Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center

Enrollment

Admissions Policy

Enrollment in the SEEC program is based upon an annual lottery process that includes consideration of factors such as parents’ place of employment, child’s birth date, and sibling status. Smithsonian employees get priority for all open spaces at SEEC. Each March, enrollment is determined for the upcoming fall through a lottery process. If a vacancy occurs during the year, a child will be selected from the remaining applicants using the same lottery procedures but always giving priority to Smithsonian staff members.

Enrollment on a part-time basis is an option for older children. Parents may contract for specific days of the week, and tuition is pro-rated.

All applications should be returned to SEEC along with the application fee (based on a sliding scale). A scholarship program is available. Application DOES NOT guarantee enrollment.

The application fee is based on a sliding scale ($15 - $50). A nominal fee is charged to reapply each year.

For questions concerning enrollment, please contact Meredith McMahon at mcmahonm@si.edu or 202.633.1399.

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE MARCH 1st to be included in the lottery.

 Download Initial Enrollment Application (Updated 21-Oct-2011)

 Download Application for Kindergarten (Updated 11-Dec-2012)

Tuition and Fees

Non-Smithsonian Rates ... Families not employed by the Smithsonian Institution as either SI Federal or SI Trust are required to pay an additional $1500 per child each year. This amount is not considered in financial aid applications. The fee is pro-rated and added to weekly tuition, increasing the weekly rate by $30 or $6 per day. Non-Smithsonian fees also apply to Kindergarten for all families.

Activity & Material Fees - Fees will be added to tuition debits, pro-rated over the 50 weeks. All children will pay the full material fees regardless of schedule at SEEC.

Tuition is paid bi-weekly by direct debit; a payment schedule is provided to parents each school year. Scholarship applications are available.

Registration Fee

The registration fee is a nonrefundable fee of $100. This is a separate fee from the application fee.

Scholarships

Recognizing that many families have financial limitations, SEEC established a scholarship program to assist families with identified need and continues to build upon these funds yearly. The Scholarship Fund is open to all families offered enrollment in the SEEC program. Scholarships are based upon the financial need of the family.

Factors that contribute to determining the amount of scholarship awarded:

• Family income (includes both parents, even if not married)
• Place of employment
• Age of child
• Total assets and liabilities (savings, property, debt)

A family can apply for scholarship at the time a space is offered to their child. Applying for scholarship does not guarantee an award. Applicants must submit a new application each year to participate in the scholarship program

An independent organization, School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS), provides guidance for determining scholarship awards. An additional form from School & Student Service is required for submission for scholarship consideration. Please contact SEEC at 202.633.1399 to request this form. For more information, please visit the School & Student Service website: http://parents.nais.org/Articles/Pages/Affording-Independent-School.aspx.

Parents are notified of the scholarship award before a final commitment to the program is required by SEEC.

Scholarship Application Forms

Scholarship Reapplication Forms

Important Dates