FAQs

We hope this information will provide an additional insight into a child’s experience at Winston Prep. Please contact our Director of Admissions, Erica Piche, M.A. CCC-SLP, via email epiche@winstonprep.edu or at (973) 500-6480 for further information.

Q. What​ is the school day like?
A. Students ​can ​arrive ​as ​early ​as ​7:45am. ​Homeroom ​starts ​at ​8:15am ​and ​first ​period ​begins ​at ​8:25am. Each ​period is ​45 ​minutes, ​and ​the ​school ​day ​ends ​at ​3:00pm ​on ​Monday, ​Tuesday, ​Thursday ​and ​Friday. Wednesday ​classes ​are ​25 minutes ​with ​dismissal ​at ​12:20pm ​to ​allow ​for ​meetings ​and ​professional workshops. ​On ​Wednesdays, ​students ​have ​the option ​of ​staying ​for ​supervised ​art ​and ​sports ​activities until ​3:00pm.

Students ​attend ​one ​period ​of ​language ​skills, ​literature, ​mathematics, ​history, ​science ​and ​Focus, ​our one-to-one daily ​program. ​In ​addition, ​students ​have ​one ​period ​of ​physical ​education ​two ​to ​three ​times per ​week, ​alternating with ​art ​class.

Q. Why​ ​ is​ ​ there​ ​ a​ ​ half-day​ ​ on​ ​ Wednesdays?​ ​ Is​ ​ there​ ​ an​ ​ option​ ​ for​ ​ students​ ​ to​ ​ stay​ ​ at​ ​ school?
A. Every​ ​Wednesday,​ the ​students​ ​are ​dismissed​ at ​12:20pm ​to ​provide ​teachers ​the ​opportunity ​to ​meet ​for professional ​development ​and ​team ​meetings. ​These ​team ​meetings ​allow ​Deans, ​content ​teachers, ​and Focus teachers ​to discuss ​each ​group ​of ​students ​and ​implement ​the ​Continuous ​Feedback ​System, ​as ​well as ​have ​discussions related ​to best ​practices ​and ​latest ​research. ​As ​such, ​we ​offer ​students ​the ​option ​to stay ​at ​school ​until ​3:00 for ​supervised ​art ​and ​athletic ​programs.

Q. What​ happens at lunchtime?
A. Winston provides supervised lunch/ recess periods for all students. There are two lunch periods that are divided by age. Students are provided a full class period (45 minutes) to eat with friends and are offered recess outside or within our gymnasium during inclement weather and winter months. The entire year, students also have the option of playing board games in the Great Room or going to the art room for supervised art time. ​Sophomores,​ juniors​ and​ seniors,​ who​ are​ in​ good​ academic​ standing​ and​ with permission​ from​ their​ parents,​ have​ permission​ to​ leave​ campus​ with​ a​ teacher​ and​ walk​ to​ the​ local shopping​ center​ to​ eat​ with​ friends​ for​ lunch.

Q. What​ activities are available after school?
A. In keeping with our dynamic learning model, we are constantly striving to develop new and interesting extracurricular options designed to meet the interests of each year’s student body. In response to community interests we have provided after-school activities, such as basketball, cross country, baseball, fencing, archery, swim, digital photography, Japanese Anime study, art, Zumba, science club, chess, acting and improv, yearbook committee, and community service club. We also offer Homework Hub (a supervised homework center) after school Monday through Thursday. As a small school, we are supportive of responding to the interests of our community and plan to continue to develop after school sports and programs based upon our dialogue with families and students.

Q. How many students are in each class?
A. Winston classes typically have between eight and twelve students with one teacher. Students are grouped based upon their learning profile, an understanding of which is developed through leadership and Admissions Committee review of the information shared by families, including neuropsychological reports, educational evaluations, parent feedback, etc. Meaningfully, our overall faculty to student ratio is 1:3.

Q. What is the ratio of boys to girls?
A. The​ ​ratio​ ​within​ ​the​ ​school​ ​varies​ ​from​ ​year​ ​to​ ​year,​ ​but​ ​it​ ​is​ ​typically​ ​about​ ​35​ ​-​ ​40%​ ​girls.​ ​Although​ ​it has​ ​become​ ​apparent​ ​that​ ​boys​ ​are​ ​historically​ ​more​ ​frequently​ ​diagnosed​ ​with​ ​learning​ ​differences​ ​than are​ ​girls,​ ​we​ ​strive​ ​to​ ​achieve​ ​a​ ​nearly​ ​equal​ ​ratio​ ​and​ ​work​ ​to​ ​maintain​ ​this​ ​balance​ ​every​ ​year.

Q. Do students have a homeroom?
A. The​ ​child’s​ ​first​ ​period​ ​teacher​ ​acts​ ​as​ ​a​ ​student’s​ ​homeroom​ ​teacher.​ ​At​ ​Winston​ ​Prep,​ ​all​ ​students​ ​go directly​ ​to​ ​their​ ​first​ ​period​ ​class​ ​at​ ​8:15am,​ ​and​ ​homeroom​ ​takes​ ​place​ ​from​ ​8:15​ ​-​ ​8:25.​ ​​ ​The​ ​structure​ ​of homeroom​ ​is​ ​customized​ ​based​ ​on​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​each​ ​group​ ​of​ ​students​ ​and​ ​what​ ​we​ ​determine​ ​is​ ​the​ ​most productive​ ​way​ ​for​ ​them​ ​to​ ​begin​ ​their​ ​day.​ ​For​ ​example,​ ​while​ ​some​ ​homeroom​ ​classes​ ​are​ ​dedicated​ ​to targeting​ ​organizational​ ​and​ ​other​ ​types​ ​of​ ​executive​ ​functioning​ ​skills,​ ​some​ ​homeroom​ ​classes​ ​use​ ​this time​ ​for​ ​community​ ​building​ ​activities​ ​and​ ​to​ ​foster​ ​social​ ​interactions.

Q. What is Winston’s homework policy?
A. Our​ ​overarching​ ​goal​ ​of​ ​creating​ ​independent,​ ​self-reflective​ ​learners​ ​is​ ​directly​ ​applied​ ​in​ ​our​ ​approach to​ ​homework.​ ​We​ ​view​ ​homework​ ​as​ ​a​ ​valuable​ ​way​ ​to​ ​reinforce​ ​skills​ ​presented​ ​in​ ​the​ ​classroom,​ ​and​ ​as an​ ​assessment​ ​tool​ ​that​ ​allows​ ​teachers​ ​to​ ​evaluate​ ​the​ ​effectiveness​ ​of​ ​classroom​ ​instruction​ ​and​ ​learning strategies​ ​unique​ ​to​ ​the​ ​learning​ ​style​ ​of​ ​each​ ​student.​ ​Therefore,​ ​homework​ ​is​ ​an​ ​extension​ ​of​ ​learning that​ ​allows​ ​for​ ​daily​ ​practice​ ​of​ ​skills​ ​presented​ ​during​ ​class,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​amount​ ​and​ ​difficulty​ ​of​ ​assignments is​ ​reflective​ ​of​ ​each​ ​student’s​ ​level​ ​of​ ​skill​ ​in​ ​that​ ​area.​ ​With​ ​Dean​ ​collaboration,​ ​teachers​ ​design homework​ ​assignments​ ​to​ ​be​ ​completed​ ​without​ ​parental​ ​help.​ ​We​ ​emphasize​ ​​quality​​ ​over​ ​​quantity​ ,​ ​and that​ ​mistakes​ ​are​ ​a​ ​part​ ​of​ ​learning​ ​that​ ​help​ ​us​ ​understand​ ​where​ ​a​ ​student​ ​needs​ ​additional​ ​support.​ ​We have​ ​found​ ​that​ ​this​ ​approach​ ​facilitates​ ​our​ ​students’​ ​sense​ ​of​ ​accomplishment,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​relieving​ ​our parents​ ​of​ ​homework​ ​duty.

Q. Do I need to continue outside tutoring if my child comes to Winston?
A. While​ ​the​ ​decision​ ​to​ ​continue​ ​outside​ ​tutoring​ ​is​ ​an​ ​individual​ ​one,​ ​we​ ​find​ ​that​ ​most​ ​students​ ​at​ ​Winston Prep​ ​no​ ​longer​ ​need​ ​outside​ ​tutoring/learning​ ​support​ ​because​ ​of​ ​the​ ​customized​ ​curriculums​ ​and​ ​intense remediation​ ​they​ ​receive​ ​within​ ​the​ ​Focus​ ​program​ ​and​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​school​ ​day.​ ​Our​ ​leadership​ ​team and​ ​faculty​ ​welcome​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​discuss​ ​your​ ​child’s​ ​needs​ ​both​ ​as​ ​a​ ​WPS​ ​student,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​their receiving​ ​support​ ​outside​ ​of​ ​the​ ​school​ ​setting.

Q. What is your cell phone policy?
A. Cell​ ​phones​ ​and​ ​portable​ ​electronic​ ​devices​ ​are​ ​not​ ​permitted​ ​during​ ​the​ ​school​ ​day.​ ​If​ ​they​ ​bring​ ​it​ ​to school,​ ​they​ ​must​ ​leave​ ​them​ ​in​ ​their​ ​lockers.​ ​​ ​They​ ​may​ ​only​ ​be​ ​used​ ​in​ ​the​ ​front​ ​office​ ​with​ ​a​ ​teacher’s permission.

Q. Is there a dress code?
A. As​ ​our​ ​students​ ​become​ ​independent​ ​adults,​ ​choice​ ​regarding​ ​dress​ ​will​ ​arise.​ ​Part​ ​of​ ​our​ ​social-emotional curriculum​ ​includes​ ​a​ ​continuing​ ​discussion​ ​about​ ​what​ ​to​ ​wear​ ​to​ ​school​ ​and​ ​work.​ ​We​ ​require​ ​students to​ ​arrive​ ​at​ ​school​ ​in​ ​clean,​ ​neat​ ​and​ ​appropriate​ ​attire.

Winston​ ​Prep’s​ ​Philosophy​ ​&​ ​Programmatic​ ​Design

Q. How does Winston’s educational philosophy determine my child’s learning cohort?
A. The​ ​design​ ​and​ ​implementation​ ​of​ ​each​ ​student’s​ ​educational​ ​program​ ​begins​ ​with​ ​an understanding​ ​of​ ​their​ learning​ ​profile​ ​in​ ​the​ ​context​ ​of​ ​a​ ​neuropsychological​ ​model​ ​of​ ​learning Disorders,​ ​as​ ​described​ ​in​ ​our​ ​Open​ ​House presentations.​ ​This​ ​model​ ​is​ ​a​ ​result​ ​of​ ​neuropsychological and​ ​educational​ ​research​ ​that​ ​describes​ ​the​ ​learning process​ ​as​ ​an​ ​interactive​ ​one​ ​that​ ​involves​ ​three-part processing:​ ​language​ ​based,​ ​non-verbal​ ​and​ ​executive functions,​ ​which​ ​allows​ ​us​ ​to​ ​begin​ ​to​ ​focus​ ​upon and​ ​investigate​ ​primary​ ​areas​ ​of​ ​learning​ ​difficulty.​ ​The​ ​Head​ ​of School,​ ​Assistant​ ​Head​ ​of​ ​School,​ ​and Deans​ ​assess​ ​shared​ ​student​ ​data,​ ​with​ ​students​ ​then​ ​grouped​ ​into​ ​cohorts​ ​of similar​ ​learners​ ​based​ ​on their​ ​specific​ ​academic​ ​and​ ​social-emotional​ ​needs.​ ​This​ ​allows​ ​your​ ​child’s​ ​teaching​ ​team to​ ​more precisely​ ​develop​ ​a​ ​curriculum​ ​that​ ​meets​ ​the​ ​skill​ ​and​ ​content​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​each​ ​student​ ​in​ ​a​ ​small​ ​group,​ ​so that​ ​the​ ​dynamic​ ​nature​ ​of​ ​each​ ​learning​ ​profile​ ​can​ ​be​ ​understood​ ​and​ ​addressed.

Q. Does Winston Prep use a particular decoding instructional program?
A. Winston​ ​Prep​ ​uses​ ​a​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​instructional​ ​methods​ ​to​ ​address​ ​students’​ ​needs.​ ​Faculty​ ​development ensures​ ​that all​ ​teachers​ ​are​ ​familiar​ ​with​ ​various​ ​methods​ ​of​ ​remediation​ ​to​ ​be​ ​used​ ​with​ ​students including,​ ​but​ ​not​ ​limited​ to,​ ​The​ ​Orton-Gillingham​ ​method,​ ​the​ ​Wilson​ ​Reading​ ​Program,​ ​Preventing Academic​ ​Failure​ ​(PAF),​ ​and​ ​Lindamood-Bell.

Q. What is the QSIL?
A. We​ ​know​ ​the​ ​importance​ ​of​ ​academic​ ​skills,​ ​but​ ​we​ ​also​ ​know​ ​from​ ​research​ ​that​ ​there​ ​are other​ ​skills​ ​that​ ​are crucial​ ​in​ ​the​ ​lives​ ​of​ ​all​ ​students.​ ​At​ ​Winston​ ​we​ ​call​ ​these​ ​qualities​ ​the Qualities​ ​of​ ​a​ ​Sustainable​ ​and Independent​ ​Learner.​ ​Through​ ​the​ ​Science​ ​of​ ​Learning initiatives​ ​we​ ​have​ ​been​ ​able​ ​to​ ​identify​ ​the​ ​factors​ ​that contribute​ ​to​ ​success​ ​after​ ​high school​ ​and​ ​the​ ​qualities​ ​necessary​ ​to​ ​achieve​ ​them.​ ​Specifically,​ ​they​ ​are Resilience, Social Responsibility, Self-Advocacy, Self-Regulation, Self-Reflection, Communication/Social Skills, Problem Solving,​ ​​ and​ Management and Organization​ .​ ​Key​ ​to​ ​a​ ​student’s​ ​development​ ​of​ ​these qualities​ ​is​ ​the assessment​ ​of​ ​them,​ ​the​ ​student​ ​and​ ​the​ ​community’s​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​them, specific​ ​individualized​ ​goals​ ​related​ ​to development,​ ​and​ ​activities​ ​that​ ​strengthen​ ​these qualities​ ​embedded​ ​throughout​ ​each​ ​WPS​ ​students’​ ​program.​ ​All students​ ​and​ ​teachers​ ​complete​ ​the QSIL​ ​survey​ ​once​ ​a​ ​year​ ​in​ ​the​ ​spring.​ ​Reports​ ​are​ ​generated​ ​from​ ​the​ ​result,​ ​and serve​ ​as​ ​the​ ​basis​ ​for goal​ ​creation​ ​and​ ​program​ ​development​ ​for​ ​individual​ ​students.​ ​Furthermore,​ ​results​ ​are utilized​ ​in discussions​ ​with​ ​students​ ​and​ ​parents​ ​when​ ​appropriate.​ ​Sustained​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​developing​ ​the​ ​QSIL permeates every​ ​aspect​ ​of​ ​life​ ​at​ ​WPS​ ​from​ ​discussions​ ​with​ ​peers​ ​and​ ​faculty​ ​within​ ​the​ ​classroom,​ ​to clear​ ​expectations​ ​for extra-curricular​ ​activities.​ ​Students​ ​then​ ​are​ ​able​ ​to​ ​adopt​ ​these​ ​qualities​ ​into​ ​their own​ ​set​ ​of​ ​values.

Q. Is there a focus on social and emotional learning at Winston Prep?
A. At Winston Prep, we are proud of our focus on Social Emotional Learning and School Climate. The focus on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) takes many forms at Winston Prep, but comes from a belief that social emotional competencies are as important as academic ones. At Winston Prep, we strive to teach students not only how to read and write, but also the principles of conflict resolution, group decision-making, effective communication, personal responsibility, the ability to form relationships and the ability to set and achieve goals. SEL is integrated into a student’s curriculum throughout the day at Winston Prep. Within content classes at Winston, the curriculum is carefully chosen not only to broaden student’s horizons in terms of their appreciation of art and culture, but also to encourage them to​ take on multiple perspectives and foster empathy toward others. SEL also takes place during Focus, where teachers may pair their students with others to work on conflict resolution or social decision-making in the moment. Further emphasis is put on these characteristics via the QSIL and Winston’s grading system. Students are not only given feedback on their coursework but also on their ability to internalize the social emotional skills that will make them lifelong independent learners.

At Winston Prep we celebrate and remediate each student’s individual strengths and weaknesses. Although we are not a therapeutic school for students with primary social or emotional disorders, we recognize that many of the challenges of learning may carry over into the social realm. For example, a student with a nonverbal learning disability may have difficulty understanding the nonverbal information communicated in a social interaction. For these students, social problem solving may be one of the main components of their education. In this case, they will work closely with their Deans and teachers to analyze and understand social misunderstandings and conflicts when they occur. At Winston Prep, we view these social misunderstandings or conflicts as teachable moments from which students can further expand their social problem solving skills.

Winston Prep is proud of its partnership with the National School Climate Center (NSCC). As part of this liaison, students, teachers and parents have participated in NSCC’s annual school climate survey. Notable results included that Winston students ranked Community and Collaboration, Respect for Diversity, and Social Emotional Safety as the top three strengths of their school. Both Winston parents and teachers rated Social, Emotional and Ethical Learning as the greatest strength of WPS’s program. Winston students reported that they feel physically and emotionally safe at WPS and that their teachers respect and understand them. This climate of respect and understanding is what enables Winston students to learn about Language, Literature and Math, but also about themselves and others.

Q. Does Winston give grades?
A. Upon​ ​completion​ ​of​ ​each​ ​semester,​ ​narrative​ ​progress​ ​reports​ ​and​ ​grades​ ​are​ ​sent​ ​home​ ​to​ ​families.​ ​All students will​ ​receive​ ​a​ ​letter​ ​and​ ​number​ ​grade​ ​for​ ​each​ ​class.​ ​Grades​ ​are​ ​based​ ​upon​ ​the​ ​following criteria​ ​with consideration​ ​towards​ ​a​ ​student’s​ ​individualized​ ​goals/objectives:​ ​​Progress and Performance (e.g.,​ ​class​ ​work,​ graded​ ​assignments,​ ​homework,​ ​exams),​ ​​Participation​​ ​(e.g.,​ ​preparedness,​ ​class participation, cooperation/collaboration),​ ​and​ ​​Commitment/Effort​ ​​ (e.g.,​ ​openness​ ​to​ ​instruction, consistency​ ​of​ ​effort,​ ​self advocacy,​ ​problem​ ​solving,​ ​willingness​ ​to​ ​take​ ​risks).​ ​Faculty​ ​review​ ​of​ ​the grading​ ​system​ ​is​ ​ongoing​ ​with​ students,​ ​providing​ ​a​ ​sense​ ​of​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​expectations​ ​both​ ​within the​ ​academic​ ​setting,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​outside​ ​of the​ ​school​ ​environment.

Q. What is the background of Winston Prep teachers?
A. Winston​ ​Prep​ ​teachers​ ​come​ from​ ​a​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​professional​ ​and​ ​educational​ ​backgrounds.​ ​Many​ ​WPS teachers​ ​are professionals​ ​in​ ​the​ ​field​ ​of​ Learning​ ​Disabilities​ ​with​ ​degrees​ ​or​ ​careers​ ​as​ ​Speech​ ​and Language​ ​Pathologists, Reading​ ​Specialists,​ ​Learning​ ​Specialists,​ ​or​ Special​ ​Education​ ​Teachers.​ ​Weekly faculty​ ​meetings​ ​and​ ​workshops provide​ ​development​ ​of​ ​instruction​ ​for,​ ​and​ ​understanding​ ​of,​ students who​ ​‘learn​ ​differently’.

Q. What is the Summer Enrichment Program, and who usually attends?
A. The​ ​Summer​ ​Enrichment​ ​Program​ ​at​ ​Winston​ ​Preparatory​ ​School​ ​provides​ ​students​ ​with​ ​the​ ​unique opportunity​ ​to participate​ ​in​ ​an​ ​individually​ ​designed​ ​program​ ​aimed​ ​to​ ​enhance​ ​academic​ ​skills​ ​and foster​ ​independence.​ ​It​ ​is taught​ ​by​ ​Winston​ ​Prep​ ​teachers,​ ​using​ ​the​ ​same​ ​model​ ​and​ ​philosophy​ ​as during​ ​the​ ​academic​ ​year.​ ​Parents​ ​have​ ​the flexibility​ ​to​ ​create​ ​an​ ​academic​ ​program​ ​specifically​ ​matched to​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​their​ ​child.​ ​While​ ​the​ ​program​ ​is​ open​ ​to​ ​Winston​ ​Prep​ ​students,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​generally​ ​attended​ ​by students​ ​from​ ​other​ ​school​ ​settings​ ​who​ ​wish​ ​to​ ​skill build​ ​over​ ​the​ ​summer​ ​months.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​also​ ​a​ ​popular option​ ​for​ ​our​ ​new​ ​students​ ​to​ ​help​ ​transition​ ​into​ ​September.​ ​To learn​ ​more​ ​and​ ​apply,​ ​please​ ​contact Marc​ ​Silver​ ​at​ ​msilver@winstonprep.edu​ ​or​ ​call​ ​​ ​203.229.0465​ ​(x5645).

Admissions

Q. What is Winston Prep’s application process?
A. Winston​ ​Preparatory​ ​School​ ​accepts​ ​students​ ​on​ ​a​ ​rolling​ ​basis.​ ​Applications​ ​can​ ​be​ ​acquired​ ​on​ ​our website​ ​or​ ​by contacting​ ​Erica​ ​Piche,​ ​Director​ ​of​ ​Admissions.​ ​Attending​ ​an​ ​open​ ​house,​ ​completing​ ​our application,​ ​and participating​ ​in​ ​a​ ​student​ ​visit​ ​is​ ​required​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​consider​ ​your​ ​child​ ​for​ ​enrollment. Upon​ ​receipt​ ​of​ ​your child’s​ ​application,​ ​the​ ​Admissions​ ​Committee​ ​will​ ​review​ ​your​ ​application​ ​in​ ​an initial​ ​screening.​ ​If​ ​the​ ​Committee believes​ ​the​ ​applicant​ ​may​ ​be​ ​an​ ​appropriate​ ​match​ ​for​ ​our​ ​program, your​ ​child​ ​will​ ​be​ ​invited​ ​for​ ​a​ ​school​ ​visit, which​ ​includes​ ​a​ ​tour,​ ​interview​ ​and​ ​in-house​ ​assessments. Through​ ​the​ ​admissions​ ​process,​ ​the​ ​Committee​ ​begins​ ​to develop​ ​an​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​your​ ​child’s unique​ ​profile​ ​of​ ​strengths​ ​and​ ​weaknesses​ ​and​ ​identifies​ ​whether​ ​Winston Prep’s​ ​educational​ ​philosophy can​ ​meet​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​your​ ​child’s​ ​learning​ ​profile.​ ​All​ ​applicants​ ​will​ ​be​ ​notified of​ ​the​ ​Admission Committee’s​ ​findings​ ​within​ ​three​ ​weeks​ ​of​ ​the​ ​initial​ ​screening​ ​and/or​ ​interview.

Q. What is the tuition, and how do I finance a Winston Prep Education?
A. Winston​ ​Prep’s​ ​tuition​ ​for​ ​2017-2018​ ​is​ ​$63,400.​ ​The​ ​tuition​ ​allows​ ​Winston​ ​to​ ​employ​ ​leading​ ​educators in​ ​their fields​ ​while​ ​also​ ​maintaining​ ​small​ ​class​ ​sizes​ ​and​ ​a​ ​low​ ​student​ ​to​ ​teacher​ ​ratio.​ ​Winston Preparatory​ ​School​ offers​ ​various​ ​financial​ ​assistance​ ​resources​ ​in​ ​an​ ​effort​ ​to​ ​be​ ​as​ ​accessible​ ​as​ ​possible to​ ​all​ ​of​ ​our​ ​accepted families,​ ​regardless​ ​of​ ​financial​ ​status.​ ​Loan​ ​programs,​ ​payment​ ​plans,​ ​discounted tuition,​ ​and​ ​assistance​ ​with district​ ​funding​ ​mechanisms​ ​are​ ​some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​ways​ ​WPS​ ​assists​ ​families. Families​ ​can​ ​apply​ ​for​ ​a​ ​discounted​ ​tuition​ by​ ​submitting​ ​SSS​ ​forms​ ​(http://sssbynais.org/)​ ​and​ ​their​ ​most recent​ ​W2​ ​tax​ ​statements.​ ​Assistance​ ​is​ ​determined​ ​on a​ ​case-by-case​ ​basis​ ​by​ ​an​ ​internal​ ​finance committee.​ ​Currently,​ ​WPS​ ​does​ ​not​ ​have​ ​financial​ ​awards​ ​or​ ​endowed scholarships​ ​based​ ​on​ ​other qualifications​ ​such​ ​as​ ​merit,​ ​ethnic,​ ​or​ ​religious​ ​affiliations.

For​ all ​questions ​regarding ​tuition, ​funding, ​and ​financial ​aid, ​please ​contact ​Liz ​Ramirez ​at (​646) 343-9080 ​ext ​2205, or ​​eramirez@winstonprep.edu​.

Q. Does Winston Prep offer transportation?
A. Requests​ ​for​ ​transportation​ ​to​ ​or​ ​from​ ​school​ ​should​ ​be​ ​directed​ ​to​ ​the​ ​individual’s​ ​local​ ​school​ ​district. Winston​ ​Prep​ ​does​ ​not​ ​provide​ ​transportation​ ​and​ ​all​ ​communication​ ​occurs​ ​between​ ​the​ ​family​ ​and school​ ​district​ ​regarding​ ​our​ ​school​ ​schedule,​ ​vacations​ ​and​ ​after​ ​school​ ​activities.

Q. What types of students are not appropriate for WPS?
A. Winston​ ​Prep​ ​is​ ​a​ ​school​ ​for​ ​students​ ​with​ ​specific​ ​learning​ ​disorders,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​dyslexia,​ ​ADHD​ ​and Nonverbal Learning​ ​Disorders.​ ​WPS​ ​does​ ​not​ ​accept​ ​students​ ​with​ ​primary​ ​psychological​ ​or​ ​behavioral disorders,​ ​as​ ​WPS​ ​is​ ​not​ ​a therapeutic​ ​setting.

The​ ​Future

Q. Do Winston Prep students mainstream prior to graduation?
A. Winston​ ​Prep​ ​mainstreams​ ​an​ ​average​ ​10-15%​ ​of​ ​students​ ​each​ ​year.​ ​Our​ ​goal​ ​is​ ​for​ ​our​ ​students​ ​to become independent​ ​learners​ ​beyond​ ​the​ ​walls​ ​of​ ​Winston​ ​Prep,​ ​and​ ​utilizing​ ​the​ ​QSIL,​ ​Continuous Feedback​ ​System,​ ​and ongoing​ ​assessments​ ​allow​ ​us​ ​to​ ​monitor​ ​progress​ ​and​ ​continually​ ​challenge​ ​our students.​ ​We​ ​encourage​ ​an​ ​ongoing​ ​and open​ ​dialogue​ ​between​ ​the​ ​child’s​ ​family​ ​and​ ​Dean​ ​to​ ​determine when​ ​greater​ ​independence​ ​is​ ​achieved​ ​and​ ​to​ ​identify the​ ​types​ ​of​ ​options​ ​that​ ​may​ ​be​ ​appropriate​ ​as​ ​the next​ ​step​ ​for​ ​the​ ​student.

Q. What kind of diploma do Winston graduates earn?
A. Winston​ ​Prep​ ​is​ ​accredited​ ​by​ ​the​ ​New​ ​England​ ​Association​ ​of​ ​Schools​ ​and​ ​Colleges​ ​(NEASC)​ ​and​ ​the New​ ​York​ ​State Association​ ​of​ ​Independent​ ​Schools​ ​(NYSAIS),​ ​which​ ​allows​ ​for​ ​students​ ​to​ ​graduate with​ ​an​ ​Independent​ ​School Diploma.

Q. How does Winston facilitate the college application process?
A. As​ ​our​ ​College​ ​Placement​ ​and​ ​Transitions​ ​Coordinator,​ ​Marcus​ ​Luce,​ ​works​ ​closely​ ​with​ ​families,​ ​Focus teachers, and​ ​the​ ​Deans​ ​to​ ​facilitate​ ​the​ ​college​ ​or​ ​post-graduate​ ​program​ ​application​ ​process.​ ​The​ ​process begins​ ​in​ ​the junior​ ​year​ ​where​ ​a​ ​meeting​ ​is​ ​scheduled​ ​for​ ​the​ ​family​ ​to​ ​meet​ ​with​ ​Mr.​ ​Luce​ ​to​ ​develop their​ ​post-Winston​ ​college or​ ​transitional​ ​plan.​ ​Winston​ ​supports​ ​families​ ​that​ ​wish​ ​to​ ​partner​ ​with​ ​outside consultants;​ ​however,​ ​ask​ ​that these​ ​relationships​ ​remain​ ​collaborative​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​communication​ ​and responsibilities​ ​are​ ​clear​ ​for​ ​each​ ​party.​ ​We encourage​ ​families​ ​to​ ​visit​ ​colleges​ ​and​ ​programs​ ​during​ ​the summer​ ​preceding​ ​their​ ​senior​ ​year,​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​a​ ​better understanding​ ​of​ ​schools​ ​of​ ​interest.​ ​Focus instructors​ ​share​ ​in​ ​the​ ​preparation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​college​ ​application​ ​plan​ ​and are​ ​in​ ​constant​ ​communication​ ​with Mr.​ ​Luce​ ​and​ ​families​ ​to​ ​help​ ​ensure​ ​a​ ​smooth​ ​application​ ​process​ ​and​ ​transition to​ ​post-secondary options.

Q. Do students take the PSAT, SAT, or ACT?
A. Winston​ ​Prep​ ​is​ ​a​ ​College​ ​Board​ ​approved​ ​PSAT​ ​and​ ​SAT​ ​test​ ​center​ ​for​ ​Winston​ ​Prep​ ​students​ ​with accommodations. Our​ ​College​ ​Placement​ ​&​ ​Transitions​ ​Coordinator,​ ​Marcus​ ​Luce,​ ​partner​ ​with​ ​parents to​ ​determine​ ​and​ ​apply​ ​for accommodations​ ​as​ ​necessary,​ ​and​ ​coordinate​ ​on-site​ ​testing.​ ​The appropriateness​ ​of​ ​taking​ ​College​ ​Board​ ​exams​ ​is based​ ​on​ ​our​ ​working​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​the​ ​student’s profile,​ ​and​ ​individual​ ​conversations​ ​with​ ​the​ ​student’s​ ​Dean, parents,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Transition​ ​Team.​ ​Winston Prep​ ​does​ ​not​ ​provide​ ​on-site​ ​ACT​ ​administration.

Q. What is the Winston Innovation Lab?
A. The​ ​Winston​ ​Innovation​ ​Lab​ ​focuses​ ​on​ ​creating,​ ​refining​ ​and​ ​supporting​ ​all​ ​iterations​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Winston Preparatory School.​ ​Specifically,​ ​the​ ​Winston​ ​Innovation​ ​Lab​ ​continues​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​and​ ​expand​ ​projects and​ ​programs​ ​related​ ​to campus​ ​Professional​ ​Development,​ ​Teacher​ ​Excellence​ ​and​ ​Leadership Development,​ ​Qualities​ ​of​ ​a​ ​Sustainable​ ​and Independent​ ​Learner,​ ​Lives​ ​Over​ ​Time​ ​and​ ​Promoting Wellness​ ​Among​ ​Middle​ ​and​ ​High​ ​School​ ​Students,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as respond​ ​to​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​the​ ​campuses​ ​and expand​ ​on​ ​projects​ ​and​ ​areas​ ​in​ ​need​ ​of​ ​research.​ ​The​ ​Winston​ ​Innovation​ Lab​ ​is​ ​deeply​ ​connected​ ​to​ ​the campuses,​ ​and​ ​serves​ ​as​ ​an​ ​intellectual​ ​meeting​ ​place​ ​for​ ​the​ ​field​ ​of​ ​learning disabilities​ ​and​ ​WPS leaders​ ​and​ ​teachers.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​a​ ​place​ ​where​ ​WPS​ ​school​ ​leaders​ ​can​ ​come​ ​with​ ​their​ ​questions, curiosities​ ​and ideas​ ​to​ ​further​ ​stimulate​ ​collaboration​ ​and​ ​research.​ ​With​ ​the​ ​formal​ ​establishment​ ​of​ ​this​ ​already flourishing​ ​fifth​ ​pillar​ ​of​ ​WPS,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​hoped​ ​that​ ​WPS​ ​will​ ​be​ ​further​ ​recognized​ ​as​ ​a​ ​leader​ ​in​ ​the​ ​field​ ​of learning​ ​disorders​ ​and​ ​education,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​deepen​ ​partnerships,​ ​funding​ ​and​ ​research​ ​opportunities.

The​ ​Winston​ ​Innovation​ ​Lab​ ​is​ ​founded​ ​on​ ​the​ ​ideas​ ​that:

1. School design should be informed by an in-depth and scientific understanding of how each individual learns.
2. This understanding should include and address a student’s strengths and weaknesses and is always based on an evolving understanding of cognition and learning.
3. In keeping with the Continuous Feedback Process of WPS, the Winston Innovation Lab seeks to help our schools (and perhaps the field) become even more responsive to the ever-changing needs of each individual student.
4. The Winston Innovation Lab seeks to foster independence and wellness through the development of the Qualities of a Sustainable and Independent Learner. This means we seek to develop ways to improve students’ resilience, communication/social skills, self-advocacy, self-regulation, self-reflection, problem-solving, social responsibility and management and organization, in addition to academic skills.
5. Winston Innovation Lab believes in the power of the increased refinement of educationally related assessment and diagnosis, and seeks to do work to increasingly differentiate different types of learners from each other.
6. Winston Innovation Lab believes in the power of partnerships with like-minded organizations, such as the National School Climate Center, Child Mind Institute, NVLD Project, Landmark College, NAIS, NYSAIS and NEASC.

Q. What post-secondary programs and colleges do Winston Prep graduates attend?
A. The​ ​large​ ​majority​ ​of​ ​Winston​ ​Prep​ ​students​ ​choose​ ​to​ ​continue​ ​their​ ​education​ ​after​ ​Winston​ ​Prep​ ​by attending​ ​a four-year​ ​college​ ​or​ ​university,​ ​while​ ​some​ ​attend​ ​alternative​ ​post-secondary​ ​options, including​ ​technical​ ​training programs,​ ​internship​ ​programs,​ ​and​ ​programs​ ​that​ ​continue​ ​to​ ​promote vocational​ ​and​ ​life​ ​skills,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​Winston Transitions.

Thank you!
We hope this information has provided an additional insight into a child’s experience at Winston Prep.
For further information, please contact our Director of Admissions, Erica Piche, at epiche@winstonprep.edu​ or at (973) 500-6480.