Admissions

Admissions At Hood River New School

Thank you for your interest in Hood River New School. We love helping you learn about our school and our approach to learning. We encourage all interested families to learn more about our application process below. From application to visitation, the admissions process is designed for us to get to know each applicant, and for each applying family to get to know our approach well.

We are at capacity for the 2024-2025 academic year and have begun a waitlist for all grade levels. Students will be admitted from the waitlist as space allows and in the order determined by the admissions committee to best fit the school. Our enrollment period for the 2025–2026 school year begins February 1, starting with re-enrollment for current families and an open house for prospective families March 17, 2025. However, we’d love to meet you sooner! Prospective families with questions are welcome to schedule a meeting in January or February with our Head of School, Claire Gilchrist.

 

Checklist for Application Process

All prospective families must complete the following application process to be considered for admission to New School.

  • Submit Application Paperwork and Application Fee

    • Application materials for 2025-2026 will be available February 1, 2025. Paper and electronic copies will be available.

    • The application fee of $50 will be waived for families applying for Flexible Tuition.

  • Attend a Campus Tour

    • Parent’s and caregivers are required to attend a Campus Tour on March 17 at 7:00 pm. Join interested families in a casual get-together. Meet our staff, hear from current and alumni students and families, and take a tour. Tours are designed for parents, but students are welcome to attend and last about an hour.

    • Register Today or call 541-436-4430 if you cannot attend.

  • Attend a Student Visit

    • Prospective students are invited on campus for a morning to visit classes, participate in group activity, and complete a short writing assignment.

    • Contact administration@hoodrivernewschool.org or call 541-436-4430 to reserve your space.

 

Meet with the Head of School, Claire Gilchrist

Schedule a meeting or phone call with Ms. G to get all your questions answered. While not a necessary step in the application process, a short, informal conversation is a wonderful way to discover if New School will be a great fit for your student. Book a meeting time here.

Key Dates

  • February 1 - March 31, 2025 - Returning student enrollment period

  • February 1 - April 30, 2025 - New Student Applications Accepted

  • March 17, 2025 - Campus Tour 7:00-8:30 pm

  • April 15, 2025 - Student Visit Day 12:20 -3:40 pm

  • April 17, 2025 - Student Visit Day 12:20 -3:40 pm

  • April 30, 2025 - Application and Application Fee Deadline

  • April 30, 2025 - Flexible Tuition Application Deadline

  • Admission Decisions will be made by May 9, 2025.

  • May 16, 2024 - Signed enrollment agreement and security deposit due*

  • After May 16, 2025 - rolling admission applications accepted until school capacity is reached.

2025-2026 applications will be available February 1, 2025

If you’re ready to apply, please visit the application page.

Important Considerations

We welcome all students entering grades 6, 7, and 8 to apply. The window for new student applications is February 1, 2025 - April 30, 2025. After April 30, New School may consider additional applicants if space is available in any class, however, applicants must still complete the application checklist (schedule a meeting with Ms. G, attend a student visit day and submit an application) to be considered for admission.

Review our Tuition and Financial Information page, and apply for tuition assistance if applicable. Tuition assistance is available to all students. We cannot guarantee tuition assistance applications will be reviewed after April 30.

If you have more than one child hoping to attend Hood River New School, please fill out a separate application for each child.

Admissions Considerations

Fostering community lies at the heart of Hood River New School. New School accepts students across a wide range of academic and financial spectrums. When reviewing applications and making admissions decisions, New School not only considers the potential for the student and family to enrich the school community but also the school’s ability to enhance the academic and social growth of the student. All admission decisions take into account various factors including, but not limited to, student transcripts, written assignments, teacher recommendations, and extracurricular talents for a more holistic evaluation. New School reserves the right to balance gender, age, and population needs in each core classroom.

Waitlist

New School employs a waitlist once school capacity has been reached and the school receives more applications from qualified students seeking admission than there is room to accept. The waitlist offers an opportunity to remain in consideration for admission, should space become available. Students will be admitted from the waitlist as space allows and in the order committee determines the best fit for the school.

*Upon receiving notification of acceptance, and a Flexible Tuition offer if applicable, families have two weeks to secure their students’ space by completing the registration process. After two weeks, the spot will be released to a waitlist candidate.