Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Your school sounds really great. How can I find out more about the school?

The best way to find out about Explorations is to set up a visit with our Director. You can also see what other people have said about us on Great Schools.

We also can provide you with information from the HSSSE survey conducted each year showing how our students rate the school and their level of engagement as compared to national averages.

You are a private school.  Might that be expensive?

Tuition is a definitely a budget concern for many Explorations families.  Small classes, customized curriculum, frequent outings, and other key features of Explorations require substantial resources, as well as providing excellent educational value.  That said, we are very proud of our track record of never having turned a student away for financial reasons.  If a student is appropriate for Explorations, we will do everything we can to ensure that they can attend.

Isn't there a bias toward wealthy families, though?

No.  A diverse range of students -- including income diversity -- serves all students well.  That is why we specifically work to ensure that all appropriate students can attend.  While the typical scholarship ratio at independent schools in Washington is around 15%, our scholarship ratio averages twice to three times the average.

What kind of students attend Explorations Academy?

Our target population is bright and bored young people who are capable of excelling but don't find traditional schools to provide the relevance and stimulation they need.  Among our students, there is a high percentage of individualistic students, those with a desire to understand the contemporary world, and those who have strong individualistic and creative tendencies.  Because we emphasize relationships as a core part of our school, our students also either have or develop strong interpersonal skills.

What kinds of factors guide admissions decisions at Explorations ?

The two essential criteria for prospective students are an open mind and the willingness to work hard.   While we require applicants to provide transcripts from past schools, we place less weight on the student's past academic record than we do on personal motivation.  That is, when a young person is clearly committed to achieving her or his full potential, and that commitment is backed up by effort, a successful outcome is highly likely.

Are Explorations students college-bound?

In nearly all cases, yes -- though many of our graduates take a year off before pursuing higher education.  We work to ensure that students have access to  the greatest possible range of colleges and get the support they need to gain admission to their first choice college (see College Preparation).

Do you require the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Examination) or other tests for admission?

No.  We make our admissions decisions on a case-by-case basis, focusing on the individual student's needs and interests.  If the student has taken the ISEE already, though, please do submit the results when applying.  We also welcome the submission of any other materials that you think would help us to know the student and make a good decision.