Frequently Asked Questions

Small class sizes and close personal relationships are hallmarks of the Old Trail School experience. Our current average class size is 16 students, with a total school size of 450 students.   Our Toddler Program has a maximum of 11 children; all Early Childhood Program classes have 2 full-time teachers.

Yes, depending on where your family resides, bus transportation may be available through one of three options:

• Certain public school districts provide free transportation to Old Trail school, presently including the school districts of Akron, Brecksville-Broadview Heights, Copley-Fairlawn, Hudson and Revere.
• Old Trail School’s Transportation Department runs scheduled bus routes from certain central geographical sites to the School.
• Our Transportation Department can in many circumstances arrange door-to-door transportation from your home (or other preferred location) to the School.

For more information, please contact Transportation Coordinator Chris Pastor. 

Old Trail School is committed to making the advantages of its independent school education available to a broad range of families, through its need-based Flexible Tuition Program.  For more information, please visit our Flexible Tuition page. 

In general, Old Trail School follows State of Ohio’s age-eligibility guidelines for admission into Grades 1-8, although considerations can be made for special exceptions.  Age eligibilities for Early Childhood and Kindergarten offerings are:

Early Childhood 2 Day Toddler Program

2 years of age by August 31 of the school year of enrollment. Children are not required to be potty-trained.

Early Childhood Preschool 1  

3 years of age by August 31

Early Childhood Preschool 2  

4 years of age by August 31

Junior Kindergarten/Young 5s

5 years of age during the spring, summer, or early fall months of the school year prior to enrollment

Kindergarten

5 years of age by August 31

Admission decisions are made by the School’s Admission Committee, based upon a child’s readiness and ability to participate in our programs as determined by the admission application and assessments, and upon space availability for the program and grade of application.  Families are notified via email and mail.  The 'typical' student admitted to Old Trail performs at or near the gifted level in the current school setting, has innate curiosity, demonstrates an affinity for learning and engagement as shown on report cards and teacher evaluations, and is eager to participate in the life of the school - through the arts, collaborative learning, service, athletics, and leadership.  

Following notification of admission families will have access to an online enrollment contract, which includes any financial aid for which the family is eligible along with the net price for enrollment (tuition and fees less financial aid).  To secure a student’s place in the class, a family must sign and return the enrollment contract, along with a tuition deposit by the stated deadline. The signed enrollment contract and tuition deposit are due by March 8 of the year of the fall term of enrollment (or, within two weeks after an admission made after March 1).

If space is not available at a time of the admission decision, a child may be placed on a wait list and notified should a space become available.  Because of the popularity of many of our programs, we encourage families to complete the application and schedule Playdates, Visit Dates, and Testing Sessions as early as possible.

We take a strong personal interest in each child’s success and work closely with families throughout the admissions process to determine a child’s preparedness and potential to benefit from and succeed in our educational programs. Our teachers and our Admission Office encourage parents to discuss during the admission office any special learning, emotional, social or transitional needs or conditions that might impact success at school.  Old Trail students typically perform above grade level standards in the academic classes, and teaching is focused on deep, enriched learning.  As an independent school Old Trail does not follow IEPs nor make modifications to the academic expectations, behavioral standards, or curriculum.  It is important to note that Old Trail School's small class sizes are not designed nor intended to be a substitute for qualified services indicated in an IEP. 

For most families, Old Trail School’s application and admission process occurs in the fall and early winter prior to the academic term of enrollment. To ensure full consideration for admissions and space availability in a program, a family should begin the admission process as soon as it has identified an interest in Old Trail and complete the process by our regular application deadline of January 30.   Families applying after January 30 will be considered on a space-available basis.

To begin the admission process, families should submit an official inquiry to the school or contact our Admission Office at admission@oldtrail.org or 330.666.1118 x709.

Congratulations! Admission to Old Trail School is selective, and children should be proud of this accomplishment.  Following admission, families will have 2-3 weeks to make an enrollment decision and secure the space at Old Trail School.  Following enrollment, the admission office will guide families through the transition process to Old Trail School, including spring and summer orientations and welcome events.  Please contact us to let us know your intentions so we can begin the enrollment process. 

Typical meeting times for Early Childhood Education programs are:

Toddler Program:

Monday/Tuesday or Thursday/Friday, 8:30–11  a.m.

Preschool 1, 3-Days

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (half- or full-days, 8:30- 11:30 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m)

Preschool 1 & 2, 5-days

Monday through Friday (half-or full days, 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. or 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.)

Old Trail School reserves the right to change meeting days and times for each academic term.