Admissions Process

The Rye Country Day School Financial Aid Program uses Clarity, an external financial aid platform to assess each family's demonstrated financial need. Families applying for financial aid must complete the Clarity application, which opens on August 17. In cases where parents are divorced or separated, the non-custodial parent must also submit a separate application. In addition, families are required to submit copies of all federal IRS tax forms filed for the previous tax year, along with their most recent W2 forms. 

All required financial aid forms must be submitted by December 15.

Financial aid decisions are released at the same time as admissions decisions. For more information about the financial aid process, please visit our Tuition & Financial Aid page.

ACCESS FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION HERE(this will direct you to the Clarity website)

After submitting your application, please schedule your required interview through the application portal. The interview is an important part of the admissions process and gives us the opportunity to get to know your family, answer your questions, and share more about the RCDS experience. We strongly encourage families to interview in person whenever possible. Please note, only one parent/guardian is required to attend, but we welcome both. 

On campus interviews include a student-led campus tour. If you are unable to visit campus, you can explore RCDS anytime by taking a virtual tour on our website. 

Interview Information

• Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 4: The interview and campus tour are for parents/guardians only (applicants do not attend). This visit lasts approximately 90 minutes. 
• Grades 5 through Grade 12: Applicants attend the campus tour and interview with their parents/guardians. Following the student interview, parents/guardians will participate in a separate interview. This visit lasts approximately 90 minutes. 

The parent/guardian questionnaire (all applicants) and the student questionnaire (Grades 5-12 applicants) may be submitted via the online application portal.

For Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten Applicants

Applicants are required to complete an individual screening (20 - 30 minutes), which can be scheduled through the application portal. During this visit, applicants will participate in a variety of engaging, age-appropriate activities with a member of the Admissions team while we get to know them and learn more about their school readiness. Parents/Guardians will wait in the Admissions Building during the screening. 

In addition to the individual screening,  Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten applicants are required to attend a group visit (45 - 60 minutes) which can be scheduled through the application portal. This drop-off visit allows us to observe how applicants interact with peers and teachers in a classroom setting. 

For Grade 1 Applicants

Applicants to Grade 1 are required to participate in a standardized small-group assessment (35- 45 minutes) with up to four students, which should be scheduled through the application portal. The assessment includes a series of age-appropriate, standardized tasks. Parents/Guardians will wait in the Admissions Building during the assessment. 

For Grade 2 & Grade 3 Applicants

Applicants to Grade 2 are required to take the ISEE Primary 2 and applicants to Grade 3 are required to take the ISEE Primary 3 as part of the admissions process. Parents/Guardians are responsible for registering for the ISEE Primary through the E3n (formerly ERB) website. Testing should be completed during the current school year and no later than January 10 to ensure a completed application. Please have score reports sent directly to Rye Country Day School using our school code: 334965. 

For Grade 4 Applicants

Applicants to Grade 4 are required to take the ISEE Primary 4 as part of the admissions process. Parents/Guardians are responsible for registering for the ISEE Primary 4 through the E3n (formerly ERB) website. Testing should be completed during the current school year and no later than January 10 to ensure a completed application. Please have score reports sent directly to Rye Country Day School using our school code: 334965. 

In addition to the ISEE Primary, Grade 4 applicants are required to participate in a classroom visit with one of our current third grade classes. Visits are held from 8:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and should be scheduled through the application portal. During the visit, applicants will experience a typical morning at RCDS, participate in classroom activities, and interact with current students and teachers. 

For Grades 5 to Grade 12 Applicants

Applicants to Grades 5-12 are required to take either the ISEE or SSAT. The Admissions Committees at RCDS do not have a preference between the ISEE and the SSAT. Both tests are viewed equally in the admissions process. Parents/Guardians are responsible for registering for the ISEE or SSAT through their respective websites. Testing should be scheduled during the current school year and should be completed no later than January 10 to ensure a completed application folder. Be sure to have results forwarded to RCDS by ISEE (school code: 334965) or SSAT (school code: 6208) by indicating RCDS as a score recipient when registering.

While testing can be completed at any site, RCDS will host three ISEE test sessions on the following dates:

Saturday, November 7, 2026: Grades 4 - 12

Sunday, December 6, 2026: Grades 5 - 12

Sunday, January 3, 2027: Grades 4 - 12

RCDS requires that transcripts and recommendations be submitted by January 10. These forms MUST be submitted directly from the school and/or teachers. Please note RCDS cannot accept parent/guardian submissions of these forms. These forms can be accessed and submitted on the online application portal.

You will receive an online notification with the admissions decision and financial aid grant (if applicable) on Friday, February 5, 2027 in the late afternoon.