FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What grade levels do you have at Meridian School? We are Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade.

2. What time does school start and end? School starts at 8:20 and gets out at 3:10. Our Pre-Kindergarten morning class goes from 8:20-11:20. The afternoon session runs from 12:10-3:10. Students in these classes who stay all day will have their lunch between 11:20-12:00.

3. What is your yearly school schedule? We run on a traditional school year from the last week of August through May.

4. What kind of school are you? We are an independent college preparatory school. Our philosophy is based on a liberal arts education. We offer classes in Humanities, Math and Science, and the Arts. Our classes are designed to give each student a well- rounded education and to achieve academic excellence.

5. Are you a religious school? No, we are not affiliated with any religion. Our curriculum is based on a college preparatory philosophy with a liberal arts emphasis.

6. Are you a reform school? No, we are not equipped to help students with emotional or behavioral problems.

7. What are your requirements for admittance? While the admissions committee will look at grades and test scores, they are also looking for students that want to be part of our community, with a positive attitude and desire to learn. Students who are concerned about their education, are looking for a challenge, and are eager to participate in extracurricular activities do very well at our school.

8. What are your class sizes? In our Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten classes we have up to 14 students per class. In grades 1 through 6 we cap at 18 students. For grades 7 to 12 we cap at 24 students per class grade level.

9. How long have you been a school? We have been a school for 20 years.

10. Do you have extended-day care? No.

11. Are you an accredited school? Yes, we are an accredited school through Northwestern Association of Accredited Schools and have been accepted as a candidate for accreditation through the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools.

12. Do you have after school activities? For our Middle and Upper School we have extracurricular sports and clubs.

13. What sports do you offer? Men and Women’s Basketball, Mens Tennis, Mens Soccer, Women’s Volleyball, and Mens Baseball.

14. What is your tuition? (Please refer to the tuition schedule).

15. Isn’t your school expensive? Tuition is lower than many other comparable private schools throughout the state and throughout the country. Meridian School is a non-profit independent school. We are funded by tuition and private donations. The tuition pays for teacher and staff salary, curriculum and classroom supplies, facility costs and grounds keeping, advertising and school activities. Currently, we are the only non-denominational private school in Utah County that teaches Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade offering a true liberal arts education.

16. What are my payment options? There are two options for paying tuition. 1)Tuition can be paid in full by May. 2)Tuition is divided into twelve monthly payments that go from June through May.

17. Is there a discount for more than one student? We do have a multi-student discount. Families with more than one enrolled student receive a 5% tuition discount for the second oldest sibling, a 15% discount for the 3rd enrolled child, a 25% tuition discount for the fourth enrolled sibling, a 50% discount for the 5th enrolled sibling, and a 100% discount for the 6th sibling, and any subsequent students enrolled from the same family.

18. Do you offer scholarships? Scholarships are awarded based upon financial need and academic merit. Our scholarships are funded by private donations to the school and awarded until the donations are depleted.

19. Do you have a uniform code? Yes. Our students in Kindergarten through 12th grade are required to wear a uniform. (see uniform code.)

20. How do you deal with student discipline? We have a code of conduct that each student is required to read and agree to uphold. Students sign a student contract stating they will abide by the uniform standards and code of conduct. Students are disciplined according to the penalties outlined in the code of conduct. Students who regularly violate the rules can be suspended or expelled.

21. How is your school different from public schools? As an independent school, Meridian school is independently governed by a board of trustees which allows us the opportunity to define our own mission and the freedom to design a quality curriculum which best meets our mission. The financial support for Meridian does not come from taxes or church funds, but rather from tuition-paying families and charitable contributions. Such support only comes from families who recognize that their children are receiving a quality education.

    Families value the fact that Meridian School works hard to create communities where students thrive in small classes let by quality faculty members who set academic standards consistent with our mission. Families also like the fact that Meridian stresses a well-rounded education by encouraging students to participate in sports, the arts, and a variety of other co-curricular activities. Indeed, parents are also provided with substantial opportunities to become involved in the life of the school.

    These important qualities were reinforced in the 1999 National Public Opinion Poll on Perceptions of Independent Schools commissioned by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). This poll found that, “independent schools are seen as most different in offering a more personalized, customized education, and an environment that is civil and controlled. Small class sizes, individualized attention, values, manners, and discipline are the most particular factors describing differences perceived between public and independent school”.

    If such qualities are important to you and your child, then the next step is to see if Meridian School is the right school for your child.