Admissions Process

Application Procedure

Once the Admissions Office has received your initial inquiry or application, you will receive an application checklist for your child with links to the required documents and steps listed below.

Please note that applicants to the ECC must have reached two years of age by September 1 of the year of entrance. Children who have reached four years of age by September 1 of the year of entrance are encouraged to attend the five-days/week program (8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Please be certain that all documents are completed and submitted to the Admissions Office by the application deadline.

Requirements

An Application Form and Parent Statement

Completing the application form and Parent Statement is the first step in our admissions process. Should you need a pdf version, please contact our office.

Within the application, you can indicate which program (three-days, four-days, or five-days/week) you prefer. We strive to balance the class in terms of gender, children's ages, and teacher/student ratios; therefore, we are not always able to accommodate all requests. You can also indicate whether you are interested in our after-school care program. Typically our aftercare program runs from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

A Teacher Feedback Form

If your child has been enrolled in a preschool program, we ask that you provide your child’s current teacher with a feedback form, available through your application checklist. Please have the teacher complete and submit it to the Admissions Office. 

A Tour or Family interview

Parents are welcome to tour the school at any point in their application process. Please refer to your checklist or contact the Admissions Office to schedule a tour of our campus. If you are unable to visit campus in person, virtual Family Interviews are arranged for parents and children together.

ECC Visit day

With the goal of having a good sense of every child who applies to the ECC program, we ask that each applicant participate in a short visit with our ECC teachers. For the 2023-24 application year, the visit day will be held on Saturday, January 21. Registration information for a particular time at this event will be communicated to families in the winter. Families not able to attend this date should be in touch with the admissions office to discuss alternate options.

Application Procedure

Once the Admissions Office has received your initial inquiry or application, you will receive an application checklist for your child with links to the required documents and steps listed below.  

Please be certain that all documents are completed and submitted to the Admissions Office by the application deadline. The school cannot make enrollment decisions until all documents have been received. 

Tuition Assistance

Parents interested in applying for Tuition Assistance should notify the Admissions Office at the time of application. Tuition Assistance awards are based on the need of the family and the availability of funds. Admissions decisions are made without regard to financial need. Families applying for Tuition Assistance must submit a separate Tuition Assistance Application. Please visit the Tuition Assistance page on our website to learn more.

Requirements

Sun Valley Community School requires that kindergarten applicants turn five by September 1 of the year of enrollment.

Application Form and Parent Statement

We consider parents to be an integral part of a child's education. Your description of your child will help us understand him or her better. Completing the application form and Parent Statement is the first step in our admissions process. 

Applicant Photo (optional)

Please upload a photo of the applicant with the application form.

Teacher Evaluation Form

We ask that you provide your child’s preschool teacher with a feedback form, available through your application checklist. Please ask the teacher to complete and submit it to the Admissions Office. 

Tour or Family Interview

Parents are welcome to tour the school at any point in their application process. Please refer to your checklist or contact the Admissions Office to schedule a tour of our campus. For families unable to visit campus in person, virtual Family Interviews are arranged for parents and children together.

Kindergarten Visit Day

With the goal of having a good sense of every child who applies to our Kindergarten program, we ask that each applicant participate in a short visit with our teachers. For the 2023-24 application year, the Kindergarten visit day will be held on Saturday, January 21. Registration information for a particular time at this event will be communicated to families in the winter. Families not able to attend this date should be in touch with the admissions office to discuss alternate options.

Application Procedure

Once the Admissions Office has received your initial inquiry or application, you will receive an application checklist for your child with links to the required documents and steps listed below.  

Please be certain that all documents are completed and submitted to the Admissions Office by the application deadline. The school cannot make enrollment decisions until all documents have been received. 

Tuition Assistance

Parents interested in applying for Tuition Assistance should notify the Admissions Office at the time of application. Tuition Assistance awards are based on the need of the family and the availability of funds. Admissions decisions are made without regard to financial need. Families applying for Tuition Assistance must submit a separate Tuition Assistance Application. Please visit the Tuition Assistance page on our website to learn more.

Application Form and Parent Statement

We consider parents to be an integral part of a child's education. Your description of your child will help us understand him or her better. Completing the application form and Parent Statement is the first step in our admissions process. For applicants to grades 4 and 5, we require a student response which you will find within the Application form.

Applicant Photo (Optional)

Please upload a photo of the applicant with the application form.

Teacher Evaluation: Homeroom Teacher

We ask that you provide your child’s homeroom teacher with a feedback form, available through your application checklist. Please ask the teacher to complete and submit it to the Admissions Office through the application portal. 

School Records Request

Please provide the appropriate official at your child's current school with the School Records Request and have records submitted to Community School before the application deadline. This can be done directly through the application portal as well.

Tour or Family Interview

Families are welcome to tour the school at any point in their application process. For families unable to visit campus in person, virtual Family Interviews are arranged for parents and children together. Please refer to your checklist, see our admissions events, or contact the Admissions Office to schedule your tour to get to know our school for the 2023-24 school year.

Application Procedure

Once the Admissions Office has received your initial inquiry or application, you will receive an application checklist for your child with links to the required steps and documentation listed below.  

Please be certain that all documents are completed and submitted to the Admissions Office by the application deadline. The school cannot make enrollment decisions until all documents have been received. 

Financial Aid

Parents interested in applying for Tuition Assistance should notify the Admissions Office at the time of application. Tuition Assistance awards are based on the need of the family and the availability of funds. Admissions decisions are made without regard to financial need. Families applying for Tuition Assistance must submit a separate Tuition Assistance Application. Please visit the Tuition Assistance page on our website to learn more.

Application for Admission, Parent Statement, and Student Responses

We consider parents and students themselves to be an integral part of a child's education and school decisions. The parent statement helps us gain an understanding of each applicant and family. The Student Responses and Writing Sample give voice directly to each student applying to Sun Valley Community School.

Completing the application form, Parent Statement, and Student Responses are important steps in our admissions process. Should you need a pdf version, please contact our office.

Applicant Photo (Optional)

Please upload a photo of the applicant with the application form.

Teacher Evaluation: English or Social Studies

We ask that you provide your child’s English or Social Studies teacher with a feedback form, available through your application checklist. Please ask the teacher to complete and submit it to the Admissions Office through the application portal.

Teacher Evaluation: Maths or Science

We ask that you provide your child’s Maths or Science teacher with a feedback form, available through your application checklist. Please ask the teacher to complete and submit it to the Admissions Office through the application portal.

School Records Request

Please provide the appropriate official at your child's current school with the School Records Request and have records submitted to Sun Valley Community School before the application deadline. This can also be requested online through your application checklist.

Admission Testing

Sun Valley Community School requires that applicants to grades six through twelve provide recent standardized testing, ideally from within a year of their application date. We accept State testing, the SSAT, ISEE, ERB, and/or PSAT/SAT test results.

Students needing to complete a standardized test can register for the SSAT test at SSAT.org. The SSAT code for Community School is 2547. 

Applicants unsure of whether they need to take additional testing should be in touch with the Admissions Office for confirmation (208.229.3960 ext 174).  We understand the challenges that sometimes arise when scheduling standardized testing and can work with you on a solution that accommodates your family.

Interview

Applicants for grades six through twelve will be interviewed by the Admissions Office staff. These informal interviews give us a personal introduction to each student and allow us to provide the student with information about the school. For the 2023-24 school year, interviews will be conducted by the Admissions Office virtually.

Please see your checklist or email the Admissions Office to schedule an interview.

Tour and Visit

Families are welcome to tour the school at any point in their application process. There are several opportunities to learn more and experience what it might be like to be a student. Please refer to your checklist, see our admissions events, or contact the Admissions Office to schedule your tour to get to know our school during the 2022-23 school year.

Application Procedure

Once the Admissions Office has received your initial inquiry or application, you will receive an application checklist for your child with links to the required documents and steps listed below.  

Please be certain that all documents are completed and submitted to the Admissions Office by your application deadline. The school cannot make enrollment decisions until all documents have been received. 

Tuition Assistance

Parents interested in applying for Tuition Assistance should notify the Admissions Office at the time of application. Tuition Assistance awards are based on the need of the family and the availability of funds. Admissions decisions are made without regard to financial need. Families applying for Tuition Assistance must submit a separate Tuition Assistance Application. Please visit the Tuition Assistance page on our website to learn more.

Application for Admission, Parent Statement, and Student Responses

We consider parents and students themselves to be an integral part of a child's education and school decisions. The parent statement helps us gain an understanding of each applicant and family. The Student Responses and Writing Sample give voice directly to each student applying to Sun Valley Community School.

Completing the application form, Parent Statement, and Student Responses are important steps in our admissions process.

Applicant Photo (Optional)

Please upload a photo of the applicant with the application form.

Teacher Evaluation: English or Social Studies

We ask that you provide your child’s English or Social Studies teacher with a feedback form, available through your application checklist. Please ask the teacher to complete and submit it to the Admissions Office directly through the Admissions Portal, if possible.

Teacher Evaluation: Maths or Science

We ask that you provide your child’s Maths or Science teacher with a feedback form, available through your application checklist. Please ask the teacher to complete and submit it to the Admissions Office directly through the Admissions Portal, if possible.

School Records Request

Please provide the appropriate official at your child's current school with the School Records Request and have records submitted to Sun Valley Community School before the application deadline. School Records can also be requested online through your application checklist.

Admission Testing

Sun Valley Community School requires that applicants to grades six through twelve provide recent standardized testing, ideally from within a year of their application date. We accept State testing, the SSAT, ISEE, ERB, and/or PSAT/SAT test results.

Students needing to complete a standardized test can register for the SSAT test at SSAT.org. The SSAT code for Community School is 2547. 

Applicants unsure of whether they need to take additional testing should be in touch with the Admissions Office for confirmation (208.229.3960 ext 174).  We understand the challenges that sometimes arise when scheduling standardized testing and can work with you on a solution that accommodates your family.

Interviews

Applicants for our boarding program will be interviewed by the Admissions Office and the Residence Hall Director. These informal interviews give us a personal introduction to each student and allow us provide the student with information about the school.

Please see your checklist or email the Admissions Office to schedule your interviews.

Tour and Visit

Families are welcome to tour the school at any point in their application process. Tours for boarding students will include visiting our main academic campus as well as our Rufus M. Brown Residence Hall. The visit will also include the opportunity for each family to meet with our Residence Hall Director, Clay Wawner, to learn about our boarding program.

There are several opportunities to learn more and experience what it might be like to be a student. Please refer to your checklist, see our admissions events, or contact the Admissions Office to schedule your tour to get to know our school during the 2022-23 school year.

In addition to completing the Upper School application, Sun Valley Ski Academy (SVSA) applicants will need to submit a Coach's Evaluation from their current program. This form is available through the applicant checklist once an Inquiry or Application have been completed.

Please contact Program Director Jonna Mendes with any questions about the SVSA application process: jmendes@sunvalleyskiacademy.org or 208.720.0512.

 

We encourage all families to visit Sun Valley Community School for a campus tour and interview. Tours for prospective families are typically available year-round, with exceptions around holidays.

For the 2022-23 school year, we will offer in-person tours and interviews. Please email our Admissions Office,  or call us at 208.622.3960, ext. 174.

We'll begin accepting applications for the 2023-24 school year on October 1, 2022.

Our first round application deadline is February 10, 2023. Applications submitted after this date will be considered on a rolling admission basis in classes with available space.

Admissions Decisions are posted in mid-March.

For rolling admissions, please contact the Admissions Office to inquire about space available in particular grades. 

Parents interested in learning more about making a Sun Valley Community School education affordable, should inquire about our Tuition Assistance Program.

Tuition Assistance awards are based on the demonstrated need of the family and the availability of funds. Tuition Assistance applicants must submit a separate Tuition Assistance application on an annual basis. Applicants who wish to apply for tuition assistance must complete the Parent Financial Statement for SSS and must also submit tax returns.

Tuition Assistance Application Deadline:

• Returning families must return all materials by January 16, 2023.
• New families must return all materials by February 10, 2023.

Tuition Assistance Award Notification:

• Tuition Assistance award notifications will be sent in mid-March with admissions decisions.

Learn more about tuition assistance here.

Sun Valley Community School requires that applicants to grades nine through twelve provide recent standardized testing, ideally from within a year of their application date. We accept state testing, the SSAT, ISEE, ERB, and/or PSAT/SAT test results. Testing is optional for grades six through eight.

Students needing to complete a standardized test can register for the SSAT test at SSAT.org. The SSAT code for Community School is 2547. 

Applicants unsure of whether they need to take additional testing should be in touch with the Admissions Office for confirmation.  We understand the challenges that sometimes arise when scheduling standardized testing and can work with you on a solution that accommodates your family.