The Raleigh School, Inc.

The Raleigh School describes its teaching philosophy as child-centered, developmentally appropriate, and grounded in research on how children learn best. It emphasizes active, hands-on, play-based and inquiry-driven learning that builds critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and a love of learning, while also prioritizing social-emotional growth, outdoor experiences, and strong partnership among children, teachers, and parents. (raleighschool.org)

For the 2026-2027 cycle, The Raleigh School says families should first submit an inquiry, then complete the admissions application with student/family information and a parent questionnaire or statement, pay a non-refundable $100 fee per child, and attend a required information session/campus tour; elementary applicants may also be invited to a two-day classroom visit. (raleighschool.org) Supporting materials include a birth certificate and vaccination records for all applicants, while elementary applicants and preschool 4s applicants must also provide confidential teacher recommendation(s) and the latest progress report; the school also says it does not require admissions testing. (raleighschool.org) Key dates listed on the site are: applications open Wednesday, October 1, 2025; first-round completed applications are due Friday, December 12, 2025 by midnight; information sessions run from October 2025 through December 2025 with registration opening in mid-September; and decision dates are February 18, 2026 for Preschool/Kindergarten and February 27, 2026 for Elementary. (raleighschool.org) After December 12, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis if space is available, and children placed in the waitpool may still be offered spots as openings arise, often in spring and early summer; if a child remains on the waitlist after the school year begins and reapplies for the next year, TRS says it will waive the application fee and ask for updated materials. (raleighschool.org) The school states that priority admission is given first to re-enrolling students and then to siblings of current students, and it also notes an August 31 age cutoff for placement, with kindergarten applicants needing to be 5 by August 31, 2026. (raleighschool.org)