Admissions
Become a part of the community of learners 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.
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1:9 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 years)
17 average class size
Mustard Seed students have been accepted at these prestigious high schools.
Start your journey
with us.
If you haven’t already, we encourage you to request information by providing your contact information. Someone from our Admissions team will reach out to you and make sure that you get the information that you need. We look forward to the day when it is safe for us to welcome you on campus for an in-person tour!
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 Maya Butler, Admissions Office Manager at 201.839.7436 ([email protected]) or Imaani F. Sanders, Director of Admissions at 201.355.6635 ([email protected].)
Do you have after school care?
Yes, we do. PK3 students have a half day option with an extended day to 3PM. PK4-5th grade have an extended day option to 6 PM. 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.
Maya Butler, Admissions Office Manager, at 201.839.7436 ([email protected])
Imaani F. Sanders, Director of Admissions at 201.355.6635 ([email protected].)
What is the deadline to apply?
The 2020-21 application deadline is Jan. 7, 2022. 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, please reach out to
Maya Butler, Admissions Office Manager, at 201.839.7436 ([email protected])
or
Imaani F. Sanders, Director of Admissions at 201.355.6635 ([email protected].)
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.
