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 $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.

Please email admissions@riverfarmcooperative with questions.