How to Apply to Fessenden

Students entering Pre-Kindergarten should be four years old by September 1.

Fessenden's Pre-Kindergarten program recognizes each boy's unique learning style and developmental stage. The following offerings are available. (Note that parents do not need to select an option until their child receives an offer of admission.)

• Full-Day Pre-Kindergarten Option
• Blended Pre-Kindergarten Option (two full days, three half days)
• Half-Day Pre-Kindergarten Option

Candidate Visit

Your son will participate in an on-campus Group Visit in December, January, or February. The visit structure and duration varies by entry grade and is conducted by the Admissions staff and teachers. Registration for all candidate visit dates will be available through your Ravenna account. 

Students entering Kindergarten should be five years old by September 1.

Candidate Assessment

An Admissions associate will conduct an on-campus, one-on-one candidate assessment as part of the admissions process. Please visit Ravenna after September 15 to schedule an assessment for your son.

Candidate Visit

Your son will participate in an on-campus Group Visit in December, January, or February. The visit structure and duration varies by entry grade and is conducted by the Admissions staff and teachers. Registration for all candidate visit dates will be available through your Ravenna account. 

Grades 1-3 are not typical entry points for Fessenden. However, there are occasional openings so we encourage you to begin the admissions process.

Candidate Visit & Assessment

Your son will participate in an on-campus Classroom Visit & Assessment as part of the admissions process. These visits happen during a weekday morning in December, January, or February. The Admissions team will reach out to families directly with more specific information about these visits.
 

Parent & Candidate Campus Visit & Interview

Campus visits begin in October and are a required part of the application process. All fourth grade candidates will participate in the campus tour. During the parent interview portion of the campus visit, all candidates will participate in a one-on-one assessment with an Admissions associate. Visit Ravenna after September 15 to schedule your campus visit and interview. We strongly encourage you to schedule your tour and interview as early as possible in the Fall. This will provide the Admissions team more time to get to know you and your family.

Candidate Visit

Your son will participate in an on-campus Group Visit in December, January, or February. The visit structure and duration varies by entry grade and is conducted by the Admissions staff and teachers. Registration for all candidate visit dates will be available through your Ravenna account.

We are not accepting day applications for Grades 8 and 9 for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Testing

SSAT or ISEE are optional. 

• Domestic boarding applications are considered on a rolling basis.
• If you would like to be considered for financial assistance, that application must be submitted by February 1.
• Our junior boarding school in New England allows both five-day and seven-day options for domestic boarding candidates.

Testing

SSAT or ISEE are optional.

•  Seven-Day Boarding is the only option for international boarding students.
• International applications for our junior boarding school are due December 15, and decisions are communicated on January 13. If you would like to be considered for admission after January 13, please contact our Admissions Office for availability.

Requirement for Applicants attending school in Mainland China or Hong Kong

To better facilitate the interview process for students in Mainland China and Hong Kong, applicants to The Fessenden School are required to interview with Vericant (regardless of citizenship or the type of school they are attending) and submit their TOEFL Jr. results before scheduling a tour or interview. 

Vericant will conduct initial interviews and facilitate short writing prompts. Please understand that Vericant does not evaluate candidates; all videos and writing samples are sent to The Fessenden School Admissions Office for assessment. Our Admissions team will review the completed Vericant interviews along with each applicant's TOEFL Jr. report to determine which students will be offered an interview with a member of The Fessenden School Admissions team. Please allow up to two weeks from our receipt of the Vericant interview to receive a response regarding a potential campus visit. 

In order to meet The Fessenden School’s December 15th application deadline, applicants must interview with Vericant no later than Friday, December 1st. Please note your Vericant session carries the full weight of fulfilling our interview requirement.

Please establish an account on Ravenna, our online application management system, so you can be contacted after the review of your Vericant interview.

 Who is considered an International Applicant?

• Applicants who are US citizens and live overseas are considered international applicants unless their parents file US tax returns.
• Applicants who are not US citizens are considered international applicants even if they are currently residing in or attending school in the US.
• US citizens employed overseas who file US tax returns are considered domestic applicants.

Testing

Candidates are required to submit TOEFL Jr. test results prior to scheduling an interview. SSAT, ISEE, or WISC-V test results are also welcome in addition to TOEFL Jr.