Frequently Asked Questions
Questons
- What grade levels do you have at Meridian School?
- What time does school start and end?
- What is your yearly school schedule?
- What kind of school are you?
- Are you a religious school?
- Are you a reform school?
- What are your requirements for admittance?
- What are your class sizes?
- How long have you been a school?
- Do you have extended-day care?
- Are you an accredited school?
- Do you have after school activities?
- What sports do you offer?
- What is your tuition?
- Isn’t your school expensive?
- What are my payment options?
- Is there a discount for more than one student?
- Do you offer scholarships?
- Do students wear uniforms?
- How do you deal with student discipline?
- How is your school different from public schools?
Answers
- What grade levels do you have at Meridian School?
We offer Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grades. - What time does school start and end?
School starts at 8:15 and gets out at 3:15. Our Pre-Kindergarten morning class goes from 8:15-11:15. The afternoon session runs from 12:15-3:15. Students in these classes who stay all day will have their lunch between 11:15-12:15. - What is your yearly school schedule?
We run on a traditional school year from the last week of August through May. - 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. - 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. - Are you a reform school?
No, we are not equipped to help students with emotional or behavioral problems. - What are your requirements for admittance?
While the admissions committee will look at grades and test scores, they are also looking for students who 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 Meridian School. - 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 have a maximum of 18 students per grade. For grades 7 to 12, we have a limit of 24 students per grade level. - How long have you been a school?
We have been a school for 20 years. - Do you have extended-day care?
No. - Are you an accredited school?
Yes, we are an accredited school through the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC). - Do you have after school activities?
For our Middle and Upper School we have extracurricular sports and clubs. - What sports do you offer?
Women’s Volleyball, Men’s Flag Football, Men and Women’s Basketball, and Co-ed Soccer. - What is your tuition?
(Please refer to the tuition schedule). - Isn’t your school expensive?
Tuition is lower than many other comparable private schools throughout the state and throughout the country. 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. - What are my payment options?
There are two options for paying tuition.
1)Tuition can be paid in full by the first day of classes.
2)Tuition can be paid monthly using NetDeposit (formerly Diggy Insurance PlanPay). - 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 10% tuition discount for the second oldest sibling, a 25% tuition discount for the third enrolled child, and a 50% tuition discount for the fourth enrolled sibling and any subsequent students enrolled from the same family. - 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. - Do students wear uniforms?
Yes. Meridian students in Kindergarten through 12th grades are required to wear a school uniform. (see uniform requirements) - 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 dress 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. - How is your school different from public schools?
As an independent school, Meridian School is governed by a board of directors which has the opportunity to define the school’s mission and to design a quality curriculum to magnify that vision. The financial support for Meridian does not come from taxes or church funds, but rather from tuition-paying families and charitable contributions. Such support comes from families who recognize the quality education that their children are receiving at Meridian. Families value the fact that Meridian School works hard to create a community where students thrive in small classes led by quality faculty members, who set academic standards consistent with our mission. Families also appreciate how Meridian emphasizes a well-rounded education by encouraging students to participate in sports, the arts, and a variety of other extracurricular activities. In addition, 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 schools.”If such qualities are important to you and your child, then the next step is to come visit us at Meridian School!