2007 - 2008 FAQ’s

1. How soon should I apply for my child to attend the next school year?
Applications can be submitted at any time, but class size restrictions limit the number of accepted applicants in each grade level.  Applying early is always a good choice.

2. Can a student enroll during the existing school year?
Yes, if accepted and there is availability in the appropriate grade level. If there is no availability, the student’s file will be put on “HOLD” awaiting availability.

3. What is the student/teacher ratio?
10:1 is the current student/teacher ratio.  Lower School class sizes are 18 students per section. Middle/Upper School class sizes are 20 students per section.

4. Are payment plans available? Or is the whole tuition amount due at one time?
Yes, payment options are available to day students and non-international boarding students. Please contact the Business Office at (903) 894-5000 Ext. 1031 for details.  International Boarding tuition is due in full within 10 days of issuance of the Enrollment Contract.

5. Are scholarships offered?
We do not offer scholarships of any kind (athletic, academic, or performing arts).

6. Are uniforms included in the cost of tuition?
No.  Uniforms are purchased separately from Academy Uniforms in Ft. Worth, Texas.  You may access the store through their website at www.academyuniforms.com or call toll free 1-888-297-5243. The approximate uniform costs for a student’s first year range from $250 to $350.

7. Are textbooks included in the cost of tuition? 
Yes, for grades PK – 5.  They are not for grades 6 – 12.  Grades 6 – 12 books are purchased separately from MBS Direct.  You may access the store through their website at www.mbsdirect.net or call toll free 1-800-325-3252. The cost of textbooks varies per grade level.  The cost ranges from $300 - $500.  These books can be sold back to MBS Direct.

8. What time do the students need to arrive at school and when are they released   from school everyday?
Classes begin at 8:20 AM for the Lower School and 8:30 AM for the Middle/Upper School.  Lower School is dismissed at 3:20 PM and Middle/Upper School is dismissed at 3:30 PM.  “Backwork” is the time for extra teacher help and is held every morning from 8:00 until 8:25 and 3:30 – 4:00 Monday – Thursday (Students have early release on Fridays) for Middle and Upper School students. Middle School Athletics begin at 7:45 and end after 1st period.  Upper School Athletic begin 7th period ending around 4:30 PM.

9. Do you have any type of program that will allow my child to stay at the school until I can pick them up at 5:00 when I get off work?
Lower School families may opt to enroll in the Cadet Club which provides supervision until 4:30 PM.  Middle and Upper School buildings are locked at 4:30 and children should be picked up by that time.  Brook Hill does not offer any after school activities other than Athletics, Fine Arts practices, and Club meetings.  Students involved in athletics often have practices that run later and they will be supervised in the gym or on the playing fields.

10. How do you handle disruptive students?
The Dean of Students for the Middle and Upper Schools oversees all Middle and Upper School discipline.  The Lower School Principal oversees all discipline for the Lower School.  Behavior expectations and consequences are clearly outlined in the “Brook Hill Parent and Student Handbook”. 
         
11. Do you offer any classes where students can earn college credit while attending Brook Hill?
Courses currently offered include: Pre-AP Geometry, Pre-AP Algebra II, Dual-Credit College Algebra, Dual-Credit College Pre-Calculus, Dual-Credit Statistics, Dual-Credit Calculus I/II, AP Calculus AB, Pre-AP Biology, Pre-AP Chemistry, Advanced Physics, Dual-Credit Anatomy & Physiology, Dual-Credit Environmental Science, AP Chemistry, Honors French III, Honors Spanish III, Honors Spanish IV, Pre-AP History 9, Pre-AP History 10, Pre-AP History 11, Advanced History 11, Dual-Credit Government, Dual-Credit Economics, Dual-Credit United States History, Pre-AP English 9, Pre-AP English 10, Pre-AP English 11, Dual-Credit English 11, Dual-Credit English 12, AP English Language & Composition, and AP English Literature & Composition.

12. About how many hours of homework will my child have each week?
Lower School students will generally have homework every night.  Eight to ten hours of homework per week is average for Middle and Upper school classes, depending on the child’s grade level.  Students taking AP or concurrent credit courses should expect between 10 and 12 hours a week.

13. Can my child be in both sports and music?
Yes!  They may participate in as many activities as their schedule allows.

14. If my child attends Brook Hill, will colleges recognize the education from a small, private school?
Yes, Brook Hill is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), a nationally recognized accrediting organization.

15. How do I find out how my child is doing in his/her classes?
Parents may check their child’s grades, homework assignments, and attendance via online through a Parent Link which is connected to the school’s internet-base academic software, Renweb.  In addition, all Brook Hill faculty and staff have e-mail addresses and phone numbers available on Renweb for quick communications.

16. Are all of the teachers at The Brook Hill School certified?
Yes, all teachers are degreed in their fields of instruction.  In fact, 60% of our teaching staff hold advanced degrees.