Transition School

Notes for Prospective TS Students: Completed applications for the 2010-2011 academic year are due on March 15, 2010. Interested students should take the ACT exam on October 24, December 12, or February 6. Please see the  Transition School Application Packet for more information.

The Transition School is a one-year academic program that enables students to move from their traditional middle-school setting to the University of Washington with the skills and maturity needed to earn a university education. A class of sixteen students enters the Transition School each year. Students must have completed 6th grade before they can enroll in the Transition School.

Transition School is held daily in a classroom at the Robinson Center. Students take the core Transition School classes together, where they create a network of relationships with each other, the Transition School faculty and the staff of the Robinson Center. The unique setting of a one-room schoolhouse within a large university provides frequent opportunities for individual attention from the faculty, developing friendships and exploring the resources of the University of Washington. Most faculty offices are located within the Center, as are the Academic Advisor’s and Director’s offices.

The Transition School’s small, demanding classes are taught by an experienced faculty and offer students the chance to stretch their minds and develop more advanced conceptual, verbal, scientific and mathematical skills. Students take classes in mathematics, science, literature and writing, and history designed to prepare them for the academic rigor of the UW.

High priority is placed on college survival skills such as note taking, time management and study skills. Educational field trips and recreational activities are also provided. Students are encouraged to make use of all University opportunities, and to create friendships both within and outside of the Transition School program.

Admissions Timeline for 2010-2011 Academic Year

  • Nov 6, 2009 – Deadline for the Dec 12th ACT exam
  • Dec 12, 2009 – National ACT date
  • Jan 4, 2010 – TS Information Session at 7 pm, Room 147 in Architecture Hall on the UW Seattle campus. Parents, students, and teachers are invited to attend.
  • Jan 5, 2010 – Deadline for the Feb 6th ACT exam
  • Feb 6, 2010 – National ACT date. This is the LAST ACT for which students applying for TS can register.
  • March 15, 2010 – TS Application deadline. By this date we must have an application form, ACT test scores and grades on file.
  • May 27, 2010 – Last day for TS class visits and interviews.
  • June 8, 2010- TS acceptance decisions completed and mailed.

ACT Information

  • The TS code for the ACT is 481174. Students should use this code when registering for the ACT exam. The codes goes in the HIGH SCHOOL section of the form.
  • Students are no longer required to take the writing portion of the exam.
  • Students need a current ACT score; they must take the ACT this year to apply this year.

Teacher Recommendation & Interview Information

  • Teacher recommendations are via phone only (no written recs).
  • Recommendations are only asked for once a completed file has been reviewed and found satisfactory.
  • Interviews/visits are only arranged after satisfactory teacher recommendations are completed.

General TS Information

  • Student must not be older than 14 as of August 31, 2010 (birthday of 9/1/95 or after).
  • Financial aid is available (decisions are made after the entire TS class is chosen).
  • Public, private, and homeschooled students are welcome!
  • Student (with parents) must reside in Seattle metro area during the Transition School year.

News

Transition School featured on ABC Nightline News on April 15. See the video here.

Early Entrance Program (7th/8th grade)

UW Academy (10th grade): Application materials are available for download. Apply now!

Summer Program (5th-9th grades): Challenge Application begins Feb 1 at 8 AM; Stretch Application begins Feb 16 at 8 AM.

Transition School (7th and 8th grades): The 2010-11 application is now available for download.

Important Dates

Sept 30: First day for TS and UW

Nov 9: UW Academy Info Session, 7pm, Johnson Hall, Room 102

Jan 4: Transition School Info Session, 7pm, Architecture Hall, Room 147

Jan 11: UW Academy Info Session, 7pm, Johnson Hall, Room 102

March 15: TS application due to Robinson Center

March 18: UW Academy application due to Robinson Center