UCDS Curriculum and Admissions Resources — Education

Researched and downloaded from official UCDS sources on 2026-08-22.

Educational model

University Child Development School (UCDS) is a private preschool–grade 5 school. Kindergarten belongs to its multi-age Early Elementary program with preschool and pre-kindergarten. It uses teacher-designed, responsive curriculum rather than a fixed commercial sequence.

Teachers continually assess each child and adjust instruction to individual skills and goals. A yearly schoolwide theme connects reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies and specialist work. Internal UCDS Continua provide developmental benchmarks in reading, writing, math and reflective thinking.

Notable kindergarten practices include:

Daily contextualized “Math Vitamin” problems with multiple entry points: build, draw or record.
Individual reading conferences, “just right” books and Booklist goal tracking.
Small language groups based on current phonics, spelling or grammar needs.
Creative writing through drawing, sound-symbol work, best-guess spelling, editing and revision.
Journals, self-evaluation and a spring student-led Portfolio Share.
Seven specialist classes each week across visual art, music, design/technology, library, science, Spanish and PE.

Progress reporting

UCDS describes its assessment as authentic and ongoing. Evidence includes teacher observation, individualized goals, reading conferences, journals, student work, portfolios and student reflection. The UCDS Continua act as the skills framework. The public site does not clearly state how often families receive written reports, so request a kindergarten sample and reporting calendar.

Admissions for 2027–28

Kindergarten applicants must be five before September 1 of the entry year.
The school plans to open applications in early September 2026.
Submit the preliminary application early because UCDS caps the process at 300 applications and recommends applying by early December.
Complete-file deadline: January 14, 2027.
Requirements include a required adult tour, parent questionnaire, teacher evaluation, cognitive testing and applicant visit.
Accepted cognitive tests include WPPSI-IV for children under six, WISC-V for older children and KABC-II.
UCDS does not use a test-score threshold; results are one component of a holistic review.
The school reports approximately 15 kindergarten openings annually.
Early Elementary applicant visit days are listed for February 25–27, 2027; confirm dates because one year is mistyped on the official page.

Cost and logistics

Official 2026–27 full-day tuition: $43,875; the 2027–28 rate still needs confirmation.
The 2027–28 Clarity tuition-assistance application is due February 12, 2027.
Families should expect approximately $800 in additional field-trip/overnight costs.
One in seven students received financial support and approximately $1.36 million was awarded in 2025–26.
School day: 8:15 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Complimentary morning care: 7:00–8:15 a.m.
Afternoon care: 3:00–6:00 p.m.
UCDS reports a 7:1 student/teacher ratio.

Downloaded files

Live sources

Change log

2026-08-22: Initial curriculum and admissions archive created.