Frequently Asked Questions
What are the school hours at The Child’s Primary School (TCPS)?
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We do not have a weekly minimum day.
Do you offer extended care/after school programs?
Extended Care is normally available before school beginning at 7:45 am and after school until 5:00 p.m. at a reasonable hourly rate. Students also have the option to join a variety of After-School Enrichment Programs throughout the school year when health and safety conditions permit. Our programs may include robotics, soccer, science programs, art programs, chess and many others.
What are the class sizes at TCPS?
No more than 12 students per class in K-2nd grade and 16 students per class in 3rd-8th grade. Our small class sizes enable a close teacher - student relationship and provide each student with the attention to individual needs necessary for maximizing growth and development.
Is TCPS the right school for my child? How can I be sure?
We know this is the question that many parents are ultimately trying to answer when they look at schools for their child. We also know that after visiting many schools, researching schools online for hours, and talking with family and friends (each who have their own opinion), parents often feel overwhelmed trying to find the right school.
The goal of the admissions process at The Child’s Primary School is to admit students who we believe will be successful in the unique program offered at TCPS. We strive to make certain that each student we admit is right for our school and that TCPS is the right school for your child.
How do you make that determination?
Unlike a lottery or other random process, we designed our admissions process to get to know each student as an individual. We believe this is the best way to determine if a school is right for a particular child. By getting to know the child as an individual, we are able to assess each candidate’s academic, social and behavioral readiness for the grade for which they are applying. Doing this enables us to increase the likelihood of a positive school experience for the student, their family, their class, and the TCPS community at large.
So, what are you looking for in a successful applicant?
We admit students from a wide range of backgrounds and academic abilities. We have students at TCPS who have been accepted into gifted and talented programs as well as seminar programs. Like students everywhere, our students may excel in some subjects and may need support from an attentive teacher in others.
We see our students as individuals. A typical TCPS student is one who is eager to learn and fully participate in a robust and engaging academic program, who is curious and open to the idea that learning at a high level can be interesting and even fun! Some of our students start at TCPS having lost that love of learning and our goal is to revive their interest in exploring new ideas and encourage them to take risks in a safe environment supported by teachers and classmates, working together or individually to excel at their own level. A new elementary student excitedly remarked after his first day “this school is awesome!”.
Really, there is no “typical TCPS student.” We are looking for families who believe their child will flourish in an environment that allows for creativity within structure. We are looking for families that expect a challenging academic program but also want their child to develop skills such as:
How to be a successful student
How to become an independent thinker
How to communicate effectively with teachers and peers
How to work as part of a team
How to effectively resolve conflicts
How to become a responsible and motivated lifelong learner
We are looking for families who want their child to discover and reach their full potential.
How do I apply for my child?
The admissions process is covered in greater detail on the Application Process page. You can begin the process by calling a member of our admissions team at (858) 576-2120 or completing our online form to schedule a tour of the school. We encourage you to tour first, however you can apply online through our online Application Form at any time either before or after your tour.
Along with the written application, each applicant has a personal interview/evaluation with one of our teachers. Once the application and interview are completed, the Admissions Committee will make a decision. For best consideration apply in the fall for early consideration or by our priority application deadline of February 1. Admissions decisions are usually communicated in late February or early March (or for early consideration, in December). After that time, applications are considered on a space available basis.
Are there any opportunities to visit the school?
We recommend that everyone interested in learning more about TCPS sign up for a school tour. Tours are offered through the week and can be scheduled by completing our online tour request form, by emailing admissions@tcps.org, or by calling (858) 576-2120. We also welcome prospective families to attend admissions events during the school year.
What about affordability? Does TCPS offer financial assistance?
Yes, financial aid is available. TCPS strives to keep tuition as low as possible to keep our independent private school education accessible to as many families as possible. To help meet this goal, financial assistance is also available on a sliding scale for those who qualify. Financial aid decisions are made by our Admissions Committee with guidance from a third party vendor which administers the application. Please see our Tuition and Financial Assistance page for important deadlines and information regarding the financial aid application process or call or email our Admissions office with any questions.
What is your immunization policy?
Under a strict law, SB277, families no longer have the option of claiming exemption from California vaccination requirements based on personal beliefs.
As of July 1, 2016, all children must be fully immunized before enrolling in public or private school or daycare.
Please note that no student will be allowed to attend The Child’s Primary School (or any other public, private or charter school in California) if they do not meet California vaccination requirements—this is the law.
Children with medical conditions, who meet specific criteria, may be exempt. Learn more about California immunization requirements and medical exemptions at the buttons below. This is not a school-based decision.
What about COVID vaccines? While not required for students attending school in California, we encourage those eligible to be immunized against COVID. We will continue to follow San Diego County requirements for schools as they are updated.