Admissions Process

The Rye Country Day School Financial Aid Program uses an external organization called Clarity to establish financial need. Parents/guardians of financial aid applicants need to complete the financial aid application, which will open on August 18. (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. 

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

Financial aid responses will accompany admissions decisions. Questions about financial aid? Please visit the Tuition & Financial Aid page for more information.

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

Once you have submitted the Application, the next step is to schedule an in-person 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.

On campus interviews include a student-led campus tour. You can take a virtual tour at any point during the admissions process on our website. 

Please schedule your interview through the online application portal. Please be sure to submit your application prior to scheduling your interview. 

Interview Information

• For ALL applicants to Pre-Kindergarten through Grades 12: After you have completed your application, please schedule your interview through the online application portal. Please note, only one parent/guardian is required for the visit.
• For applicants to Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 2: Parents/guardians of applicants will participate in an interview and campus tour. This appointment is for parents/guardians only and will last approximately 90 minutes. 
• For applicants to Grades 3-12: Parents/guardians will accompany the applicant for the campus tour and interview. After the student interview, parents/guardians will have their own interview. This appointment for both the campus tour and interviews will last 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.

Download All Application Materials(optional if you prefer to submit via mail/email)

For Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 2 Applicants

All Pre-K - Grade 2 applicants must completed an individual screening (20-30 minutes). This one-on-one visit with the Assistant Director of Lower School Admissions offers an opportunity to assess your child’s school readiness—academically, socially, emotionally, cognitively—and overall fit at RCDS. A parent or guardian will wait in the Admissions building during the visit. 

For applicants to Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten: In addition to the individual screening, your child will be required to attend a group visit (45-60 minutes). This drop-off visit allows RCDS to observe your child engaging with peers and teachers in a classroom setting. Please arrive at the Admissions building 10 minutes before your scheduled time to ensure a prompt start. Pick up will take place at the same location. Please have your child wear comfortable school attire to help them feel at ease and ready to participate.

For Grades 3 and 4 Applicants

Applicants applying to Grades 3 and 4 are required to take the ISEE Primary. The Office of Admissions will host the ISEE Primary in-person (for applicants to Grade 4 only) on Sunday, December 7, 2025 and Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Parents/guardians are responsible for scheduling their own testing arrangements through the ERB website here. 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).

For applicants to Grade 4: In addition to the ISEE Primary, we strongly encourage your child to participate in a classroom visit to one of our current third grade classrooms. This visit is a wonderful opportunity for your child to meet their peers and experience the RCDS classroom environment. To schedule, please contact the Office of Admissions. 

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 does not have a preference between the ISEE and the SSAT. Both tests are viewed equally in the admissions process. Parents/guardians are responsible for scheduling their own testing arrangements. Please visit the testing sites for testing protocols and availability. 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.

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.

Download All Application Materials(optional if the school prefers to submit via mail/email)
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.

You will receive an online notification with the admissions decision and financial aid grant (if applicable) on February 6, 2026.