Admissions
Admissions Process
The 2023-24 Admissions Process
While most students enter The Center in the Toddler program, Early Childhood 1 “EC1” (the first year of preschool), or Kindergarten, we welcome applications at all grade levels!
1. Complete an Inquiry Form
List of 1 items.
-
The first step of your process is completing an Inquiry Form online.
Please submit your Inquiry Form here. Once our office processes your inquiry, you will receive an email with follow-up instructions.
Click here to view important dates for applying to CEE.If you have any difficulty accessing or completing the Inquiry Form, please contact the Admissions Office by phone or email so that we can help!To inquire about submitting a late application to our 2023-24 waitlist, please call our Admissions Office at (323) 651-0707.
2. Complete an Application Online
List of 1 items.
-
Please see below for information about 2023-24 Applications.
The online application process begins after you submit your inquiry form (see above). The application form includes general information as well as longer questions so that we can learn more about your child and family.At the end of the application, you will be asked to submit a $100 application fee by credit card before submitting the application. If your family is applying for financial aid, the application fee will be waived.
Please note: While the application deadline for 2023-24 has passed, we continue to accept Elementary applications (Grades 1-6) to the wait list. Interested families should contact the Admissions Office for more details.
If you are unable to apply online or need any support, please call us so that we can help!
Inquire Now
3. Attend a Virtual Admissions Open House
List of 1 items.
-
After submitting an online application, parents and guardians will be invited to attend an Open House.
After your application has been processed, you will be able to register for your Virtual Open House through your applicant checklist.
Our 2-part Virtual Open House is designed to help applicant families learn more about our program, philosophy, and community. First, parents are invited to explore a self-guided Open House webpage that includes videos, slideshows, recordings, and text materials. Following the self-guided portion, parents/guardians participate in a live Zoom Q&A session with our program administrative and admissions teams. Open Houses begin in September and run through December.
After your Virtual Open House, you will be invited to our campus for an in-person visit*. We look forward to meeting you soon!*We will update applicant families with visit protocols and requirements as event dates approach.
4. Complete Your Parent Tour and Interview (in-person)
List of 1 items.
-
After attending a Virtual Open House, families are invited to visit The Center in-person!
Parent visits are structured to include a small-group tour as well as an individual family interview. Kindergarten visits include a child visit and screening in addition to the Parent Tour and Interview (more details in the next step!).Tours are led by current CEE parents and are an important way for applicant parents and guardians to learn about our school and community first-hand.Parent Interviews are an opportunity for applicant families to meet with us and share more about their child and family. The Parent Interview is a 30-45 minute conversation between the applicant child's parent(s)/guardian(s) and a member of our Admissions Interview Team.
We have a wonderful, diverse interview team made up of administrators and faculty as well as the Admissions team. Interviewers are assigned based on availability and grade level--we are not able to accommodate requests for specific interviewers.
All parents/guardians should attend the interview. Please let us know in advance if a parent is unable to attend.*We will update applicant families with visit protocols and requirements as event dates approach.
5. Student Visit and Screening (Kindergarten-6th Grade/C6 applicants only)
List of 1 items.
-
We look forward to getting to know applicant children during Kindergarten and Elementary Visits!
Kindergarten Visits include the Parent Interview and Tour, as well as a group Kindergarten Screening for your child. Our Kindergarten Screening includes a story time, mini-PE class, and small group activities with CEE faculty and administrators. The purpose of this visit is for us to learn more about each child in our school setting.
Elementary applicants (first through sixth grade) are invited to a full-day school visit. Children visit their current grade level for classes, lunch, and recess times, and also complete a math, reading, and writing academic screening.
We recognize that the Screening is a short period out of a child's life. We consider the Screening in the context of the Parent Application, Parent Interview, the Preschool Evaluation Form/Elementary Recommendation Form and, for elementary applicants, the Administrative Recommendation Form, and previous school records.*We will update applicant families with visit protocols and requirements as event dates approach.
6. Submit Additional Documents (Kindergarten-6th Grade/C6 applicants only)
List of 1 items.
-
Kindergarten-6th Grade applications require additional forms.
Kindergarten-6th Grade applications must include a Teacher Recommendation Form completed by a current core teacher, submitted directly to, and received by, The Center’s Admissions Office (online or hard copy).Additionally, students applying to Elementary grades beyond Kindergarten must submit an Administrative Recommendation Form (LAIS) as well as a Release of Records Form to their current school. The Administrative Recommendation should be completed by a current school administrator and sent by the school directly to The Center. The Release of Records Form requests that the current school send copies of the child's progress reports and any completed standardized testing to The Center.The Teacher Recommendation Form, Administrative Recommendation Form, and the Release of Records Form can be downloaded from the Applicant Checklist in mid-Fall, after a family has applied to The Center.
7. Submit Your Financial Aid Application (if applicable)
List of 1 items.
-
The Center is committed to an economically diverse community. We encourage all families to learn more about our financial aid program!
If your family is applying for financial aid, please submit your financial aid application and documents before the new applicant family financial aid deadline of January 13, 2023.
The financial aid process is outlined here. Please call us with any questions!
8. Notification of Admission Decisions!
List of 1 items.
-
The Center for Early Education will notify families of 2023-24 admissions decisions on the following dates:
- Toddler and Early Childhood Programs - February 9, 2023, after 5:00 PM
- Kindergarten and Elementary Programs - March 10, 2023, after 5:00 PM (shared by Los Angeles Independent Elementary Schools)
Financial aid decisions will be communicated on the same day as admissions notifications.
If you have any questions about The Center’s application process, we would love to help! Please contact Katrina Lappin, Director of Admissions, or Lindsay Watson, Assistant Director of Admissions.
1
/
9
Learn More
The Center for Early Education, a socio-economically and culturally diverse independent school for children, toddlers through grade six, strives to graduate students who are joyful, resilient, life-long learners. The Center embraces a philosophy of education that combines a nurturing, inclusive learning environment with an increasingly challenging academic program that addresses the developmental needs of each child.