Admissions Policy

Carolina Day School seeks to enroll students of the highest caliber, academically and personally, and to attract students of different religions, races, nationalities, and economic backgrounds. The School looks for students who demonstrate a willingness to participate and a desire to do their personal best -- students with a variety of talents and interests who will contribute to a dynamic learning environment.

Students will be selected through a process which includes a review of previous school performance, teacher recommendations, admissions testing, and an interview. In addition, it must be evident that the student recognizes and appreciates the high standards of behavior and responsibility required of a Carolina Day School student. If a student's current or past performance indicates an incompatibility with these standards, he/she may be denied admission.

Admissions decisions are made through a careful and thoughtful process by a committee consisting of teachers and administrators. In reaching a final decision, the School must balance the best interests of the child and the needs of the school.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Students entering Carolina Day School must demonstrate the ability or potential to achieve at an above-average level based on previous school performance, teacher recommendations, and a challenging standardized test. If school records and testing do not provide a clear assessment of the student's ability to be successful at Carolina Day School, the School may require additional evaluation at the parent's expense.

Admissions testing will be as follows:

Pre-Kindergarten

DIAL-3 (Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning, Third Edition) and teacher observation.

Kindergarten

Missouri KIDS (Kindergarten Inventory of Developmental Skills) and teacher observation.

Grades 1-3

Educational evaluation conducted by a licensed educational psychologist. This includes two sessions. Instruments used are the WISC-III (a measure of aptitude) and the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement. There is an extra charge for these procedures.

Grades 4- 8

Educational Records Bureau Comprehensive Testing Program III (ERB CTP-III). The first level of testing, given to all applicants, will include the ERB's Verbal and Quantitative Ability sub-tests and a writing sample. If the student performs at the eightieth percentile or above (national norms) on Verbal and Quantitative Ability, and if the writing sample, previous standardized testing results, and school records indicate similar levels of performance, no further testing will be required.

If the student's scores on the Verbal and Quantitative Ability sub-tests fall below the eightieth percentile, the writing sample does not meet grade-level expectations, or previous school records indicate academic difficulties, a second level of testing may be required including (but not necessarily limited to) the ERB Reading Comprehension and Mathematics sub-tests. 

Grades 9- 12

In grades 9-12, scores from one of the following tests are required: SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, or ITBS. 

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

(After Academic Requirements Have Been Met)

When making admissions decisions the School takes many factors into consideration, including personal attributes, special talents, and the potential to make positive contributions to the community. The School seeks diversity in our student population while striving to maintain gender balance in each grade. In addition, consideration may be given (not in ranked order) to:

• Siblings of current students or alumni.

• Children of Carolina Day faculty and staff members.

• Children from diverse backgrounds.

• Children of alumni of Carolina Day School, Asheville Country Day School, or St. Genevieve/ Gibbons Hall.

• Applicants currently in the Wait Pool.

WAIT POOL

After a grade level is filled, the School will maintain an applicant pool. Students in this pool will not be ranked. If a vacancy occurs, the Admissions Committee will review the applicants and make a selection based on the stated admissions criteria and goals.

MID-YEAR TRANSFERS

The School does not encourage families with children attending local schools to make mid-year changes to Carolina Day School unless there are special circumstances warranting a change.

Carolina Day School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national and ethnic origin, or physical handicap, in its admissions or financial aid policies, or in the administration of its educational program.

To request information about Carolina Day School, call ,
write, fax or e-mail :

Robin Goertz - Director of Admissions
Carolina Day School
1345 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC 28803

Telephone: (828)274-0757 Fax: (828)274-0756

Email for more information.