Frequently Asked Questions

If my child qualifies for pull-out, how many hours a day will he/she have a 1:1 aide?
This would be determined by the director and staff per the individualized program created for each student.

May I use my own aide for the pull-outs?
No. For both insurance purposes and to ensure the high quality of our program, aides will be hired and trained by our school director. Parents and other outside aids are certainly welcome to volunteer at the school.

What will be the ratio of typical to special needs kids?
The goal of APL is to create an inclusive environment with a balanced ratio of typical and special needs children, with a particular emphasis on autism. Inclusion is a key attribute of APL and Precision Teaching has been proven effective for all types of learners. The key differentiator between APL and other inclusion programs is that the curriculum and teaching approach is customized for each individual student – so the program is tailored for your child vs. your child having to fit in to a preset curriculum. We cannot guarantee what the ratio will be in the first year, but our longer term goal is to create a balanced ratio to benefit all students.

Will the classrooms be organized by grade or age?
APL serves children from kindergarten – 5th grade. Classrooms will be organized based on age and relative skill level. There will never by more than a 4 year age span per classroom.

What is the student teacher ratio?
APL offers small class sizes of 15 or less students to ensure every child receives the individual attention they need. APL offers an adult-student ratio of 1:4 with the opportunity for pull outs for students who need additional focused attention.

What if my child is very low functioning? Is APL right for him/her?
The goal is to make APL as inclusive as possible across the spectrum but balanced against the overall mission of the school.

What is your goal for enrollment for the Fall?
We are capping Fall enrollment at 15 students with a balanced ratio between typical and special needs kids. We have a policy of rolling admissions and will maintain a waiting list for prospective students as well.

Will additional enrichment activities be offered at the school?
Yes, we will bring in outside experts to teach weekly classes in art, music and physical education.

Where is APL located?
APL is located at the Herzl Ner Tamid Synagogue on Mercer Island. Herzl has graciously offered space to APL for the 2007-2008 school year.

You are located in a synagogue. Is there any religious aspect to your program?
No, APL has no religious affiliation.

Is APL Accredited?
We are pursuing accreditation with the Pacific NW Association of Independent Schools. APL does have 501(c)(3) non profit status under EIN # 91-2143623.

What are the school hours?
School will start on Monday, August 27th. APL will be open from 9:00am-3:30pm Monday - Thursday. On Fridays, school will be dismissed at 1:00pm to allow time for teacher development activities. The full APL school calendar is published on our website.

Will there be before or after school child-care?
After school options are still being explored. The Mercer Island community also offers a variety of after school activities including Kids Town and the Boys and Girls club as additional options.

Will the APL Tutoring Center continue?
Currently we are focused on getting the school up and running for the Fall. We expect the Tutoring Center will resume by January 2008.