Branches & Vine Cottage School
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  • LIVING CURRICULUM
  • WHY CHOOSE US (and why NOT to)
  • ADMISSIONS
    • Full Day & Half-Day Options
    • Parents' Required Reading
    • Fees (2025-2026)
    • Enrollment Steps & Interest Form
    • New Student Application Form
  • PARENT PORTAL MAIN
    • Weekly Publications >
      • T2, Wk 8 (Feb 2-5)
    • '25-'26 Portal Docs
    • Online Payment
Steps for Applying to & Enrolling at Branches & Vine Cottage School!

STEP 1: 
Interest Form
Fill out our Interest Form. We'll respond to answer questions and get to know you a little bit in a warm and encouraging phone conversation.

(Although let us warn you: our first and top priority is to our existing B&V students and families. All of our staff are working all of the time ... pouring into our precious families and serving up the "feast" of a beautiful education and life. This means our email response times to inquiries aren't always that great ... they're borderline horrible! We deeply apologize - but our priority is to our existing families and then we talk to  prospective families as we have time and space. It helps us when we know your connections to B&V families who give references and referrals.)

We are looking for eager families who are earnestly desirous to find their place in our unique learning community. We want families and students who are convinced this educational lifestyle is a great fit for your children. This takes a combination of patience and persistence. 

We do want to answer questions. Please forgive our rudeness. But we humbly don't have time for curiosity tours when you're already happy with your current educational choices. We are at maximum capacity with only a few chairs open each year. Some families wait up to three years for a spot. We have no intentions of expanding. We like ministering richly and fully to our existing families who feel called to this lifestyle of learning. If you are sensing a persistent call and commitment to Cottage School life as we have shaped it ... then we would be honored to spend time with you in discerning next steps!


STEP 2: Tour
Sign up for a tour! These are roughly one hour time slots either during or after school based on  our availability. Tours take place beginning in the spring season each year. 

STEP 3: Application
To signal your interest in proceeding with us and to hold your place in our wait list line, fill out the New Student Application Form and pay the one time $65 fee (select Branches & Vine in the drop-down menu).

Some families choose to skip directly to STEP 3 (because they are already nearly convinced they want their child(ren) at B&V). This will expedite your process with us. However, we will still look forward to connecting. 
*Completed application and fee does not guarantee admission into Branches & Vine Cottage School.

STEP 4: Final Determination
Our Leadership Team will pray and consider ... and then reach out to you to communicate our decision via email.

Some families are waitlisted. Some families are encouraged to try again with an application next year. Some families are accepted immediately. We do our very best to accept the students and families we believe will best flourish in our living books atmosphere, and will understand our unique methods and approach.
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Onboarding Checklist:

For those who have received official confirmation of acceptance at Branches & Vine Cottage School
1. Parent Communications: join our Band App (our private messaging platform) and receive the Parent Portal password.
2. Placements: complete all placements for Math, Science, Music, Latin/Greek, and Grammar & Composition.
3. Finances: receive your customized financial worksheet, work out any finance questions and concerns you may have, and sign the Financial Agreement Form.
4. Forms & Handbooks: read and sign the current Handbook/Tech Agreement Form and Authorization & Emergency Form.

5. Fees: pay initial fees
6. Public School District Excusal: we will work with you on preparing and submitting your paperwork to your local district
7. B&V Uniforms: purchase B&V t-shirts and hoodies from our online apparel company
8. Class Placement (Form I, II, III, IV/V and customized classes): we will confirm your child's customized classes (Math, Latin, Grammar & Composition, Music, and Science) and Form placement.
9. Start Date (if different from the first day of school).
​10. Overall Curriculum Plan & Amazon Booklists: ​click on your books and resources links for your incoming student(s)!
11. Attend our New Student & Family Q&A Gathering
12. Enjoy some Hearth & Home Events to get to know other mothers and parents
13. Attend our 2025 Fall Parent Meeting/Open House
​14. Get ready for an amazing year together!

Interest Form Link

Are you looking for a rich learning atmosphere rooted in living literature & God's creation?

TIME-TESTED EDUCATIONAL METHODS & PROVEN LONGTERM FRUIT IN STUDENTS' LIVES
​
​MASTERY OF LEARNING WITH ​DEGREED & SPECIALIZED CM EDUCATORS

PARENT RESOURCES, EQUIPPING & SUPPORT

STIRRING A REFRESHING LEARNING ATMOSPHERE WARMED BY LOVE

SHEPHERDING GOOD HABITS OF
THOUGHT & LIFE

SPREADING A WIDE AND GENEROUS
FEAST OF LIVING IDEAS
EMAIL US WITH QUESTIONS!
All applicants and BVCS parents are expected to have read: For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay and In Vital Harmony by Karen Glass. Our families must be supportive of classically-based Charlotte Mason principles and methods to ensure that your hopes for your children resonate with our vision and priorities for B&V, and are in keeping with the philosophical distinctives of our work.
ENROLLMENT STEPS
​[email protected]
​(937) 825 1248
​3150 W ALEX BELL, DAYTON, OH 45449
​
PAY FEES ONLINE
INTEREST FORM & ENROLLMENT PROCESS
​NEW STUDENT APPLICATION FORM
RETURNING STUDENT FORM

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Branches & Vine Cottage School is a four-day classically-based Charlotte Mason Cottage School walking alongside families in Dayton, Ohio.

Abiding in Christ and His Word, aligning with Charlotte Mason’s principles, and partnering with parents, we spread a rich and varied feast ... a life-giving education anchored to awakening ideas of truth, goodness, and beauty. We pursue three-fold knowledge with deepening relationships (God, humanity, universe).

Our three instruments of education are atmosphere (moral, intellectual, and social climate), discipline (habit formation), and life (relational, delightful living amplified by living ideas).

This is to be used by the Holy Spirit, our Continual Helper, in transforming students to genuinely love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength; be rooted and grounded in love; lead gracious and grateful lives filled with knowledge, understanding, and wisdom;  and bear much fruit for the glory of God.
​
(John 15:1-11, Phil 4:8; Deut 6:4-9 & Mark 12:29-31; Eph 3:16-19; Col 1:9-11; Prov 24:3-4)
“I am the VINE, you are the BRANCHES. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

HOURS
​8:10am to 3:10pm

CONTACT
​[email protected]
​​
A 501c3 educational
​ministry initiative of
​Calvary South Dayton​
  • Home
  • ABOUT US
    • Welcome From the Director
    • Cottage School Life
    • Parents' Required Reading
    • Charlotte Mason Resources >
      • AmblesideOnline
      • The New Mason Jar Podcast
      • CM's 20 Principles
      • Delectable Education
      • The Literary Life Podcast
      • Habit Formation
  • LIVING CURRICULUM
  • WHY CHOOSE US (and why NOT to)
  • ADMISSIONS
    • Full Day & Half-Day Options
    • Parents' Required Reading
    • Fees (2025-2026)
    • Enrollment Steps & Interest Form
    • New Student Application Form
  • PARENT PORTAL MAIN
    • Weekly Publications >
      • T2, Wk 8 (Feb 2-5)
    • '25-'26 Portal Docs
    • Online Payment