Admissions Process

The Rye Country Day School Financial Aid Program uses an outside organization called School and Student Services (SSS) to establish financial need. Parents/guardians 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.

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

FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION
Financial aid responses will accompany admissions decisions. Questions about financial aid? Please visit the financial aid section of the website for more information.

Once you have submitted the Application, the next step is to schedule an in-person or Zoom 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. Please review the RCDS visitor policy prior to visiting campus. Regardless of age, all visitors must provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test administered within 72 hours of their visit. 

You can take a virtual tour at any point during the admissions process on our website. 

Please schedule your interview through Blackbaud (application portal). Please be sure to submit your application prior to scheduling your interview. 

Interview Information:

For applicants to Pre-Kindergarten through Grades 12: After you have completed your application, please schedule your interview through Blackbaud (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 conduct 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 Grades) and the student questionnaire (Grades 5-12) 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.

For applicants to Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 2:  Please be aware that these assessments will take approximately 25 minutes and will be conducted in-person with our Lower School Assessment Manager on campus. You may schedule your child's assessment through the Admissions Portal.

*For applicants to Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten: In addition to the individual assessment with the Lower School Assessment Manager, your child will be required to attend a group visit in December. Your child will be scheduled for their visit in November. You will be contacted by the Admissions Office with your child's assigned group visit appointment. 

For applicants to Grades 3 and 4: A standardized assessment will be administered in-person at RCDS for students applying to Grades 3 and 4. You may register your child for their assessment through your Parent checklist in the Admissions Portal. Further details regarding this assessment will be sent to applicant parents closer to the assessment date. The Grades 3 and 4 assessment dates are to be announced.

For applicants to Grades 5 -12: 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 equal 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.

Optional: If the school prefers to submit via mail, fax, or e-mail-- All application components may be downloaded here.

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 2, 2024.