Admissions
Frequently Asked Questions
Your QuestionsOur Answers
We have gathered responses to questions commonly asked by families considering Shore Country Day School. To learn more, please click on the questions that interest you or reach out to us directly. Or, check our At-a-Glance page for essential information about Dress Code, bus routes, and more.
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Where do Shore graduates go after Shore?
With a strong academic and extracurricular foundation developed at Shore, graduates are prepared to flourish in their next school. This page shares details about the process of finding the best next school for each student, how Shore supports that process with our Secondary School Counseling team, as well as a list of the most popular high schools for Shore graduates. Read this story for an overview of the secondary school process outcomes and how local independent schools view Shore graduates. -
How has COVID-19 affected learning and life at Shore?
Shore’s excellent education continued with remote learning in spring 2020, and for fall 2020, we opened in-person following protocols to prioritize our community’s safety. During the 2021-2022 school year, we are successfully continuing with in-person learning. For complete information about the various impacts COVID-19 has on Shore, please visit our COVID-19 response page. -
At what age are my children able to begin attending Shore?
Shore is able to offer a two-year program for our youngest learners, starting with our Pre-K 1 class. Children must be three years old at the start of school, and developmental and cognitive admissions screening will determine each individual child’s readiness for our program. Pre-K 2 class is a continuation of this program and designed for our older preschool children. -
What makes Shore’s Pre-K class unique?
With an academic curriculum that includes the foundation work for literary and math skills as well as SAIL (our Science and Art Integrated Learning curriculum), Spanish, music, physical education, library, and health, the Pre-K classes take time for developmental growth within the richness of a full day schedule. The approach remains strongly experiential and multi-sensory at the same time as children travel campus-wide to take advantage of Shore’s varied facilities and specialist teachers. Structured time is carefully balanced with time for play and exploration. High-fives and excitement abound as students acclimate to the formalities of the traditional school day. Still growing toward a fullness of independence, Pre-K children treasure both the extra attention of their fifth grade “brothers and sisters” and the personal focus provided by the 7:1 student to teacher ratio in this special grade or program. Learn more about Pre-K at Shore. -
How often is physical education scheduled?
Movement is an integral part of life at Shore. Our Pre-K classes travel to Physical Education multiple times per week, and all grades from Kindergarten through Grade Nine attend physical education or sports four or five days per week. Energy and focus for learning are further enhanced by two daily breaks for recess in all grades, and seventh and eighth graders use the physical stretch of Project Adventure sessions for group problem solving and personal challenge. Learn more. -
At what age are children exposed to technology?
Technology learning permeates all levels of a Shore education. Students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 3 use iPads in their classrooms for a wide range of learning activities. Chromebooks are provided for Grade 4 as a transitional device used for collaborating, writing, and keyboarding. Each student in Grades 5-9 is provided with a MacBook Air laptop as part of Shore’s Student-Assigned Device program, which is used extensively throughout the school day. Learn more. -
When does world language instruction begin?
Spanish is taught at all grade levels, Pre-K through Grade 9, and Latin is an additional opportunity in Grades 6 through 9. Typically, Shore eighth grade graduates enter high school Spanish level II, and graduates from Grade 9 enter level III. In our youngest grades, emphasis is on oral and cultural experiences as they connect to both the daily and curricular experiences of our students. In our Upper School grades, equal balance is given to the development of speaking, listening, reading, writing, and cultural understanding. -
Why does Shore offer a ninth grade?
Shore’s ninth grade originated at a time when various high schools did not begin until grade ten, but today it remains a premier setting for the pursuit of one’s freshman year. Shore ninth graders are asked to step up in every way: academically, extracurricularly, and, above all, personally. Their curriculum contains choices in the arts, language and history, and students' selections of either advanced studio or advanced theater art places them in a full, major, academic art course that is yearlong in duration. Our grade ten matriculants enjoy smooth, confident academic and personal transitions; they are ready for an environment of older adolescents, and they are already experienced in navigating the elevated expectations of high school. Learn more about Shore’s ninth grade.
Each year, a few students from other area schools will join Shore’s Grade 9 to experience our program for their freshman year. This opportunity allows them to take on a leadership role in our community while engaging in the program and participating in our Secondary School process. To learn more about the chance to join Shore’s Grade 9, please reach out to us at admissions@shoreschool.org.
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What towns are represented among Shore families?
Shore attracts students from over 40 different towns and communities. While our largest representations are from Beverly, Hamilton, Marblehead, Lynnfield, and Manchester, students hail from as far north as Newburyport, Andover, and Hampton, NH; south to Revere; west to Lexington; and east to Rockport. Attending an independent school such as Shore is an opportunity for the variety of exposure created by drawing families from so many different settings. This broad representation of towns is facilitated by our five bus routes. -
How do families handle transportation?
With students arriving from 40 different communities, Shore families make use of five bus routes originating in Andover, Marblehead, Newburyport, Lexington, and Gloucester. Further detail regarding bus routes can be found here. Other families will complete drop-off and pick-up while many still coordinate carpools with other families from their town. Shore is happy to help families contact each for help within their geographic area and to avail themselves of parents with years of driving wisdom to share! -
What kind of involvement is there for families?
Fortunately for Shore and its students, our families have a strong tradition of involvement in their children’s education. Teachers and administrators expect to be in communication regarding students, and outside of our biannual parent/teacher conference schedule, families are welcome to convene with teachers anytime that it is needed.
Family volunteerism is strong at Shore, and our program is greatly enhanced by caregivers’ time, efforts, talents, and contributions. Our active Parents Association has involvement to offer even our busiest of families! Currently, our Parents Association is still meeting virtually and coordinating efforts of families to continue to enhance the Shore experience. -
What additional expenses beyond tuition will I have to pay?
Shore’s tuition includes the the cost of classroom supplies, field trips, school photos, and the like. Only those supplies that vary by individual need, such as Upper School books or athletic clothing, are billed above and beyond Shore’s comprehensive tuition. -
Does Shore have a Dress Code?
Yes—please view our current Dress Code. -
How is discipline handled at Shore?
Our aim is to help children grow from their experiences. Within the classrooms of the Lower School or the advisee groups of the Upper School, Shore works hard both to articulate our daily expectations for children and to responsively engage them in problem solving. For individual discipline, children are addressed quickly and personally; our desire is not to remove them from their peer group. Repeated or more serious circumstances will bring a student into the presence of their Division Head and quickly involve families. -
Does Shore administer the MCAS?
Shore does not administer the MCAS. In place of state mandated goals, we adhere to the policies put forth by the National Association of Independent Schools, and our ten-year, institutional evaluation is overseen by the Association of Independent Schools of New England. As with all independent schools, Shore’s curriculum is framed by the intersection of basic skills with stretch and creativity. While accountability and curriculum are enhanced by annual standardized testing that begins at Grade Two, teaching is neither mandated nor constrained by test goals such as the MCAS. Shore utilizes the Comprehensive Testing Program of the ERB in Grades 2-6; students in Grades 7-9 are scheduled for the SSAT each year.
Application Process Questions
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Can I substitute my child’s report card for the School Evaluation form?
Although it may feel awkward asking your child’s current teacher for information that will expedite your child’s departure from his or her current setting, it is a requirement that all school information be communicated directly and confidentially between current school and potential, future school. Considered a Principle of Good Practice, through this direct exchange, teachers are unfailingly supportive of and honest about the students they shepherd each day. Current school information provides one of the cornerstones for effective evaluation. Likewise, personal conversations with teachers offer valuable resources should questions arise during the discussions of a candidate. -
What is Shore’s policy regarding the enrollment of siblings?
Happily, over 90% of our sibling candidates qualify for enrollment on an annual basis. Candidates of current families receive priority for available spaces. If you are a current Shore family and would like to apply for the admissions another sibling, please contact the Admissions office (admissions@shoreschool.org). -
How difficult is it to be new at Shore when entering at an older grade?
Everyone at Shore works hard to ensure the comfort of each entering child. New students are welcomed for individual classroom visits, as desired, throughout the spring. During the summer, one of Shore’s current families with a child at the same grade level will formally extend their welcome as a Host Family. Once school is underway, teachers are especially mindful of social inclusion, classroom pairings, and academic transitions. Shore’s returning students are remixed into new class configurations each year, and all look forward to getting reacquainted or newly acquainted with classmates in September. A returning Shore parent will act as a New Family Liaison during new families’ first year, providing them with periodical updates including previews of upcoming events and serving as a resource for any questions that arise. -
How challenging is it to get accepted into Shore?
Three-quarters of applicants to Shore are strong students and are qualified for entrance. Enrollment will be offered to qualified applicants based on the number of openings in each grade, which can vary year to year. Pre-K 1, Pre-K 2, Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 5, and Grade 6 continue to be our most accessible points of entry. -
To which preschool should I send my child to best prepare for Shore’s Pre-K or Kindergarten programs?
The best preschool setting for your child is one where your child will feel happy, engaged, and safe each day. Shore’s new Pre-K 1, Pre-K 2, and Kindergarten students enter from as many as 20 different programs each year. Specific academic preparation is not necessary. Some of our entering students have never attended a preschool; others have attended for one year; some have been in programs from infancy. -
If my child is put on the Waiting List, what are their chances for entry?
Shore is eager to enroll candidates from its Waiting Lists, and every candidate in this category is considered comfortably qualified for Shore’s curriculum. Shore will only extend as many offers for admission as there are spaces in a grade. As a school that annually enrolls its largest groups of new students in Pre-K 1, Pre-K 2, Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 5, and Grade 6, these grades’ Waiting Lists are our most fluid. We openly encourage interested candidates to wait as long as they have the option to do so, as the odds are strongly in their favor for eventual enrollment! -
If my child is qualified but cannot enroll, does he or she have to complete the Admissions process again the following year?
Shore does require that candidates complete the entire application process for a new entering year, including a new application form and Parent/Guardian Questionnaires, a new school visit, new testing, and updated information from their current school.
We want to place every candidate in their best position to flourish. Having up-to-date information is usually the best means to this end. Twelve months’ growth represents considerable change in a child. As well, should a candidate then enroll at Shore, this information about them is fresh and applicable to their upcoming transition into our program. -
When will I receive a decision regarding my child’s application?
Pre-K candidates for the 2024-2025 school year who submit all application components prior to January 15, 2024, will receive a decision on February 15, 2024.Kindergarten - Grade 9 candidates for the 2024-2025 school year who submit all application components prior to February 15, 2024, will receive a decision on March 27, 2024.Late applicants are welcome to apply after April 1 for any remaining openings. Decisions for late applicants are communicated on an individual, rolling basis.
Independent School Questions
Shore is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE). The web sites of both organizations contain helpful information for families looking to discover more about independent schools. Shore encourages prospective families to deepen their explorations by visiting these additional resources.
Discover Shore
We invite you to visit us—there’s so much more to discover. Tours and conversations help us learn about your child and understand your goals for their education.
Shore Country Day School’s mission is to provide an education that inspires a love of learning and encourages children to embrace academic challenge. We seek to build character, cultivate creativity, and value diversity as we help our children become healthy, compassionate citizens of the world.
The School admits qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law, and extends to them all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its admissions, scholarships, and loans, and its educational, athletic, and other programs.