Application Process

As the laboratory school for Mills College School of Education, the Children's School strives to create balanced classroom populations that represent the greater community. To that end, we gather a pool of applicants each year, rather than keeping a waiting list or admitting students based upon dates of application. We value diversity and ask, in our applications, for you to provide information that reflects the unique nature of your child and family. Mills College Children's School (MCCS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or physical challenge.

In our admissions process, we give priority to the children of Mills College faculty, staff, and students, which typically make up about 20% of the school's enrollment. The siblings of currently-enrolled children make up another 10%, with the remainder coming from throughout the East Bay.

School Tours

We have completed our tour cycle for the 2013-14 admissions season and our priority deadline for applications was January 17 for Elementary School and February 8 for the Early Childhood program. However, we continue to accept applications all year round for both programs, and we do not keep a waiting list.

Here's how to apply for the 2013-14 school year:

1. Complete an application

Download an application here and return it with your $65 non-refundable application fee:

Elementary School Application

• Contact Whitney Walker, Admissions Director, to set up a private tour of our school and to have your rising K-5th grader visit our classrooms for a morning on a regular school day.
• For the 2013-14 school year, MCCS will accept Kindergarten applications for students who will be 5 years old by December 1, 2013. During classroom visits, we assess each child to determine readiness for either our K or K/1 class.
• If there is space in the classroom to which you are applying, we will give you a timeline for making our admissions decision once your child's application is complete.

Early Childhood Application

• We cannot conduct private tours of our Early Childhood program, but if we have your application on file and a space opens up that fits your child, we'll contact you to come in and see our facilities at that time.
• If a space does not open up for your child, we can hold your application over for the following school year, 2014-15, and invite you on a group tour in December, 2013.

2. Elementary only: Submit a recommendation form

Ask your child's teacher to complete the applicable Recommendation Form for the grade your child will be entering.

Kindergarten recommendation

Grade 1-5 recommendation

These forms are confidential and should be mailed by the teacher directly to: 

Mills College Children's School
5000 MacArthur Boulevard
Oakland, CA 94613

Or fax to 510.430.3223

Decisions

As a member of the East Bay Independent Schools Association, Mills College Children's School adheres to a commitment to supporting families in making educational decisions that are in keeping with their individual children, aspirations, and resources. Any openings will be filled from our pool of applicants on the basis of maintaining balanced and diverse classroom populations. If your child is offered a spot at the Children's School, you will be asked to make a non-refundable $1,000 deposit to hold her/his space.

Questions?

Contact our Admissions Director:

Whitney Walker
510.430.2053
wwalker@mills.edu