Admissions FAQ

List of 10 frequently asked questions.

• Q. Where do the students come from?

  Students at WDS come from 15 communities, including: Mamaroneck, Scarsdale, New Rochelle, White Plains, Harrison, Yonkers, Riverdale, Mount Vernon, Mount Kisco, Greenwich and Stamford. 

• Q. How do children get to school?

  Most children go on buses but a significant number carpool.

• Q. What is the hashkafa (ideology) of the school?

  WDS is a Modern Orthodox, co-educational day school.

• Q. Is financial aid available?

  Yes, WDS offers several complementary programs to ensure that a WDS education is affordable for all.  Please see the Tuition & Affordability section of our web site.

• Q. Are there opportunities for me to be involved at school?

  Volunteer opportunities abound at WDS and we are fortunate to have so many active and talented parents who contribute their time and energy in and around the Campus. 

   

  Many parents choose to become engaged through the WDS PTA.   To highlight just a few (!) of the activities with which our PTA is involved:

  • we run the WDS Book Fair & School Picture Day, 
  • plan student (and parent) socials, 
  • organize a welcome-back-to-school festival, 
  • express our Teacher Appreciation through breakfasts and other sweet treats throughout the year, 
  • offer programming to complement the school's ruach for chagim, 
  • design awesome WDS SpiritWear, 
  • and bring acts of chesed to our community.  

   

  We also have educational programs that require parent participation, such as class trips, our Israeli Day Parade, mystery readers in our early childhood classrooms and our

  Learning to Look program.

   

  Learning to Look is a parent-led art appreciation program for students in Kindergarten through Fifth grade where parents introduce students to a variety of historically significant artists and works of art.

• Q. What are school hours?

  In the 2021-2022 school year, Grades K-5 begin at 8:15 AM daily; dismissal is at 3:30 PM Monday through Thursday, and Friday at 1:40 PM. Grades 6, 7 and 8 begin at 8:00 AM daily for minyan; dismissal is 3:45 PM Monday through Thursday, and Friday at 1:40 PM. 

   

  Ganon begins at 8:45 AM daily and ends at 1:00 PM for tots or 3:30 PM for 3’s and 4’s Monday through Thursday. Our tots-tastic program offers extended hours for tots through 3:30 PM Monday through Thursday. Friday dismissal is at 1:00 PM for tots and 1:40 PM for 3’s and 4’s.

• Q. How is the school day organized?

  For our youngest students, Judaic and General Studies are integrated. In grades 1-5, the day is split with either morning or afternoon being dedicated to one discipline. On alternate weeks, one class has Judaic studies in the morning and General studies in the afternoon. Middle School classes are departmentalized.

• Q. What if my child needs to be challenged further?

  WDS is committed to differentiated education. In addition to alternate assignments the teacher might provide in the classroom, there are challenge opportunities as well as co-curricular and extra-curricular activities available on all grade levels.

   

  Our Lunch & Learn! program is a weekly enrichment program designed to provide students with an opportunity to enhance their learning and academic skills through fun and enriching activities. 

• Q. What if my child needs additional help?

  Westchester Day School is committed to having a comprehensive understanding of each child in our school and to supporting all students in reaching their academic potential. Our dedicated classroom teachers collaborate with our Learning Center specialists, who are supported by the WDS Learning Center Coordinator, WDS Psychologist, WDS Social Worker, and Mamaroneck School District (district of location) professionals.  Click here for more information about Student Support at WDS.

• Q. Where do your graduates go to high school?

  WDS eighth graders are sought after by all of the top New York area high schools including Ramaz, SAR, Westchester Hebrew High School, Frisch, MTA, Ma'ayanot, Central and Solomon Schechter.