We are so glad that you are considering admission to Ambleside Marion for your child. After you have explored our website, visited the school, and asked any questions of our admissions staff, we warmly welcome you to apply.

The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all steps in the application process are completed.

STEP ONE: Schedule a School Tour

The best way to start is for you to schedule a visit to our campus where you can experience the atmosphere of Ambleside firsthand. We would love to meet you and learn more about your family. When you schedule a visit you’ll have a chance to sit in on some classes and talk with administration. Tours are currently available for grades PreK -6th. Please plan for an hour. Call our office at (618)318-8971, or email Admin@AmblesideMarion.com to schedule a tour.

STEP TWO: Application

Following your school tour, an application will be provided for you.  Application forms and a non-refundable $50 application fee (check or cash) can be submitted to the Ambleside School of Marion office at 1409 Broeking Road, Marion, IL 62959.

STEP THREE: Applicant Examination

A testing appointment will be scheduled after the application has been received. The $30 examination fee (check or cash) per child is due at the time of testing. Each applicant is required to take an entrance examination.

STEP FOUR: Required Readings

Both parents or guardians of the applicant must read For the Children’s Sake, by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay, or When Children Love to Learn, by Elaine Cooper, as well as the Ambleside Guiding Principles and the Parent/Student Handbook. It is also recommended to watch Ambleside Schools International’s video series on an Introduction to the Ambleside Method.

These and other recommended readings are available at the school office. A loaner copy of the Parent/Student Handbook will be made available at the time of the student entrance exam.

STEP FIVE: Parent Interview 

A personal interview with both parents or all guardians is required for each family applying to Ambleside School of Marion. Parents need to call the school office to schedule an appointment for an interview after completing the required reading.

DECISION AND ENROLLMENT

Following completion of the above, letters of acceptance or non-acceptance will be sent out. Qualified applicants will be considered based on space availability and optimal classroom mix. If a particular class fills, accepted students may be placed in a Wait Pool and parents will be informed.

If accepted, secure your child’s space by returning the signed enrollment agreement, which will accompany your acceptance letter, along with the $250 non-refundable enrollment deposit per student, which will be applied to tuition for the upcoming year.

STEP SIX: Transcripts / Academic Records Request

A Request for Student Records form is included in the Student Application. Please complete and sign so that the applicant’s educational records may be released to Ambleside School of Marion upon enrollment. This may include report cards, standardized aptitude and/or achievement test scores, etc.

STEP SEVEN: Medical Forms

A copy of the applicant’s immunization record, a certification of a school-entry health exam, and a copy of the applicant’s birth certificate are required before a student can attend classes. Medical forms are available from your doctor or the Health Department.

• Eye exams are required for students entering Kindergarten or their first year of school (excluding Pre-K and Young Fives).

• Dental exams are required for students entering Kindergarten, 2nd, and 6th

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

Ambleside School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Ambleside School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, hiring policies, scholarship and financial aid programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.