General and Non-Discriminatory
GSA is a full-time Pre-K elementary, middle, and high school, and admissions are open throughout the year. The principal and school coordinators make the decision for new students to be admitted to a specific grade level after evaluation of application, screening test results, individual and family interviews, supporting documents including transcripts and any discipline/probation records from the previous school. GSA admits students of any race, gender or religion to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to its students and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender or religion in the administration of its educational policies, admissions, and programs.
At the present time, GSA does not have the resources to support children with special needs.
However, it does assist parents/guardians in securing help through the School District of Palm Beach County’s Department (SDPBC) of Exceptional Student Education (ESE), ONLY for students with speech and language impairment and deny the services for students with any other special need. Speech and language therapy is provided by an independent speech pathologist. At The Garden of Sahaba Academy, we have a multiracial, ethnic and culturally diverse population of students and families, in which most of our students are bilingual and may need speech or language services. Therefore, GSA elects the right to only allow the speech and language resources provided from The School District of Palm Beach County ESE program.
Minimum Age Requirements
- Pre-K 3 start at 3 years of age at September 01 of the year of admission.
- Pre-K 4 start at 4 years of age at September 01 of the year of admission.
- Kindergarten start at 5 years of age at September 01 of the year of admission.
- Grade 1 start at 6 years of age at September 01 of the year of admission.
In accordance with the State Law (FL ST § 232.01) and Florida Kindergarten Counsel Standard 3.3.7 a student must be five years old on or before September 1, to enter Kindergarten. Parents are advised that a child in Pre K 3 or Pre K 4 who does not meet this requirement will need to spend two years in his or her respective level before entering Kindergarten.
Placement Test
Placement test are given to:
- Kindergarten – School Readiness Test.
- Grades 4-11 – Placement Test
Transfer Students
Students who transfer to GSA will be accepted on a case-by-case basis in the grade he/she is transferred to with these conditions:
- 90 days academic and disciplinary probation
During the probation period, the student must display a keen interest in learning and adhere to the school rules and requirements.
Parents who are transferring students who do not meet the age-appropriate cutoff date for that grade can apply for a waiver. The request for a waiver will be determined by:
- Documents submitted at the time of the application, which prove that the child is in that grade.
- Students take the Placement Test.
GSA reserves the right to reverse any decision based on academic difficulties, discipline issues and/or any learning challenges during the probationary period. The student will be carefully evaluated by the teacher(s) during this period.
In special circumstances a teacher may recommend advanced students who have displayed the following criteria will be allowed to skip one (1) grade level during their entire duration at GSA:
- Academic advancement in their age appropriate grade level
- High Achievement on Placement exams
- Grade Appropriate Social Emotional skills which is evaluated by school counselor or administration
