1) Online Application & Supplemental Documents

Complete the application online. As part of the application, you will provide the name and email address for the following individuals at your child’s current school so they can complete a recommendation form:

• Current teacher

• Current principal or school counselor
 

You will also complete a transcript request to have your child’s academic records sent to Dawson.

A Note About “Transcripts”

We know that the word "transcript" can sound like heavy-duty language for a rising kindergartener! What we're really looking for is a snapshot of the skills your child has been introduced to at their current school and how they are progressing in those areas.

There is no single format required. You may submit any school documentation that provides this information, such as:

• Parent-teacher conference notes

• A skills checklist or assessment

• A grade report or report card

• A narrative progress report

• Benchmark or other developmental testing

If your child's school does not provide a formal transcript, simply submit the documentation your school uses to communicate your child's academic progress.

2) Kindergarten Readiness Assessment

As part of our admissions process, Dawson uses the Gesell Early Childhood Screener, developed by the Yale Child Study Center, to help us understand each child’s developmental readiness for kindergarten.

The experience is designed to be engaging and age-appropriate. Students will spend approximately 25 minutes individually with a faculty member, followed by a group play session, story time, and a brief meeting with the assessing faculty member. The entire visit will take approximately one hour.
 

1) Online Application & Supplemental Documents

Complete the application online. As part of the application, you will provide the name and email address for the following individuals at your child’s current school so they can complete a recommendation form:

• Current teacher

• Current principal or school counselor
 

You will also complete a transcript request to have your child’s academic records sent to Dawson.

2) Transcript

Ensure Dawson has received two years of academic records: the student’s final report card/transcript from the previous school year and their most recent report card or transcript from the current school year. 

3) Student Visit & Assessments

Once your application has been submitted, a member of the Admissions team will contact you to schedule your child’s Shadow Day. Candidates entering grades 1 - 5 spend an entire school day visiting campus. Students will complete some brief, grade level assessments during their visit. 

1) Online Application & Supplemental Documents

Complete the application online. As part of the application, you will provide the name and email address for the following individuals at your child’s current school so they can complete a recommendation form:

• Current English teacher

• Current Match teacher

• Current principal or school counselor

A Note For 6th Grade Applicants:

We understand that many rising 6th grade students have one homeroom teacher for 5th grade. If this is the case, we ask that you ask your child’s teacher to complete both the English and math recommendation form. The recommendation forms are subject specific, and ask questions about the curriculum and classroom tools. 
 

You will also submit an official transcript request to have your child’s academic records sent to Dawson.

2) Transcript

Ensure Dawson has received two years of academic records: the student’s final report card/transcript from the previous school year and their most recent report card or transcript from the current school year.

3) Student Visit & Interview

Once your student’s application has been received, a member of our Admissions Team will contact you to schedule a Shadow Day. Middle School Shadow Days are typically a half-day experience. 

4) Assessments

Candidates entering grades 6 - 12 must take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT).  Information and test registration forms are available at ISEE Registration and SSAT Registration.
 

1) Online Application & Supplemental Documents

Complete the application online. As part of the application, you will provide the email address for the following individuals at your child’s current school so they can complete a recommendation form:

• Current English teacher

• Current Match teacher

• Current principal or school counselor

You will also complete a transcript request to have your child’s academic records sent to Dawson.

2) Transcript

Ensure Dawson has received two years of academic records: the student’s final report card/transcript from the previous school year and their most recent report card or transcript from the current school year.

3) Student Visit & Interview

Once your student’s application has been received, a member of our Admissions Team will contact you to schedule a Shadow Day. Upper School Shadow Days are typically a half-day experience. 

4) Assessments

Candidates entering grades 6 - 12 must take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT).  Information and test registration forms are available at ISEE Registration and SSAT Registration.
 

Dawson welcomes international student applicants and is authorized to issue I-20s for students entering grades 8–12 who require an F-1 student visa. Twelfth-grade inquiries should schedule a call with a member of our Admissions Team before submitting an application.

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to complete an English language assessment as part of the admissions process. We strongly recommend registering for the English assessment as the first step to ensure the student meets Dawson’s proficiency requirements.

In addition to the admission requirements for Middle and Upper School applicants, international students must submit:

• Application for a Form I-20

• Financial Affidavit

All documents must be translated into English.

Admissions Assessments

1) Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT)

All international student candidates entering grades 8 - 12 must take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT). Information and test registration forms are available at ISEE Registration and SSAT Registration. 

2) English Language Assessment

International students entering grades 8–11 for whom English is a second language must complete an English language assessment. The TOEFL is Dawson’s preferred English assessment. The iTEP SLATE is accepted as an alternative.

3) TOEFL English Language Test

Minimum TOEFL scores are:

• Grades 8-9: 85

• Grade 10: 90

• Grade 11: 95

Register for the TOEFL through ETS.

4) iTEP SLATE English Assessment

Students who choose the iTEP SLATE should register for the iTEP SLATE-Plus Test for middle and high school applicants. The assessment covers five areas of English proficiency, takes approximately 90 minutes, and scores are typically available within 24 hours.

Register through itepexam.com.

5) Assessment Registration

The applicant’s family is responsible for registering for all required admissions assessments and paying any associated testing fees.

Questions about the application process for international students? Please email mstarkey@dawsonschool.org.