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General Questions
How do I contact the school?
- By mail:
The Field Station Cooperative
399 Howe Road
Porter, IN 46304 - By Phone:
219-926-2500 - By email:
director@fieldstationkids.org
How do I get to the school?
From the south (Chesterton, Valparaiso), take SR 49 north. Go over I-94 and then turn left onto Oak Hill Rd , which is the first stop light. Travel west on Oak Hill, cross over HWY 20, and go to the 3 rd stop sign. That is Howe Rd. , turn left. Follow Howe south for ¾ mile until you see a mailbox and driveway on the right. Go up the driveway. The parking lot is to the right. The drive continues to the left and will take you to the school (barn).
From the west (Portage), take Hwy 20 east into Porter. You will go under I-94 and continue on Hwy 20 east for about 2miles. There is a flashing yellow light at Mineral Springs Rd , where you need to go left. Travel north on Mineral Springs, go to the 4 way stop and turn left onto Oak Hill Rd. Travel west on Oak Hill for ½ mile, then take the first left onto Howe Rd. Follow Howe south for ¾ mile until you see a mailbox and driveway on the right. Go up the driveway. The parking lot is to the right. The drive continues to the left and will take you to the school (barn).
From the north (Burns Harbor, Michigan City), take Hwy 20 to Oak Hill Road . The road is kind of hidden on the south side of the road about half way between 149 and Mineral Springs Rd. Go south on Oak Hill Road until the first stop sign, go right. That is Howe Rd. Follow Howe south for ¾ mile until you see a mailbox and driveway on the right. Go up the driveway. The parking lot is to the right. The drive continues to the left and will take you to the school (barn).
or Click here for a map
When are classes held?
2-day classes are held on Monday and Friday
from 8:30-11:30 and 12:30-3:30.
3-day classes are held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
from 8:30-11:30 and 12:30-3:30.
Explorers classes are held on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
from 4:00-5:30.
When do classes start in the Fall?
2-day preschool classes start on the Friday after Labor Day.
3-day preschool classes start on the Tuesday after Labor Day.
How many children are in the classes?
2-day classes each have 18 children, who are divided into 2-3 smaller groups for activities and instruction.
3-day classes have 24 children, also divided into 2-3 smaller groups
What is the ratio of teachers to students?
There will usually be 3 teachers and 2 parent volunteers in the classroom daily.
Enrollment/Registration Questions
How does the waiting list work?
All parents whose children are currently enrolled get first priority in choosing what spaces they would like to accept. You must register your child to be put on the waiting list.
For instance, if a non-enrolled student is on the a.m. waiting list, and an a.m. space opens, students who are enrolled in the p.m. class can choose to move into the open, morning spot. If none of the enrolled p.m. students want the a.m. space, the next person on the non-enrolled a.m. waiting list is given the opportunity to accept the space.
My child was born after the enrollment cut-off date.
Can I enroll him or her in the program?
No. The school follows the Duneland School Corporation enrollment deadlines. Children must be the following ages by August 1 to be eligible to enroll in classes:
3 years old for the 2-day class
4 years old for the 3-day class
If my child is too young to be enrolled in the program who do I contact to add my child to future waiting lists?
Please email the Director.
Who do I contact for more detailed information about the Field Station preschool enrollment and/or setting up a school tour/classroom observation?
Please email the Director.
May siblings attend the school tour, as well?
Yes, if they are able to sit quietly in the background and observe. The teachers have had some challenges in the past with younger siblings interfering with the classroom process. Please use your best judgment about what your children can tolerate.
Who do I contact regarding the criminal background checks?
Please email our Board President.
Who do I contact regarding volunteering in the classroom?
Volunteer scheduling email contacts per program:
3 day am: 3 Day AM Coordinator
3 day pm: 3 Day PM Coordinator
2 day am: 2 Day AM Coordinator
2 day pm: 2 Day PM Coordinator
Who do I contact regarding my child's medical/health needs?
Please email your child's teacher.
Who do I contact if the information (phone, email, medical, etc.) on my child's registration form changes?
Please email the Enrollment Director. It's important for us to receive updates about any changes so we can best meet your child's needs.
Tuition Questions
What are the monthly tuition costs and when are they paid?
Please see the Enrollment page for current tuition rates.
One month advance tuition is due by May 20th, four months before the Fall session is started, to secure a place in the upcoming year.
After that, tuition is due on the 20th of each month August-March.
Where do I send payments?
Payment ( checks only, no cash please ) should be dropped off at the school or sent to:
Field Station Cooperative Preschool
399 Howe Road
Porter, IN 46304
Make checks payable to "Field Station Cooperative". We will appreciate it if you write "for deposit only" on the back where you would typically endorse the check. Also, please make note in the memo section, your child's name/which class and time and what the payment is for-"membership fee", "criminal background check", etc., or attach a description with your check so our treasurer can accurately track and credit your account.
What payment is due at registration?
2-day class registration is $150, 3-day class registration is $175, 5-day class registration is $200. The registration fees are non-refundable.
Where do I drop off/send my payment for the Criminal Background Check?
To the school where you send all other application materials. Do not send your payment to the state.
Who do I contact about special financial circumstances?
Please email our Treasurer.
Volunteering and Meeting Questions
When do committee meetings occur?
If you are involved on a committee that has regularly scheduled meetings, the committee chair will be in contact about specifics.
Besides volunteering in the classroom and on committees, what else may I do to assist the program?
There will be times that we will need everyone's help rehabbing the house. During different periods of the construction, we will be asking for assistance on work that we can do ourselves rather than hiring it out. If you or anyone you know has construction talents or connections for cheap labor/materials, please email our Director.
There will also be PR events and programs that we will participate in with the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Everyone will be encouraged to participate in these events.
Fundraising Questions
What can I do to support the fundraising efforts for the school?
We will need everyone's help and participation in fundraisers throughout the year. Information will be sent to you with details on how each family can help. Specific questions or suggestions related to fundraising may be emailed to the Events Chairperson.
Classroom Questions
When will I receive a class roster?
You'll receive a class roster at the parent orientation, which is held approximately 2 weeks before the start of school. If you need roster info in advance to exchange babysitting and carpooling, please contact the Director.
What is the best way to communicate with other parents?
You'll receive a class roster each term. As changes are made, you'll be receiving email updates so that you may keep your roster current.
How does student drop-off and pick-up work?
You're welcome to park in the parking lot at the top of the hill or at the bottom of the hill on the road and escort your child to and from the barn when dropping off or picking them up (please use the mulched pathway for walking from the parking lot). Otherwise, if you would prefer waiting in your car, you'll pull up alongside the barn and the instructor or instructor's aide will escort your child to and from your vehicle. If you are late for class or picking up early, you'll need to exit your car and escort your child into/out of the barn as the instructor and aide will be busy running the class.
What is the earliest time I can drop off my child for class?
Students may arrive 5 minutes before the scheduled class begins.
If I have any other questions, whom can I contact?
Please email our Director.
