Admissions Process

Please use Ravenna to apply to BWL. 

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

School Reports and Teacher Recommendation Forms should be completed by the applicant's current school and sent either through Ravenna or directly to the BWL Admissions Office at admissions@bwl.org. (All required forms are available on Ravenna.) 
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Entering Grade K-1:

• School Report/Transcript Request Form
• ISAAGNY K & 1 Confidential Form

Entering Grade 2-12:

• School Report/Transcript Request Form
• ISAAGNY General Recommendation (Confidential) 

BWL no longer requires the ERB for applicants entering Kindergarten or Grade 1.  The students will be evaluated based on their current nursery school reports as well as the BWL student assessment.

For applicants entering all other grades, BWL will continue to require a current standardized test (completed within one year of the application).

To find out more about the exams or to register for an exam, please click on one of the following links:

ECAA (Entering Grade 2-4)

ISEE (Entering Grade 2-12)

SSAT (Entering Grade 9-12)

Student interviews will be offered to families upon receipt of your application. Please contact the admissions office at admissions@bwl.org to schedule your appointment. 

Entering Kindergarten:

Children will be interviewed in a small playgroup (approximately 6 children) overseen by Kindergarten teachers and members of the Admissions Department. There is no preparation required for this session. 

Please email us at admissions@bwl.org to schedule an appointment. Remember to include your child's name and current school. 

Kindergarten In-person Playgroups: 

Wednesdays 11-11:30am 

Students will meet the Admissions Directors and then will be interviewed in a one-on-one session with a Lower School teacher. This appointment is for the applicant only. 

Please email us at admissions@bwl.org  to schedule your interview. Remember to include your child's name, grade and current school. 

Interview:

Grade 1-5 in-person 30 minute interview and brief student tour

Available Wednesdays 1:30-2:15pm

Entering Grade 6-12:

Students entering Grades 6-12 are offered a 15-minute virtual interview with a member of the Admissions department.

Please email us at admissions@bwl.org to tell us your day/time of preference. Remember to include the applicant's name, grade, and current school.

Interview appointments are available:

Mondays at 10:45, 11:05, 11:25

Tuesdays at 10:30, 10:50, 11:10

Thursdays at 11:35, 11:55, and 12:15

Please complete the Student Writing Sample through Ravenna. 

Please complete the Parent Essay using Ravenna.

Parents are invited to attend an information session with BWL administrators. This session offers parents an additional opportunity to ask questions and gather more in-depth information about BWL. 

Kindergarten Parent Information Sessions: 

Wednesdays 10:15-10:45am in person

Dates:

9/28/22; 10/12/22; 10/19/22; 10/26/22; 11/2/22; 11/9/22; 11/16/22; 11/30/22; 12/7/22; 1/4/23; 1/11/23; 1/18/23

Kindergarten Applicants

1. Submit your Application on Ravenna.

2. Schedule a School Tour.

3. Schedule the Child Playgroup.

4. Schedule the Parent Information Session.

5. Send a request to your current preschool to submit the ISAAGNY form on Ravenna for School Reports/Transcripts.

6. Complete the Parent Essay and Student Writing Sample on Ravenna.

7. Please note there is no standardized test required for Kindergarten applicants.

Grades 1-12 Applicants

1. Submit your Application on Ravenna.

2. Schedule a School Tour.

3. Schedule the Student Interview. (Grades 1-5 will be in-person. Grades 6-12 will be virtual.)

4. Send a request to your current school to submit School Reports on Ravenna (submit the past 2 years including the current school year). 

5. Send a request to your current school to submit Teacher Recommendation Form on Ravenna.

6. Complete the Parent Essay and Student Writing Sample on Ravenna.

7. Submit Standardized Test Scores on Ravenna (applies to Grades 2-12 only) 

Grade 1: No standardized test required.

Grades 2-5: We accept the ISEE/ERB, NYS Test scores, or a neuropsychological evaluation completed within the past year.

Grades 6-12: We accept the ISEE/SSAT/PSAT/SAT, NYS Test scores, or a neuropsychological evaluation completed within the past year.

REQUIRED

•  PROOF OF FULL COVID VACCINATION

OPTIONAL (BUT ENCOURAGED)

• Negative rapid test the morning of the visit date(s). Please email us the results at admissions@bwl.org before your visit. 

• Mask

If symptomatic, please reschedule by emailing admissions@bwl.org

New applicants who are siblings of current BWL students, or who are children of Birch Wathen, Lenox, or BWL alumni are eligible to participate in our Early Decision (ED). In addition, any family with an existing involvement or relationship with the Birch Wathen Lenox School may be eligible for Early Decision and should inquire with our Admissions Department by emailing admissions@bwl.org. 

Notify us by November 18 if you wish to participate. Please complete and return the ED response form indicating your choice. Please submit other application materials no later than November 30, so we can schedule your tour/interview early in the process.  

If we have not heard from you by November 18, we will assume you do not wish to participate in ED and we will notify you according to the regular ISAAGNY notification dates.