Because the pool of applicants is varied from year to year and because the level or type of testing may change, a student needs to go through the entire process from year to year.

We really must have the form completed by the child's current teacher. If you would like to have a teacher from a previous year write a supplemental recommendation, you are welcome to do so.

While it is perfectly normal to be nervous, don't worry; we try to make the interview a pleasant and relaxed experience. The interview will simply be a chance for you to tell us about yourself and for us to answer your questions about St. John's.

During the fall, St. John’s has Open Houses for Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. Prospective candidates for Middle and Upper Schools and their parents can tour the campus, hear from faculty and students, and pick up materials about our School. The Lower School Open House is for parents only. If you would like a more individualized tour, you may call our office to request one.

Because of the volume of applicants, only students who are offered places are given the opportunity to spend the day at St. John's. We give special consideration to out-of-town or out-of-country applicants. Please talk to an admissions director for further information.

Parents, if your goal is for your child to attend an independent or private school, we encourage you to apply to several schools so that you will have as many options as possible at the end of the process.

Last year, we admitted students from approximately 50 different private and public schools.

We encourage you to consider the admissions process as a way of finding the best school for your child. Your child needs to know this, too, and that Mom and Dad will choose (with input from your child) the best school for her or him. Your relaxed posture will be reflected in your child. Keep your family’s standard routine the night before the testing, making sure your child is well rested on testing day.

Please do not bring children to test if they are ill. We will call candidates for Classes K-4 to reschedule a testing date. Students in Classes 5-12 who are taking the ISEE test need to call the ISEE office at 1-800-446-0320 to reschedule.

Our admissions process is need-blind, so admission decisions are not impacted by applications for financial aid.

Every child who receives an offer of admission must meet — and in fact, usually exceeds — our minimum standards for acceptance. All other qualifications being equal, we give preference to SJS community applicants. They are defined as children of our alumni, children of our faculty and staff, and children whose siblings are current students at St. John's or graduates.

Individual testing arrangements can be made for those who live out of town or out of the country and cannot attend a regularly scheduled testing date.