Admissions Process

1. Schedule an interview and tour with our Director of Admission and Enrollment; you may schedule an individual campus visit, a virtual meeting, or attend an open house.
2. Submit an online application and non-refundable $100 application fee by November 29 for Lower School early decision notification or January 10 for Middle/Upper School early decision notification; candidates who apply after the early decision application deadlines are moved into our regular decision pool.
3. Complete admissions testing (PK3-12 only).
4. Schedule applicant interview (5-12 only).
5. Please note that the following required documents must be submitted along with the online application:  

• principal and teacher recommendations
• school transcript (grades 9-12 only)
• ‍report cards for previous two years (1-12 only)
• ‍previous standardized test scores (1-12 only)

Dunham Early Childhood Center

Families interested in registering for the Dunham Early Childhood Center will submit an online application. Please make sure you select Early Childhood Center as your entering grade to access the correct form. Once the application is submitted, a member of our staff will contact families to complete the admissions process. Please note that space is limited in our two-year-old program with preference given to siblings, faculty, and alumni. Early Childhood Center students are not automatically eligible to enroll in PK3 the following year and must submit an application and complete the process outlined above.

Dunham Early Childhood Center
There is no testing required to enroll in the Dunham Early Childhood Center's two-year-old program. However, students will need to sit for a screening prior to enrolling in PK3 the following year. To accommodate Early Childhood Center families, our staff will conduct the screening in the classroom setting during a normal school day.

PK3-Grade 1
Testing will be scheduled by the Admissions Office once an application has been received.

Grades 2-10
Candidates to grades 2-10 will take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). Families must register in advance with ISEE. There is a registration fee payable directly to ISEE; families will also need a code from the Admissions Office to schedule a test.

Grades 11-12
We will accept ACT scores for candidates to grades 11-12. Candidates who have not yet taken the ACT are required to take the ISEE. Please note that we rarely accept seniors except in the case of relocation or other extenuating circumstances.

Please note: Lower School early decision candidates must sit for Admissions Testing by December 6; Middle/Upper School early decision candidates must sit for Admissions Testing by January 25.

In some cases, the Admissions Office may request additional information or testing in order to obtain a more comprehensive assessment of a candidate's ability.

Dunham Early Childhood Center
Dunham Early Childhood Center candidates will be notified on a rolling basis until all spots are filled.

Early Decision
PK3-12 candidates who meet the early decision application and testing deadlines will be given priority consideration and will be notified as their applicant files are completed. Lower School early decision candidates will be notified on or before December 15; Middle/Upper School early decision candidates will be notified on or before January 31.

Regular Decision
PK3-12 candidates who apply after the early decision application deadlines will be notified as space allows following the enrollment of priority applicants and re-enrollment of current students.

Waiting Pool
Once a grade level reaches capacity, the School will maintain an unranked waiting pool and will offer enrollment contracts as vacancies occur.