Applicants for the Southfield School Preschool (Discovery, Readiness & Kindergarten) should be 3, 4, or 5-years old, respectively by September 1st.

A developmental screening will be scheduled for new students entering Readiness and Kindergarten classes.

Southfield currently offers French as its foreign language curriculum for students in preschool through sixth grade. The main objective of the French curriculum at Southfield is oral comprehension and expression.

Beginning in Preschool and continuing through Kindergarten and First Grade, students concentrate on learning spoken French basics. This is accomplished through activities such as songs, games and repetition exercises to reinforce French vocabulary. A strong foundation is laid these first three years. In Second and Third Grade students begin to read, write and speak French. Topics covered include vocabulary for numbers, clothing, food, family members, animals, colors and salutations. By the Fourth grade, students begin to write and spell simple words.

In the middle school this progression continues with the increased emphasis on grammar and the additional choice to take Spanish in the seventh grade. By the end of eighth grade, oral comprehension, expression, reading and writing skills are expanded to such a level that the students are prepared for high school French or Spanish and have the opportunity to receive a high school foreign language credit.

Siblings do receive priority if there is a waiting list. They are still required to go through all steps of the application process.

Financial aid is awarded on the basis of need. The school is committed to the proposition that no student wishing to pursue the educational opportunities available at Southfield be denied that chance due to financial hardship. The school also believes that a diverse student body is in the best interests of all children attending Southfield.

The first step is to file an application for admission to the school. No decision on financial aid can be finalized until a student has been accepted into the school. Each family requesting financial aid must file an application with School and Student Service for Financial Aid. All necessary materials for this procedure are provided. That agency, which handles applications for the vast majority of leading independent schools nationwide, will then forward a recommended amount for the school to offer in aid. The Southfield Financial Aid Committee then reviews the application and extends a formal offer of financial aid.

The Financial Aid Committee, which consists of two anonymous trustees. The Headmaster facilitates the process, and is authorized to act in cases such as late admissions, where the committee may not be available.

Generally the entire process should take no longer than one month. Depending on the time of year and the number of applicants, the process may take slightly longer. Applying soon after receiving your enrollment contract should result in the shortest wait for a reply.

The optimal time to apply for financial aid is as soon as possible after receiving your student’s enrollment contract. The quicker you file, the quicker we can respond. At this time, applications for returning students will not be processed after May 15, and funds may be exhausted well in advance of that time. For these reasons, parents are strongly encouraged to file at their earliest possible convenience

It is strictly confidential. No information is shared with any member of the Southfield community. The school also expects that the amount of the award will be treated with strict confidentiality on the part of the family, as well.

There are none. Naturally, we do welcome involvement in the wide variety of volunteer activities that help make Southfield special.

Yes, you must file the SSS application each year. However, unless there are significant changes in the family’s financial situation, it is unlikely that the school will make significant adjustments in the amount offered. Renewal is also dependent upon the satisfactory performance by the student(s) and upon reasonable compliance with school expectations by the family. Finally, renewal is possible only when all school accounts are current.

Yes. As a general rule, financial assistance is not available for the half-day program for 3 and 4 year olds. All other grants have a cap of 75% of total tuition, though most grants are of lesser amounts. Fees are not covered.

Yes. As a general rule, financial assistance is not available for the half-day program for 3 and 4 year olds. All other grants have a cap of 75% of total tuition, though most grants are of lesser amounts. Fees are not covered.

Maintaining access to a Southfield education for a highly qualified, diverse student body is in the best interests of all children attending the School. To ensure not child is denied this opportunity due to financial hardship, a limited number of scholarships have been established. The application requirements, amounts awarded, the duration of the scholarship and availability of these funds vary from scholarship to scholarship. Currently, Southfield has embarked on a multi-million dollar campaign to increase the School’s endowment. Almost a third of the funds raised will be set aside for scholarships and financial aid.

For additional questions about financial aid or scholarships contact the Headmaster, Jeff Stokes. To receive a Financial Aid form please contact Clare Coburn or call 318-868-5375