Begin with a conversation.
Choosing a high school means imagining your child’s daily life: the people around them, the work they will do, and the support they can count on.
Start by contacting the school office. Share your student’s current grade, intended entry year, and the questions you would like to explore. The office can confirm openings, visit arrangements, and the current application requirements.
Call (202) 269-3186Your first steps.
Explore the program
Read about seminars, ATLAS, Compass Advisory, and student activities. Think about which parts connect with your child’s interests and learning needs.
Speak with the school
Ask about space in the intended grade, the application timeline, and opportunities to visit. Confirm appointments before traveling to campus.
Prepare the requested materials
Get the current checklist directly from the office. Ask which school records, recommendations, or conversations are required and how to submit them.
Discuss tuition and support
Review the full cost and ask about scholarship consideration early. Confirm the award and final charges before making an enrollment commitment.
Make a visit useful.
A school visit is an opportunity to look closely at the experience your child could have. Bring questions about how students participate, how teachers respond when work is difficult, and how families stay informed.
- How does a new student settle into the community?
- What would a typical week look like in my student’s grade?
- How is language placement decided?
- What support is available for my child’s particular learning needs?
- What should we know about transportation, meals, and daily arrival?
Admissions questions.
Which grades does Ideal serve?
Ideal serves grades 9–12. Contact the office to confirm openings for your intended grade and entry year.
Can we apply as a transfer student?
Ask the office about available spaces and how prior coursework would be reviewed. Transfer placement and graduation planning need an individual conversation.
What is the application deadline?
The school office provides current deadlines and required materials. Proposed events on the public calendar do not establish an application deadline.
How much does it cost?
Annual tuition for 2026–27 is $8,290. Listed annual fees total $550. Visit Tuition & Scholarships for the full breakdown and support information.
Go a little deeper.
A CLOSER LOOK
Look closely at the fit
Choosing a high school means thinking about the work a student will do and the community in which they will do it. Explore the sequence of academic study, the sustained commitment to an ATLAS language, and the role of advisory and independent projects. A visit is an opportunity to ask how these features come together in an ordinary week.
Families are encouraged to bring practical questions as well: the daily journey to school, tuition and fees, support needs, and the transition from the student’s current program. Use the application guide to organize your next steps, then confirm current requirements and timing directly with the school before submitting materials.