Each admission season, we consider various factors, including the unique composition of the applicant pool, which changes annually. We evaluate each child’s social, academic, and emotional aspects and also consider the overall group dynamics, such as gender balance, age distribution, academic ability, and diversity. As the applicant pool and cohort evolve each year, we aim to find the best fit for the group as a whole. Parents or legal guardians of all reviewed applications will receive one of three admission decision notifications:

• Accepted – The student is a good fit for CHA, and an offer of acceptance will be extended.
• Wait Pool – The student is a good fit for CHA, but the number of qualified applicants exceeds class capacity. If/when openings in a particular grade level occur, a qualified applicant will be selected from the Wait Pool and offered admission.
• Regretfully Declined – The student is not a good fit for CHA. Please know that decisions are difficult to make, and we cannot share the reasons for denials, as admission files contain confidential information that may not be disclosed.

No, the wait pool is a group of applicants who have a continued interest in enrolling at CHA, and it is not rank-ordered. When an opening occurs, we look at a variety of factors, including gender balance, diversity, learning styles, and social skills, and we then determine who might be the best fit given the current make-up of the class.

As admissions files contain confidential information that may not be disclosed, we do not disclose the reasons for denials. We are always sorry to convey disappointing news, and it is also important to note that the admissions process is a complex one. With every child and with every situation, we carefully weigh all of the variables both for that child, and what their academic, social, and emotional needs are, as well as for the group as a whole, looking at gender balance, age distribution, academic ability, personality/temperament, and more.

Absolutely. If you apply the following year, you'll need to complete the application process, submit the required documents, and have your child participate in a student visit again.

While we appreciate parents’ insight and consideration of teachers, we do not take parent requests. We spend a lot of time understanding who students are through your application, their file and previous performance, and the observations we make of them through the assessment process. The student placement process is thoughtfully mapped out prior to the start of the school year, factoring in a number of different variables, such as, but not limited to: gender balance, age distribution, prior school history, prior sibling relationship with teacher, peer dynamics, diversity, academic ability, learning needs, and personality/temperament.

IQ testing (WPPSI/WISC) is not required as a part of our application process, but families are welcome to submit educational evaluations if they help to provide a more complete picture of the student and their learning needs. Additionally, students accepted to CHA who have current testing through an Educational Psychologist will be eligible for consultation with our Student Services Director to determine if interventions are appropriate.

If your child has an Individual Education Plan, 504 Plan, testing provided by an Educational Psychologist, or reports from specialists/therapists, you are welcome to share those with us if they would help to provide a more complete picture of your child and their learning needs. 

We can provide accommodations that fall within the scope of our resources to eligible students. We call these Accommodation Plans because, as a private school, we are not bound by Section 504. The legal framework of our approach to providing accommodations is in the American Disabilities Act. We have an established process to determine accommodation eligibility.

All Kindergarten applicants will need to have turned five years old by  August 31st in the proposed year of entry, in keeping with the WA state norm.