How to Apply - Steps for Admissions

1. Schedule a tour of the school

• Set up an appointment by calling the school office at 713-465-0288 or send us an email.

During the tour you:

• receive an admissions packet that includes forms you will need for the admissions process and background information that will be helpful in your admissions search
• will be given an overview of the school and its programs;
• may ask questions one-on-one
• may share information about your child and what you value in education
• get the chance to see the facility, hear about the environmental studies program and tour the Outdoor Classroom, and view student work.

2. Submit an application along with the $125 application fee

Apply if you think The Branch School is a good fit. Fill out the application form and mail it together with a check made out to The Branch School. Payments can also be made by cash or credit card at The Branch School (a surcharge will be applied).

• Download the 2011-2012 application form (PDF, 184 Kb)
• Download the 2012-2013 application form (PDF, 239 Kb)

Please note: An application will be processed only when complete paperwork has been received (see step 3). (If you need financial aid program information for K-8, please contact the Head of School at the time you submit the New Student Application.)

3. Send all the necessary documentation to us

After you send us the application form, make sure we receive all the necessary documentation:

Teacher Recommendation Form. This form is required if your child has been enrolled in another school, preschool through middle school. The form is sent back to us via FAX or through the mail. If you use the PDF format, you write in your child's name, sign it and after the teacher fills it out and signs it, the form will be sent back to The Branch School.   

Download the teacher recommendation forms
(select the one which is applicable for your child):

• Greenhouse (3 years old by 9/1/2011) (PDF, 33Kb)
• Pre-Kindergarten (4 years old by 9/1/2011) (PDF, 78Kb)
• Kindergarten (PDF, 78Kb)
• Elementary & Middle School (PDF 29Kb)

Transcripts.   Testing scores and report cards (progress reports) are requested for students entering elementary (K-8)

4. Next Steps

Required Classroom Visitation.  After the teacher recommendation form is received, your child will visit in the classroom of his peers. Preschool students have a morning visit. Elementary and middle school students spend a full day. In some instances, a student may be asked to come for a second visit.

Testing.  After the class visit, students (second through eighth grade)  who do not have either prior year Iowa Skills or Stanford test scores are formally tested by Branch School staff for placement purposes. The testing fee is $80.

Letter of Acceptance.   When your child has been accepted, we will send you a formal letter of acceptance and a contract. You return the signed contract with the nonrefundable yearly enrollment fee to secure a place for your child in our program.
Contact us if you need assistance with the application process.