Admissions

Application Process

Thank you for your interest in Spence!

Spence's open grades are for Kindergarten and Grades 6, 7 and 9. Please see the admissions timeline below and for grade-specific instructions.

While we are not currently accepting applications for Grades 1-5 and 8, openings may occur from time to time. If you are interested in those grades, please fill out our admissions inquiry form and we will contact you directly should we be able to consider an application for those grades.

Apply

Applying to Spence

All ISAAGNY notification dates

Applying to Kindergarten

Applicants applying to Kindergarten must be 5 years old by August 31, 2025. Spence gives early notification to all siblings and legacies. We adhere to the early notification timeline mandated by the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY).

List of 2 items.

Your Kindergarten Admissions Checklist
- Submit your preliminary application: Submit an online preliminary application by December 1, 2024. The application fee of $85 is automatically waived for families applying for Financial Aid.
- Schedule your required appointments by December 6, 2024:
  - Playgroup assessment: This is a 60 minute in-person playgroup.
  - Parent/Guardian Conversations (hybrid): Conversations are approximately 30 minutes. Parents/guardians may meet a member of the Admissions Team in person or virtually.
- Join a School Tour: All in person conversations include a K-12 school tour that is approximately 60 minutes. If you opt for a virtual parent conversation, you will be able to join one of our weekly tours. Our admissions office will help schedule this for you.
- Request the ISAAGNY Confidential Educational Report: Submit to your child’s current preschool the permission to release records form. This form allows your child’s current teacher to complete and return to us the confidential ISAAGNY report. We encourage the report to be completed and returned to Spence by December 16, 2024.
- Complete Parent/Guardian Essay: Complete the parent/guardian essay.
- Submit your Financial Aid application through Clarity: If you require financial assistance with tuition, you must complete the Financial Aid Application
ISAAGNY Notification Dates for Kindergarten
- Decision Notification Date: Thursday, February 6, 2025
- Enrollment Deadline: By 12 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, 2025

Applying to Grades 6-7

We are accepting applications for Grades 6 and Grade 7 for entry in fall 2025.

List of 2 items.

Your Middle School Admissions Checklist
- Complete your preliminary application: Submit your online preliminary application by December 13, 2024. The application fee of $85 is automatically waived for families applying for Financial Aid.
- Join a School Tour: This is a group tour of the Middle and Upper School campus led by our Red Door Ambassadors. Tours are approximately 40 minutes.
- Schedule your required appointments:
  - Student interviews are approximately 20 minutes followed by a 15 minute Parent/Guardian conversation.
- Submit Standardized Testing: We accept either ISEE or SSAT scores completed between August 2024 and early January 2025.
- Authorize the release of school records: Submit the transcript release form to your school to release the applicant’s transcripts from the current year and previous two years.
- Request ISAAGNY Forms: Request ISAAGNY forms to be completed by the applicant’s current Math teacher, English teacher and guidance counselor/principal. Forms must be submitted to us by January 9, 2025.
- Complete Parent/Guardian Essay: Complete the parent/guardian essay.
- Submit your Financial Aid application through Clarity: If you require financial assistance with tuition, you must complete the Financial Aid Application by December 1, 2024.
ISAAGNY Notification Dates for Grades 5-8
- Decision Notification Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025
- Enrollment Deadline: By 12 p.m. on Monday, March 3, 2025

Applying to Grades 9-11

We are accepting applications for grade 9 for entry in fall 2025. We do not anticipate openings in Grades 10-12 for the 2025-2026 academic year.

List of 2 items.

Your Grade 9 Admissions Checklist
- Complete your preliminary application: Submit an online preliminary application by December 1, 2024. The application fee of $85 is automatically waived for families applying for Financial Aid.
- Schedule your required appointments by December 13, 2024:
  - Student interviews are approximately 20 minutes.
  - Parent/Guardian Conversations are approximately 10 minutes.
- Join a School Tour: This is a group tour of the Upper School campus led by our Red Door Ambassadors. Tours are approximately 30 minutes.
- Submit Standardized Testing Scores: We accept either ISEE or SSAT scores completed between August 2024 and early January 2025.
- Authorize the release of school records: Submit the transcript release form to your school to release the applicant’s transcripts from the current year and previous two years.
- Request ISAAGNY Forms: Request ISAAGNY evaluation forms to be completed by your child’s current Math teacher, English teacher and guidance counselor/principal. Forms must be submitted to us by January 9, 2025.
- Submit additional application requirements:
  - Student Essay
  - Student Interests and Activities Form
- Complete Parent/Guardian Essay: Complete the parent/guardian essay.
- Submit your Financial Aid application through Clarity: If you require financial assistance with tuition, you must complete the Financial Aid Application by December 1, 2024.
ISAAGNY Notification Dates for Grade 9
- Notification: Friday, February 21, 2025
- Reply Deadline: By 12 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Admissions FAQ

List of 7 frequently asked questions.

How do I sign up my child for standardized testing?

At Spence, standardized testing is required for applicants applying to grades 3 and higher. We accept either the ISEE or the SSAT. Please visit their websites below to register for a testing date that works for you. Please note that the testing needs to be taken between August 2024 and January 2025.

Register for the ISEE here. Spence’s ISEE code is 334060.
Register for the SSAT here. Spence’s SSAT code is 7444.
My child’s school needs help with the school report and/or with recommendations. Who can I connect them with at Spence?

Please feel free to email your child’s current school and copy admissions@spenceschool.org. We will follow up with the school directly to make sure they have everything they need.
Should I gather personal letters of recommendation?

Please do not send personal letters of recommendation.
If Spence is my first choice, should I send a first-choice letter?

First-choice letters are not encouraged.
How should I prepare my daughter for the Kindergarten admissions playgroup?

The Kindergarten admissions playgroups are conducted on Thursdays and Saturdays in our lower school building. The playgroup is approximately an hour long and is a chance for us to get to know your daughter in a school environment. Your daughter should wear comfortable clothing and be herself. We are excited to meet her!
How do I apply for financial aid?

Spence processes its financial aid applications through Clarity. Complete your application via Clarity by December 1. Clarity has provided a step-by-step guide to assist families with the application and you may email questions to them at support@claritytuition.com in both English and in Spanish.
Is there additional documents needed if I am a divorced, separated or a single parent.

The custodial and non-custodial parent(s) must complete a separate PFS per household, in addition to providing copies of all separate tax schedules directly to Clarity. The financial situation of both parents is considered, in addition to stepparents and legal guardians.

If one parent has had no involvement with the student for an extended period of time and/or there is a legal agreement the custodial parent should complete the second parent waiver form and supply all required documents. The waiver should be scanned and emailed back to Melissa Sanchez.

ISAAGNY Statement

The Spence School is a proud member of the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY). Founded in 1965, ISAAGNY aims to ensure orderly, professional, and equitable admissions processes at member schools: we do so by observing a shared admissions timeline, engaging in professional development to hone our collective craft, exchanging resources and best practices, and more. The resulting spirit of cooperation serves schools, families, and nearly 30,000 students across greater New York.

ISAAGNY

Middle & Upper School

22 East 91st Street
New York, NY 10128

Lower School

56 East 93rd Street
New York, NY 10128

Athletic & Educational Facility

412 East 90th Street
New York, NY 10128

A K-12 independent school in New York City, The Spence School prepares a diverse community of girls and young women for the demands of academic excellence and responsible citizenship.

212-289-5940

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