Admissions Process

Using your credentials to the Online Application Portal, you can now access the New Student Application. Once the application has been submitted, an individualized checklist of all application components and deadlines will be generated. We ask that prospective families complete the application before scheduling an interview so that we can make sure your interview is as personal as possible.

Please note, the $75 application fee is automatically waived if you are applying for financial aid.

Optional: Would you prefer to submit via mail, fax, or e-mail? All application components may be downloaded here.

Once you have submitted the New Student Application, the next step is to schedule a virtual interview. This is a required component of the RCDS application process. We look forward to learning more about your family and answering any questions you have. This conversation will also give you the opportunity to learn more about what the RCDS experience is all about.

To schedule your online interview, please email Morgan Fitzpatrick at Morgan_Fitzpatrick@ryecountryday.org or call us at 914-925-4513. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom and will last 45 to 60 minutes. 

We invite you to take a virtual tour at any point during the admissions process on our website. 

Interview Information:

For applicants to Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten: After you have completed your application, please contact Morgan Fitzpatrick in order to schedule your virtual interview. This interview is intended for parents/guardians only. 

For applicants to Grades 1 and 2: After you have completed your application, please contact Morgan Fitzpatrick in order to schedule your virtual interview.  This interview is intended for parents/guardians only. Laurie Pinkham will contact you for an Individual Screening if spots become available. 

For applicants to Grade 3 and 4: After you have completed your application, please contact Morgan Fitzpatrick in order to schedule your virtual interview. Applicants to Grades 3 and 4 for will take their Admissions Test during their scheduled virtual student interview. Please be aware that these assessments will take approximately 20 minutes and will be conducted over Zoom by Laurie Pinkham. Parents/guardians should accompany applicants for this appointment.

For applicants in Grades 5+: After you have completed your application, please contact Morgan Fitzpatrick in order to schedule your virtual interview. For Grade 5 and above, we ask that applicants accompany their parents/guardians for the virtual interview. 

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

Optional: Would you prefer to submit via mail, fax, or e-mail? All application components may be downloaded here.

After you submit a New Student Application, the RCDS Admissions Office will be in touch with you to schedule required assessments and virtual screenings.

For applicants to Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten: Laurie Pinkham will contact you to set up the Individual Screening for your child. Please be aware that these assessments will take approximately 20 minutes and will be conducted over Zoom with Kristin Bainbridge. 

For applicants to Grades 1 and 2: After you have completed your application, please contact Morgan Fitzpatrick in order to schedule your virtual interview.  This interview is intended for parents/guardians only. Laurie Pinkham will contact you for an Individual Screening if spots become available.

For applicants to Grades 3 and 4: Applicants to Grades 3 and 4 for the 2021-22 school year will take their Admissions Test during their scheduled student interview. Please be aware that these assessments will take approximately 20 minutes and will be conducted over Zoom by Laurie Pinkham. The assessments include reading comprehension, writing skills and math. 

For applicants to Grade 5 and above: Applicants to Grade 5 and above are required to take the ISEE or SSAT. Both tests are viewed equally in the admissions process. Parents/guardians are responsible for making testing arrangements. Please visit the testing sites for testing protocols and availability. Testing should be scheduled after September 1 of the application year, and applicants should complete testing no later than Sunday, 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.

The Admissions Committees at RCDS do not have a preference between the ISEE and the SSAT.

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

Rye Country Day School is eager to encourage all qualified students to apply to the school. We are actively committed to maintaining a school community of students from diverse backgrounds and experiences and our extensive financial aid program helps to make a Rye Country Day education accessible for those who demonstrate financial need. RCDS grants approximately $6.1million in financial aid to 16 percent of the student body.

The Rye Country Day School Financial Aid Program uses an outside organization called School and Student Services (SSS) to establish financial need. Parents of financial aid applicants need to complete the Parents Financial Statement (PFS) using the RCDS code 6208. (In the case of divorced or separated parents, the equivalent form from the non-custodial parent must be submitted as well.) The School also requires that applicants submit a copy of all federal IRS forms filed in the previous year as well as the most recent W2 forms. For more information about SSS, call 800-344-8328 or visit their website at https://www.solutionsbysss.com/parents.

FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION
Financial aid responses will accompany admissions decisions. Questions about financial aid? Please visit the financial aid section of the website and/or contact Courtney Doucette, Financial Aid Officer, at 914-925-4542 or courtney_doucette@ryecoutryday.org.

RCDS requires that transcripts and teacher recommendations be submitted by January 10 for an application to be considered in the first round. Requests can be made directly from the Online Application Portal. We recommend families make these requests as early as possible.

Due to the unprecedented events surrounding the pandemic, RCDS is allowing teachers from last school year (2019-20) to complete optional recommendation forms. These forms will not replace the required teacher recommendation forms from the current school year (2020-21). All recommendation forms are available on the Online Application Portal or may be downloaded here to be emailed to teachers.

Our school does not currently accept the Standard Application Online (SAO) for applicants. However, if you are using the SAO to apply to other schools in the Fairchester Consortium, we will accept copies of the SAO Recommendation forms. If you wish to send SAO recommendation forms to our school, please request that your teacher or administrator email a PDF copy of their completed SAO recommendation form directly to our school at admissions@ryecountryday.org.

Notice: A teacher or administrator must first complete the SAO Recommendation Form online, using the request link an applicant sends as a part of the SAO. After the teacher or administrator completes and submits the form, a PDF copy of the completed form can be accessed. 

Optional: Would you prefer to submit via mail, fax, or e-mail? All application components may be downloaded here.

You will receive an e-mail notification with the admissions decision and financial aid grant (if applicable) on February 5, 2021.