ADMISSIONS

Our admissions process is about more than filling our classes. We want families to get to know our community, philosophy, and program, while gaining a clear understanding of both the benefits and responsibilities of being part of a cooperative preschool.

 

ADMISSION PROCESS AT A GLANCE

Get to Know us: Attend an Open House
Visit our campus, meet our community, and get a sense of our school.

Step 1: Join Our Admissions Mailing List
Stay up to date on admissions events, dates, and important information.

Step 2: Attend a Parent Info Session
Learn more about our program, our co-op community, and what it means to be part of it. Attendance is required as part of the application process.

Step 3: Attend a Playdate Tour
Visit with your child and get to experience a little bit of a typical Cottage day.

Step 4: Apply
Submit your application for the 2027-2028 school year.

What Happens Next?
Learn more about admissions decisions, enrollment, and our waitlist.

 

Attend Our Open House

If your family is interested in Cottage for the 2027-2028 school year, we invite you to attend our Open House!

Come explore our campus, see examples of our play-based curriculum, meet teachers and current families, and get a feel for our co-op community. Children are welcome and encouraged to join!

When: Saturday, November 14, 9AM - 12PM

Where: 169 Arlington Drive, Pasadena

RSVP: OPEN HOUSE

Attend a Parent Info session

We want you to know who we are and what’s involved in being part of our co-op community.

At a Parent Info Session, you’ll briefly tour our campus and then hear from current parents, teachers, our Director, and board members, and have plenty of time to ask questions.

Attendance at one of our Parent Info Sessions is important (and required) part of our application process. These sessions are designed for grown-ups only. One or both grown-ups are welcome to attend.

Parent Info Sessions for the 2027-2028 school year will be held on the following dates:

  • Thursday, January 7 | at Cottage Co-Op | 5:30-7:30pm

  • Saturday, January 23 | at Cottage Co-Op | 10am - 12pm

  • Saturday, January 30 | at Cottage Co-Op | 10am - 12pm

RSVP: PARENT INFO SESSIONS

Schedule a PlayDate Tour with your child

You and your child will spend time in the yard, explore the space, and get a brief sense of what a day at Cottage is like.

Tours will be held throughout February 2027

You’ll be invited to sign up after attending Parent Info Session

Apply to cottage

Parent Info session ✔
Playdate Tour ✔
Fallen in love with Cottage ✔

Now it’s time to apply!
Applications for the 2027–2028 school year are due February 26, 2027.
Application fee: $75

Apply
 

Sign Up for our Admissions Mailing LIST

Make sure you are getting our emails! Sign up here!

From there, we take over:

THE ADMISSIONS DECISION

  • We first fill our classes with our continuing students and siblings of current students.

  • Current families notify us end of February regarding their intention to continue the next year. Once we know the number of available spots in each class, we begin the process of offering admission to new applicants.

  • At Cottage we say, “All kids make great Cottage kids”. Tell us about your family in your application and in our meetings so that we can understand how the co-op life will work for your family. Is this the kind of school you are looking for? Let us know!

  • Families are notified of offers of admission or placement on our waitlist beginning in early March. Most families start on the waitlist before they are offered admission.

THE WAITLIST

  • If we are unable to offer your child a spot in March, we will keep your application throughout the Spring and Summer in case space becomes available. Sometimes plans change!

  • Our waitlist is flexible: your family applies to the school as a whole, and we do our best to find an appropriate placement for your child, based mainly on age and availability.

  • What if Cottage is your first choice, but you got into another school, and waitlisted at Cottage? While we encourage families to be a part of the waitlist, we unfortunately can’t know if or when an appropriate placement may open for your child here. Keep in touch and let us know if you are still hoping for a spot.