Application Process

Age Requirements
We expect kindergarten applicants to be five by September 1st.

Admissions Process and Timeline
Our admissions season begins in January with rolling admissions and acceptances throughout the Spring. We are open to all K-8 applicants with limited middle school placement availability. There is a $75 non-refundable application fee for the first child and a $50 fee for sibling applicants that should be paid through our Donation Portal for the application(s) to be considered.

Following the application submission and application fee payment, our enrollment process includes a confidential student evaluation completed by the applicant’s current or former teacher, a student immersion day, a family play date with other school members, and a parent interview.

Not all applicants will be invited to continue the process past the initial application. Applicants may be admitted for immediate enrollment, Fall enrollment, wait-listed, or not accepted. Wait-listed applicants may be required to repeat parts of our admissions process. Applicants who are not admitted may reapply. Admitted applicants are usually offered two weeks to accept and pay a non-refundable tuition deposit to hold their spot.

Before and After School Child Care
We offer aftercare for the 2023-2024 school year from 3:00-5:30 p.m. This service is provided at a daily rate for walk-ins, for full reserved weeks, for a reserved recurring day per trimester, or an everyday reserved spot per trimester. We are not licensed to provide transportation.

School Calendar and Closures
RFFS loosely follows the vacation schedule of Fairfax County Public Schools for winter and spring breaks. We typically begin school in August and end the school year in June.

We are closed on Federal holidays, the day after Thanksgiving, and for teacher workdays. We make our own decisions about weather delays and closures after determining the safety of our grounds and our staff’s ability to arrive at school. Decisions to delay or close are made by 7 a.m.

Please email admissions@riverfarmcooperative with questions.