Enrollment for the 2026-2027 academic year is open at The Barrett School in Destin, Florida. For families seeking a structured private school in Destin that serves students from Pre-K4 through 12th grade, this guide covers everything you need to know before submitting an application, from how the admissions process works to what documentation is required and why timing your application matters.

Why applying early for 2026 protects your child's seat

The Barrett School maintains intentionally small class sizes across every grade level. That is a core feature of how the school operates, not an incidental characteristic, and it has a direct consequence for enrollment: capacity at each grade is fixed, and seats fill on a rolling basis from the moment enrollment opens.

Families in Destin, Miramar Beach, Fort Walton Beach, and Niceville who are drawn to smaller academic environments, individualised instruction, and structured STEM integration tend to begin their research early precisely because they understand what limited capacity means. A family that waits until March or April to begin an inquiry for a September start is frequently competing for the last available seats at their child's grade level, or finding that Early School and Lower School cohorts are already closed.

The straightforward advice is to begin the process now. If you are still evaluating whether Barrett is the right fit, a campus visit answers most questions faster than any amount of online research.

Academic divisions: Pre-K4 through 12th grade

Early School — Pre-K4 through Kindergarten

The Early School programme lays the academic and social foundations that shape how children approach learning for the rest of their education. Foundational literacy, numeracy, structured play, and early STEM exposure are built into the daily experience, along with the routines and expectations that prepare young students for the progressive demands of Lower School.

Lower School — 1st through 4th grade

In the Lower School, students develop reading comprehension, writing fluency, and mathematical reasoning through a curriculum that combines structured academic instruction with project-based learning. The emphasis shifts progressively toward student ownership as children move through the grade levels, preparing them for the increased independence expected in Intermediate School.

Intermediate School — 5th through 6th grade

The Intermediate School programme is where the transition toward upper school thinking begins in earnest. Students take on greater academic independence, engage with deeper STEM integration, and develop the leadership habits and critical thinking skills that college-preparatory high school work demands. This is not a holding pattern between elementary and high school. It is active preparation for what comes next.

Upper School — 9th through 12th grade

Barrett's Upper School serves students in grades 9 through 12 in a structured, college-preparatory environment built around five-day academic consistency, dual enrollment access through Arizona State University and the University of South Florida, advanced STEM instruction, and individualised academic planning. Students graduate with a high school diploma and, in many cases, a substantial head start on their university transcript through transferable college credits earned before graduation day. Full details are available on our Upper School programme page.

How the admissions process works

Barrett's admissions process is designed to be straightforward for families who come prepared. There are four steps between initial interest and a confirmed enrollment seat.

The process begins with an inquiry through the admissions overview page. This allows the admissions team to understand your child's grade level, your intended start date, and any specific circumstances relevant to placement, including mid-year transfers or students joining from out of state.

A campus visit is strongly recommended before submitting a formal application. Seeing the school in person, the classroom environments, the STEM labs, and the staff interactions with students gives families a grounded basis for the enrollment decision that no website or brochure can fully provide. Tours typically take under an hour and can be booked through our campus visit page.

The application process page outlines the full documentation requirements. Families should prepare to provide a birth certificate, current immunisation records, and academic transcripts where applicable. Students transferring from another school at the middle or high school level will go through a transcript review to ensure appropriate course placement and credit continuity.

Once accepted, a deposit secures your child's seat in their grade-level cohort. Given the fixed capacity at each division, this step is time-sensitive. Accepted families who delay the deposit risk losing their seat to the next applicant in the queue.

Tuition, financial aid, and the Step Up for Students scholarship

Full tuition information and available payment plan structures are outlined on our tuition and financial aid page. The Barrett School accepts Step Up for Students scholarships, which provide meaningful financial support for qualifying Florida families and can significantly reduce the out-of-pocket cost of private school tuition.

For families with questions about the financial side of enrollment that are not answered on the tuition page, the school FAQ covers common financial and administrative questions in one place. The admissions team is also available to discuss payment structures directly for families who want to understand their options before committing to an application.

School calendar, dress code, and what to review before your first day

The 2026-2027 school calendar is published on the Barrett website and covers key dates including the start of the academic year, breaks, and school events. Families enrolling for the 2026-2027 year should review the calendar structure to understand how the academic year is organised and how it fits with family schedules and any existing commitments.

The school dress code is also available for review ahead of enrollment. Knowing what is required before the first week avoids a last-minute scramble and gives new students the confidence that comes from arriving prepared.

The enrollment decision is worth making in person

Private school enrollment is a long-term commitment to an academic environment, a set of values, and a community. The Barrett School was designed to provide structured, professional education in Destin, Florida, from the earliest years of a child's education through graduation. The best way to evaluate whether that environment is the right fit for your family is to walk through it.

Tours are available now. The admissions team is available by phone at (850) 353-2153 or by email at info@thebarrettschool.org. For context on what the Upper School experience looks like specifically, the 2026 high school enrollment guide covers what to evaluate when comparing high school options in the area.