FAQs

What is a cooperative school?

A cooperative school is run by a group of parents who hire teachers to work with their children. Parents are integral to both the educational and operational processes at the school; they volunteer in many ways from administration through to daily support in the classroom. Parents also help to form schoolwide policy.

What are the hourly requirements of being a member?

Co-oping, or parent volunteering, is a core value of WPCS, which also helps us keep our tuition low and our program quality high. Our volunteer commitment works out to 2 hours per week per quarter. However, we ask that some of those hours be spent physically helping out teachers in the classroom in 6 hour shifts. For the fall quarter, parents will volunteer for four six-hour shifts, for a total of 24 hours. The rest of your co-oping hours can be earned by attending town hall meetings, open houses, committee meetings, potlucks, work days, or picking up odd jobs around the school. At the end of the quarter, unmet co-op hours are billed at a rate of $22/hour to reflect the real financial necessity of co-oping for the school.

What hours are the school day?

School runs from 8:00am-2pm Monday through Friday. You can enroll for 2-5 days per week as space allows.

Do you offer aftercare?

Yes. You can enroll your child in aftercare from 2pm-6:00pm for 1-5 days per week as space allows.

What days is the school closed throughout the year?

While the schedule may vary from year to year, the school is closed about once a month for teacher planning days, for two weeks around winter break, and for all federal holidays. You can see the latest school calendar here.

What is a school day typically like?

WPCS is a play-based school. Children have extended periods of free play where they choose what they would like to do but are supported by supplemental activities offered by teachers. Every day, all children have free play, small group instruction, large group activities like music or read alouds, and quiet time to rest or play alone.

Can you describe the curriculum?

WPCS uses “emergent curriculum” which means teachers support children’s interests as they develop. Teachers answer questions children have in real time but also focus ongoing curriculum on what children continue to be curious about day after day.  Emergent curriculum is embedded in free play through added props, books, and games, and is woven into small group instruction through projects, investigations, and arts-based activities.

What is the teacher-student ratio?

Teacher-to-student ratio is 1:6.

What ages do you accept?

We currently accept children who will be 3 by 1/1/26, up through to children age 5.

What is the cost of tuition?

Tuition varies on a yearly basis, based on our budget. The exact amount you pay each month fluctuates depending on how many days your child is at school that month. The current daily tuition (8:00am-2pm) is $56 per day, and aftercare (2pm-6:00pm) is $41 per day.  Drop-in aftercare is available for $35/day as long as it is within the teacher-student ratio.

Do you accept CCIS?

Unfortunately we are not certified to accept CCIS or other subsidies at this time.

How do I apply?

Contact our School Administrator at wpcs.ad@gmail.com. The application fee is $25 per family.

Who can I contact for additional questions?

Please email our School Administrator, Alexandra Brown, at wpcs.ad@gmail.com.