Applications for the 2025-2026 School Year

Thank you for your interest in Uni Primary! All families are welcome to apply to Uni Primary; there is no preference for University affiliated families nor a faculty/employee discount for University folks. All are welcome! Applications for the 2025-26 school year are available beginning January 10, 2025 with priority admittance given to applications received by March 1, 2025. (For the current 2024-2025 school year, we are not accepting applications as classrooms are full.) Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are accepted!

Families should direct logistical admissions questions to Christine Wyant, the School Office Specialist. The School Director, Ali Lewis is available by email or during a site visit for questions about University Primary School's philosophy, teachers, structure, etc. Please use the admissions tab for information regarding the application process and tuition/fees. University Primary School is a self-sustaining unit within The College of Education and The University of Illinois. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at University of Illinois System Statement on Sex Discrimination.

To understand your child's strengths and interests, as well as your family's hopes for schooling, information is collected to create an Individual Portfolio Profile for admission consideration. We take great joy in reading these portfolios and appreciate the time families/children take to complete them! When considering applicants, we first strive to make a philosophical match between that of the prospective family and our school. Current Uni Primary preschool students may continue into K-5th grade without reapplication. Current and former Uni Primary siblings are given preference, and we attempt to balance the classrooms by age and gender (while supporting and recongnizing gender fluidity). We strive to reflect our diverse world in terms of culture, ability, socio-economic status, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, family formation, language, and more.

Uni Primary's Spring 2025 Open House Thursday, February 6

Open House for Prospective Families entering Kindergarten-Fifth Grade: anytime between 9:00 AM-2:30 PM 2/6/25

Open House for Prospective Families entering Preschool: anytime between 9:00 AM-Noon 2/6/25

Step One: Attend Open House and/or Schedule a Site Visit*

Prospective Families may attend the Spring or Fall Open House and/or choose to schedule an individual site visit. Children are welcome, but not required to attend Open House/Site Visit.

Schedule a Site Tour

Step Two: Complete Application Form

Online Application Form

Optional Step: Complete Tuition Fee Waiver Application Form

Families must submit tax documentation to affirm their waiver application. Families may choose to submit tax documentation in person by visiting the school office. Families may choose to submit tax documentation electronically, using the secure box folder found through this tuition fee waiver application form link below. Do not email your tax form. Social Security Numberss are on tax forms. We will temporarily collect a tax form electronically for affirmation of waiver information and then electronically dispose of the form. Families have the option to black out a SSN on their tax form, when submitting electronically or in person. After submitting a tax form via the secure box folder, remember to remove the tax form from your own computer/recycle bin, etc. if no longer needed!

Tuition Fee Waiver Application Form

Step Three: Child's Independent Work/Play Samples (all 3 samples to be submitted within Step Two's form)

Family Portrait: A drawing or representation by the child of their family - May use any materials: paint, markers, crayons, pencil, etc. 3rd-5th grade applicants have an additional, required accompaniment to their family portrait: Compose a short story about a memorable family moment (typed or handwritten.) Preschool-2nd grade applicants optional to accompany family portrait: Ask your child to narrate their thoughts regarding the portrait they created of their family (adult can write for child). Adult or child may "label" the portrait in order to more fully express understanding.
Construction/Design: A photograph of an independently constructed item/something independently"designed" - May be constructed using blocks, Lego, cardboard, tape, clay, toys, boxes, sand, etc. Or be a design arrangement of dolls, cars, animals, etc. Constructed jewelry, clothing, baked good, etc. are also welcome. What does your child "design" and "construct" from their imagination?
Other: Family/child's choice (i.e., drawing or other artistic creation, transcript or recording of a conversation, story telling, photo of child doing something they love, etc.)

Step Four

Pay $75.00 non-refundable application fee -or- submit an application fee waiver form for families who qualify for free and reduced lunch under Step Two.

Pay Now

Placement decisions will be made by a Placement Committee comprised of University Primary School Head Teachers and the Director. Families will be informed regarding first round placement decisions at the end of March/early April (or at other times during the year, if applying outside of the traditional admissions timeframe).

*During summer months or for a specific circumstance, it may not be possible for a family to complete a site visit tour/questionnaire. Applicant families must meet with the director, but this specific form may be waived due to the time of year or a specific circumstance and the application may still be considered complete (at the discretion of the school director).