Selection Policy
Admission to Banbury Crossroads Private School requires a careful discernment and matching procedure between the philosophical goals and expectations of the school, and those of the prospective students and their parents. Provided that such a match is observed by the administration of the school, and agreed upon by the parents and students, the prospective students may be admitted to Banbury Crossroads, regardless of academic achievement, religion, race or economic status.
When a student is admitted, it is assumed that the parents wish the student to remain at the school on a long-term basis, with the minimum time being the current school term in its entirety, and the financial commitment is for that time period. Special considerations deviating from this must be discussed beforehand with the school administration. Part of the basis for this expectation is the desire to obtain, if possible, long-term commitments from parents (and this expectation holds for teachers as well).
The benefits for children attending the school for a number of years are considerable, since they are thus allowed to grow in their organizational skills, and to develop academically at their own individual pace, without worrying unduly and prematurely about their grade placement. Over a period of time, slow periods of academic work can be compensated for by periods of intense, catch-up work, which can assist students in equalizing their grade levels in the various subjects before leaving this institution. In addition, long-term enrolment allows the children to establish close-knit ties with their peers and staff, and eliminates the pressures of constant changes in their environment.
Parents, too, may have a more constructive effect on the school environment, and a larger vested interest in problem-solving and helping the school to grow toward excellence, when they have committed themselves to longer-term enrolment of their children. Moreover, long-term enrolment, particularly during the entire current school term, is essential for the administration to budget staffing needs correctly, and to ensure the availability of monies for staff salaries.
To provide for Special Education needs, if undue stress upon staff or economic budgets would be imposed, parents may be required to negotiate with administration regarding financial provision for extra staffing or materials. In addition, under such circumstances, parental assistance may be required to organize and/or provide outside professional input regarding the Special Needs child.