FAQs
What kind of child succeeds at Belmont Day School?
A child with strong cognitive skills, a love of learning, a deep curiosity, and thoughtfulness toward others will flourish at Belmont Day. We partner with parents to nurture all students’ intellectual, artistic, social, emotional, and athletic qualities.
Why choose a school that ends in grade 8?
Thinking about the whole child also means understanding the developmental phases of growing up. Having a pre-k to grade 8 school model allows us to have two divisions—the lower school and middle school—that provide natural arcs in the journey of childhood. Our lower school comprises pre-kindergarten to grade 5. Our middle school is grades 6, 7, and 8. Each division has an arc for learning and growth, and this model supports a successful transition from childhood to adolescence. At each level, students have a strong sense of constantly growing, with authentic leadership opportunities and greater community responsibility. Middle school students take pride in being role models for younger students and build confidence as school leaders. We prepare students for the challenging decisions and choices they will make in high school in a safe environment that values their contributions and limits the distractions that can come with older counterparts. Giving them this voice greatly enhances the high school search process, as students are more likely to be invested in their success when they are a partner in the high school decision.
I have access to a strong public school. Why should I consider Belmont Day?
Our dedicated and talented faculty, staff, and administrators are committed to genuinely knowing your child and supporting their growth throughout their time at Belmont Day. These productive mentor relationships inspire students to set their sights high and cultivate their greatest potential. Our small student-to-teacher ratio and innovative curriculum emphasize choice, challenge, and creativity. Belmont Day students are given choices daily to ensure they are active participants in their education. Free from the limitations of state testing, such as MCAS, our curriculum pulls from the best practices in each discipline and is built to challenge learners at every level. Belmont Day students have many opportunities inside and outside the classroom to understand themselves as learners and develop as community leaders. Our graduates leave Belmont Day with a strong sense of self-identity and a collection of passions that helps them choose the most impactful future experiences.
What athletic and arts programs do you offer for middle school students?
Our middle school students are deeply immersed in athletics and arts, with time for both built into each school day. In grades 6 to 8, students have an hour-long athletics block and interscholastic competitions four days a week. Students choose from various sports, with seasoned athletes challenged by our successful varsity teams, while emerging athletes are developed through intramural and junior varsity play. Grade 6 students enjoy a broad foundation in music, woodworking, digital technology, visual art, and theater arts, while seventh and eighth grade students choose from a vast menu of unique electives each trimester. Throughout the year, students experience opportunities to perform in concerts, plays, and other settings.
Do you accept late applications?
Our application deadline is Wednesday, January 10, 2025. For those who come later to the process, we cannot guarantee that we will have openings for the grade level you need, but we encourage you to call our office to inquire about availability. We are happy to consider a family’s late application if and when we anticipate an appropriate opening.
When is my child eligible to enter your pre-kindergarten program? What are your guidelines for kindergarten entry?
We require applicants to pre-kindergarten to turn four before September 1 of the year they wish to start at Belmont Day and for kindergarten applicants to turn five. In addition to screening for this chronological age requirement, we also focus on carefully assessing a child’s developmental readiness for our unique program. The parent interview is an excellent opportunity to ask questions about child readiness and placement in the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten admission process.
I applied, and my child was waitlisted or denied admission. Can I reapply next year?
We do accept reapplications, and we will provide limited feedback to families before they submit a new application. Admissions decisions are always complex because we seek to assess a candidate and family’s fit with our school philosophy and program and balance out and complement our existing classes of students. Just because a student receives a waitlist or denial letter one year does not necessarily mean they will encounter the same result the following year.
