Family FAQ's
1) When did the school open?
Juniper Hill School opened its doors as an independent school on Tuesday, September 13th, 2011 and in its first four years has tripled enrollment and added a grade level annually. Prior to its first full school year, from 2010-2011, Juniper Hill operated as a nature immersion program once a week on Friday mornings. Now called, simply, Nature, this program is still available on Thursdays and Fridays for homeschool and pre-school students ages three to five, in addition to the pre-kindergarten Seeds class and the K-2 Rootlets class.
2) When does the school year begin? What holidays does it observe?
We follow a standard school year schedule, with holidays and vacation based on the RSU 12 calendar. The 2015-16 elementary school year begins on Tuesday, September 1st and the preschool programs begin the following week on Tuesday, September 8th. Our weather-related school closings and delays are also in accordance with RSU 12. We have a similar number of teacher workshop days to RSU 12, although our dates may differ.
3) Does the school schedule include special events or family/teacher conferences?
The school has a rich calendar of events, work days, and conferences to build a vibrant school community. Events include celebrations to mark each season, as well as two work days, and a picnic on the last day of school.
4) What are the ages of the students?
The age range for the school year 2015-2016 is three years old to eight years old (pre-K through 2nd grade). Juniper Hill also offers a half-day Nature on Thursdays and Fridays to foster eco-literacy among children ages three to five.
5) Where is it located?
Juniper Hill School is located in midcoast, Maine on a 42-acre riverfront property of woodlands, fields, streams, and marsh. We are in the town of Alna and sit just north of Sheepscot Village on Golden Ridge Road, which runs parallel to Route 218. The school is five miles from downtown Wiscasset, seven miles from downtown Damariscotta, nine miles from Whitefield, 11 miles from Woolwich, 13 miles from Bath, and 20 miles from Hallowell. Children who reside in Alna and Westport Island may attend Juniper Hill School as a school of choice (five full days for Kindergarten and older). Find us on this map.
6) What are the school’s values and philosophies? What do you teach? What do students learn?
First, read our Mission and Values and download this description of our school's philosophy to get a solid understanding of our approach. Then take a look at our sample curriculum and sample schedule to get an idea of how we put these ideas into daily practice. As the schedule and curriculum indicate, we often break classes into smaller group "mini-lessons" to meet the needs of children at different ages and stages within each class. In addition, to better understand our approach to preschool and kindergarten learning, we also encourage you to learn about Nature Pre-schools and Forest Kindergartens.
7) Who are the teachers?
Please refer to our staff page for information on the 2015-16 teaching faculty.
8) How large are the classes?
We have low teacher to student ratios; we work to keep the ratio to one teacher per 6-10 students. Each class level has a different limit (Seeds enrolls 6-8 students per teacher and Rootlets enrolls 10-12 students per teacher). Each classroom has several spaces for different kinds of indoor work as well as a variety of wonderful settings and special spots for outdoor learning. Classes do some of their work as a whole group, some in two separate groups, and other work (such as mini-lessons) in even smaller groups. (Nature enrolls 6-8 students.)
9) Does the school provide snacks or lunch?
All students bring a healthy lunch from home. Families sign up to provide healthy snacks for students in their child's class.
10) What are the options for the number of days? hours? *
Nature (ages 3-5)
Student drop-off is 8:30AM for Seeds and Rootlets and at 9:00AM for Nature. Pick-up time is promptly at 2:30PM for Seeds and 3:00PM for Rootlets. We have a nurturing and creative extended care program for Seeds and Rootlets students. Early care is from 7:30AM-8:30AM and after care ends is from 2:30PM-4:30PM. We will prepare the days snacks, preserve bounty from our school's garden, read, and mess about with art, yoga, music, and theater.
* Juniper Hill School closes at 1:00PM every Friday for teacher professional development.
11) How much does Juniper Hill School cost (2015-2016)*?
The tuition rates for 2015-2016 are as follows:
*Siblings receive a 10% discount for the second (and third, and so on) child enrolled in the same school year (discount applied to the least expensive program(s)).
*Families are responsible for providing outdoor gear for all seasons as outlined on our gear lists (Nature, Seeds, Rootlets).
12) Are tuition scholarships available?
We began offering financial aid in 2014 and have grown the financial aid program for the 2015-2016 school year. Families can apply for aid on TADS, our online system, when they apply for admissions or enrollment.
13) What is the application process? Open houses?
The four-step application and acceptance process includes:
14) Who do I contact for more information?
Anne Stires, M.Ed., School Director
Ph: 207-586-5711
Email: info@juniperhillschool.org
180 Golden Ridge Road
Alna, ME 04535
Juniper Hill School opened its doors as an independent school on Tuesday, September 13th, 2011 and in its first four years has tripled enrollment and added a grade level annually. Prior to its first full school year, from 2010-2011, Juniper Hill operated as a nature immersion program once a week on Friday mornings. Now called, simply, Nature, this program is still available on Thursdays and Fridays for homeschool and pre-school students ages three to five, in addition to the pre-kindergarten Seeds class and the K-2 Rootlets class.
2) When does the school year begin? What holidays does it observe?
We follow a standard school year schedule, with holidays and vacation based on the RSU 12 calendar. The 2015-16 elementary school year begins on Tuesday, September 1st and the preschool programs begin the following week on Tuesday, September 8th. Our weather-related school closings and delays are also in accordance with RSU 12. We have a similar number of teacher workshop days to RSU 12, although our dates may differ.
3) Does the school schedule include special events or family/teacher conferences?
The school has a rich calendar of events, work days, and conferences to build a vibrant school community. Events include celebrations to mark each season, as well as two work days, and a picnic on the last day of school.
4) What are the ages of the students?
The age range for the school year 2015-2016 is three years old to eight years old (pre-K through 2nd grade). Juniper Hill also offers a half-day Nature on Thursdays and Fridays to foster eco-literacy among children ages three to five.
5) Where is it located?
Juniper Hill School is located in midcoast, Maine on a 42-acre riverfront property of woodlands, fields, streams, and marsh. We are in the town of Alna and sit just north of Sheepscot Village on Golden Ridge Road, which runs parallel to Route 218. The school is five miles from downtown Wiscasset, seven miles from downtown Damariscotta, nine miles from Whitefield, 11 miles from Woolwich, 13 miles from Bath, and 20 miles from Hallowell. Children who reside in Alna and Westport Island may attend Juniper Hill School as a school of choice (five full days for Kindergarten and older). Find us on this map.
6) What are the school’s values and philosophies? What do you teach? What do students learn?
First, read our Mission and Values and download this description of our school's philosophy to get a solid understanding of our approach. Then take a look at our sample curriculum and sample schedule to get an idea of how we put these ideas into daily practice. As the schedule and curriculum indicate, we often break classes into smaller group "mini-lessons" to meet the needs of children at different ages and stages within each class. In addition, to better understand our approach to preschool and kindergarten learning, we also encourage you to learn about Nature Pre-schools and Forest Kindergartens.
7) Who are the teachers?
Please refer to our staff page for information on the 2015-16 teaching faculty.
8) How large are the classes?
We have low teacher to student ratios; we work to keep the ratio to one teacher per 6-10 students. Each class level has a different limit (Seeds enrolls 6-8 students per teacher and Rootlets enrolls 10-12 students per teacher). Each classroom has several spaces for different kinds of indoor work as well as a variety of wonderful settings and special spots for outdoor learning. Classes do some of their work as a whole group, some in two separate groups, and other work (such as mini-lessons) in even smaller groups. (Nature enrolls 6-8 students.)
9) Does the school provide snacks or lunch?
All students bring a healthy lunch from home. Families sign up to provide healthy snacks for students in their child's class.
10) What are the options for the number of days? hours? *
Nature (ages 3-5)
- 1 or 2 half day(s) on Thursday or Friday (with option to enroll in both), 9:00AM - 12:00PM
- 3 full days, 8:30AM - 2:30PM (M, Tu, W)
- 5 full days, 8:30AM - 2:30PM (M-F)
- 5 full days, 8:30AM - 3:00PM (M-F)
Student drop-off is 8:30AM for Seeds and Rootlets and at 9:00AM for Nature. Pick-up time is promptly at 2:30PM for Seeds and 3:00PM for Rootlets. We have a nurturing and creative extended care program for Seeds and Rootlets students. Early care is from 7:30AM-8:30AM and after care ends is from 2:30PM-4:30PM. We will prepare the days snacks, preserve bounty from our school's garden, read, and mess about with art, yoga, music, and theater.
* Juniper Hill School closes at 1:00PM every Friday for teacher professional development.
11) How much does Juniper Hill School cost (2015-2016)*?
The tuition rates for 2015-2016 are as follows:
- 3 full days: $6,150 (enrollment deposit is $500)
- 5 full days: $8,000 (enrollment deposit is $650)
- Nature Immersion: $1,350 for one day, $2,700 for two days (enrollment deposit is $225 for one day, $450 for two days)
*Siblings receive a 10% discount for the second (and third, and so on) child enrolled in the same school year (discount applied to the least expensive program(s)).
*Families are responsible for providing outdoor gear for all seasons as outlined on our gear lists (Nature, Seeds, Rootlets).
12) Are tuition scholarships available?
We began offering financial aid in 2014 and have grown the financial aid program for the 2015-2016 school year. Families can apply for aid on TADS, our online system, when they apply for admissions or enrollment.
13) What is the application process? Open houses?
The four-step application and acceptance process includes:
- Fill out the application and send a $35 application fee.
- Attend our open house in March 2016 or arrange a tour of the school.
- Arrange a scheduled teacher-child-parent meeting time.
- Admissions decisions for new students begin March 20 until all spaces are filled. (Priority is given to returning students and their siblings.) After that, students will be placed on our waiting list.
14) Who do I contact for more information?
Anne Stires, M.Ed., School Director
Ph: 207-586-5711
Email: info@juniperhillschool.org
180 Golden Ridge Road
Alna, ME 04535
