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Steps to Apply

First Program
Kindergarten - 3rd Grade

Within the First Program, the primary entry grade is Kindergarten. In order to apply to Kindergarten, all children must be 5 years old by September 1 of the year they enter Kindergarten. Students born in June, July, or August should consult with their early childhood directors about the student’s readiness to apply. Dalton adheres strictly to a May 31 deadline for children with summer birthdays.

Kindergarten applications open on August 15 and will be accepted until 12:00 PM on November 15. Enrollment notifications will be posted on Ravenna in February, per the ISAAGNY timetable.

List of 7 frequently asked questions.

  • 1. School Application Through Ravenna

    • The application is available after 12:00 PM on August 15 and due no later than noon on November 15.
    • To begin the process of applying, a short preliminary application form and an application fee of $75 are required. If the application fee presents a hardship for your family, please use the fee waiver code “NEEDFA”.

  • 2. Schedule Parent/Guardian Interview, Parent/Guardian Tour, and Applicant Admissions Assessment

    Once your child's application has been received, the Admissions Office will call you to schedule all of the in-person components: interview, tour, and applicant assessment. Due to the large number of applications submitted, please allow several weeks after submitting your application for us to contact you.
    • Child's Assessment: Your child's admissions assessment will consist of a small group visit held in a child-centered room that is separate from our classrooms and close to the living room where families gather upon arrival. The visit lasts one hour and fifteen minutes. Children will be assessed with age-appropriate group activities as well as with one-to-one activities with our teacher interviewers. In addition, children will have free time to explore various play materials such as blocks, coloring materials, Legos, Magna-Tiles, animal figurines, cars, and puzzles.
    • Parent/Guardian Tour: Your parent tour lasts about 1 hour and fifteen minutes and happens at the same time as your child's school visit. Both parents will arrive with the child and convene in the Living Room. After a few minutes, our teacher interviewers will take the children next door for the assessment. The tour guide will then lead the parents on a tour of the First Program that will end just before the children arrive back. Parents who toured in the spring will not tour again in the fall.
    • Parent/Guardian Interview: The meeting takes place on a different day than the tour/applicant assessment and lasts about 30 minutes. Your interview is an important opportunity for the admissions staff to get to know your family and child better. Parents should come prepared to the meeting ready to share stories about their child(ren) and to talk about their hopes and dreams for their child's educational journey. During the interview, parents will also have time to ask questions and get to know more about Dalton. If a family is a two-parent family, we do ask that both parents attend all events together. 

  • 3. Financial Assistance Application Deadline

    • All financial aid is need-based. Families complete the Clarity application to provide Dalton with information about their financial resources, which include income, assets, expenses, and debts. The application is available in both English and Spanish.
    • Financial aid applicants must submit the financial aid application through Clarity by December 1 for new families and November 1 for current families.
    • In addition to completing the online application, supporting documentation may be required to be uploaded, such as recent paystubs and any business tax returns. The Clarity portal will indicate any required documents that are relevant to your family’s financial situation.

  • 4. Request to Release ISAAGNY Confidential School Report

    • The ISAAGNY Confidential School Report is a comprehensive recommendation form and record from your child's current school. Please request that your child's teacher or a school administrator (often the nursery school director) complete and submit this form to Dalton electronically. 
    • The deadlines for Dalton to receive reports, including for  community members who qualify and have requested Early Notification, are based on the ISAAGNY timetable. 
    • You can email a copy of this form directly to them through Ravenna. Once the form is completed, please check your Ravenna account periodically to track Dalton's receipt of the document. 

  • 5. Submit Optional Supplemental Materials

    A parent statement and personal recommendations are completely optional, but if you wish to submit these, there are template forms available to facilitate submission on Ravenna.

  • 6. Enrollment Notification Date

    We post enrollment notifications on Ravenna in accordance with the ISAAGNY timetable.

  • 7. Reply Deadline

    In accordance with the ISAAGNY timetable, the final family reply deadline is by 12:00 PM one week after the notification date.

Middle School
4th Grade - 8th Grade

Within Middle School, the primary entry grade is 6th grade, and the timeline to apply is during the fall of the applicant’s 5th grade. Middle School applications open after Labor Day and are accepted until 12:00 PM on November 15. We post admissions decisions on Ravenna based on the ISAAGNY timetable.

List of 7 frequently asked questions.

  • 1. Submit Preliminary Application

    • The application is available after Labor Day and is accepted by 12:00 PM by November 15.
    • To begin the process of applying, a short preliminary application form and an application fee of $75 are required. If the application fee presents a hardship for your family, please use the fee waiver code “NEEDFA”.

  • 2. Schedule Your Family School Tour, Student Interview, and Parent/Guardian Meeting

    • Upon submitting the application, we encourage you to schedule the school tour and student interview, along with a parent/guardian Zoom meeting, through Ravenna. Scheduling becomes even tighter and less flexible later in the admissions season, so we encourage you to schedule your visit as soon as possible. 
    • The school tour and student interview happen on the same visit and take place between October and early December, lasting approximately 60-75 minutes. The visit begins with a school tour for the student and parents/guardians, followed by a 20-30 minute student interview with a member of the Admissions staff, Middle School faculty member, or Administrative team.
    • The Parent/Guardian meeting to discuss the child’s application takes place on Zoom with our Director of Middle & High School Admissions and is scheduled through Ravenna. 

  • 3. Schedule Applicant Admission Testing

    • All student applicants are required to submit recent admissions testing results from either the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Examination) or the SSAT (Secondary Schools Admissions Test).
    • This testing should take place during the fall of the student's application, between August and the first week of January, and dates for testing must be scheduled directly with the testing providers. Preferred dates and locations for testing do fill, so be sure to register for this testing as early as possible.
    • Fees for this testing range from $140 to $200, but fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on income. After submitting your preliminary application to Dalton, you may review eligibility and request a fee waiver here.

  • 4. Financial Assistance Application Deadline

    • All financial aid is need-based. Families complete the Clarity application to provide Dalton with information about their financial resources, which include income, assets, expenses, and debts. The application is available in both English and Spanish.
    • Financial aid applicants must submit the financial aid application through Clarity by the deadline: December 1 for new families and November 1 for current families.
    • In addition to completing the online application, supporting documentation may be required to be uploaded, such as recent paystubs and any business tax returns. The Clarity portal will indicate any required documents that are relevant to your family’s financial situation.

  • 5. Deadline to Submit Required and Optional Supplementary Material

    All supplementary, required, and optional application materials must be submitted through Ravenna based on the ISAAGNY deadlines. 
    • Required supplementary materials include:
      • Parent statement. Forms are available on Ravenna.
      • Transcripts/report cards for last year and the current (fall) term
      • Recommendations from English/language arts and mathematics teacher (to be completed by a teacher who has taught the student within the last year). Forms are available on Ravenna.
      • Recommendation from guidance counselor or a school administrator (such as principal, division head, or placement counselor). Forms are available on Ravenna.
      • Admissions testing score report (to be sent directly from ISEE or SSAT)
    • Optional supplementary submissions include additional teacher or personal recommendations, work sample submissions, etc. 
    • Throughout the admission process, the Ravenna system will allow you to track Dalton's receipt of all of the above documents (with the exception of financial aid, which is managed in Clarity).

  • 6. Enrollment Notification Date

    We post enrollment notifications on Ravenna in accordance with the ISAAGNY timetable.

  • 7. Reply Deadline

    The final family reply deadline is determined by the ISAAGNY timetable.

High School
9th Grade - 12th Grade

Within High School, the primary entry grade is 9th grade, and the general timeline to apply is during the fall of the applicant's 8th grade year. High School applications open after Labor Day and are accepted until 12:00 PM on November 15. We post admissions decisions on Ravenna based on the ISAAGNY timetable.

List of 7 frequently asked questions.

  • 1. Submit Preliminary Application

    • The application is available after Labor Day and is accepted by 12:00 PM by November 15.
    • To begin the process of applying, a short preliminary application form and an application fee of $75 are required. If the application fee presents a hardship for your family, please use the fee waiver code “NEEDFA”.

  • 2. Schedule Your Family School Tour, Student Interview, and Parent/Guardian Meeting

    • Upon submitting the application, we encourage you to schedule the school tour and student interview, along with an optional parent/guardian small group Q & A session on Zoom, through Ravenna. Scheduling becomes tighter and less flexible later in the admissions season, so we encourage you to schedule your visit as soon as possible. 
    • The school tour and student interview happen on the same visit and take place between October and early December, lasting approximately 90 minutes. The visit begins with a school tour for the student and parents/guardians, followed by a group meet-and-greet between the student applicants and our Director of Middle and High School Admissions, and finally a 20-30 minute student interview with a member of the Admissions staff, Middle School faculty member, or Administrative team.
    • Additionally, families can schedule the optional parent/guardian small group Q&A session on Zoom with our Director of Middle & High School Admissions through Ravenna. 

  • 3. Schedule Applicant Admission Testing

    • All student applicants are required to submit recent admissions testing results from either the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Examination) or the SSAT (Secondary Schools Admissions Test). 
    • This testing should take place during the fall of the student's application, between August and the first week of January, and dates for testing must be scheduled directly with the testing providers. Preferred dates and locations for testing do fill, so be sure to register for this testing as early as possible.
    • Fees for this testing range from $140 to $200, but fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on income. After submitting your preliminary application to Dalton, you may review eligibility and request a fee waiver here.

  • 4. Financial Assistance Application Deadline

    • All financial aid is need-based. Families complete the Clarity application to provide Dalton with information about their financial resources, which include income, assets, expenses, and debts. The application is available in both English and Spanish.
    • Financial aid applicants must submit the financial aid application through Clarity by the deadline: December 1 for new families and November 1 for current families.
    • In addition to completing the online application, supporting documentation may be required to be uploaded, such as recent paystubs and any business tax returns. The Clarity portal will indicate any required documents that are relevant to your family’s financial situation.

  • 5. Deadline to Submit Required and Optional Supplementary Material

    All supplementary, required and optional, application materials must be submitted through Ravenna based on the ISAAGNY timetable.
    • Required supplementary materials include:
      • Parent statement. Forms are available on Ravenna. 
      • Student identity statement. Forms are available on Ravenna.
      • Transcripts/report cards for last year and the current (fall) term 
      • Recommendations from English/language arts and mathematics teacher (to be completed by a teacher who has taught the student within the last year). Forms are available on Ravenna.
      • Recommendations from guidance counselor or a school administrator (such as principal, division head, or placement counselor). Forms are available on Ravenna.
      • Admissions testing score report (to be sent directly from ISEE or SSAT)
    • Optional supplementary submissions include additional teacher or personal recommendations, work sample submissions, etc. 
    • Throughout the admission process, the Ravenna system will allow you to track Dalton's receipt of all of the above documents (with the exception of financial aid, which is managed in Clarity).

  • 6. Enrollment Notification Date

    We post enrollment notifications on Ravenna in accordance with the ISAAGNY timetable.

  • 7. Reply Deadline

    The final family reply deadline is based on the ISAAGNY timetable.

Admissions FAQs

List of 8 frequently asked questions.

  • Is there a birthday cutoff date for kindergarten applicants?

    Yes. The child must be five years old by September 1 in order to enter kindergarten. Our kindergarten classes are comprised of children who range from five years old to those who are turning six years old in the fall.

    Children who are born in June, July, or August only (without exception) may apply to enter kindergarten at either five or six years old.

  • Does Dalton have a Wait List?

    Yes. At the conclusion of the Admissions process, some students will be offered Wait List status. These applicants are eligible for acceptance if additional openings occur.

  • Do you offer Open Houses?

    Yes, for First Program, Middle School, and High School applicants.

    Open houses are held in the fall to provide applicants and their parents with an opportunity to "meet" faculty members, students, and school administrators and to hear about Dalton's educational offerings. Registration is required and available on www.ravenna-hub.com. 

  • Are any applicants given special consideration?


    Every child is assessed individually and must meet admissions standards consistent with Dalton's pedagogical and philosophical approach. Community applicants, including children of alumni, faculty and staff, and siblings of current students, are given careful consideration within this individualized process. 

  • Do students come from a limited number of schools?

    No. We receive applicants from a wide array of schools from many locations throughout all five boroughs and neighboring suburbs, as well as from out-of-state and international schools. We do not, however, have boarding facilities as we are a day school and cannot accommodate students who do not live with their families.

  • Does Dalton require letters of recommendation?

    Academic letters of recommendation are required for Middle School and High School. However, applicants applying to Kindergarten letters of recommendations are not required but are welcome, especially from those who know the candidate and the family well.

    You will find the email link for the recommendation forms in Ravenna once you apply.

  • How can I check on the status of my application?

    You may log in to your Dalton application at www.ravenna-hub.com at any time after submission to check the status of your application and see if any items are missing. 

  • When and how will I be notified of Dalton's admission decision?

    Once your application and requirements are complete, you will be notified of the admissions decision in accordance with the ISAAGNY ((Independent School Admissions Association of Greater New York) timetable . We will post admissions decisions on Ravenna.

Grades K-3

53 East 91st Street, New York, NY 10128

Grade 4 & PE Center

200 East 87th Street, New York, NY 10128

Grades 5-12

108 East 89th Street, New York, NY 10128

Contact Info

212-423-5200    |    info@dalton.org

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