Frequently Asked Questions
Parents and students often have questions about the application process and life at Wolcott. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions.
A Wolcott learner is a creative, curious student who benefits from hands-on experiences and interactive classroom environments. If your child has average to superior intelligence but is not reaching their full academic potential or is experiencing frustration in school, consider Wolcott College Prep. Through small classes, partnerships with teachers, and regular Learning Strategies classes, we address each student’s learning profile – leveraging strengths to foster growth. Our robust arts, athletics, and extracurricular programs emphasize student interests and talents, while comprehensive academic and college counseling support our approach to preparing every child for college and life. Our students typically have diagnoses such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, or executive function challenges, and find that they thrive in our supportive community. Our program is designed specifically for students with learning differences and is not intended to meet the needs of students with primary emotional or behavioral challenges.
We are looking for students who have demonstrated that they possess:
- The intellectual ability to succeed in our college preparatory curriculum
- Academic indicators that suggest potential for growth in our program
- Social and emotional readiness for our learning community
There are many reasons why capable students fall through the cracks — whether it’s the pace of the classroom, the volume of homework, the emphasis on memorization, or how content is delivered. At Wolcott, our students engage in a college preparatory curriculum that incorporates multi-sensory and hands-on learning approaches. We design our program to be as rich in content as it is engaging, interesting, and manageable. We create an environment where every student feels known and valued. How do we know? Because time and time again, we hear our students say with satisfaction, “My teachers understand me.” This connection is essential in helping students become critical thinkers and confident self-advocates.
A psycho-educational evaluation is a comprehensive assessment conducted by a clinical psychologist that helps answer questions regarding an individual’s overall learning profile (including strengths and weaknesses) as well as emotional and behavioral functioning. A typical evaluation assesses an individual’s functioning in cognitive reasoning, oral expression, language comprehension, academic skills, and social-emotional well-being. The results determine whether a student’s functioning meets the diagnostic criteria for a learning difference. We require a psycho-educational evaluation for admissions because it helps us determine whether Wolcott’s academic program will be a good fit for a student’s learning profile and needs. Every student submits a psycho-educational evaluation from a private provider or school district that is not older than three years.
Wolcott is more than just a school—it’s a place where students find connection, belonging, and lifelong friendship. With a wide range of student-led activities, after-school programs, clubs, and athletics, our students have countless opportunities to build meaningful relationships both in and out of the classroom. We often hear from students and families that Wolcott is where they found “their people.” Here, your child won’t just make friends—they’ll build a support system and form lasting bonds that often continue long after graduation. It’s a community where every student is seen, heard, and celebrated.
Wolcott is conveniently located for families traveling from the north, south, and west. With students coming from 58 different zip codes across Chicagoland, we are committed to making the commute as smooth as possible. Most students travel to school by car, public transportation, or our complimentary shuttle service. Wolcott provides daily morning and afternoon shuttle service at no additional cost, with stops at three convenient downtown stations.
Each year, we provide tuition assistance to 43% of our families to ensure that every qualified student has the opportunity to attend Wolcott College Prep.
It is our philosophy to keep the school within the financial reach of all our families. We are committed to working with families to make a Wolcott education affordable. If you think Wolcott is appropriate for your student, and are concerned about tuition or transportation, we encourage you to reach out to Rachel Spiro, Director of Admissions. Read more about tuition assistance here.
Applying is easy through our online admissions portal. Families can start an application without the need for completing it in one sitting. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis after the priority deadline. Click to see the application link.
We accept applications for grades 9, 10, and 11.
To request consideration for an application fee reduction, please email Rachel Spiro at rspiro@wolcottschool.org or call 312-610-4925.
We encourage you to apply early as spots are limited.
