Admission Procedure
General Admissions Application Process:
- Parents who plan to enroll new students at HMS are encouraged to complete student applications early in the calendar year.
- All applications are available through the school office or you may download a copy. New families should complete the New Patron Registration Form. If your children have been enrolled in grades K-7 at another school, please complete a transfer student application as well for each child. Current patron families should fill out the Current Patron Registration Form. Families transferring students into HMS who have been enrolled at another school should complete a Transfer Student Registration Form.
- Read and sign the Parent Covenant Form.
- Complete the necessary medical forms for kindergarten students. (Forms are available at kindergarten screening dates or by contacting the office.)
- The school principal will review your application form(s) and will contact you to arrange an interview. The purpose of this interview is for the principal to become better acquainted with your family, clarify information about the child's educational needs, clarify understanding about the Anabaptist interpretation of the Christian faith, and answer any questions you might have about the educational philosophy of the school.
- Based on the application form(s) and interview, the school's administrator will make recommendations to the HMS school board for acceptance of families to become members of the school community.
- You will be contact by letter or phone call and notified of acceptance.
- New patron families are required to attend one of two orientations held in July. An alternate orientation will be arranged if neither of the scheduled dates suit.
Kindergarten Admissions Procedure
- A child should be five years old by September 1 to enter kindergarten. Any child who turns five years of age in the month of September may be considered for admission under special assessment conditions.
- Children who meet the age requirement will need to complete a screening assessment to help determine readiness for school experiences. HMS assessment screenings are in early March. Call the school office at (717)354-7100 to make an appointment for your child's assessment screening. This can be done anytime during the school year.
- Parents can schedule an alternate assessment time when children cannot attend the March assessment by contacting the school office.
- Parents can complete student applications before or after kindergarten screening.
- Follow the general admissions procedure described above for registering your child for admissions.
Pre-K Admissions Procedure
- A child should be four years old by September 1 to enter Pre-K.
- Complete a Pre-K Registration Form and the New Student Registration Form.
About Kindergarten Assessment Screening
- Most children are ready for kindergarten when they are five years old. However, some are not developmentally ready to start school at that age. HMS provides a professional screening assessment to help ensure children will find success as they begin their formal education.
- Kindergarten assessment is a free service, and your child does not need to be registered at HMS to take part in an assessment screening.
- Students will meet with certified early childhood educators in groups no larger than six children. Children participate in 30-minute sessions that includes social play time as well as one-on-one time with the educators. Students are assessed for letter and number recognition, shape recognition, name writing, and other basic skills.