Admissions

Lower School

WELCOME! Our Preliminary Application for 2027-2028 school year will open on September 8.

Applying to Lower School

Please review the application checklist and important dates for the 2027-2028 school year.

A completed Poly application consists of multiple items. Use the checklist below to help keep track of the application requirements.

You must have a Ravenna account to access the application portal. Once your account is active, you will be able to view application details and register for events.

Please refer to the age chart on the Application Process page if you have questions about grade eligibility based on age.

Lower School Checklist

NURSERY (Age 3)
Most families enter Poly Prep in Nursery, our program for 3 year-olds. We enroll approximately 30 students each year.

Eligibility
Children must be 3 years old before September 1, 2027.

What to Expect
We look forward to connecting with your family. Our process is a holistic one designed to get to know students in a thoughtful, age-appropriate setting. It begins with an optional open house, continues with the student playgroup and family in-person interview, and concludes with a comprehensive review of all of your child’s materials, including student videos and other various submitted materials.

How to Apply
1. Submit the Preliminary Application: Deadline: November 20, 2026
  Complete the online application in Ravenna, including background information, student photo and the school attendance form.
2. Schedule Your Child’s Visit
  Register in Ravenna for a visit. This will be a small playgroup experience with our Early Childhood faculty. If your child has a summer birthday, we encourage you to schedule your playgroup visit after November 1, so the assessment is reflective of their growth and development.
3. Attend Your Parent/Guardian Interview
  All families who apply by the deadline (November 20, 2026) should register in Ravenna for a meeting with a member of the Admissions Committee.
4. Financial Aid Application (Optional): Deadline: December 15, 2026
  Families who wish to apply for financial aid should complete an application through Clarity.
5. Submit Supplemental Required Materials: Deadline: January 8, 2027
  - Parent/Guardian Short Answer Questions (ISAAGNY Parent Statement)
  - Student Speech Video
    - The speech video is an opportunity for us to hear your child speak naturally for a minute or less. We are not looking for a polished or memorized response.
  - ISAAGNY Teacher Recommendation
    - Required for applicants who are currently enrolled in a school or early childhood program. Please request this form from your child’s current teacher after November 1, to allow teachers time to get to know your child.
    - If your child is not currently attending a formal 2s program, please reach out to our office to waive this requirement.
  - Nursery Schedule Preference Form
    - This is an opportunity to select either a full day or half day program. Please note, if you select “flexible,” your child may be automatically scheduled for the half day program.
Decision Timeline
Poly Prep follows ISAAGNY guidelines. Admissions decisions will be released on February 25, 2027, and families must respond by March 4, 2027.

Note: Current families applying for Nursery for a sibling should check the Poly Pulse for specific timelines.
PRE-KINDERGARTEN and KINDERGARTEN (Ages 4-5)
Pre-K and Kindergarten are limited entry years at Poly Prep, with a small number of openings available each year. We anticipate 5-10 openings in each grade.

The Admissions Committee reviews applications on a rolling basis and extends interview invitations throughout the fall and early winter. Submitting an application does not guarantee an interview. Selections are based on the preliminary application materials submitted and space availability.

Eligibility
Families may apply to Pre-K if their child will be 4 years old before September 1, 2027, or Kindergarten if their child will be 5 years old before that date.

What to Expect
We look forward to connecting with your family. Our process is a holistic one designed to get to know students in a thoughtful, age-appropriate setting. It begins with an optional open house and a careful review of your child’s preliminary materials. Selected students and their families engage in our playgroup and interview process. All completed applications receive a holistic review, including teacher recommendations, student videos, and other submitted materials.

How to Apply
1. Submit the Preliminary Application: Deadline: November 20, 2026
  Complete the online application in Ravenna, including background information, the school attendance form, student photo, parent/guardian short answer questions, and the student speech video.
  The speech video is an opportunity for us to hear your child speak naturally for a minute or less. We are not looking for a polished or memorized response.
2. Schedule Your Child’s Visit (by invitation)
  If selected, families will receive an emailed code with which to self-register for a Pre-K or Kindergarten In-Person Student Playgroup. This will be a small playgroup experience with our Lower School faculty.
3. Attend Your Parent/Guardian Interview
  Families invited to interview will receive an emailed code with which to self-register for a Pre-K or Kindergarten In-Person Parent/Guardian Interview with a member of the Admissions Committee.
4. Complete Financial Aid Application (Optional): Deadline: December 15, 2026
  Families who wish to apply for financial aid should complete an application through Clarity.
5. Delegate ISAAGNY Teacher Recommendation: Deadline: January 8, 2027
  Required for applicants who are currently enrolled in a school or early childhood program. Please request this form after November 1, to allow teachers time to get to know your child.
Decision Timeline
Poly Prep follows ISAAGNY guidelines. Kindergarten decisions will be released on February 4, 2027, with a response deadline of February 11, 2027. Pre-K decisions will be released on February 25, 2027, with a response deadline of March 4, 2027.
GRADE 1 (Age 6)
Grade 1 is a non-entry year at Poly Prep, and space is based on attrition. The Admissions Committee reviews applications on a rolling basis up to the application deadline. Submitting an application does not guarantee an interview. Selections are based on the preliminary application materials submitted and space availability.

Eligibility
Families may apply to Grade 1 if their child will be 6 years old before September 1, 2027.

What to Expect
We look forward to connecting with your family. We carefully review preliminary materials, and selected students and their families engage in a half-day visit to the Lower School. All completed applications receive a holistic review, including teacher recommendations, student videos, and other submitted materials.

How to Apply
1. Submit the Preliminary Application: Deadline: November 6, 2026
  Complete the online application in Ravenna, including background information, student photo, final report card (if available), parent/guardian short answer questions, and student speech video.
  The speech video is an opportunity for us to hear your child speak naturally for a minute or less. We are not looking for a polished or memorized response.
2. Student Interview and Parent/Guardian Conversation (by invitation)
  If selected, families will receive an emailed code with which to self-register for a Grade 1 Applicant Interview. The applicant will participate in a classroom experience with our Lower School faculty and students, followed by reading, writing, and math activities with a member of the Admissions Committee. Parents/guardians will tour the school and meet with a member of the Admissions Committee.
3. Financial Aid Application (Optional): Deadline: December 15, 2026
  Families who wish to apply for financial aid should complete an application through Clarity.
4. Supporting Materials: Deadline: January 8, 2027
  - Teacher Recommendation:
    - Applicants to Grade 1 must use the ISAAGNY Kindergarten and Grade 1 Teacher Recommendation Form. Please request this form after November 1, to allow teachers time to get to know your child. We will not accept recommendations that are submitted before November 1.
  - Academic Records:
    - Official academic record for the 2026-2027 school year (transcript request form submitted to current school after December 1)
Decision Timeline
Poly Prep follows ISAAGNY guidelines. Admissions decisions for Grades 1-8 will be released on February 10, 2027, and families must respond by February 26, 2027.
GRADES 2-4 (Ages 7-9)
Grades 2-4 are non-entry years at Poly Prep, and space is based on attrition. The Admissions Committee reviews applications on a rolling basis up to the application deadline. Submitting an application does not guarantee an interview. Selections are based on the preliminary application materials submitted and space availability.

Eligibility
Families may apply to:
- Grade 2 if their child will be 7 years old before September 1, 2027
- Grade 3 if their child will be 8 years old before September 1, 2027
- Grade 4 if their child will be 9 years old before September 1, 2027
What to Expect
We look forward to connecting with your family. We carefully review preliminary materials, and selected students and their families engage in a half-day visit to the Lower School. All completed applications receive a holistic review, including academic records, teacher recommendations, standardized testing, and other submitted materials.

How to Apply
1. Submit the Preliminary Application: Deadline: November 6, 2026
  Complete the online application in Ravenna, including background information, student photo, 2025-2026 final report card, parent/guardian short answer questions, and student speech video.
  The speech video is an opportunity for us to hear your child speak naturally for a minute or less. We are not looking for a polished or memorized response.
2. Student Interview and Parent/Guardian Conversation (by invitation)
  If selected, families will receive an emailed code with which to self-register for a Grade 2, 3, or 4 Applicant Interview. The applicant will participate in a classroom experience with our Lower School faculty and students, followed by reading, writing, and math activities with a member of the Admissions Committee. Parents/guardians will tour the school and meet with a member of the Admissions Committee.
3. Financial Aid Application (Optional): Deadline: December 15, 2026
  Families who wish to apply for financial aid should complete an application through Clarity.
4. Supporting Materials: Deadline: January 8, 2027
  - ISEE Primary testing:
    - Required for applicants to Grades 2-4. Instructions for registration are available in Ravenna.
    - Scores must be received by the application deadline. We recommend taking the test by December 31 to ensure timely results.
  - Teacher Recommendation:
    - Applicants to Grades 2-4 must use the ISAAGNY School Reference Form for Grades 2-5.
    - Please request this form after November 1, to allow teachers time to get to know your child. We will not accept recommendations that are submitted before November 1.
  - Academic Records:
    - Official academic record from 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 submitted directly to us by your child’s school using the transcript request form
    - Fall report card from the current academic year.
Decision Timeline
Poly Prep follows ISAAGNY guidelines. Admissions decisions for Grades 1-8 will be released on February 10, 2027, and families must respond by February 26, 2027.

Note: Current families applying for Nursery for a sibling should check the Poly Pulse for specific timelines.

Director of Admissions, Enrollment and Financial Aid

LaTasha Richards P’26, ’29, ’31, ’33

University of Virginia – BS

Associate Director of Lower School Admissions

Christine Habib

Haverford College – BS