Kindergarten Application
ESSAY QUESTIONS

The essay questions in the three kindergarten applications that we completed had a lot of overlap, certainly thematically if not exact questions. Based on our experience, talking to our friends, and flipping through some books, we've assembled lists of essay questions that seem to be most common in kindergarten applications, below. We've repeated different variations of questions for illustration; and where a question shows up in multiple forms, we think it's safe to say that that's a more commonly used question by the schools! We've organized the lists into categories, and there's no particular science to the order in which we've listed the questions.

• About Your Child
• Describe your child.
• Please comment on your child’s greatest strengths and challenges both as a student and a person.
• Please tell us about your child's gifts and challenges, as you see them.
• Describe your child’s strengths and challenges in the following areas: Academic; Social; Personal.
• Tell us about your child’s characteristics, traits, personality, and maturity.
• Tell us about your child in terms of personality, interests, and temperament.
• How would you describe your child's developmental growth in the following areas: Physical; Emotional; Social; Language.
• Please describe your child's educational experience so far.
• What are your child’s interests/extracurricular activities?
• How does your family like to spend time together?
• What are your child’s and family’s special interests and extracurricular activities?
• What individual and family activities does your child enjoy?
• How does your child like to spend time alone?
• What are your child’s responsibilities at home?
• [For the child] Please create a picture of yourself in any medium you like (but you must do it by yourself).
• What language, if other than English, is spoken most often at home?
• What is your child’s primary language? To what extent are other languages spoken in the home?
• Is there any medical or family information that would be important for the school to know in working with your child?
• Has your child ever had special tutoring?
• Are there any factors that have had an impact on your child’s academic or social progress to date (e.g., illness, physical disability, learning difficulties, changes of home or school, death, or divorce)?
• Are there any health matters or special learning needs that have affected your child’s performance in school or participation in activities? How have these needs been supported?
• Does your child have any physical condition or special needs that staff should be aware of during the school visit?


• Education/Values
• Describe an ideal school environment for your child.
• What would be an ideal learning environment for your child?
• From your perspective, in what kind of learning environment would your child thrive?
• What are you hopes and dreams for your child during his or her school years?
• Describe your involvement as a parent in your child’s education.
• What do you see as your main role in your child’s education?
• Please describe the important values by which you and your family live. How do you instill and reinforce those values?
• In what ways do you value a diversity of people, experiences, and exposures in your child’s life and education?
• If your child is currently attending preschool, please briefly describe the program and comment on your child’s experience in that program.
• Describe your own K-8 school experience.


• Parental Involvement and Volunteerism
Describe any service or volunteer activities you have been involved in within your community or schools.
• What volunteer activities does your family pursue?
• What has been your involvement in your child’s school?
• What can you contribute to our school?
• How would you as parents like to be involved in supporting the school community?
• In what ways do you hope to become involved in [our school's] community?
• Do you have particular skills or talents that you would be willing to share with [our school's] community?


• Interest in a Particular School
• How did you first learn about [our school]?
• Please explain your interest in sending your son/daughter to [our school]?
• Why do you think [our school] could be a good match for your child and your family? What draws you to our philosophy? Has your child had any experience with other progressive education?
• What qualities do you hope that your child will have by the time he or she leaves [our school]?
• If your child is transferring from another school, please comment on the reasons for leaving and your interest in [our school].
• What are you looking for in a school?
• Why are you applying to [our school]?


• Miscellaneous/Catch-All
• Please give any additional information that you would like to share.
• What more would you like us to know about your child?
• Please feel free to give include any additional comments about your child or your family.

The question directing the child to draw a picture of himself/herself appeared on only one of the three kindergarten applications that we completed, so we’re not sure how common that one is. Incidentally, at the kindergarten assessment meeting for that school, I understand they also asked our son to draw a picture of himself there too. I took that to be sort of a check on whether the first-submitted picture was truly done by our child — but I am probably being overly suspicious for no reason!

I guess that's also not exactly an essay question, but we weren't sure where else to list it!


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