2026-2027 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 2026-27 school year are available beginning January 10, 2026 with priority admittance given to applications received by March 1, 2026.
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 onto 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 recognizing 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 Spring 2026 Open House Tuesday, February 10
Open House for Prospective Families entering Kindergarten-Fifth Grade: anytime between 9:00 AM-2:30 PM
Open House for Prospective Families entering Preschool: anytime between 9:00 AM-Noon
Step One: Attend Open House and/or Schedule a Site Visit*
Prospective Families may attend the Fall or Spring Open House and/or choose to schedule an individual site visit, typically guided by the School Director. Children are welcome, but not required to attend the Open House/Site Visit. Schedule individual site visits through this link. For tours in the summer or fall semester, email the school director, Dr. Ali Lewis.
Step Two: Complete Application Form
Optional Step: Complete Application Waiver & Reduced Tuition Application
Families must submit tax documentation to affirm their waiver and/or reduced tuition application; families may only wave their application fee waived if they qualify for free/reduced lunch per federal income guidelines, however anyone may apply for reduced tuition with priority consideration given to free/reduced lunch families. Families may choose to submit tax documentation in person by visiting the school office or submit electronically via the application form. Families who choose to submit tax documentation electronically, using the secure box folder found through this tuition fee waiver application form link below, should not email their tax form. Social Security Numbers are on tax forms. We will temporarily collect a tax form electronically for affirmation of waiver and/or reduced tuition 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!
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.
- Required 3rd-5th grade applicants: Compose a short story about a memorable family moment (typed or handwritten by child).
- Optional Preschool-2nd grade applicants: Narrate a story regarding the family portrait (adult may type or handwrite for child). Adult or child may “label” the portrait in order to more fully express understanding.
2. 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?
3. Other: Family/child’s choice (i.e., drawing or artistic creation, transcript or recording of a conversation, story telling, photo of child doing something they love).
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.
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 & site visit 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).