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The Road to Our First Endowment
Through the Tuition Equity Fund (TEF), we strive to cultivate inclusion and belonging for all community members for generations to come.
Learn More About the Tuition Equity Fund
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Admissions

Everything prospective families need to know about admissions at Corlears, including policies, deadlines, how to apply, and more.
Thank you for your interest in Corlears, a progressive school dedicated to the education of children from toddlers through fifth grade located in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. Students at Corlears are intellectually curious, creative, and have the potential for great academic achievement, peer leadership, and social and emotional growth.
We understand the school admissions process can be daunting for families, which is why we strive to provide a supportive and transparent experience, guiding prospective families every step of the way while helping them gain a deeper understanding of Corlears School's progressive educational philosophy. As a school made just for young children, we believe in the importance of these foundational years and we remain committed to fostering the growth of compassionate emerging young leaders who thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Families who have submitted an application are encouraged to register for a private tour with our admissions team for a firsthand look at our classrooms and community. Throughout the admissions season we also offer a selection of webinars that delve deeper into our curricular approach.
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We also encourage you to check out what other families have to say about their Corlears experience to get a sense of our vibrant community. Choosing your child's school is an important decision, and we are committed to providing you with the information and support you need to make the best choice for your family. We look forward to getting to know you!

Admissions Policy

Corlears School admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, or ethnic origin or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, or scholarships.

As a school that values equity and inclusion, we believe each child deserves to thrive in their learning environment. As a general education setting, our student success team is dedicated to ensuring students receive what they need to succeed; however, we do not have special education teachers in each classroom, nor integrated therapeutic services for students with high support needs who would benefit from a more specialized setting.

Decisions and Timing

Guided by our commitment to the school’s mission, admissions are based on a combination of criteria including evaluation of the applicant's visit, academic records, and balance within a grade level. Admission decisions will be emailed by the ISAAGNY notification dates for applicants to Seedlings and above; decisions for our Roots toddler program are provided on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Dates and Deadlines

Learn more about ISAAGNY's notification dates and parent reply deadlines by visiting their website.
  • Admissions
  • Notification Dates
  • Parent Reply Deadlines

September 3, 2024

2025–26 Application Launch

September 3, 2024

TEAM Application Launch

The TEAM process is supported by the TADS Financial Aid Assessment module during the admissions or reenrollment process to determine an equitable tuition level — from zero to maximum — for all of our families. (Of course, families may also choose to opt out and pay the maximum tuition.)

Learn more about TEAM.

January 9, 2025

2025–26 Application Deadline

For families applying to Seedlings and up. Admissions for the Roots toddler program are rolling throughout the year.

January 9, 2025

TEAM Application Deadline

Families opting into TEAM must submit their application through TADS by this date in order to receive their assessment by the ISAAGNY parent notification deadline. TEAM applications received after this date will be processed on a rolling basis.

February 6, 2025

Kindergarten

Delivered no earlier than 10:00 a.m.

February 13, 2025

Grades 1–5

Delivered no earlier than 4:00 p.m.

February 27, 2025

Seedlings and PreK

Delivered no earlier than 10:00 a.m.

February 13, 2025

Kindergarten

Replies must arrive no later than 12:00 noon.

March 3, 2025

Grades 1–5

Replies must arrive no later than 12:00 noon.

March 6, 2025

Seedlings and PreK

Replies must arrive no later than 12:00 noon.

Schedule a Call with Admissions

Ready to start your child's Corlears School journey? Click the button to schedule a call with a member of the admissions team. 
Schedule a Call

Tuition Equity

In the 2022–23 school year, Corlears introduced the Tuition Equity and Accessibility Model (TEAM), changing the paradigm from financial aid to equitable tuition level setting for all families. The TEAM process is supported by the TADS Financial Aid Assessment module during the admissions or reenrollment process to determine an equitable tuition level — from zero to maximum — for all of our families. (Of course, families may also choose to opt out and pay the maximum tuition.)

A family's determined tuition level is independent from decisions related to enrollment; this information is kept confidential and is not shared with the admissions committee. Additionally, receiving an indication of your TEAM tuition level does not signify enrollment or admission to Corlears School.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time should I be spending on my child's online application? Don't overthink it! The online application is just one component of a robust admissions process designed to assess your child’s readiness for Corlears School. The application is intended to provide the basic information needed to initiate your child’s admissions process and support the valuable steps of a playdate and/or interview.
What are the birthdate cut-offs for each of your programs?

The following is based on a September start date:

  • Roots: Toddlers must be at least 16 months old on or before October 1
  • Seedlings: Children must be turning 2 or 3 on or before October 1
  • PreK: Children must be turning 4 on or before October 1
  • Kindergarten: Children must be turning 5 on or before September 1
  • First grade: Children must be turning 6 on or before September 1
  • Second grade: Children must be turning 7 on or before September 1
  • Third grade: Children must be turning 8 on or before September 1
  • Fourth grade: Children must be turning 9 on or before September 1
  • Fifth grade: Children must be turning 10 on or before September 1

Students with September birthdays may be evaluated to move up a grade based on the individual child's developmental readiness.
How do I know whether my child is ready for a school environment? Corlears offers flexible programming options throughout the Roots and Seedlings programs in order to meet varying levels of development and socialization in our Early Childhood Division. Throughout the admissions process, our team will work closely with your family to determine your child’s readiness for school and the best placement for your child to begin their Corlears journey.
For the Seedlings nursery program, should I choose to enroll my child in the 3- or 5-day program?

The Seedlings program offers flexible options to meet the varying needs of families and children in this age range. 

Families can choose to enroll their child in either a 3-day or 5-day program, and either a half-day (8:30–11:30 a.m.) or full-day (8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.) schedule. Dependent upon student readiness, after-school care until 5 p.m. is also available through Corlears Plus.

Ultimately, a child's readiness for a 5-day, full-day schedule will be assessed during the admissions or reenrollment process and decided in partnership between the family and the admissions team.
Does Corlears School have a phase-in period for children attending school for the first time? During the first 3–4 weeks of school, students enrolled in the Seedlings nursery program will experience gradual adjustments to build stamina for their school day, regardless of the child's program (3- or 5-day) or schedule (half- or full day). During the phase-in period, children will be placed in small groups for short periods of time, gradually increasing in group size and duration.

Some children may experience a continuation or reoccurrence of intense separation anxiety beyond the phase-in period. If separation anxiety is powerful enough to interfere with activities and socialization at school, the school will work with families on an individualized support plan.
Does Corlears School offer financial aid?

Socioeconomic diversity is a priority at Corlears, and we know that tuition can be the number-one barrier for families interested in attending an independent school. We are also conscious of the fact that receiving financial aid can affect a family's feeling of belonging within a school community.

In response, Corlears introduced the Tuition Equity and Accessibility Model (TEAM) in 2021, changing the paradigm from applying for financial aid to an equitable tuition-setting process for all families.

The TEAM process is supported by the TADS Financial Aid Assessment module during the admissions or reenrollment process to determine an equitable tuition level — from zero to maximum — for all of our families. (Of course, families may also choose to opt out and pay the maximum tuition.)
What is the exmissions or outplacement process for middle school?

Corlears School graduates are high-achieving, thoughtful, and compassionate emerging leaders. Each year, our families are supported by a comprehensive, individualized outplacement process that ensures placement in an academic institution that serves their individual needs and learning style.

Our thorough outplacement program ensures a best-fit middle school match for each of our graduates. As a result, Corlears fifth graders all go on to one of their top three middle school choices. Corlears alumni attend a variety of schools throughout New York City including single-sex, co-educational, traditional, progressive, public, and religious schools; plus, through a special partnership with The Calhoun School, Corlears graduates can choose to transfer their enrollment for sixth grade without a separate admissions process.

ISAAGNY+Logo

 

Corlears 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.
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Join the Corlears Community

Interested in enrolling your child at Corlears School? Subscribe to our mailing list to learn more about your program of interest and to receive updates about admissions, campus visits, and other announcements. Or, you can connect directly with the team at admissions@corlearsschool.org.
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