Welcome, New Students!
You are invited to start your enrollment with us at any time of the year.
We will help you transfer from your previous school and provide proof of enrollment with us.
An Accredited Education, Built Around Your Family.
Join anytime, from Preschool through Grade 12. We customize your education around YOU!
Two Enrollment Periods
Both periods run a full 365 days — pick the one that matches your country's academic year.
Aug 1 – Jul 31
For the U.S. and other countries whose academic year starts around this time.
Feb 1 – Jan 31
For countries whose academic year starts around this time.
Our Programs
Grade placement is based on your child's date of birth — not their academic level.
K–8 Grade Placement
Kindergarten through Grade 8 students are placed by date of birth.
| Age | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade | K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Age | Grade |
|---|---|
| 5 | K |
| 6 | 1 |
| 7 | 2 |
| 8 | 3 |
| 9 | 4 |
| 10 | 5 |
| 11 | 6 |
| 12 | 7 |
| 13 | 8 |
Preschool Age 3 and Preschool Age 4 are also available for students in countries where compulsory schooling starts before age 5.
High School Admissions
Grades 9–12 students are placed by date of birth and proof of completing previous high school grades.
| Age | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| Age | Grade |
|---|---|
| 14 | 9 |
| 15 | 10 |
| 16 | 11 |
| 17 | 12 |
To enroll in Grade 11, for example, you'll need proof of completing Grades 9 and 10. We can help students without official transcripts get credit for those years. To graduate, students must have completed 4 years of high school enrollment. Grade 12 pricing is covered separately below.
WRA provides
- Ongoing support and community building — from an initial Orientation to monthly live support sessions, podcasts and newsletters
- A Teen Mentorship Program for high school students
- Annual or multi-year transcripts as your child progresses
WRA does not provide
- Curricula or online courses — we help you design your own!
- Teachers — no need when you are self-educating
- Testing — self-evaluation is more empowering!
For Students on a Different Path
For students whose cognitive or developmental profile makes a traditional graduation timeline unrealistic — even a flexible, self-directed one.
WRA provides
- Official enrollment in a private, accredited US school
- Annual confirmation of enrollment document
- A Certificate of Completion at age 18, in lieu of a diploma
WRA does not provide
- Grade-level placement — your grade level will be Ungraded while you are enrolled
- Transcripts — no issuance of courses and grades, ever
- A high school diploma — no need to meet graduation requirements
*In specific cases, and depending on local regulations, a student may switch from one program to another after review with the family.
Wondering if this path fits your child? See who the Ungraded Program is designed for.
Learn more →
Enrollment Fees
Enrollment is open year-round. Regardless of enrollment date, annual fees will apply.
New students pay an Onboarding Fee of $125 in addition to the Annual Enrollment Fee. This fee covers reviewing previous school records and a group orientation meeting, to ensure success from Day 1.
The Onboarding Fee applies again if a student leaves WRA and later returns without paying for missed years.
Grades K–11
Annual Enrollment Fee
All students pay the annual enrollment fee each year, regardless of enrollment date.
*Siblings must reside at the same address as the first student and a parent.
First-Year Total — New Students
12th Grade
Covers annual enrollment, the Graduation Program, the official High School Diploma, and the final Grade 9–12 transcript.
If a student enrolls in Grade 12 as the first year of enrollment, the one-time Onboarding Fee of $125 also applies, for a total of $1,070.
Visit the Graduation page →Ready to Enroll?
Start whenever you're ready — enrollment is open year-round, from Preschool through Grade 12.
Why West River Academy?
Enroll Anytime
There is no enrollment deadline. We offer open enrollment anytime during the academic year. We recommend that you enroll by the first day of school in your area.
Easy Records Transfer
We will help you transfer student records from a previous school to West River Academy.
Customize Your Learning
We are not an online school, but an American private school offering a distance learning program to US and international students. We do not provide or require specific curricula, books, or materials. We work with you to create a customized and personalized learning experience.
Receive Our Support
You will receive monthly newsletters, podcasts, Q&A sessions, Social Hours in several languages, resources, a Teen Mentorship Program, and access to our team whenever you need us.
Assistance with Post-Secondary Goals
We offer a Teen Mentorship Program to work with you as you move through your teen years and look towards your future. We also assist with college applications and careers.
Simple Reporting
At the end of the year, we ask you to send us a summary of what was learned. A transcript can be issued at that time. It can be legalized with an Apostille if you live outside the U.S.
Have questions on your specific situation?
