A Co-Educational Independent College Preparatory Day School

The Admissions Process

Application and Application Fee
Applying to Gerstell Academy should begin during the fall preceding the year of expected enrollment. Applications will be accepted between October and January. The admissions process must be completed by January 4 for an applicant’s file to be considered by the March 1 notification date. Although applications will be accepted after January, openings cannot be assured in each class. Applications received after the deadline will be handled as space is available and on a rolling timetable. Once the Application for Admission is completed, please return the forms to Gerstell with the $40.00 application fee.

Student Evaluation and Visit
Upon receipt of the application, the Admissions Office will contact each applicant’s parent or guardian to schedule a date and time for an evaluation/visit. Please call to reschedule if it is not possible to attend the appointed session.

Pre-Kindergarten – Children to be considered for the Pre-Kindergarten program will be evaluated at Gerstell. Evaluations will be held in a small group setting during the month of January.

Kindergarten – Children will be evaluated in a small group setting at Gerstell during the month of January. Each child will also spend a few minutes in the classroom.

Pre-First Grade- During the month of January, children will be evaluated in a small group setting to assist us in determining placement. Students will spend some time in a Lower School classroom as a part of the admissions process.

Grade 1 through Grade 5 – During the month of January, children applying to first grade will spend most of the day at Gerstell beginning at 8:30 a.m. While visiting, students will spend some time in a classroom and participate in a Lower School evaluation to assist us in determining placement.

Children applying to second through fifth grade will spend an entire school day at Gerstell from 8:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. During the day, applicants will have an opportunity to participate in a variety of subject areas ranging from math, reading and writing to music, physical education and art. Visiting students will also participate in a Lower School evaluation.

Grade 6 through Grade 8 – Students applying to the Middle School should register to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) between October 2007 and January 2008. The ISEE may be taken at any school listed on the ISEE registration information. You may register for the ISEE online at http://www.erbtest.org/pages/ERB_ISEE.html. Please be sure to request on the registration form that results be forwarded to Gerstell Academy, school code 211213. The ISEE will be administered at Gerstell Academy on Saturday, December 15, 2007. As part of the admissions process, middle school applicants will spend an entire school day visiting with middle school students and faculty. The day will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 3:45 p.m. During their visit, students will participate in a both an assessment and interview with an Admissions’ representative. Parents will have an opportunity to meet with a middle school administrator and the Director of Admissions.

Grade 9 – Students applying for placement in Gerstell Academy’s Upper School should also register to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) between October 2007 and January 2008.

Parents of all applicants will have the opportunity to meet with the Director of Admissions on the day of the visit.

As part of the admissions process, all prospective parents meet with our president.

Upper School Admissions
Gerstell Academy will begin accepting applications for its ninth grade class, the class of 2012, starting in October of 2007.