High School and Middle School Admissions Timeline 2023-2024

Before the summer is over, take a look at our timeline for middle and high school admissions in New York City. Follow these guidelines step-by-step to help to make this busy time easier for you and your family this fall admissions season.

Summer (of the year before enrollment)

Develop Your School List
Begin a list of possible schools. We recommend these resources:

• Parents League schools page with links to schools’ websites.
• Parents League Online School Directory (available to members).
• Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY); isaagny.org

Refine School List; Check Websites 

Check the schools’ websites to see if any schools have posted their applications in mid-July or August. Mark your calendar as to when to contact other schools for an application.

Join the Parents League

Become a member here or contact us at info@parentsleague.org. Make your appointment with a Parents League school advisor. Parents League school advisors are available to develop and discuss your school list and advise you throughout the admissions process.

Fall

Request Applications

Depending on the school, request or download the application if it was not available in the summer. By September all applications will be online after Labor Day.

Submit Applications

Complete and return applications as early as possible. Many schools will not schedule your tour or interview until they have your application.

Schedule School Visits

Make an appointment to visit each school. Often there is a tour and interview for parents and a separate visit for your child.

Siblings, Legacies

If your child is a sibling or legacy at a school, let the school know if you wish to be included in its optional early legacy notification program. If your child is accepted, you are then obliged to attend that school and withdraw your applications at all other schools.

Submit Supplementary Application Materials

Depending on the age of your child, this may include teacher recommendation letters, school reports, and essays.

Apply for Financial Aid

If you are applying for financial aid, do so when you apply.

Schedule Required Testing

Check with each school to see what test, if any, is required.

Keep Track of Applications

Check the deadlines and complete all necessary steps required for each school.

Attend the Parents League Fall School Fairs

Boarding School Fair at Loyola School: September 19, 2023 Register Here!

Middle and High School Virtual Fair: October 16-20, 2023 Register Here!

December/January/early February

Early Notification for Siblings, Legacies

If you have opted for the early notification program and have received an offer, respond to the school by the deadline and withdraw your applications to the other schools to which you have applied.

Withdrawals

Call schools that you are no longer interested in to withdraw your application.

Mid-February/March

Decision Letters are Mailed

Check the Parents League website or ISAAGNY website for notification dates and reply dates. NYC School Notification Dates 2023-24

Notify Other Schools

Once you have accepted an offer, call each school that has offered a place or included your child on its waitlist so that the place may be offered to others.

Waitlist

If the school you wish your child to attend has placed your child on its waitlist, call the school to let them know if you remain seriously interested.

Contract and Deposit

When you accept an offer, read the contract carefully before signing. Remember to send in your deposit by the deadline.

We are here to help you through the NYC private school admissions process. Become a Parents League member today and schedule your first appointment with an expert advisor!