The Sycamore School

The Sycamore School emphasizes personalized, experiential learning grounded in strong relationships and a healthy learning community, aiming for students to feel safe, accepted, and respected so they can grow socially and academically. Instruction is designed to be meaningful, challenging, and engaging through small classes, self-paced mastery, student choice, and authentic assessment. The school also integrates social-emotional learning and real-world connection through field studies, service learning, and mindfulness.

Families are encouraged to start by attending a school information session and tour (generally held monthly), with additional Tuesday-morning tours during the school year. (thesycamoreschoolva.org) Applicants then complete an online application via the school’s portal (create an account and start a new student application) and submit required materials, including recent academic records/transcripts, assessments/evaluations, work samples, a small photo, two confidential teacher feedback forms (at least one from a current teacher), and a non-refundable $125 application fee. (thesycamoreschoolva.org) A parent and student interview is required, and if both sides think the fit is promising, the student is invited to a shadow day for in-school observation and experience. (thesycamoreschoolva.org) For the 2026–2027 cycle, completed applications received by January 31 are under an early program with notification by February 15; applications after January 31 are reviewed on a rolling basis if space remains, and once an application is complete the school states it will inform families of its decision within two weeks. (thesycamoreschoolva.org) If admitted, enrollment is finalized by returning the enrollment/deposit form with a $2,000 non-refundable deposit (applied to the activity & technology fee); the website does not describe a formal waitlist process or any priority admission categories. (thesycamoreschoolva.org)