Admission FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore a list of the most commonly asked questions by parents considering Westside Neighborhood School. If you have a question that we don’t answer in the FAQ’s contact us directly for a response.

What type of school is Westside Neighborhood School?

WNS is a private, independent, preschool through eighth grade progressive school. Our hands-on, minds-on, constructivist, and project-based learning approach combines the power of a growth mindset, the tools from a strong social-emotional program, and the opportunities to apply all of this to a nearly limitless range of learning experiences. This is essential to our commitment to educate children today for an unknown world of tomorrow.

What are your daily hours (including earliest drop off and latest pick up)?

Early Childhood Center arrivals and pick-ups are staggered and occur between 8:30 am – 9:00 am and 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm, respectively.

For kindergarten through eighth grade, our school day begins at 8:15 am, with morning drop-off beginning at 7:30 am. Dismissal times occur between 2:45 pm and 3:50 pm, depending on the grade level.

WNS offers early and late care through our ACE (After Class Enrichment) Program for all students Preschool-8. Early drop-off (free of charge) for ECC students begins at 8:00 am and for K-8th grade students at 7:30am. Late pick-up (for a fee) for all students extends until 5:30 pm.

Is toilet training required for entry to the preschool?

Yes, all students must be toilet learned before entering preschool, (i.e. be consistently out of diapers and using the toilet).

Is WNS accredited?

WNS is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. It is also a member of the National Association of Independent Schools.

Will my child automatically matriculate into the K-8 program after the Early Childhood Center?

Yes, students enrolled in WNS’s preschool and DK automatically matriculate into the WNS K-8 program.

How old should my child be to apply to preschool, DK, or kindergarten?

Preschool: 2 years, 9 months by September 1, 2024 (DOB between June 2020 – December 2021)

DK: 4 years, 4 months by September 1, 2024 (DOB between June 2019 – May 2020)

Kindergarten: 5 years by August 1, 2024 (August birth dates are considered based on developmental readiness) 

The August 1 cutoff date of birth remains as a guide for grades 1–7.

How many students are in each class in each division?

ECC (Preschool & DK): Seven classrooms of 12-17 students in each, with two teachers per class.

Kindergarten & 1st: Three classrooms of 18-20 students each, with two teachers per class.

Grades 2-5: Two classrooms with 24-26 students in each, with two teachers per class.

Grades 6-8: Departmentalized, with 50-60 students per grade level; students are placed in groups of 8-17 depending on the subject area.

What is your policy on admission for siblings?

WNS’s sibling policy is consistent with our philosophy of supporting families. Although we cannot guarantee admission, siblings are granted preferential consideration if the student is well qualified and the family has supported the school’s mission and philosophy.

Are campus tours and admission presentations available for the Early Childhood Center, elementary, and middle school?

We can’t wait to get to know you, and introduce you to the philosophy of WNS! We invite you to visit our Admissions Processes and Dates page to learn more about our events.

Does WNS require students to wear a uniform?

We encourage all K-8 students to wear any WNS spirit shirt on days when they are scheduled for PE classes. Alternatively, a plain blue shirt can also be worn. Students can wear whatever athletic bottoms they choose, and should always wear athletic shoes and socks. WNS does not require a uniform on non-PE days. Early Childhood Center students do not wear a PE uniform, nor a regular uniform.

Does WNS have a lunch program? Are snacks provided?

WNS is pleased to offer families the option to order delicious and healthy lunches during the school year for all grades Preschool-8 through the Organic Kids LA program. Ordering and payment is convenient through their simple, secure online system and must be done so in advance. Their program uses natural, local, and organic ingredients whenever possible, and all poultry and dairy products are antibiotic- and hormone-free. To maintain their commitment to being kind to the environment, their program uses 100% recyclable and compostable packaging.

In the Early Childhood Center, snacks are provided for all students. In grades K-8, students bring their own snacks from home.

Does WNS offer transportation?

For students 4 years and older, WNS offers morning bus service, for an additional fee, in the following areas every morning:

North Route  (Venice, Sawtelle, Playa Vista)
  • Walgrove Elementary
  • Sawtelle & National
East Route (Inglewood, Windsor Hills, Ladera Heights)
  • Regent & Market
  • Windsor Hills Elementary
  • Ladera Park

South Route (South Bay, Westchester, Playa de Rey)

  • Aviation & PCH (Redondo Beach)
  • Pacific Elementary (Manhattan Beach)
  • Falmouth & Manchester (Playa del Rey)

Families receiving financial assistance may be eligible for support with bus fees.

Is financial assistance available?

Yes. WNS offers need-based financial assistance for all levels PS-8. Click here to learn more.

When will we be notified of admission (and financial assistance, if applicable) decisions?

Preschool & DK: Notification letters are emailed February 29, 2024 at 2:00 pm. Enrollment contracts and the non-refundable deposit are due no later than 12:00 pm on March 5, 2024.

K-8: Notification letters are emailed March 8, 2024, at 5:00 pm. Enrollment contracts and the non-refundable deposit are due no later than 12:00 pm on March 15, 2024.

What are the COVID-19 vaccination requirements at WNS?

We see it as a very important component of a personal and community health strategy and appreciate that nearly 100% of our students are currently vaccinated against COVID-19. We continue to monitor reliable studies, Health Department guidance, and the recommendations of our Health, Safety, and Security Task Force.
Based on all of our current information, WNS will not be requiring documentation of COVID-19 vaccinations for students as a part of enrollment for the 2023-24 school year. Given the current trends we see with the pandemic and based on the information we have at this time, we still highly recommend that all students are vaccinated for COVID-19, and will continue to provide vaccination clinics as frequently as possible to support efforts to stay current with COVID boosters and flu vaccines. 
We reserve the right to again require COVID-19 vaccinations for all students in the event that:
  • (a) the State of California requires it of schools OR
  • (b) conditions and information change in such a way that we determine it is necessary to require COVID-19 vaccinations to maintain the health and safety of the school community.

Schedule a Campus Tour

We invite you to witness the magic that makes up WNS and its thriving community. Register online and book your tour today.