FAQ

Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students are generally 5 years old by October 15, but we are willing to meet and assess the readiness of younger applicants on a case-by-case basis. 

The BWL Application is available through Ravenna starting early September. We begin processing applications after Labor Day. 

We offer tours all year round and you can schedule a tour using your Ravenna account. We also have fall open houses and winter information sessions where administrators, faculty, and BWL students and parents are available to answer questions as well as show you our school.

Yes, we receive applicants from a wide array of schools both national and international. Students come to BWL from all over the city, the tri-state area, the country, and the world.

Yes, families with siblings, legacies, and other close connections to BWL can be eligible to enroll in our Early Notification program. 

Siblings and children of alumni are vital members of our community. We participate in the ISAAGNY option to offer early notification to these community members who are applying to Kindergarten.

Friday, December 6, 2024 is the Early Notification date for Kindergarten application files that are complete. As a point of reference, Regular Notification for Kindergarten is Thursday, February 6, 2025.

We offer preferential interview and tour options for siblings and children of alumni who are applying to all grades.

Yes, we establish a wait pool when we have more applicants than spaces available. We reach out to families immediately if a place becomes available.  If you are placed in the wait pool,  please let us know that you wish to remain in the pool. 

We proudly offer parent tours of our Lower School and student/parent tours of our Middle and Upper School. 

Once you have created an account with Ravenna, locate Birch Wathen Lenox in the directory of New York Schools and click on Upcoming Events. You will be able to register for each event and will receive a confirmation email with necessary details once you’ve completed your registration.

Our school is located at 210 East 77th Street, New York, NY 10075. There are MTA bus stops going uptown, downtown, and crosstown within a 2-block radius. We are located near the 6 train (2 blocks) and the Q train (6 blocks). Families can also arrange private bus transportation for their BWL student with TDM Express (347-231-9454 or tdmexpressinc@aol.com).

Tuition for the 2024-2025 school year is $62,500. This includes all fees and the lunch program for grades K-8. 

Yes, enrolled families have the option to make their tuition payment in a single payment, two installments, or ten monthly installments. The business office will assist your family with setting up a payment plan.

Yes. Approximately 18% of BWL families receive financial aid.  Parents should note their request on their application and complete the Financial Aid Application via Clarity.

No, students applying for the EXCEL program will not be awarded financial aid for any portion of their tuition or EXCEL fees.

100% of graduates attend one of their top choice colleges or universities. With the help of our College Guidance team, students attend a broad range of fine institutions from Ivy League to small liberal arts programs. See our 2017–2021 College Acceptance List. You may also view our College Counseling page to see the list of college acceptances for the Class of 2024.

At BWL we pride ourselves on offering small class sizes. In Lower School, class size is approximately 12–15 students per teacher and our reading and math groups range in size from 5–10 children. In the Middle and Upper Schools, classes are about 12–15 students per teacher. Grade sizes are about 15–20 for Lower School and 30–50 for Middle and Upper Schools.

Yes, 10% of our student body is international.

BWL is a SEVIS approved school that is authorized to issue the I-20 form for accepted students in order to apply for the F1 Student Visa. The admissions process for international students is the same as it is for U.S. citizens. BWL is also accredited by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). 

At BWL we value diversity of all kinds, and are in the midst of a schoolwide initiative through the organization No Place for Hate that is focused on preventing bias in all areas of our school community. In addition to required diversity programming for faculty and students, we offer a group for parents and families called CAFE (Cultural Awareness For Everyone) and a DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) club for students in the Upper School. Students of color make up approximately 34% of our student body. Please visit our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging page to learn more about DEIB at BWL.

French and Spanish instruction begins in Kindergarten. Foundational Latin is taught in 4th and 5th grades, Japanese is introduced as an additional language option in 4th grade, and Mandarin is an option starting in High School.

A well-rounded education is our goal, with traditional STEM offerings such as Robotics and a Maker Space complementing our top-notch Visual Arts programming. Opportunities for cohesion between science and the arts include annual events such as our Sixth Grade Design Fair, as well as our Independent Study and Entrepreneurship programs.

BWL is a mainstream environment that maintains small class sizes, low student-to-teacher ratios, and devoted and supportive teachers. We can accommodate some support services during the school day (such as SEITs, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language therapists). As needed, faculty are able to communicate with outside tutors and specialists provided by parents in order to ensure the best success of the students. 

In each division, we have a full-time learning specialist who can help with documented accommodations for extra time, waivers for foreign languages, and classes to develop organizational skills if requested.

BWL also offers the EXCEL Program, which is an innovative integrated program starting in 4th grade. This program provides targeted executive functioning training, which is taught in 1:1 sessions, as well as integrated throughout the overall daily curriculum, enabling students to progress in our rigorous, college prep program. Students must apply separately for admission to EXCEL.
 

BWL introduces instrumental music in the Lower School. Violin, viola, or cello lessons begin in 4th and 5th grades. Chorus, vocal ensemble, a cappella groups, and music theory are also offered throughout grades K-12, with some of these courses becoming electives in Middle and Upper School. We also encourage interested students to participate in NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) competitions through our music department. 

Kindergarten through 5th grade perform in an annual play or musical production with their classes. We also have optional extracurricular Performing Arts productions for Middle and Upper School. Our theater program instills a sense of confidence in our students and helps them learn to collaborate.

Kindergarten through 5th grade, we have a full array of Lower School Enrichment Programs from which to choose, including extended day options (teacher-supervised time from 3:00pm to 6:00pm).  Middle School activities are built into the school schedule.  Upper School clubs take place throughout the week according to students’ schedules and interests.  

We offer a wide variety of Athletic Programs for students of all ages, including sports atypical for a small school, such as squash, tennis, and golf. Participation in competitive league sports against other schools begins in 7th grade. We belong to the ISAL (Independent School Athletic League) and in the Upper School we offer both Junior Varsity and Varsity teams.