How to Apply

What kind of child does MCDS look for?

At MCDS, we look for students ready to thrive in a challenging school program, celebrating a diverse range of abilities across academics, arts, and athletics. We are dedicated to building a diverse student body that reflects our broader community. By bringing together families from various racial, ethnic, geographic, and economic backgrounds—and ensuring a safe, supportive environment for all identities—we create a richer learning experience for everyone. 

What is the application process like for siblings of those already enrolled?

Siblings of current students applying to Kindergarten start the admission process in the fall, provided they are a good fit for our academic program. However, sibling acceptance is not guaranteed. Except for an early Kindergarten notification window, current families must complete the standard application procedure required of all applicants. 

How many openings do you have?

We have three kindergarten classrooms with capacity to enroll up to 60 total students. In sixth grade, we look forward to welcoming approximately 25 new students each year. We also have a limited number of spots that open in the 5th grade. Openings in grades 1st - 4th and 7th grade varies from year to year and is based on attrition and available spots. 

What are the chances of getting in?

Our thoughtful admission process is designed to truly get to know every prospective family and child. Because open spaces vary each year by grade, depending on student attrition and the applicant pool, the Admission Committee carefully balances various priorities, including sibling applicants and new families. Given how individualized the process is, we cannot predict specific admission odds; however, we typically welcome between 100 and 110 new students across multiple grades each year.

Should I wait a year to apply to kindergarten?

To enter Kindergarten, children must turn 5 years old by August 31 of their enrollment year. Because the MCDS developmental Kindergarten program is intentionally designed to support a wide range of maturity and ability levels, delaying entry by an extra year does not automatically provide an advantage in our admission process.

How early should I get on your wait list?

Applications are accepted only during the school year prior to that in which their child would enter MCDS. A waitlist is not kept from year to year. After admission decisions are posted in March, the wait pool of remaining qualified applicants is formed. The Admission Committee turns to the wait pool if spots become available between March and the following September. The wait pool does not roll over to the following year. Applicants must reapply year to year.
 

Does the school have programs for gifted children? Or for learning differences? 

The MCDS program is designed to engage and meet the needs of a wide range of learners, from children with mild learning differences to gifted children. We look at children as individuals; some who need enrichment and others who need support—all of whom require personal attention. MCDS teachers work closely with a Student Support Services team, and are trained and skilled at differentiating curriculum for a wide range of students. We also offer one-on-one support for students that may occur at an additional cost. However, depending on a student’s specific needs, MCDS may not be the best fit for every student. Likewise, our program is not necessarily structured to meet highly individualized needs for some gifted students.

Why do classrooms differ?

At MCDS, our K–8 curriculum is both structured and dynamic. Our faculty and learning specialists have mapped out sequential academic standards that guide students from kindergarten through graduation, frequently refining them to keep our program at its best. While teachers share these unified curricular goals, they express them through their own unique teaching styles. This flexibility empowers educators to use a variety of instructional strategies tailored to our diverse student body.

How is the curriculum developed?

Through our robust Professional Development program, MCDS faculty and staff regularly become students of their own craft. Beyond attending workshops and conferences year-round, faculty dedicate significant time—both during the school year and over the summer—to designing and refining our curriculum. Our educators utilize the Understanding by Design framework, intentionally planning units by starting with ultimate student learning goals and working backward. To ensure our programs remain exemplary, we frequently collaborate with external experts in cutting-edge fields like STEAM, Education for Sustainability, and Inclusion and Belonging. This work is supported by our Curriculum Review Committee—a collaborative group of faculty and administrators that monitors educational trends, vets new curricular proposals, and evaluates summer innovation grants.

Are there assistant teachers?

Every kindergarten through fourth-grade classroom at MCDS benefits from a full-time Associate Teacher. Often enrolled in teaching credential programs, these rising educators work alongside our lead teachers, receiving dedicated mentorship from our Lower School faculty and administrators while providing vital classroom support.

What are your policies on homework, grades and discipline? 

Homework:  Homework in kindergarten and first grade is occasional and "topic" oriented. For example: "Bring in an apple," "Talk to a parent about the field trip," "Count the leaves on a plant," etc. We encourage parents to read with children and engage them in interesting events or weekend activities. In second grade, students read daily. In grades 3-5, homework may take 30 - 90 minutes, but assignments vary with grade level and the time of year. Children are also asked to do free reading every night. Since the curriculum in grades 6-8 involves many long-term projects, students’ actual homework load may vary, but averages from 45 minutes per day to no more than two hours per day (this varies by subject matter).

Grading:  In grades K-5, parents receive assessments of their child’s growth through parent/guardian/teacher conferences and written progress reports which include lengthy checklists about academic and social/emotional skill development. In grades 6-8, letter grades supplement parent/guardian/teacher conferences and written reports.

Discipline:  Respect for people, ideas and property is the guide for behavior at MCDS. Specific rules and guidelines are written in the school handbooks. When students do not adhere to our rules and guidelines, we have a range of responses we will consider based on the nature of the behavior.  Often, they are asked to take appropriate responsibility for their actions, to apologize, and to give back to the community. Each case that arises is treated individually.  

How does MCDS integrate the indoors and outdoor aspects of the campus and curriculum?

Leveraging our school’s magnificent natural setting, Outdoor Education is woven seamlessly into the curriculum for every grade. Beyond fostering a deep respect for the environment, these excursions are designed to build strong group dynamics, communication skills, and leadership qualities.

Our overnight trips begin in fourth grade with a journey to Gold Country, followed by a fifth-grade expedition to the Santa Cruz Mountains. Sixth graders explore Yosemite alongside other curriculum-related activities, while seventh graders spend an immersive week in the Joshua Tree desert as part of their integrated studies. The program culminates in eighth grade with a backpacking trip through the Ansel Adams Wilderness.
 

What involvement is expected of parents/guardians?

At MCDS, a healthy school community thrives on partnership. We invite all parents/guardians to engage in volunteer opportunities and support our fundraising initiatives in ways that align with their family’s schedule and circumstances. From Kindergarten through eighth grade, we look forward to your active participation in school life—whether through parent-teacher conferences or community events. We deeply value a mutually supportive relationship between home and school, keeping you connected to and involved in the daily joys of your child’s education, both inside and outside the classroom.