
As noted below in step 4, when it is time to apply, the school will require a number of documents, including a copy of the child's birth certificate (and, if the child was born outside Canada, landing papers/immigration documents - ideally in the form of a Permanent Residency Card). A copy of the child's immunization records is also requested. Making the required photocopies/scans now will save you time later!

Step 2: ATTEND the information evening
Parents are invited to a Kindergarten/Grade One information session on January 18, 2012 at our Elementary Campus, 728 - 32 St NW, from 7:00- 8:30 pm. in the school's main gym.
This session will cover topics such as:
• understanding "Giftedness" and how it relates to your child;
• understanding the Westmount Charter School program, at Kindergarten, grade one, and beyond;
• the importance of the proper educational "fit" between child and program.
Children do find the evening quite long, the elementary gym is fairly small, and child care is not available on-site for this evening event. Parents, please make your own child care arrangements rather than bringing young children to this event.

If your child has very specific learning needs, and you would like to discuss these with one of our administrators, please begin the process by attending one of the information nights listed above. You will find that our program addresses a wide array of gifted learners' needs, and at the information night many teachers, administrators and other staff members will be available to answer questions.

Step 3: DOWNLOAD the application package
Application packages will be available for download HERE, starting on the evening of January 18, 2012. If the form does not download immediately, click on F5 or refresh your web browser to ensure that you are working from the most recent version of the web page.

Step 4: SUBMIT the completed application package
There are TWO PARTS to completing the application:

Part One: the downloaded application packages are to be fully completed with all documents attached, and received by the school no later than 4:00 PM, February 29, 2012. If you have children applying for other grades, in addition to your kindergarten applicant, please note that the application deadline for all other grades is February 8, 2012.

The following documents must accompany the application package:

- photocopy of Birth Certificate and, if applicable, Immigration Papers (ideally in the form of a Permanent Residency Card);
- any relevant medical information regarding your child (e.g. allergies or medical conditions plus details of all required treatments or accommodations);
- immunization records (requested, but optional);
- recent photo of student (optional).

Completed applications, including all accompanying documentation, are to be scanned and emailed to registrar@westmountcharter.com, or delivered in person to the school's elementary office, 728 - 32 St NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 2V9.

If your child already has a Psychological/Educational Assessment, please submit it with your application... but please note that WE DO NOT REQUIRE a Psych/Ed assessment from applicants who submit their application by February 29, 2012.

A Psychological/Educational assessment will, however, be required of late applicants. Late applications will not be reviewed until all applications received by the stated deadlines have been processed. Based on the volume of Kindergarten applications in previous years, it is highly unlikely that spaces will still be available for late applicants.

Part Two: complete the nomination forms online and submit. These forms do not need to be printed out and e-mailed in, they are to be completed online. One form gets completed by the parent(s). The other form gets completed by a teacher or adult familiar with, but not related to, the child- please direct him/her to complete this form online.
The nomination form to be completed by the parent(s) is HERE.
The referral form to be completed by the teacher/other adult is HERE.

Step 5: WAIT for notification of our decision
After all Kindergarten application packages received by February 29, 2012 have been reviewed, a final decision will be made by the Selection Committee as to program suitability. All applicants will be notified by email of the Selection Committee’s decision by March 23, 2012. Please ensure that we have your correct email address on file!

Step 6: COMPLETE the online acceptance/registration process
If a space is offered, families will need to complete the online acceptance/registration process and pay a non-refundable $100 deposit to confirm their acceptance at Westmount. Deadlines and instructions will be clearly stated when the spaces are offered.

Please note: families that are applying to join us in the coming school year need to notify us of any changes/additions to their child’s personal information. Examples may be: address, home/work phone numbers, e-mail addresses, custody issues, emergency contacts, medical conditions, allergies, and any psychological or educational reports. In order for us to better serve your family’s needs, it is imperative that the school be made aware of any changes.

QUICK LINKS:

Kindergarten Application Downloads: all three must be completed in order to apply
Application package
Parent nomination form
Teacher/other adult referral form

See the Kindergarten information pamphlet

Go to: High School Admissions • Mid School Admissions • Grade 2-4 Admissions • Grade 1 Admissions

18 January 2012