Welcome from Your WNS Admission Team
Thank you for your interest in Westside Neighborhood School (WNS)!
At WNS, we believe that a school should be a community for both the student and the family. We seek families who support and embrace our philosophy and students with a wide range of backgrounds, talents, and interests who will benefit from our program and contribute positively to the school community.
Our admission team looks forward to working with you and your family throughout the admission process.
Kendra Tolentino
Director of Tuition Assistance & Assistant Director of Admission
The Admission Process
Select the grade level(s) that your child(ren) would be applying for to view the step-by-step process:
Preschool
Step 1
Campus Tour: During the Admission Presentation & Campus Tour, you will learn about our philosophy and program, hear from our Head of School and 8th grade students, and take a tour of the campus. Tours can be scheduled through our inquiry form or through your parent portal after you have applied.
Step 2
Application: To apply for 2026-27, children should be 2 years of age by August 1, 2026.
Please create a Parent Portal account to begin the application.
Step 3
Teacher Recommendation: For children who already attend a daycare or preschool program, please send the recommendation form directly to your child’s current teacher through your Parent Portal checklist after you have applied.
Step 4
Parent/Guardian Conversation & Child Play Date: You will be able to schedule your parent conversation and play date through your Parent Portal after you have applied. The play date is required for all children who will be 3 years of age by January 1, 2026. We look forward to meeting your child!
Step 5
Notifications: Notification letters are emailed February 26, 2026 at 2:00 pm. Enrollment contracts and the non-refundable deposit are due no later than 12:00 pm on March 3, 2026.
Developmental Kindergarten (DK)
Step 1
Campus Tour: During the Admission Presentation & Campus Tour, you will learn about our philosophy and program, hear from our Head of School and 8th grade students, and take a tour of the campus. Tours can be scheduled through our inquiry form or through your parent portal after you have applied.
Step 2
Application: To apply for 2026-27, children should be 4 years of age by August 1, 2026.
Please create a Parent Portal account to begin the application.
Step 3
Teacher Recommendation: For children who already attend a daycare or preschool program, please send the recommendation form directly to your child’s current teacher through your Parent Portal checklist after you have applied.
Step 4
Parent/Guardian Conversation & Child Play Date: You will be able to schedule your parent conversation and play date through your Parent Portal after you have applied. We look forward to meeting your child!
Step 5
Notification: Notification letters are emailed February 26, 2026 at 2:00 pm. Enrollment contracts and the non-refundable deposit are due no later than 12:00 pm on March 3, 2026.
Kindergarten
Step 1
Campus Tour: During the Admission Presentation & Campus Tour, you will learn about our philosophy and program, hear from our Head of School and 8th grade students, and take a tour of the campus. Tours can be scheduled through our inquiry form or through your parent portal after you have applied.
Step 2
Application: To apply for 2026-27, children should be 5 years of age by August 1, 2026. Children with August birth dates are considered for admission based on developmental readiness. Please create a Parent Portal account to begin the application.
Step 3
Teacher Recommendation: For children who already attend a daycare or preschool program, please send the recommendation form directly to your child’s current teacher through your Parent Portal checklist after you have applied.
Step 4
Parent/Guardian Conversation & Child Play Date: You will be able to schedule your parent conversation and play date through your Parent Portal after you have applied. We look forward to meeting your child!
Step 5
Notification: Notification letters are emailed March 13, 2026 at 5:00 pm. Enrollment contracts and the non-refundable deposit are due no later than 12:00 pm on March 20, 2026.
Grades 1-5
Step 1
Campus Tour: During the Admission Presentation & Campus Tour, you will learn about our philosophy and program, hear from our Head of School and 8th grade students, and take a tour of the campus. Tours can be scheduled through our inquiry form or through your parent portal after you have applied.
Step 2
Application: Please create a Parent Portal account to begin the application.
Step 3
Teacher Recommendation: Please send the recommendation form directly to your child’s current teacher through your Parent Portal checklist after you have applied.
Step 4
Parent/Guardian Conversation & Student Visit: Please schedule your parent conversation and student visit through your Parent Portal after you have applied.
Step 5
Notification: Notification letters are emailed March 13, 2026 at 5:00 pm. Enrollment contracts and the non-refundable deposit are due no later than 12:00 pm on March 20, 2026.
Grades 6-8
Step 1
Campus Tour: During the Admission Presentation & Campus Tour, you will learn about our philosophy and program, hear from our Head of School and 8th grade students, and take a tour of the campus. Tours can be scheduled through our inquiry form or through your parent portal after you have applied.
Step 2
Application: Please create a Parent Portal account to begin the application.
Step 3
Teacher Recommendations: Please send the teacher recommendation form(s) directly to your child’s current teacher through your Parent Portal checklist.
Step 4
Parent/Guardian Conversation & Student Visit: Please schedule your parent/guardian conversation and student visit through your Parent Portal.
Step 5
Notification: Notification letters are emailed March 13, 2026 at 5:00 pm. Enrollment contracts and the non-refundable deposit are due no later than 12:00 pm on March 20, 2026.
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Key Dates and Deadlines
May 15, 2025: Preschool-8th Grade Online Applications Available
November 3, 2025: Sibling Application Deadline
December 1, 2025: Preschool, DK, & Kindergarten Priority Application Deadline (guaranteed student visit and interview appointment)
January 7, 2026: Preschool-8th Grade Application Deadline (applications received after the deadline are considered on a rolling basis as space allows)
January 9, 2026: Preschool-8th Grade Teacher Recommendation Letters and Transcripts Due
January 30, 2026: Preschool-8th Grade Tuition Assistance Application Deadline For Prospective Families
February 26, 2026: Preschool & DK Notification Emails Sent at 2:00 pm
March 3, 2026: Preschool & DK Contracts and Deposits Due by 12:00pm
March 13, 2026: Kindergarten-8th Grade Notification Emails Sent at 5:00 pm
March 20, 2026: Kindergarten-8th Grade Contracts and Deposit Due by 12:00pm
Get to Know WNS
Admission Presentations & Campus Tours
During our admission presentations, you'll have the opportunity to hear from 8th grade students, our Head of School, and then embark on a campus tour led by a WNS administrator.
Dates:
- Wednesday, September 24, 2025 (PS-8)
- Wednesday, October 15, 2025 (PS-8)
- Tuesday, October 28, 2025 (PS-4)
- Thursday, November 6, 2025 (PS-8)
- Tuesday, November 18, 2025 (PS-4)
- Tuesday, December 2, 2025 (PS-8)
- Tuesday, January 6, 2026 (PS-8)
- Thursday, May 14, 2026 (Early Bird Tour for 2027-28 Admission)
Time: 9:30am - 11:30am
Middle School Preview Event
This event is for parents/caregivers and students interested in applying to 6th or 7th grades. Parents get a deep dive presentation from WNS staff and faculty while prospective students enjoy interactive classroom experiences led by WNS faculty.
Date: Monday, December 15, 2025 (4:30 – 6:15 pm) – On campus
The above events can be scheduled through our inquiry form or through your parent portal after you have applied.
Download Our Admission Brochure
Required
Admission Events
If you have applied, you can register through your Parent Portal checklist. If you have not yet applied, please click the links below to register.
Early Childhood Center: Fall into Autumn Festival
Saturday, November 8, 2025 | 9:30am – 11:00am
WNS ECC (Early Childhood Center) presents our third annual family-friendly open house, where young children can immerse themselves in the magic of the WNS Early Childhood Center. Enjoy seasonal crafts, outdoor games and exploration, face painting, a petting zoo, live music, and more. This event is open to the public, for children age 5 and under, and their grownups.
Mini Maker Faire (For Current 3rd-5th Grade Students)
Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 9:30am – 12:00pm
WNS presents this annual family-friendly faire of creativity and innovation! We will run different maker stations involving woodworking, virtual reality, laser cutting, sewing, 3D design, Hummingbird robotics, cardboard construction, and more!
This event is intended for current 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders from any schools. Parents may drop children off or stay with them.
Speaker Series: "Battles to Bites: Bringing Joy Back to Family Mealtimes"
Friday, December 12, 2025 | 9:30-10:30am
Join Susan Greenberg, MS CCC-SLP, for an educational opportunity to make mealtimes more enjoyable, bite by bite. Susan will provide best practices based on evidence and clinical experience to help caregivers determine which information actually matters, better understand how to manage typical picky eating, and know what to do when your child refuses food.
Middle School Preview Event
Monday, December 15, 2025 | 4:30-6:15pm
This event is for parents/caregivers and students interested in applying to 6th or 7th grades. Parents get a deep dive presentation from WNS staff and faculty while prospective students enjoy fun and interactive classroom experiences led by WNS faculty.
Parent Ed: The Seven Essential Life Skills
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 | 9:30-10:30am
This event is for parents/caregivers interested in applying to preschool, DK, or Kindergarten. Join us for a special parent education morning focused on foundational skills that help children thrive both in school and in life. You'll hear from our experts in early childhood education, and come away with practical skills to apply at home, as well as an understanding of how WNS supports full-child growth from the start.
Admission Forms
All recommendation and transcript forms are conveniently located in your Parent Portal Checklist. Forms can also be found via the link below.
Questions?
Visit our Admission FAQs page to explore a list of the most commonly asked questions by parents considering WNS. Alternatively, if you don't see your question answered, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Admission team directly at admission@wns-la.org.
Nondiscriminatory Policy for Admission of Students:
Westside Neighborhood School (WNS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, or age in its employment practices. With regard to admission to its academic programs, Westside Neighborhood School (WNS) admits students of any race, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the School. WNS does not discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial assistance, and athletics and other School-administered programs.