Frequently Asked Questions
What grades does the school serve?
Atrium School serves students in PreK (age 4) through Grade 8.
How old does my child need to be for PreK or Kindergarten?
A child must turn four by September 15 for PreK.
A child must turn five by September 15 for Kindergarten.
Are PreK and Kindergarten full-day programs? Is there a PreK half-day option?
Our PreK and Kindergarten school day runs from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., with care available 7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. for an additional fee.
What are the school hours?
The school day for PreK through Grade 5 is a full day from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The school day for middle school students (Grades 6–8) is from 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Before school early drop-off is available from 7:45 a.m., and After-School coverage and programming are available until 5:30 p.m. for an additional fee.
How much does After-School cost?
Current after-school fees are available upon request. Please reach out msand@atrium.org for up-to-date information.
Are students admitted at every grade level?
While our primary entry points are PreK, Kindergarten, and Grade 6, students are admitted at every grade level when there is space available.
Is there a sibling policy?
Siblings of currently enrolled students who are applying to our Early Childhood program (PreK, Kindergarten, and First Grade) may apply early and are admitted according to an early timeline. Sibling applicants must meet the same admissions criteria as non-sibling applicants.
Where do Atrium students live?
Families come from all areas of Boston and surrounding communities. This year, our students live in the following cities and towns:
Acton, Arlington, Belmont, Boston, Boxborough, Brighton, Brookline, Cambridge, Charlestown, Dedham, Dorchester, Holbrook, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Lexington, Lowell, Malden, Medford, Natick, Newton, Peabody, Roslindale, Roxbury, Somerville, Stoneham, Sudbury, Waban, Waltham, Watertown, Wellesley, Westborough, Winchester, and Woburn
Is there transportation?
Atrium does not offer transportation options at this time. We do encourage and help to facilitate carpools.
Atrium is also accessible by public transportation by taking the MBTA #71 bus from Harvard Station (toward Watertown Square) or from Watertown Square (toward Harvard Station) to the Kimball Road stop on Mt. Auburn Street.
How are families involved at the school?
We believe in the importance of a strong connection between home and the classroom in supporting a child’s success in school. Teachers strive to nurture relationships between families and the school through regular formal and informal communications throughout the year.
Atrium also values family input and participation in the life of the school. Our active Family Association helps facilitate and organize parent engagement, whether it’s volunteering at the Fall Festival, attending a class potluck, or joining an evening with an educational speaker.
Adult family members serve on our Board of Trustees or as Atrium Family Ambassadors, assist in the library, attend field trips, give tours to prospective families, and bring their own expertise and experiences into classrooms. As a school community that embraces not just its students but each of its families, Atrium values the role that parents and guardians play in the culture of the school.