Frequently Asked Questions
What Sets The Attic Apart
At The Attic, we believe in every child’s inherent ability to learn, grow, and become. Rather than viewing children as vessels to pour content into, we view learning as a dynamic process that includes inquiry, exploration, creativity and discovery. Our focus is on using tools and experiences to find and use information, honoring questions and learning how to find meaningful answers, and recognizing that mistakes can be celebrated because they are integral to the learning process. We strive to meet each child where they are and to create an environment where children’s innate curiosity is nurtured and honored. We learn in community at The Attic, recognizing that we are all learners, whether we are children, parents, or teachers. Learning in community also prioritizes social emotional learning and conflict resolution skills. This whole child approach makes Attic learners self-directed, authentic, confident, and empathetic people who are ready to go into the world independently.
We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work and strive to be an antiracist organization. We incorporate this work throughout our program. Our goal is that our DEIB work does not live with one person, but rather with every member of our community. We work with outside professionals to guide our work, and see DEIB as a process of growing and becoming for our community.
Our Program
Our electives vary based on learner and teacher interest. We offer a theater program that includes an all-school spring play, and offer a variety of arts experiences through our ACE (Attic Creative Expressions) program. High school electives are designed around student interests and have included everything from art history to CAD design and 3D printing. Electives are taught by Attic staff, and when high school students have wanted to share a particular interest or skill, they have also been able to offer electives with the support and guidance of a teacher mentor. Additional electives for all ages have included robotics, foraging and baking, strategy board games, chess, gardening, sewing, and physical conditioning.
We offer Spanish to all K-12 learners. Our Spanish program meets the world language requirements for high school graduation and college admission.
Our outdoor nature-based education program provides learners with a minimum of 2 hours per day of outdoor time that includes free play, hiking, and tree climbing in addition to outdoor education experiences conducted by teachers as part of the academic program. Learners of all ages play basketball and foursquare on our courtyard and play Frisbee and Capture the Flag on our field. Physical education elective offerings are available based on the interests of learners. Attic learners often participate in athletics through their local public schools and other community programs.
School will start at 8:45 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. for all learners. The school year will run from Labor Day through just after Memorial Day, meeting the state requirements for instructional time. Breaks during the year will be similar to other local schools.
Your Child's Individual Needs/Accommodations
We celebrate neurodiversity at The Attic, and The Attic’s program makes it possible for us to provide a wide range of accommodations for learning differences. We can support, but are not able to provide therapeutic or other specialized support services. Because each child’s needs are different, talk with our executive director, Sandi Wollum, to learn more about whether The Attic might be a good fit for your child.
We are not a nut free school, but are able to work with families of learners with nut and other food allergies to accommodate their safety needs.
Preparing Your Child For Their Future: The Attic and Beyond!
Yes! Many high school learners have participated in Running Start along with their Attic enrollment. Running Start is managed through your local school district, and our College Counselor can help your child integrate Running Start with their Attic classes.
Yes, they are prepared for the content on the SATs, and most importantly, our high school learners are ready for the rigors of college level work. We encourage our learners to take an SAT preparation class and/or to take practice SAT tests to get used to testing in a timed environment. We do not offer the SATs on campus, but learners can take the SATs at their home public high school. Our college counselor can advise your learner on what testing may be needed for college admissions.
Yes! In fact, our learners are often more prepared for college and university than most high school students because they are used to advocating for themselves and being responsible for their own learning. We often get calls from college professors asking what we do here that supports such incredible learners.
Click here to learn more about our graduates.
Getting Started: Admissions & Enrollment
- Attend a Tour and/or Open House
- Submit an Application
- All parents/caregivers attend a Parent Interview
- Student Visit
- Math Assessment (children 8 and up)
- Click HERE to be directed to our Admissions page for more information
We believe that an Attic education should be within reach of all children, regardless of socio-economic status. We offer limited need-based tuition assistance.
Tuition assistance decisions are made independent of admissions decisions. Applications for tuition assistance should be completed through FAST as early in the application process as possible. Please click here for more information.