Admissions

Applying to Rodeph Sholom School

There are five components to the application process detailed below. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out via email at admissions@rssnyc.org or phone (646) 438-8600. We look forward to working with you throughout the application process!

1. Attend an Open House or Tour

All families are required to attend an Open House or tour as a part of the application process. Our Open Houses will provide families with the opportunity to meet members of our school administration as well as current parents and students. Please call us at (646) 438-8600 or email admissions@rssnyc.org if our Open House dates/times do not work for your schedule.

Additional information and dates for our Open Houses and tours can be found below.

2. Complete Your Application

Our application for 2025-2026 is now open.

All applications must be submitted by December 1st, 2024.

Start Your Application

3. Virtual Parent Meeting

After you have submitted your application, you will be able to self-schedule a 30-minute virtual parent meeting with a member of the admissions team through your Finalsite Enrollment portal. These meetings will take place exclusively on Zoom.

4. Student Visit

After submitting your application, you will be able to self-schedule your child’s in-person visit through your Finalsite Enrollment portal.

Twos, Threes:
Student meetings will be conducted in person in small groups, allowing children to interact with some of our teachers and administrators in a fun and engaging way.

Pre-K, Kindergarten:
Student meetings will be conducted in person in small groups, allowing children to interact with some of our teachers and administrators in a fun and engaging way.

Elementary Division (1st – 4th Grade):
Students applying to 1st-4th Grade will participate in an in-person visit where they will join a classroom in their current grade, interact with students and faculty, and tour the school. Before the visit, students will be asked to complete a brief assignment on their own.

Middle School (5th – 8th Grade):
Students applying to 5th-8th Grade will participate in an in-person visit where they will join classes in their current grade, interact with students and faculty, and tour the school. Before the visit, students will be asked to complete a brief assignment on their own.

5. ISAAGNY Report, School Reports, and ISEE

Pre-K:

ISAAGNY Pre-K Confidential School Report
Please ask your current school to complete and submit the ISAAGNY Pre-K Confidential School Report. The form is due no later than Thursday, January 9, 2025.

Kindergarten and 1st Grade:

ISAAGNY Kindergarten & 1st Grade Confidential School Report
Please ask your current school to complete and submit the ISAAGNY Kindergarten & 1st Grade Confidential School Report. The form is due no later than Thursday, January 9, 2025.

1st Grade applicants will be asked to provide their child’s prior year school report, and if available, a mid-year report for the current year.

2nd – 5th Grade:

ISAAGNY 2nd – 5th Grade Confidential School Report
Please ask your current school teacher to complete and submit the ISAAGNY 2nd – 5th Grade Confidential School Report. The form is due no later than Thursday, January 9, 2025.

School Reports
You will be asked to provide your child’s two most recent school year reports, and if available, a mid-year report for the current year.

ISEE Exam
The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) is required for students applying to the 5th-8th Grades. You can learn more about the ISEE online here.

6th – 8th Grade:

ISAAGNY Evaluation English Teacher Recommendation Form
ISAAGNY Evaluation Math Teacher Recommendation Form
Please ask your current English and Math Teachers to complete and submit the ISAAGNY English and Math Recommendation Forms, respectively. These forms are due no later than Thursday, January 9, 2025.

School Reports
You will be asked to provide your child’s two most recent school year reports and if available, a mid-year report for the current year.

ISEE Exam
The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) is required for students applying to the 5th-8th Grades. You can learn more about the ISEE online here.

Program Overview

The Nursery through 8th Grade learning environment at Rodeph Sholom School allows students time and space to retain the wonder of childhood while simultaneously offering leadership opportunities and experiences that other structures preclude. As students progress through the grades, Rodeph Sholom offers appropriate challenges along the developmental continuum.

Rodeph Sholom School has three divisions:

Early Childhood Division: Twos, Threes, Pre-K, and Kindergarten
Elementary Division: 1st through 4th Grade
Middle School Division: 5th through 8th Grade

Scroll down to learn more.

Early Childhood Division

Twos Program
In the Twos, students learn how to move through a school day, develop positive and satisfying relationships with others, and function within a group. They are also exposed to a wide range of learning materials and have chances to explore and make sense of the world around them.

Birthday Eligibility for 2025-26: 9/1/22 – 8/31/23
(Born after 8/31/23 Look at our Early Learning Programs!)

Twos Program Options:

3 Days/week (Mon., Wed., Fri.)
5 Days/week (Mon.-Fri.)

Ask our team what’s best for you!

Twos Program Hours:

8:45 am – 12:00 pm (For all Twos programs)

Threes Program
In the Threes, students learn how to move through a school day, develop positive and satisfying relationships with others, and function within a group. They are also exposed to a wide range of learning materials and have chances to explore and make sense of the world around them.

Birthday Eligibility for 2025-26: 9/1/21 – 8/31/22

Threes Program Options:

Half Day
Full Day

Threes Program Hours:

Half Day: 8:35 am – 12:15 pm
Full Day: 8:35 am – 2:30 pm (Mon.-Thu.), 8:35 am – 2:00 pm (Fri.)
Early room available: 8:00 am – 8:30 am
After-school hours are available

Pre-K Program
The structure of the Pre-Kindergarten day offers students gentle guidance in developing their relationships with others. Students initiate social play through learning and work centers where students select what and with whom they will play. Students are given opportunities to develop literacy, math, and critical thinking skills in ways that develop naturally through their daily class experiences.

Birthday Eligibility for 2025-26: 9/1/20 – 8/31/21

Pre-K Program Hours:

8:25 am – 2:45 pm (Mon.-Thu.), 8:25 am – 2:10 pm (Fri.)
Early room available: 8:00 – 8:30 am
After-school hours are available

Kindergarten Program
In Kindergarten, students are actively developing their skills in reading, writing, mathematical thinking, and making sense of the larger world as they move through their day. Students also meet with specialists regularly to learn more in-depth about music, art, literature, Hebrew, and physical education.

Birthday Eligibility for 2025-26: 9/1/19 – 8/31/20

Kindergarten Hours:

8:15 am – 3:00 pm (Mon.-Thu.), 8:00 am – 2:20 pm (Fri.)
After-school programming is available

Elementary Division

Through inquiry and exploration, students in 1st through 4th Grade engage in a learning process they care about, posing questions of interest to them and contributing their voices to a joyous atmosphere. In our elementary classrooms, students are motivated to work with persistence, determination, and a passion for learning, which only serves to build their confidence, competence, and self-esteem.

Elementary Division Program Hours:

8:00 am – 3:20 pm (Mon. – Thu.)
8:00 am – 2:20 pm (Fri.)
After-school programming is available

Middle School

Through a developmentally thoughtful program, Rodeph Sholom School supports each child’s cognitive and social-emotional growth. In our challenging and stimulating curriculum, students think critically, and engage with each other and the world around them, while holding themselves to high standards. Students are given space to explore, make choices, develop self-advocacy, and be independent in a structured and safe environment.

Middle School Division Hours:

8:05 am – 3:25 pm (Mon.-Thu.)
8:05 am – 2:35 pm (Fri.)
After-school programming is available

Key Dates

APPLICATION DATES & DEADLINES:

Our application for 2025-2026 is now open.

All applications must be submitted by December 1st, 2024.

You can start your application here.

NOTIFICATION DATES & DEADLINES:

As a member of the Independent School Admission Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY), Rodeph Sholom School’s notification dates correspond with the dates provided by ISAAGNY.

Grade Entering	Notification	Parents Reply Date
Twos, Threes, Pre-K	Thursday, February 27th (after 10:00 am)	Thursday, March 6th (by noon)
Kindergarten	Thursday, February 6th (after 10:00 am)	Thursday, February 13th (by noon)
1st – 8th Grade	Thursday, February 13th (after 4:00 pm)	Monday, March 3rd (by noon)

EARLY NOTIFICATION:

Early Notification is for families who are:

Current members of Congregation Rodeph Sholom

Alumni

Currently enrolled in Beginners at Rodeph Sholom School
Currently enrolled in Sholom Sprouts Learning Together

Families who opt for Early Notice will have priority in the application process and will receive admissions decisions on Friday, December 6th (after noon). If you are interested in joining Congregation Rodeph Sholom so you can take advantage of this Early Notice opportunity, please email us at admissions@rssnyc.org and we will connect you with CRS leadership.

STUDENT AGES:

Please see our Program Overview for birthdates eligibility for each grade level.

See Program Overview

Open House & Tour Information

We are excited to welcome you to our school!

Rodeph Sholom School offers Tours and Open Houses each spring and fall.

Please register below for an upcoming Tour or Open House. Contact admissions@rssnyc.org for more information or complete the inquiry form below.

Inquire

Twos and
Threes

TOURS
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
9:00 am – 10:00 am

Tuesday, April 29, 2025
9:00 am – 10:00 am

Join us for a tour of our Twos and Threes program!

OPEN HOUSE:
Inquire below for fall 2026!

Families will have an opportunity to hear from school leadership and speak with current parents and students.

Please inquire below to indicate your interest in the next Open House and someone from the Admissions team will contact you.

Inquire Here

Pre-K and
Kindergarten

TOURS
[FULL] Wednesday, May 14, 2025
9:00 am – 10:30 am

Wednesday, May 28, 2025
9:00 am – 10:30 am

Tours of our Pre-K and Kindergarten programs will include a visit to our Early Childhood (84th Street) and Elementary and Middle School (79th Street) campuses.

OPEN HOUSE:
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
9:15 am – 10:30 am

Families interested will have an opportunity to connect with and hear from the Head of School, Division Heads, clergy, current students, and parents. Tours of both our Pre-K and Kindergarten and our Elementary and Middle School campuses will also be offered.

Elementary and
Middle School

TOURS
Inquire below for Spring 2025!

Tours of our 1st – 8th Grade program will are for parents only. Students will have the opportunity to tour the school during the application process.

Please inquire below to indicate your interest in an Elementary or Middle School tour and someone from the Admissions team will contact you.

Inquire Here

OPEN HOUSE:
Inquire below for fall 2026!

Families interested in any of our programs from Pre-K through 8th grade will have an opportunity to connect with and hear from the Head of School, Division Heads, clergy, current students, and parents.

Please inquire below to indicate your interest in an Elementary and Middle School Open House and someone from the Admissions team will contact you.

Inquire Here