Admissions Process

Admissions Process

Our Admissions Process is designed to provide several opportunities for a family to visit campus and discover the value of our small student-to-teacher ratio and our individualized learning model. We require that a family attend at least one Coffee & Chat or the Open House, and schedule a separate campus tour. Students will be required to attend a shadow day for Kindergarten through 5th Grade. Students applying for K3 and K4 will come for a morning visit and assessment. Other on campus opportunities include Story Time for our K3-K5 students, and World's Fair Day for any prospective parent. We will offer rolling admissions, therefore classes may fill up early. 

Visit Opportunities for the 2024-2025 year

• Campus Tours: Beginning Sept. 2, 2024 Hear and see how our school mission is implemented on a daily basis, and discover many of the opportunities afforded the students both inside and outside the classroom. Parents will view the classrooms but interaction with  teachers is reserved for the Story Time Open House in order to minimize the disruption during instructional time. Tours and Shadow Days are required for admittance to HVCS.
• Shadow Day: This allows faculty to observe social and peer interactions. The assessment is included during the visit. These will occur November-January.
  • K3, K4, and Kindergarten Assessment: Prospective students will complete a checklist evaluating developmental milestones.
  • 1st-5th Grade Assessment: Prospective students will be screened using the  STAR Assessments in reading and math. 
• Story Time Open House: November 16, 2024 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Need something fun to do on a cold Saturday morning? HVCS is one of the few local  elementary schools to offer a drama program.  Attendees will have an opportunity to hear a story and see it acted out by our talented drama students. Afterwards they will enjoy a snack and structured play time while parents meet teachers and have a chance to ask questions about individual grades. This event is highly recommended for prospective students. Must RSVP by phone to the school 2 days prior to the event. (ph. 423.894.3200)
• Coffee & Chat: February 4, 2025 drop in from 8:00-10:00 a.m. Chance to meet with our Head of School and Admissions Director. Hear what makes HVCS unique among many school options here in the Chattanooga area. Please RSVP by phone to the school 2 days prior to the event. (ph. 423.894.3200)

Guidelines for Applying to HVCS

1. Prospective parents are required ideally to attend both a Coffee and Chat event, an individual tour, and the Story Time Open House. 
2. Beginning in September of the year prior to the year of interest, families should schedule a tour. Applications may be completed online starting September 1 and should be completed prior to the tour.
3. Prospective Students will be scheduled for a visit/assessment day from November-January. Applications must be submitted prior to the visit day. If a student is 1st grade or older, we also require school records and a Teacher Character Reference Form before an acceptance offer can be made. An application fee of $100 is due at the time of the assessment. Grades K5-5th will visit for an entire school day with the assessment done during that time. Prospective K3 and K4 students will attend a morning visit and assessment until 1:00 p.m.
4. Following the visit day, admissions personnel will meet to make a collective decision about a prospective student's likelihood of success at HVCS. Parents can expect to hear from the school within one week. Acceptance offers will be mailed or emailed to the family. To secure a spot for the applicant the contract must be signed and returned within two weeks with the non refundable deposit of $400. This is applied towards the tuition.
5. Age Requirements:
   1. Prospective K3 students must be 3 by August 15th of the school year and must be fully potty trained (no pull ups).
   2. Prospective K4 students must be 4 by August 15th of the school year and must be fully potty trained (no pull ups).
   3. Prospective K5 students must be 5 by August 15th of the school year.