2009-10 School Year

Lower School
Admission applications with the $65 fee should be received during the fall and winter of the year prior to intended entry. All applicants for prek through fifth grade will be evaluated by means of standardized testing, classroom visits, school records and teacher references. The Admissions Committee will make decisions after reviewing all pertinent materials.

Testing:
Admission tests for Lower School Applicants will be held at the Main Building at the Lower School on the following dates:
  
Grades 2 and 3
Saturday, February 7, 2009, 9:00 - 10:45 a.m.
Saturday, February 28, 2009, 9:00 - 10:45 a.m.
   
Grades 4 and 5
Saturday, February 7, 2009, 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, February 28, 2009, 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Prekindergarten and kindergarten:
Prekindergarten and kindergarten applicants are screened simultaneously with their class visit. All families making application for their prekindergarten or kindergarten child will be made aware of screening and visitation dates and times via a letter mailed in early January.

First Grade:
Candidates making application to first grade will visit the lower school for 2 1/2 hours in one of our kindergarten classrooms. Visitation will take place in the end of February. During this time, testing will take place. More information will be mailed to all candidates with applications on file in early January, 2009.

Decision:
The Admissions Committee will make a decision after all materials in the candidate’s file are complete. The file includes the application, testing results, visitation comments, teacher recommendations and personal reference. The committee begins to render decisions in late February and early March and parents are notified immediately. Admissions applications continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis until the available openings are filled.

Middle School
Applications may be submitted at any time, but we prefer to receive them in the fall or winter prior to the spring evaluation dates. Parents should complete the application form and return it to the Middle School admission director with the $65 fee.

Testing:
All applicants for grades 6-8 are evaluated by standardized testing. February 7, 2009, and February 28, 2009, will be the first testing dates for the 2009-10 school year. Testing is conducted in the Devey Building, 11 West Market Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018. The session begins at 9 A.M. and takes about 2 1/4 hours to complete. An application must be completed prior to the test date.

Recommendations:
Applicants must submit recommendations from their current mathematics and English teachers. The forms are included in the inquiry packet sent to prospective parents.

Interview:
The Admissions Committee will interview the applicant on the day of his or her visit to the middle school. Parents will have an opportunity to sit down and talk with the admission director during the campus tour.

Decision:
The Admissions Committee will make a decision after all materials in the candidate’s file are complete. The file includes the application, testing results, school records, visitation comments, teacher recommendations and personal reference. The committee begins to render decisions in late February and early March and parents are notified immediately.

Upper School
The admissions application is normally the first step in the process and is to be accompanied by a $65.00 application fee which also covers the admissions testing requirement. Applications may be submitted at any time. It is, however, preferable to begin this process in the fall or winter prior to the year of desired entrance. The upper school application includes a self-evaluation to be completed by the prospective student.

Recommendations and Transcripts
Four recommendations are required and must include the student's current teachers in English and Math. A copy of the student's current transcript including courses taken and grades achieved, along with a form to be completed by the guidance counselor, is also required. On receipt of the admissions application, these forms are sent to the applicant's family to be given to the appropriate individuals at his or her current school.

Testing
Admissions testing is required as part of the evaluation process. On receipt of the application, a test registration form is sent to the candidate noting the admissions test dates. These tests take place on Saturdays in Snyder House on the Upper School campus. Tests begin at 9 A.M. and conclude about 12:00 noon. Test dates for 2009-10 are as follows:

• January 10, 2009
• January 24, 2009
• February 7, 2009
• February 21, 2009
• April 18, 2009 

Campus Visit/Interview
A campus visit is required and serves the important purpose described under Visiting Us. A visit also allows us to learn more about each applicant by speaking with him or her individually.

Decision
Once a file is complete, the Admissions Committee reads each applicant folder which includes the application, transcript, recommendations, test results and interview. First decisions offering admission for the coming school year go out on or about March 15. Admissions applications continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis until the available openings are filled.