Aidan

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have a good idea of how many spots are typically open for the primary program? It looks like there are two toddler programs of 12 each. Then the primary classes (3 I think) have approximately 9 - 3 year olds. Am I correct that it is signficantly easier to get in the toddler program and incredibly difficult to enter at the primary level? Would greatly appreciate insight from those that have been through the process. I love to school but am just not sure if my 14 month old will be ready for it next Fall. However, I am afraid if we wait a year there is little chance he will get in to the school (understanding there are still very slim chances he would get in to the toddler program).

[Anonymous]

I think you have it backwards. My understanding is that it is the toddler program that is incredibly difficult to get into, and the primary programs (for 3 years and above), are a bit easier as they have more classes. I think there are 3 classes of 24 students or something like that, so it's a very decent size.

[Anonymous]

First let me cover a couple points in response to your question. There are 4 Primary classes, not 3. Also, the number of spaces for Primary can vary from year to year, so it is not as straightforward as thinking 24 toddlers take up 2/3 of the 36 3 year old Primary spots (using your approximately 9 3 year olds per class estimate). For one thing, the movement between Toddler up to Primary is more fluid than might be apparent, in the sense that some children might move up to Primary mid-way through the year (usually in February) based on age and readiness. And new children come in to the Toddler class mid-way through the year to the extent there are openings created by others moving up (those are typically the ones who move up the following mid-year). The openings for 3 year olds in Primary also can vary based on how many of the 4 and 5 year olds stay in the class.

If your child is currently 14 months and would be around two years old start of next school year, I would definitely encourage you to apply for the Toddler program if you already feel that you love the school. The Toddler program is a wonderful program, and the teachers are loved by the kids and the parents. I can tell you that I know several families with 2 kids at Aidan, where their first child started at Primary and their second started in the Toddler class, and the pretty uniform sentiment is "I wish my older child had started as a Toddler."

Also, as for admissions, my DC was rejected as a toddler and accepted the following year for Primary. So this definitely happens--for us, I believe that our continued demonstration of interest in the school, along with my DC's "interview" for Primary, which went very well, made the difference. (There has been a lot of discussion about the Primary "interview" in other threads and I'd rather not get into that other than to say that our personal experience was extremely nice and low-stress. The school does not meet the kids applying for the Toddler program.) The school really wants families who want their kids to be there.

[Anonymous]

OP - thank you so much for the incredibly helpful response. I really appreciate you taking the time to provide your insight.

[Anonymous]

You're welcome. Good luck with the process.