FYI: Before you apply…
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 $50 non-refundable application fee per child that can be paid alongside your application.
After applying, our enrollment process includes a confidential student evaluation completed by the applicant’s current or former teacher, a student immersion day, and a parent interview before a final decision is made.
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.
Aftercare
We offer aftercare for the 2025-2026 school year from 3:00-5:30 p.m. This service is provided at a daily rate for drop-ins, a weekly rate, and a full trimester rate. 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.
Tuition & Membership
River Farm Forest School membership fee for the 2025-2026 school year is $8,500 per student. To secure your child’s spot, half of the first month’s fee is due when you enroll. You can choose to pay the remaining membership fees all at once, every quarter, or monthly.
If you have more than one child enrolled, you’ll pay full tuition for the first child. Each additional child receives a 10% discount on their tuition.
Other Fees:
Application and fee submitted: $75.00
Background check: $35.00 per parent/guardian
New member enrollment fee: $300
Annual membership fee deposit of $300 for the first child, $270 for each additional child
Supplies & extracurriculars fee: $1350 for Kindergarten, Lower and Upper Elementary, and $800 for Middle School
Other non- direct costs:
Yoga mat
Insect repellent (picaridin recommended)
Sunblock (and optional sunhat)
House shoes (for indoor use only) such as Crocs or hard-sole slippers
A set of extra clothes to keep at school, including socks and underwear
Outdoor gear:
Rain jacket with room to layer on cold days
Rain pants (optional but recommended)
Rain boots: Bogs are great all year round!
Opinel child-safety knife for whittling
Please email admissions@riverfarmcooperative.com with any questions.