Admissions
Become a part
of our family
at Mustard Seed
School.
A safe, collaborative, and challenging learning environment.
We’re a private elementary school in Hoboken, N.J., open to students of all backgrounds and abilities. Our progressive, whole-child approach to education combined with our diverse, faith-based community shapes students to be bright, self-directed individuals who take on new challenges and care for others and the world. Our goal is to provide you with the information, stories, and help you need to determine if Mustard Seed School meets your family’s needs.
Request Information1:9 teacher-student ratio (K-8)
1:6 teacher-student ratio (PK)
95% of students go on to colleges and universities (based on the last three or four years)
17 average class size
Mustard Seed students have been accepted at these prestigious high schools.
Start your journey
with us.
We know you may be considering other schools as well, and we value your time. As you go through the next steps of deciding which school is right for your child, we’ve developed a series of questions to help guide you along the way. And if you haven’t already, we encourage you to visit our school to get a feel for the Mustard Seed community in person.
Get an in-depth look at our program.
Download our Parent Info Packet
Admissions FAQ
What is Mustard Seed’s student-teacher ratio?
In the preschool, the student-teacher ratio is 6:1. In K-8, the student-teacher ratio is 9:1. Because of this, our teachers have the opportunity to truly know and understand each child, allowing them to build lasting relationships and help develop each child’s gifts and abilities fully.
How do I apply?
Applying to MSS is a simple process, and we’re always available to walk you through the steps. Go to the Admissions section of our website to learn more. If you’d like to speak with someone personally, call us at (201) 653-5548 and ask for Imaani F. Sanders, Director of Admissions. Or email [email protected].
Do you have after school care?
Extended care is an option for students in the PK-5 full-day program through third grade. After care runs Monday through Friday, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The cost for the year is $3,900 with need-based financial aid available for those who qualify.
Do you offer financial aid?
Mustard Seed School has a mission to remove barriers to learning, including financial barriers. We have an innovative Sliding Scale Tuition model. Sliding Scale Tuition is based on the principle that a family’s financial commitment should be in equitable proportion to its financial resources. Sliding Scale Tuition is indexed to your family’s unique financial profile, not solely income. Need is assessed by Smart Aid and the Financial Evaluation Committee. You can read more here.
Who do I speak with if I have admissions questions?
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. You can call Imaani F. Sanders, Director of Admissions and Community Relations, at (201) 653-5548 or email her at [email protected].
What is the deadline to apply?
The 2020-21 application deadline is Jan. 3, 2020. Applications may still be accepted after the application deadline. However, applications that arrive by the deadline receive priority status. Late application files will be reviewed on a case by case basis. If you’d like to speak with someone personally, call us at (201) 653-5548 and ask for Imaani F. Sanders, Director of Admissions.
Do you serve bilingual children?
Yes, many of our students speak languages other than English at home. We’re particularly aware of the needs of bilingual children. Several of our teachers speak additional languages including Spanish, Dutch, Korean, German, Japanese, Polish, and Portuguese.
Are siblings automatically admitted?
We encourage families of current students to apply for their younger children as well. We give preference to siblings.
If my child attends preschool at Mustard Seed School, will they have a place in kindergarten?
Yes. Mustard Seed preschool students are guaranteed a space in kindergarten. You’ll have the option to re-enroll in February.
How firm are you about age cutoff dates?
We’re flexible about many things. We’re firm about our cutoff dates. Years of experience and research back up our policy. A child must be three before September 1 to begin PK. A child must be five before September 1 to begin kindergarten. A child must be six before September 1 to begin first grade. Read more on this topic.
Do you accept students with special needs?
Learner variability enriches the community of Mustard Seed School and many students with particular learning needs thrive here. We strive for an inclusive classroom setting where barriers to learning can be removed and minimized.
Students in kindergarten through eighth grade may qualify for special services through the Hoboken Board of Education and many of these services can be provided at Mustard Seed School. Working with students one-on-one or in small group settings, speech and occupational therapists, paraprofessionals, and a special education teacher provide individualized instruction and support. Our expert learning specialists communicate with this team, as well as with teachers and parents, to make sure all students have a cohesive support community.
In some situations, a student’s learning needs cannot be adequately served by the services available at Mustard Seed School. We encourage you to discuss your child’s support needs with the director of admissions during your application process.
