Admission Procedures and Financial Aid
At The Dalton School, the primary concern is for each child to feel successful in the school environment. Therefore, Dalton seeks to enroll students of sound character and educational promise who bring diversity in talent, background, and experience. The school seeks students with strong academic potential who will benefit from the Dalton Plan, learn to work independently, and be able to contribute their imagination, curiosity, and special interests to the Dalton community.
Admission decisions are based on the following: First Program Applicants (Kindergarten–3rd grade)
Kindergarten (and Grade 1 when it is open):
• Child’s small group interview. All applicants are interviewed at Dalton. • Confidential ISAAGNY school report. • Individual parent meeting. Dalton does not require or accept results of any standardized testing for kindergarten and first grade applicants. Grades 2 and 3 (when they are open):
• Child’s individual interview. All applicants are interviewed at Dalton. • Confidential ISAAGNY school report. • Individual parent meeting. • Please contact the First Program Admissions Office for any testing requirements.
Middle and High School Applicants (Grades 4th–12th)
A personal interview, writing samples, school records, teacher recommendations, and the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT) are required. The Admissions staff and faculty conduct individual interviews of Middle and High School applicants and also meet with their parents. Personal interviews of applicants begin in October. Upon submission of the application, families may self-schedule a visit, including a tour, interview, and information session
First Program, Middle and High School Applicants For those whose files are complete by mid January, Dalton subscribes to the timetable of the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY) for a decision notification.
As these dates vary from year to year, the current notification dates can be found at isaagny.org or on Dalton’s website.
Tours
Tours are offered for parents and applicants (Middle School and High School), and for parents only (kindergarten and first grade) on the day the applicant is interviewed at Dalton.
Incomplete Admissions Files
Dalton reviews the status of all applications on a regular basis. If a file is incomplete, the Admissions Office will inform the parents of applicants in January indicating the information needed to complete the admissions process. Applicant families can monitor the status of their application online by logging into their Ravenna account.
Financial Aid
The Dalton School is committed to a tuition aid program designed to ensure that its educational offerings are open to all candidates. Over $10,000,000 in grants is awarded to approximately 20% of the student body, kindergarten through twelfth grade. Awards range from partial to almost full tuition assistance. Families seeking financial aid must apply at the time of submission of their child’s application to Dalton. Requests for financial aid made at a later date will only be considered if there are significant changes in the family’s circumstances. All financial aid decisions are made on the basis of need. A financial aid application will not prejudice an application for admission. Applicants for tuition aid must file a Parent Financial Statement (PFS) with the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS). Required documentation for verification of family income includes the family’s most recent federal tax return and any business tax filings if a parent is an owner or partner of a corporation.
Upon receipt of the application, the Admissions Office will schedule all visits along with a tour of the First Program facility. A cut-off date for receiving applications is listed on Dalton’s website.
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