Palm Tree School Admission Process
We look forward to learning about your child. These five steps explain how to apply, complete your admissions file, and prepare for enrollment.
1. Apply
Complete and sign the Admission Application.
Submit the non-refundable application fee of $200 per student.
You may submit your application before the birth certificate and applicable prior-school records are ready. These documents are required to complete your admissions file before review can begin.
2. Complete Your Admissions File
Provide the following required documents so your file is ready for review:
A copy of your child’s birth certificate. Bring the original to the enrollment interview; please do not mail it.
Signed Student Records Release Form for your child’s current school, where applicable.
Transcripts of grades and standardized test scores, where applicable.
Teacher recommendations for Grades 7–12: two completed forms, one from the current English teacher and one from the current math teacher. Separate letters are not required.
A parent or guardian should complete Sections 1–3, sign the form, and give it to the student’s current school principal, school counselor, or registrar.
Certified school records must be sent directly by the current or previous school to Palm Tree School by mail or secure transfer. Contact the admissions office for secure electronic-transfer instructions.
3. Evaluation & Admission Decision
Please contact the school office to arrange your child’s admissions evaluation. A student interview is also required. Please bring a government-issued photo ID for the parent or guardian attending the admissions interview.
For applicants who are not applying as I-20/F-1 students:
Kindergarten applicants: $300 for a 3-day evaluation.
Other grade applicants: $200 for a 1-day evaluation.
I-20/F-1 applicants: $250.
Evaluation payments are accepted at the school office by cash, check, or cashier’s check.
Acceptance is based on many factors, including but not limited to the student’s academic performance and standardized test scores from previous schools, the student’s teacher recommendation, school records, and the availability of space in the grade to which the student is applying.
We may request additional testing to better understand your child’s academic readiness.
4. After Acceptance
After acceptance, return the signed Enrollment Contract and a $3,000 non-refundable reservation deposit per family within one week. The deposit is credited toward tuition.
5. Before You Start
Before attendance, submit the following:
A completed Commonwealth of Virginia School Entrance Form: Medical Examination and Immunizations, filled out by your child’s physician.
Virginia Immunization Exemption Form, if applicable.
Student Emergency Treatment Form.
Illness Pick-up Agreement.
Handbook Policy Acknowledgement Form.
Transportation Application, if applicable.
After-School Care Application, if applicable.
Tuition payment.
Admissions Forms
Recommenders may complete a recommendation online or use the fillable PDFs below. In the online form, select English Teacher, Math Teacher or Optional Additional Recommendation. Each recommender submits separately.
- Student Records Release Form (PDF)
For applicants with prior school records, where applicable. - English Teacher Recommendation (fillable PDF)
Required for Grades 7–12, completed by the current English teacher. - Math Teacher Recommendation (fillable PDF)
Required for Grades 7–12, completed by the current math teacher. - Optional Additional Recommendation (fillable PDF)
A counselor, principal or another teacher may offer an additional perspective. This third recommendation is optional and does not delay a complete file.
Two recommendations are required for Grades 7–12. Each teacher completes the relevant form; a separate letter is not needed. Please ask recommenders to send their completed forms directly to the Admissions Office.
If your child has one combined teacher or a different schooling arrangement, contact Admissions for guidance.
Admissions Questions
Can I apply before all documents are ready?
Yes. Birth certificate and prior school record uploads are optional when you first submit the application. A birth certificate copy and applicable prior school records must be received to complete your file before admissions review can begin.
Which documents are needed before review?
Your admissions file requires:
- A copy of your child’s birth certificate.
- A signed Student Records Release Form, transcripts and standardized test scores, where applicable.
- For Grades 7–12, two completed recommendation forms: one from the current English teacher and one from the current math teacher. A separate letter is not needed. An Additional Recommendation is optional and does not delay a complete file.
Teachers and other recommenders may submit their recommendation online or complete the corresponding PDF. Each recommender submits directly to Admissions.
The current or previous school must send certified school records directly to Palm Tree School by mail or secure transfer. Please contact the Admissions Office for secure-transfer instructions.
Bring the original birth certificate to the enrollment interview; please do not mail it. The parent or guardian attending the admissions interview should bring a government-issued photo ID.
Can I save my application and return later?
Select Save Progress at the bottom of the application and follow the sign-in prompts. To return, use Sign in to continue on your application and sign in with the same account. If you have trouble saving or returning, contact the Admissions Office for help.
What fees are due, and when?
The non-refundable application fee is $200 per student when applying.
Arrange the evaluation with the school office. Evaluation fees are:
- Kindergarten: $300 for a 3-day evaluation.
- Other grades: $200 for a 1-day evaluation.
- I-20/F-1 applicants: $250.
The Kindergarten and other-grade rates apply to applicants who are not applying as I-20/F-1 students. Evaluation payments are accepted at the school office by cash, check or cashier’s check.
After acceptance, return the signed Enrollment Contract and a $3,000 non-refundable reservation deposit per family within one week. The deposit is credited toward tuition.
Does submitting an application mean my child is accepted?
Submitting an application begins the admissions process. A complete file is required before review, and a student evaluation and interview are also required. The application receipt confirms submission only. The Admissions Office will communicate the admission decision and enrollment confirmation separately.
How can I arrange a visit or get help?
Contact the Admissions Office to ask about a visit or get help with your application: info@palmtreeschool.com or 703-665-9915.