Applying to RCDS

Thank you for your interest in applying to The Rumson Country Day School. We strive to make the application process clear and easy to understand. However if you have any questions, please contact our office any time at (732) 842-0527.

Apply Now for the 2023-24 school year! 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
Nursery	Children must be 3 years old by October 15, 2023
Pre-K	Children must be 4 years old by October 15, 2023
Beginners (Kindergarten)	Children must be 5 years old by October 15, 2023

Application Process by Grade Level

Applying to Nursery–Pre-K

Application
Our application and parent questionnaire must be submitted along with the $50 non-refundable application fee to the Admission Office prior to the parent interview. 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 Screening
Once an application is received, your child will be invited to attend an hour-long playgroup screening session (Nursery and PreK applicants). These sessions will take place in January and February. 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.

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.

Parent Interview & 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. In addition, the Admission Office requests parents schedule an interview during your child’s visit day. Talking with you about your child is one of our most important parts of our Admission Process. Once your application is received, our Office will be in touch to schedule an interview.

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.

Parent Interview & Student Visits
Children applying to 5th-8th grade will visit for one school day in their current grade. In addition, the Admission Office requests parents schedule an interview during your child’s visit day. Talking with you about your child is one of our most important parts of our Admission Process. Once your application is received, our Office will be in touch to schedule an interview.

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. 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.

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