Typical Application
Application Timeline (12–18 Months in Advance) Spring (March – May, the Year Before Entry) • Begin researching schools: Read school websites, attend virtual info sessions, request viewbooks. • Create a shortlist: Consider school type, educational philosophy, location, and size. • Attend school fairs: Many organizations (e.g., Parents League of NY) host events for prospective families. Summer (June – August) • Register for standardized tests (if required, e.g., ISEE or SSAT for middle/ high school). • Prepare required documents: Transcripts, teacher recommendations, student writing samples (especially grades 4+). • Reach out to admissions offices: Book fall tours or open houses (some book up early).
Early Fall (September – October) • Applications Open: Most schools release applications just after Labor Day. • Schedule school tours, interviews, and assessments (spaces fill up quickly). • Begin applications: Parents write personal statements, students may need to answer age-appropriate questions. Mid to Late Fall (October – November) • Early November: Application and testing deadlines for Kindergarten and lower grades. • Mid-November: Financial aid application deadlines open (via FACTS or TADS). • ISEE/SSAT testing for middle and upper school applicants usually occurs from October–January. Winter (December – January) • Final application deadlines: Typically in December for K–5, and January for middle and high school.
• All materials due: Transcripts, recommendations, assessments, and financial aid forms. Late Winter (February – March) • ISAAGNY member schools usually send admissions decisions on a common notification date in early March (e.g., March 1 for K; March 8 for grades 1–8). • Financial aid decisions are sent at the same time. • Families respond by a common reply deadline: Often within 7–10 days. Other Key Notes Sibling and legacy applicants may have slightly earlier or preferred deadlines at some schools. Rolling admissions: A few schools offer this for late applicants, but spaces are limited. Early notification: Some schools offer this option for pre-K/K applicants with firm deadlines (often November) and decisions in December.
Timeline and Key
Dates for NYC Independent Schools. Navigating admissions to independent schools in New York City can be a multi- step, time-sensitive process. While exact deadlines may vary slightly between schools, most adhere to a general timeline that follows the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY) calendar. Below is a month-by-month breakdown of what families can typically expect.
16 | New York Loves Kids | School Guide 2025/2026
New York Loves Kids | School Guide 2025/2026 | 17
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