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Q
What are the grade levels at Barrie?
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A
Lower School is age 2- Grade 5
Middle School is Grades 6 – 8
Upper School is Grades 9 – 12
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Q
Are all grades on one campus?
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A
Yes, we have a wooded 45 acre campus. The Lower School, age 2 through Grade 3, is on our “Upper Campus”. Grades 4 - 12 are on our “Lower Campus”. This allows for each to have a unique area and identity.
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Q
What is the curriculum?
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A
Lower School has a fully accredited Montessori curriculum. Middle and Upper Schools have a progressive, experiential college preparatory curriculum
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Q
Can I visit the school?
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A
School tours for parents are offered weekly by appointment. Please call the Admission Office to schedule your tour. Open Houses are scheduled throughout the academic school year. Please check the website for the next Open House. These are drop-in events and do not require an RSVP. Inclement weather: Please call our school number 301.576.2800 to see if school has been closed or delayed. In either of these events, the Office of Admission and Financial Aid will call you to re-schedule your visit.
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Q
Are there application deadlines?
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A
Applications are accepted during the fall of the year prior to entry. Our deadline is January 20, 2012 for first round admission decisions. Admission files must be complete by February 20, 2012 for first round consideration.
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Q
What if I missed the January 20th deadline?
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A
After this date, we will accept applications for admission as space is available.
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Q
Is there an application fee?
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A
Yes, a fee of $50 must accompany each application. It is non-refundable.
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Q
What do I need to do other than submit an application?
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A
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO OTHER THAN SUBMIT AN APPLICATION?
1. Submit requests for transcripts and recommendations to your child’s current school. The request forms are available through the Office of Admission and Financial Aid and printable forms from our website.
2. Submit teacher recommendation forms to your child's current teachers. These forms are available through the office of Admission and Financial Aid and printable forms from our website. These should be sent directly to Barrie by the teacher.
3. Arrange for testing per the schedule below. (Please note that testing is not mandatory, but may be required on a case by case basis).
GRADE: APPROPRIATE TEST:
2 year olds no testing is required
3 year olds WPPSI-III
4 & 5 year olds WPPSI-III or WISC-IV
Grades 1 – 5 WISC-IV
Grades 6 – 12 SSAT or ISEE
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Q
Where are these tests offered?
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A
The WPPSI-III and WISC-IV must be administered by a registered psychologist and the results sent directly to the Office of Admission and Financial Aid. Psychologists are listed in the Yellow Pages or the Office of Admission and Financial can help you locate one. The SSAT(Secondary School Admission Test) or the ISEE (independent School Entrance Exam) schedule national test dates beginning in October through June. Results must be sent directly to the Office of Admission and Financial Aid. The Barrie School Code for SSAT is 1495 and for ISEE it is 210957.
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Q
Are there any other evaluations?
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A
Lower School: Ages 2 – 5 are invited for a 45 minute classroom visit, Grades 1 – 5 are invited for a half day visit. At this time, the classroom teacher will do an informal evaluation.
Middle and Upper Schools: Applicants will have an interview with a member of the Admission Committee and will visit for a half or full day. A Student Ambassador will serve as a host.
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Q
Are there minimum age requirements?
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A
Barrie follows the State of Maryland, Department of Education’s age eligibility requirements:
AGE BY SEPTEMBER 1 TO ENTER THIS AGE/GRADE LEVEL
2 -- 2 year old class
3 -- 3 year old class
4 -- 4 year old class
5 -- 5 year old class/Kindergarten
6 -- Grade 1
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Q
How will I know if my application file is complete?
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A
The Office of Admission and Financial Aid will notify you by letter when your application file has been completed.
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Q
When can I expect to hear if my child is accepted?
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A
Admission decision letters will be mailed first week of March 2012. As space allows, applications will be considered as they are completed after that.
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Q
Does Barrie offer financial aid?
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A
Yes, there is a limited funding available and it is awarded on a need basis. Please call the Office of Admission and Financial Aid for a financial aid information packet. This process must occur at the same time as the admission application process.
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Q
What are the class sizes?
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A
LOWER SCHOOL:
Our 2 year old classes have an 8-1 student-teacher ratio. Maximum class size with a credentialed teacher and teacher assistant is 16.
Age 3 – Grade 5 classes range from 20-26 students with least one Montessori credentialed teacher in each classroom with assistance from teacher aids and/or Montessori interns
MIDDLE AND UPPER SCHOOL:
classes average 15 students.
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Q
Does Barrie accept international students?
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A
Yes, accepted students may enroll and obtain an I-20 form. Barrie is not a boarding school and we do not offer an English as a Second Language Program. Barrie does require appropriate scores on the Secondary Level English Proficiency Test (SLEP) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the SSAT, previously listed. Interviews may be conducted by telephone for international applicants.
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Q
Is Barrie affiliated with a certain religion?
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A
No, Barrie is a non-denominational , independent school.
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Q
Are uniforms worn at Barrie?
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A
No, we expect our students to adhere to Barrie’s dress code guidelines.
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Q
Is transportation available?
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A
Barrie provides a free shuttle service to and from the Glenmont Metro Station for students who are at least 12 years old. We facilitate carpooling with a password protected interactive tool for parents on our website.
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Q
Is before and after school care available?
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A
Yes, it is available for students Age 2 through Grade 8 for an additional fee. Morning supervision begins at 7:00 am and afternoon supervision ends at 6:00 pm. Students may attend either or both supervisions. Drop-in supervision is also available as needed with advance notice and an additional fee.
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Q
Does Barrie have an equestrian program?
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A
Our school maintains a stable of horses on our campus. Beginning at age 4, individual and group lessons are available for a fee. Grades 6 – 12 may also join our award winning Equestrian Team.
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Q
Does Barrie have a summer camp?
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Yes, the fully accredited Barrie Day Camp is from June through August with a staff of over 200 counselors and specialists. Children from 4 years old through Grade 8 can attend. Please call the Camp Director for additional information at 301.576.2815.
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Q
What is IAMS?
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A
The Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies is located on our campus. Through an affiliation with Trinity College’s Master of Arts in Teaching Program, IAMS offers intensive summer courses in advanced Montessori education. It is a member of the International Association of Montessori Education and is approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Please call the Director of IAMS for additional information at 301.576.2866.