Gordon strives to provide all visiting prospective students a positive and interactive experience. The goal of each applicant day visit is to learn about the visiting student's developmental and cognitive abilities while providing an enjoyable experience in Gordon's classrooms
Readiness for Nursery and Preschool
Students visit in the classroom for a portion of the morning
Prospective Nursery students (must be three years old by September 1 to be eligible for Nursery) visit for a half hour to 45 minutes in the Nursery classroom. Classroom teachers engage in conversation and an activity with the visitor. Observation of both verbal and non-verbal communication is noted as well as social and emotional behaviors, and physical abilities (fine and gross motor skills are noted).
Prospective Preschool students (must be four years old by September 1 to be eligible for Preschool) visit for a half hour to 45 minutes in the Nursery classroom. Classroom teachers engage in conversation and an activity with the visitor. Observation of both verbal and non-verbal communication is noted as well as social and emotional behaviors, and physical abilities (fine and gross motor skills are noted).
Readiness for Young Kindergarten, Kindergarten and First Grade
Students visit in the classroom for a portion of the morning and sit for individual admission assessment.
Prospective Young Kindergarten students (students who are turning five September though the end of December or students needing another year before entering Kindergarten are eligible for Young Kindergarten) visit for an hour and a half in either the Young Kindergarten classroom or the Preschool classroom. Classroom teachers engage in conversation and help to encourage the visitor to feel comfortable and to find an activity of interest. Observation of both verbal and non-verbal communication is noted as well as social and emotional behaviors, and physical abilities (fine and gross motor skills are noted). Towards the end of the visit the prospective student will work individually on an admission assessment.
Prospective Kindergarten students (must be five years old by September 1 to be eligible for Kindergarten) visit for two hours in the Preschool or Young Kindergarten classroom. Classroom teachers engage in conversation and help to encourage the visitor to feel comfortable and to find an activity of interest. Observation of both verbal and non-verbal communication is noted as well as social and emotional behaviors, and physical abilities (fine and gross motor skills are noted) Towards the end of the visit the prospective student will work individually with an admission tester on more specific cognitive, reasoning, and spatial skills. Emphasis on reading readiness, fine motor skills, and verbal communication is an important part of the assessment.