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When and how should I begin the application process?
Contact our Admissions Director to arrange a visit and obtain the necessary paperwork. While we do not have a set deadline for applications, we strongly recommend that you apply before the December holiday break for the following school year, especially for preschool and kindergarten.
What are the school hours?
Grades K-6 begin at 8:30am and end at 3:00pm. Middle schoolers begin slightly earlier - at 8:20 am, and the pre-school programs have different start and end times, based on program. To see a listing of all school hours per program, see the program schedule page.
Do you have an extended day program?
Yes, we have a program for 4 year olds (enrolled in the full-time program) through 8th graders that begins at the end of the school day and runs until 6:00 pm. Families pay for their child's participation in this program. See the after school section for more detail.
Do you have extracurricular activity offerings?
Yes, we offer both girls and boys sports programs year round - soccer and in the fall, basketball in the winter, and track and field in the spring. Practices and games are generally three days per week. Periodically, we also offer special sessions such as cooking and art classes. See the section for more detail. We also run a summer camp that runs from 8:30am-4:30 pm, with early drop off and late pick-up options. Fees and offerings are listed on the camp page.
Do you provide transportation for your students?
Residents of Pennsylvania are entitled to receive busing from their local school districts as long as the school you are attending is within ten miles driving distance of the edge of your local district, and the district provides busing to its own students. Busing is arranged by UFS in conjunction with the local school districts. Specific districts currently busing to UFS are listed on the Admissions page.
What type of testing do you require for admission?
Applicants are evaluated during their visit to the school as part of the admissions process. Generally, outside testing is not required, however, exceptions to this may be made when the Admissions Committee feels that additional outside testing is necessary to make a decision.
What is the average class size and how many classes do you have at each grade level?
The average class size for K-8 is sixteen students and most, but not all, classes are mixed grade levels, i.e. The Fox class is comprised of 2nd and 3rd graders, the Anthony class is 3rd and 4th graders etc. Class composition varies from year to year based on enrollment, student needs and the availability of resources.
How does the multi-graded classroom accommodate the needs of the students?
This arrangement allows for some students to remain with the same teacher for two years as a positive educational experience, and sets up natural peer learning opportunities within the classroom due to the mix of ages, abilities and maturity levels. To learn more, see the multi-graded classroom section.
Where do your students go after UFS?
Our students attend, and thrive, in a variety of high school settings after graduation from UFS. See the high school chart in the Why UFS section which lists what schools, both public and independent, recent UFS graduates have been choosing to attend for their next level of education. Our graduates excel in a myriad of high school environments, both public and independent, due to the small, nurturing environment we provide. A sampling of current schools attended by UFS alums includes:
- Abington Friends School
- Christopher Dock High School
- Delaware Valley High School
- Emmaus High School
- George School
- Hill School
- Lehigh Valley School of the Performing Arts
- Moravian Academy
- Palisades High School
- Pennridge High School
- Perkiomen School
- Quakertown High School
- Solebury School
- Saucon Valley High School
- Southern Lehigh High School
- Sounderton High School
- Westtown
We invite you and your child to come to the school to get a real sense of the vibrancy and joy in the classrooms. In addition to scheduled open houses in November and February, our Admissions office is pleased to schedule tours and observation days as requested. We also invite interested families to join in the fun of our social events throughout the year, providing an opportunity to meet our faculty, staff, other parents, students and graduates.
Do you offer financial aid?
Yes, UFS does have a need-based financial aid program completely separate from the admissions process. Further information can be found on the Admissions page and by speaking to our Director of Admissions.
What opportunities are there to volunteer?
UFS was founded on the principle that parental involvement in our children's education is absolutely essential, and the school cannot function successfully without each family accepting and acting on this commitment. In addition to the classroom volunteering that each teacher may request, UFS asks parents to participate on committees, work days, and on special projects as time and talent allow. Committees include Education, Fundraising, Hospitality, Property, Budget & Finance, Long Range Planning, Nominating and Personnel. Each family is expected to come to two workdays per year - one for your child's class, and an "all-school" workday after graduation in June. The Property Committee is always looking for those with particular trade background or talent that could be helpful to accomplish their projects. Interested parties should contact the clerk of the Property Committee know so that we can best use your time and energy.
Do you have a lunch program?
We do not have a cafeteria, however we do offer two opportunities for students to sign-up for hot lunches once or twice a week. Our Tuesday pizza day has been running successfully for years. Last year, we also began a "Grains and Greens" program which was part cooking program on Wednesdays - when healthy, vegetarian food was made by the cooking students, and then a hot lunch program on Thursdays - when any student in the 4th -8th grades, plus faculty and staff, could sign-up for.
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