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Admission FAQ
Why select The Meadows School for your child?
The Meadows has an extremely successful and proven college-preparatory program for grades pre-kindergarten through twelve on a beautiful 40-acre campus. The program is traditional, challenging and creative and has national test scores and other indicators that speak to its success. The Meadows School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, and co-educational day school that strives to provide an excellent education to intellectually able and ambitious students.
The School has established objectives to reinforce traditional values and emphasize the cultivation of integrity, good manners, and personal discipline. Careful consideration is given to the stages of development and styles of learning which recognize the varying abilities of each child. Self-confidence of each student will build through setting and achieving realistic goals. Low student-teacher ratios are maintained for high quality, interactive learning and for satisfying individual needs.
What makes The Meadows educational program stand out relative to peer schools?
The Meadows School uses the standardized comprehensive testing program of the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) published by the Educational Testing Services, Princeton, New Jersey. This test is administered annually in the spring to first through eighth grades. Meadows students have a record of consistent scores by grade in the top 90th-100th percentile in all subject areas normed with a population of similar independent and rigorous academic school programs across the nation. The ERB provides an annual evaluative insight into student achievement, faculty effectiveness, and strength of the School's curriculum. The PSAT is required of all 9th, 10th, and 11th graders. Historically for a junior class of approximately 60 students the School averages 8-12 National Merit Semifinalists. The SATs and ACT are required as appropriate for specific post-secondary institutions. Mean combined SAT test scores have typically been around 1310, and mean ACT score has been 28. These compare very favorably to the best independent schools in the country.
What kind of student is The Meadows School seeking through the admissions process?
All children are tested and interviewed to determine their academic, intellectual, social, and physical levels and suitability. In general, the students who are most successful here are intellectually able and academically ambitious children with parents who support their child's educational needs.
What are the average college entrance exam test scores and what universities have accepted Meadows students?
When considering a college prep school for their children, parents are interested in SAT and ACT test score results and colleges/universities that seniors are accepted to upon matriculation. The Meadows School has placed 100 percent of its graduates in four-year colleges or universities since the first graduating class in 1991.
The link below provides answers to these questions.
School Profile and Colleges
I have heard that it is difficult to get into The Meadows School. What are the best points of entry?
Anyone interested in the School is encouraged to apply. Your child will be considered for an opening that might occur at anytime if the file is complete, the child has been tested, and the disposition is to accept awaiting placement. Traditionally the re-enrollment process begins mid-February and families are usually notified after March 1 of space availablility. However, some families do move out of Las Vegas during the year so an opening could occur at anytime. Tours are given, applications taken, and testing is done throughout the year. Enrollment in every grade has been very strong throughout the School's history.
May my child visit the School to get a feel for the students and environment?
Tours are required and scheduled during class-time for adults. Young children do not seem to be distracted by adults touring but are distracted if small children are included in the tour. Younger children (grades K-5) do not tour, but students are encouraged to tour in grades 6-12. In Upper School, "shadow days" are scheduled so that students can spend part of a day visiting classes with an enrolled student.
Will my child be on a wait-list if there is not an opening?
If your child has been accepted pending an opening, their name is retained in a current ASAP (Accepted Student Awaiting Placement) file. Every grade level is different as to the size of this ASAP file, but every effort is made to manage the numbers within a reasonable time frame so families have a sense of being admitted in the near future.
What is the admissions process?
Each division has a somewhat unique admissions process; however, the common elements are to request an admissions packet, come and tour the School, complete all parts of the admissions packet, submit prior official transcripts as pertinent, send in the admissions fee ($100), schedule a "shadow day" in Upper School, and schedule and complete testing. Once the process is complete, you will be notified regarding acceptance to the School.
What is the homework load at The Meadows School?
With a challenging academic program and reasonably high expectations from all of our faculty, the homework load at The Meadows School is substantial, but developmentally appropriate. In Upper School, if a student is taking a number of Advanced Placement classes, he or she can expect around 3 hours of homework each night. In Middle School, a student has on average 1-2 hours of homework each night. In Lower School, the homework load varies from kindergarten to 5th grade.
What is the student-teacher ratio?
In Beginning School, there are no more than 18 students in a classroom, with two teachers per classroom. In Lower and Middle School, there are no more than 20 students in a classroom. In Upper School, the average number of students per class is approximately 12 or 13. School-wide, there are 910 pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students, 90 full and part-time faculty, bringing our overall ratio to about 11:1.
Do we accelerate students in our program?
In Lower School students' needs are met within the confines of the classroom. Those who need more challenge are generally met by "teaching to the top" of each student's ability. In Middle School, there are advanced math tracks for students whose aptitude in math is strong. In Upper School, the Advanced Placement program for students who desire more challenging classes generally suffice. Most importantly, the kindergarten through grade 12 curriculum at The Meadows School is an advanced or honors-level program for all students.
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