Admissions

Application Process

Thank you for your interest in Spence!
We are currently accepting applications for Kindergarten, Grades 6 and 7, and Grade 9.  Openings in all other grades are based on attrition. If you are interested in those grades, please email our admissions office for more information. Spence follows the admissions timeline established by the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY). The $85 application fee is automatically waived for families applying for Financial Aid. 

We invite you to start your application here.

Decision Notification Dates

  • Kindergarten: February 4, 2027
  • Grades 1-8: February 10, 2027
  • Grades 9-11: February 19, 2027

Applying to Spence

Applying to Lower School (Kindergarten-Grade 4)

We are accepting applications to Kindergarten for the 2027-2028 academic year. Applicants applying to Kindergarten must be 5 years old by August 31, 2027.  All siblings and legacies applying to Kindergarten are eligible for early notification. Grades 1-4 are limited and based on attrition. Please reach out to our admissions team for more information. 

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  • Lower School Admissions Checklist

    • Submit your application here by December 1, 2026. The application fee of $85 is automatically waived for families applying for Financial Aid.
    • Schedule your family appointments
      • Kindergarten: Your child will be invited to an in-person Admissions Playgroup where our teachers and admissions team will get to know them in a classroom setting.
      • Grades 1-4: Your child will be invited for a student visit at Spence. The admissions office will contact you with your scheduled time.
    • Schedule your Virtual Parent/Guardian Conversation: This 30-minute conversation is an opportunity for us to get to know your family. Log in to your admissions portal to select a convenient date. 
    • Request the ISAAGNY Confidential Educational Report: Download Spence’s Permission to Release Records form and submit to your child’s current school. Your child’s current teacher will complete the report and send it directly to Spence.
    • Submit Standardized Testing (Grades 3-12 only): We accept either ISEE or SSAT scores completed between August 2026 and early January 2027.
    • Complete the Parent/Guardian Essay in your admissions portal.
    • Apply for Financial Aid through Clarity by December 1 if you require financial assistance with tuition.
    • Attend an admissions event to register for our Open House, optional school tours and other applicant events. We look forward to meeting you!

Applying to Middle School (Grades 5-8)

We are accepting applications for Grades 6 and 7. Openings in all other grades are based on attrition. Please contact the admissions office for more information.

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  • Middle School Admissions Checklist

    • Submit your application here by December 13, 2026. The application fee of $85 is automatically waived for families applying for Financial Aid. 
    • Schedule the required student appointments: 
      • Applicant interview: One-on-one interviews are approximately 25 minutes, followed by 10 minutes with the Parent/Guardian. 
      • Grade 6 Group Experience: Grade 6 applicants are also invited to an in-person group experience at Spence. Log in to the admissions portal for details. 
    • Submit Standardized Testing: We accept either ISEE or SSAT scores completed between August 2026 and early January 2027. 
    • Authorize the release of school records: Download Spence’s Permission to Release Records form and submit to your child’s school. This allows your school to release transcripts from the current year (when available) and the previous two years. 
    • Request ISAAGNY Forms: These forms must be completed by the applicant’s current Math teacher, English teacher, and guidance counselor or principal. Forms must be submitted to us by January 8, 2027. 
    • Complete the application requirements in the admissions portal, including the Student Essay and Parent/Guardian Essay.
    • Apply for financial aid through Clarity by December 1, 2026, if you are requesting tuition assistance.
    • Attend an admissions event: Log in to the admissions portal to register for our Open House, optional school tours and other applicant events. We look forward to meeting you!

Applying to Upper School (Grades 9-11)

We are accepting applications for Grade 9. We do not anticipate openings in Grades 10-12 for the 2027-2028 academic year.

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  • Upper School Admissions Checklist

    • Submit your application here by December 13, 2026. The $85 application fee is automatically waived for families applying for Financial Aid. 
    • Schedule your required appointments by December 4, 2026. One-on-one interviews are approximately 25 minutes followed by 10 minutes with the parents/guardians. Interviews are available either in-person or virtually. 
    • Submit Standardized Testing: We accept either ISEE or SSAT scores completed between August 2026 and early January 2027. 
    • Authorize the release of school records: Download Spence’s Permission to Release Records form and submit to your child’s school. This allows your school to release transcripts from the current year (when available) and the previous two years. 
    • Request ISAAGNY Forms: These evaluation forms must be completed by your child’s current Math teacher, English teacher, and guidance counselor or principal and submitted to us by January 8, 2027. 
    • Complete the application requirements in the admissions portal, including the Student Essay, Student Interests and Activities Form, and the Parent/Guardian Essay. 
    • Apply for financial aid through Clarity by December 1, 2026, if you are requesting financial assistance. 
    • Attend an admissions event: Log in to the admissions portal to register for the Open House, optional school tours and other applicant events. We look forward to meeting you!

Admissions FAQ

List of 8 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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