Frequently Asked Questions

​Where is Ashlar located?
Our full nature immersion programs are offered at Lake Wilderness Arboretum in Maple Valley, WA. 
 
​What birth date cut-off does Ashlar use? Generally speaking, our program age ranges are based on children's ages as of September 1 of that school year. However, we are somewhat flexible with ages and willing to consider children who technically fall outside of the birth range described, based on what is best for the child. The "best fit" is determined by: 1) parent request, 2) mentor input after an approved trial period, and 3) final permission may be granted or denied by the director.
 
How do I register my child? On our website, choose "Registration" from the drop down menu.  Once we receive your application, we will notify you to complete the registration process, which includes: submitting your Registration Form; reading and signing all required documents in our Jovial Family Portal; and, paying your registration, program retainer, and materials fees. You may choose to join our waiting list if there are no program openings. There is no fee to submit an enrollment application or to join our waiting list. 
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What clothing and gear should my child wear to school? Ashlar's questers spend a lot of time outdoors, rain or shine. In the Pacific Northwest, this means that your children will need to come dressed in layers. For additional information, a gear list will be supplied when enrollment materials are sent out.
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What is included in the cost of tuition? What additional fees do I need to know about? Ashlar proudly offers an all-inclusive tuition. This means that you know exactly how much you will spend for the entire school year by simply looking at the cost of tuition. There are no fundraising requirements or unexpected, mid-year fees. 
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Does Ashlar have a religious affiliation? How do you nurture a child's spiritual potential? Ashlar does not have a religious affiliation. We nurture children's spiritual potential by nurturing their sense of wonder, and acknowledging that there is more to the world than what we can see. Our spiritual philosophies are compatible with any faith tradition, and we encourage families to reinforce their traditions in the home just as they would have before attending Ashlar​
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