Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Q

Which grades have open spots? How do I get information?

A

This year, Spence has openings in Kindergarten and Grades 5-9. However, later in the season, we may have openings in other grades throughout the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools. For further information, to schedule a tour and interview and to obtain an information packet, please contact the Admissions Office at 212-710-8140. Alternatively, you may wish to register online to receive a packet and call our office to schedule your appointments.

Q

How do I apply to Spence?

A

Applications are filed on our Web site or by downloading the Application PDF from the Web site and submitting it by mail.

Q

How old should my daughter be to apply for Kindergarten?

A

Your daughter must be age five by August 31 to attend Kindergarten.

Q

Once I have submitted my application, what is the process?

A

Depending on the grade to which your daughter is applying, all applicant families must: (1) Have your daughter’s current school send us her school report/transcript, schedule and complete ERB testing specific to the grade to which your daughter is applying. (2) Visit the school with your daughter and have an interview with a member of the Admissions Office. Please consult the online application checklist appropriate for your daughter's grade level for the steps to take in order to complete the full application process.

Applications to Kindergarten and Grades 1-4 are due November 15, and applications to Grades 5-11 are due December 1, with no exceptions. The application process should be complete by early January. If you are interested in a grade for which we are uncertain about openings, please submit the application WITHOUT the application fee, submit ERB testing results, and have your daughter’s current school send us her school report/transcript. Tours and interviews will be scheduled when an opening becomes available.

Q

How will I get information about the status of my daughter's application file and about Admissions events?

A

Beginning in September 2010, much of our communication with parents, including admissions decisions, will be done by e-mail. It is imperative that we have at least one active e-mail address for each applicant family. There are also several other ways for you to get information from the Admissions Office about your daughter's application and about the admissions process. We are always happy to speak to you by phone and to respond to questions by e-mail. When phone lines are busy, please leave a detailed message and we will return your call as soon as possible. Please check the Admissions Key Dates section of the Web site.

Q

Are first choice letters and/or personal letters of recommendation required?

A

No. We do not encourage first choice letters and ask that you refrain from having personal letters of recommendation mailed to us. The application process is about learning all we can about our applicants based solely on the information that is requested and required in the application.

Q

What is your sibling and alumnae policy?

A

Spence appreciates the enthusiasm that sibling and alumnae families have for the school and we encourage sibling and alumnae families to apply for admission. At the same time, the school believes that a productive learning environment is different for different children. We advise sibling and alumnae families to apply to a variety of schools so that their daughter is matched to the appropriate school. Sibling and alumnae families applying to Kindergarten have the option of an earlier notification date. Aside from that, we do not have a specific "policy" for our sibling and alumnae families nor do we reserve a specific number of spots for those families in any grade. All applicants to the school go through the same process and are evaluated with equal consideration.

Q

What kind of parent involvement is available?

A

Spence prides itself on having created a wonderful community for students as well as families. We encourage family members to be as involved as their time allows. We have a very active Parents' Association through which most of our parent activities take place. Tapestry, our parent diversity and multicultural committee, is a significant part of the Parents' Association and is also a great way to get involved with the parent body at Spence.

Q

Do you offer spring tours?

A

Spence does not offer spring tours. Tours begin at the end of September. And we begin scheduling tours the day after Labor Day. While we do encourage families to start the application process as soon as possible, we do not limit the number of applications nor do we limit tour and interview spots.

Q

How can working parents with a modest income afford Spence?

A

Spence’s financial aid program provides assistance for qualified families from all backgrounds who might not otherwise be able to attend Spence. Spence offers over $3,600,000 in financial assistance to families across a wide band of economic need. In addition, the school offers several tuition payment options to accommodate its families.

Q

What percentage of the student body receives financial aid?

A

Approximately 19 percent of the student body receives financial aid.

Q

Will applying for financial assistance influence admissions decisions?

A

While the Admissions Office processes applications for admission as well as for financial assistance, admission decisions are separate from financial aid decisions. While we do work within a budget, we are often able to offer generous financial aid packages to families who qualify for aid. Financial assistance at Spence is entirely need-based.

Q

What is the average class size at Spence?

A

The average class size is approximately 16-18 students.

Q

Is public transportation available for the younger students?

A

Our families residing in Manhattan within a five-mile radius of the school have two options. Students in Grades Kindergarten through 6 may get to and from school on the Atlantic Express bus, a free service. Buses pick up and drop off at designated stops. Half or full fare MetroCards are issued to students, if the Atlantic Express is not the desired option or the student is in Grade 7 or above. Students living outside of Manhattan are eligible for full fare MetroCards.

Q

Is there an after school program and does it accommodate the schedules of working parents?

A

The Lower School has an after school program, Second Act, which has a variety of classes for students in Kindergarten to Grade 4. Participants in Second Act may stay at school until 6:00 p.m (slightly earlier on Friday). Students in Grades 5 and above can get involved with a variety of after school activities such as athletics, dance (depending on the grade), and can always stay in the school library until 5:30 p.m.

Q

Does everyone live on the Upper East Side?

A

Many students live on the Upper East Side. Many other students reside in all other areas of Manhattan as well as Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and New Jersey.

Q

When are modern languages first introduced?

A

French, Spanish and Mandarin are introduced in Grade 3.

Q

Do students have an opportunity to study abroad in the Upper School?

A

Spence offers both international and domestic study programs to Upper School students.

Q

What colleges and universities do Spence graduates attend?

A

Colleges most often selected by Spence students in the last five years are Cornell, Columbia University, Dartmouth, Princeton, Harvard, Duke, New York University and University of Pennsylvania. For more details, see the complete list.