How to Apply

Thank you for considering RCDS for your child's future. Let's get started!

Our highly personalized admissions process is meant to provide you with the time, tools, and support you need to make the best decision for your child—and for your family. We strive to make the application process clear and easy to understand and are here to help every step of the way. Please contact our Admissions Office at any time at admissions@rcds.org or 732 842 0527 ext. 1122.

Please note that while we accept applications year-round, we strongly encourage families to be mindful of deadlines as spaces are limited in select grades.

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Deadlines

Applications for the 2024-25 school year open on August 1.

Priority will be given to applicants whose completed application has been received with all necessary forms by the Early-Round Admission Deadline on December 1.

Regular Round Final Admission Deadline is February 1.

Birthdate Requirements
2s	Children must be 2 years old by October 15, 2024
Nursery	Children must be 3 years old by October 15, 2024
Pre-K	Children must be 4 years old by October 15, 2024
Beginners (Kindergarten)	Children must be 5 years old by October 15, 2024

Application Process by Grade Level

Applying to the 2's Program

Application
Our application and parent questionnaire must be submitted along with a $50 non-refundable application fee to the admission office before a child can be eligible for a playgroup. We ask that families complete this application by December 15. If you are interested in our 2's program after December 15, please contact the Admission Office.

Playgroup Screening
Students will be invited to attend a small group playgroup once application is received. During this time, children will be engaged in a series of teacher-guided age-appropriate activities in order for us to get to know your child better. The 2's program playgroup is scheduled for December 14 at 9 a.m. If needed, an additional playgroup may be added for January.

Applying to Nursery–Pre-K

Application
Our application and parent questionnaire must be submitted along with a $50 non-refundable application fee to the admission office before a child can be eligible for a playgroup. We ask that families complete this application by December 1. If you are interested in our Early Childhood program after December 1, please contact the Admission Office.

Playgroup & Screenings
Nursery students are asked to attend a small group playdate and Pre-K students come in for a one-on-one screening with a current Pre-K teacher. During this time, children will be engaged in a series of teacher-guided age-appropriate activities in order for us to get to know your child better.
Nursery playgroups are scheduled in November, December, and January. Pre-K assessments take place throughout the year.

Confidential Recommendation Forms
If your child is currently enrolled in a preschool program, Current Teacher and Preschool Director forms are required and should be completed after November 1 in order for the teachers to have a chance to assess the student's performance accurately. These recommendations must be mailed to our Admission Office or emailed directly from your child's current school.

Applying to the Lower School (Beginners–Grade 4)

Application
Students interested in applying to Beginners (Kindergarten)-4th grade must submit our application and parent questionnaire, along with the $75 non-refundable application fee to the Admission Office prior to their interview and visit. Once all application materials are received (recommendations, transcript, interview and visit), the Admission Committee will meet monthly to make decisions.

Student Visits
Children applying to Beginners through 4th grade will visit for one school day in their current grade. Children will be assessed in reading and math as part of their visit. Visits are designed to give students an opportunity to see what a normal day at RCDS looks like, meet our students, and see our teachers in action. Student visits can be scheduled at a time that is convenient for students, but is a required part of the admission process.

Confidential Recommendation Forms
Current Teacher forms are required and should be completed after November 1 in order for the teachers to have a chance to assess the student's performance accurately. These recommendation forms must be mailed to our Admission Office directly from your child's current school.

Transcript Request
Parents should request their child's transcript from their current school. Transcripts and school administered testing can be uploaded to the application portal.

Applying to the Upper School (Grades 5–8)

Application
Students interested in applying to grades 5-8 must submit our application and parent questionnaire, along with the $75 non-refundable application fee to the Admission Office prior to their interview and visit. Once all application materials are received (recommendations, transcript, interview and visit), the Admission Committee will meet monthly to make decisions.

Student Visits
Children applying to 5th-8th grade will visit for one school day in their current grade. Visits are designed to give students an opportunity to see what a normal day at RCDS looks like, meet our students and see our teachers in action. Student visits can be scheduled at a time that is convenient for students, but is a required part of the admission process.

Confidential Recommendation Forms
Two Current Teacher forms are required and should be completed after November 1. If possible, one recommendation should come from the student's current English/Social Studies teacher and one recommendation from their Math/Science teacher. Teacher recommendations should come from this current year's teacher. If a child works with a tutor or believes a previous year's teacher can help the admission committee learn more about a student, feel free to submit additional recommendations. These recommendation forms must be mailed to our Admission Office directly from your child's current school.

Transcript Request
Parents should request their child's transcript from their current school. Transcripts and school administered testing can be uploaded to the application portal.

Entrance Examination
Students are required to take the Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) administered by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB). Please contact admissions@rcds.org to schedule. Please check the ERB site (erblearn.org) for other dates and locations. Students must have their scores submitted directly to RCDS by using the ISEE test code 311700.