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. lease 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

Families can begin an application online through Finalsite Enrollment starting September 1st, 2023. All applications are due on December 1st, 2023.

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 you have submitted 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 Monday, January 8, 2024.

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 Monday, January 8, 2024.

1st Grade applicants will be asked to provide your 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 Monday, January 8, 2024.

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 2nd-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 Friday, January 6, 2023.

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 2nd-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, how to develop positive and satisfying relationships with others, and how to 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 2024-25: 9/1/21 – 8/31/22
(Born after 8/31/22 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, how to develop positive and satisfying relationships with others, and how to 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 2024-25: 9/1/20 – 8/31/21

Threes Program Options:

Half Day
Extended 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 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 they select what and with whom they will play. Students are given opportunities to develop their skills in literacy, math, and critical thinking in ways that develop naturally out of their everyday experiences.

Birthday Eligibility for 2024-25: 9/1/19 – 8/31/20

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 available hours available

Kindergarten Program
In Kindergarten, students are actively developing their skills in reading, writing, mathematical thinking, 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 2024-25: 9/1/18 – 8/31/19

Kindergarten Hours:

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

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, 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.)

Key Dates

APPLICATION DATES & DEADLINES:

Our application will open for submissions starting September 1st, 2023.

All applications must be submitted by December 1st, 2023.

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 29th (after 10:00 am)	Thursday, March 7th (by noon)
Kindergarten	Thursday, February 8th (after 10:00 am)	Thursday, February 15th (by noon)
1st – 8th Grade	Tuesday, February 13th (after 10:00 am)	Monday, March 4th (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.

Families who opt for Early Notice will have priority in the application process and will receive admissions decisions on Friday, December 8th. 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.

Tours for all grades (Nursery – 8th Grade) begin October 2023. 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:

Twos and Threes program tours will begin October 2023. A tour of our 84th street campus will be offered.

OPEN HOUSE:
Wednesday, October 11th
9:00 am – 10:15 am

Families interested in the Twos and Threes programs will have an opportunity to hear from school leadership and speak with current parents and students.

Pre-K and
Kindergarten

TOURS:

Pre-K and Kindergarten program tours will begin October 2023 and will include a visit to our 84th Street and 79th Street campuses.

OPEN HOUSE:
Wednesday, October 25th
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Families interested in the Pre-K and Kindergarten programs will hear from the Head of School, Division Heads, clergy, current students, and alumni. You will also have the opportunity participate in mini classes.

Elementary and
Middle School

TOURS:

1st – 8th Grade program tours will begin October 2023. Please note that this tour is for parents only. Students will have the opportunity to tour the school during the application process.

OPEN HOUSE:
(Inquire below)

If you would like more information about the Elementary (1st – 4th Grade) or Middle School (5th – 8th Grade) programs, please inquire below.

Inquire