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, grade-specific instructions, and checklists below.

If you are interested in a grade that is not listed here, please fill out our inquiry form. If an opening becomes available, we will reach out to you to complete the admissions process.

Applying to Spence

Applying to Kindergarten

Applicants applying to Kindergarten must be 5 years old by August 31, 2024.

List of 2 items.

  • Your Admissions Checklist

    • Submit your preliminary application: Submit an online preliminary application by December 1, 2023. The application fee of $75 is automatically waived for families applying for Financial Aid.
    • Schedule your required appointments by December 15, 2023:
      • Playgroup assessment: This is a 60 minute in-person group assessment.
      • 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 full building 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 school 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, 2023.
    • Submit your Financial Aid application: If you require financial assistance with tuition, you must complete the Financial Aid Application in the School & Student Services website by December 1, 2023.

  • ISAAGNY Notification Dates for Kindergarten

    • Kindergarten Notification: Thursday, February 8, 2024
    • Reply Deadline: Thursday, February 15, 2024
    • Early Notification Election* Kindergarten (for sibling and alumnae applicants): Friday, November 17, 2023
      *selection of this option is binding for families
    • Notification: Friday, December 8, 2023

Applying to Grades 1-4

While we are not currently accepting applications for grades 1-4, openings may occur from time to time. If you are interested in grades 1-4, please fill out our Admissions Inquiry Form and we will contact you directly should we be able to consider an application for those grades.

Applying to Grades 5-8

We are accepting applications for Grades 6 and Grade 7 for entry in fall 2024. While we are not currently accepting applications for Grades 5 and 8 for the 2024-2025 academic year, openings may occur from time to time. If you are interested in Grade 5 or Grade 8, please fill out our Admissions Inquiry Form and we will contact you directly should we be able to consider an application for those grades.

List of 2 items.

  • Your Admissions Checklist

    • Complete your preliminary application: Submit your online preliminary application by December 1, 2023. The application fee of $75 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. Tours are approximately 30 minutes.
    • Schedule your required appointments:
      • Student interviews are approximately 20 minutes.
      • Parent/Guardian Conversations are approximately 15 minutes.
      • Student assessment: All applicants will be invited to participate in an in person assessment. 
    • Submit Standardized Testing: We accept either ISEE or SSAT scores completed between August 2023 and early January 2024.
    • Authorize the release of school records: Submit the transcript release form to your school to release transcripts from the current year and previous two years.
    • Request ISAAGNY Forms: Request ISAAGNY 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 11, 2024.
    • Submit your Financial Aid application: If you require financial assistance with tuition, you must complete the Financial Aid Application in the School & Student Services website by December 1, 2023.

  • ISAAGNY Notification Dates for Grades 5-8

    • Notification: Tuesday, February 13, 2024
    • Reply Deadline: Monday, March 4, 2024

Applying to Grades 9-11

We are accepting applications for grade 9 for entry in fall 2024. We do not anticipate openings in Grades 10-12 for the 2024-2025 academic year.  If you are interested in grade 10 or grade 11, please fill out our admissions inquiry form and we will contact you directly should we be able to consider an application for those grades.

List of 2 items.

  • Your Admissions Checklist

    • Complete your preliminary application: Submit an online preliminary application by December 1, 2023. The application fee of $75 is automatically waived for families applying for Financial Aid.
    • Schedule your required appointments by December 15, 2023:
      • Student interviews are approximately 20 minutes.
      • Parent/Guardian Conversations are approximately 15 minutes.
      • Student assessment: All applicants are required to take an in person assessment in math and in English.
    • Join a School Tour: This is a group tour of the Upper School campus. Tours are approximately 30 minutes.
    • Submit Standardized Testing Scores: We accept either ISEE or SSAT scores completed between August 2023 and early January 2024.
    • Authorize the release of school records: Submit the transcript release form to your school to release transcripts from the current year and previous two years.
    • Request ISAAGNY Forms: Request ISAAGNYevaluation 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 11, 2024.
    • Submit additional application requirements:
      • Student Essay
      • Student Interests and Activities Form

  • ISAAGNY Notification Dates for Grades 9-11

    • Notification: Friday, February 23, 2024
    • Reply Deadline: Thursday, March 14, 2024

Admissions FAQ

List of 3 frequently asked questions.

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.

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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