How to Apply to Lower School

We take great care to get to know each applicant child as comprehensively as possible in order to ensure that all accepted students thrive in our educational environment and contribute to our vibrant classrooms. We accept students who bring with them a range of personalities, interests, and backgrounds. We also seek students who are academically motivated, effective collaborators who share an innate love of learning.

Speyer is a community of collaboration and kindness, with a consistent emphasis on social and emotional development as critical components of optimal health and intellectual engagement.

PLEASE NOTE: Any applications received after December 1, 2023, at 11:59 PM will be placed on hold for possible consideration during our Spring rolling admissions season. Availability during Speyer’s Spring rolling admissions season is limited and will vary from grade to grade based on each grade’s specific enrollment. We will update this page after March 5, 2024 with more information. Thank you again for your interest in Speyer.

Applying to Kindergarten

Below is a list of "How to Apply" steps in suggested order. Click each step to read more details.

Register to Attend Our School Tour, Webinar, or Fireside Chat

Once you have created an account through Ravenna, you will be able to register to attend a School Tour or a Virtual Fireside Chat with Faculty. Be sure to create your account using an email address you will have access to throughout the admissions season, as this will be your primary email contact with our school.

The Admissions Team has designed multiple events for families to learn about Speyer. Parents are required to attend one of our School Tours to get a better understanding of our curriculum. Middle School applicant children are encouraged to join their parents for these tours. During the tour, parents will have an opportunity to ask our staff and school leaders questions.

Fireside Chats allow prospective applicant parents the opportunity to speak with our faculty and learn more about a Speyer School education. Attending a fireside chat is a great way to fully experience the wide range of academics and activities offered. Current students and/or parents will be available to share their experiences.

Complete and Submit an Application

Please fill out the application form on Ravenna. On Ravenna, once you have completed all required questions in the form, the "Pay and Submit Prelim App" button to the above right will turn green. Once you click on that button, your Application will be submitted and you will be prompted to pay the application fee.

If you have completed the application form and the button does not turn green please re-open the form and click on "Highlight Missing Questions" at the top center of the form. Scroll through the form to see if any questions are highlighted. If not, please contact Ravenna Solutions directly at help@ravennasolutions.com.

A photograph of your child and payment of $75 is due at the time of application. Supplemental admissions materials can also be submitted through Ravenna.

For questions regarding Ravenna, please contact their customer care services.

Participate in a Child's On-Site Visit

Kindergarten applicants are required to participate in an on-site visit. When you register your child for a visit, there will be a Health Questionnaire Google Form that must be completed the morning of your scheduled visit prior to your arrival at Speyer.

Join us for a Virtual Parent Conversation

Parent Conversations provide an opportunity for an applicant child’s parents to speak with a member of our Admissions team about their child and educational expectations. These conversations are scheduled for 30 minutes on a day separate from your child's visit. Parent Conversation sign-up deadline is December 15.

Submit a Teacher Recommendation

Follow the instructions on Ravenna to input your child's current teacher's name and email address. The teacher will receive an email with a link to a secure Teacher Evaluation form. Once the teacher fills out the form they will submit it directly to our school. After we have received the form from the teacher we will mark this step as complete. Please allow us time for processing.

By emailing or delegating this recommendation form to your child's teacher, you waive any right to access this recommendation and authorize the teacher to provide an evaluation and all relevant information to the school for purposes of your child’s application to the school.

Submit Additional Details and Documentation/Testing

We welcome additional relevant information that may help us more fully understand your child’s academic capacity. If your child has additional test results available, such as Stanford Binet, ECAA or other recognized independent standardized tests, and you believe they will provide a helpful perspective, we are happy to receive them. Please email admissions@speyerschool.org, or fax (212-581-4003).

Submit a Financial Aid Application (if applicable)

To apply for aid, parents must complete an application with School and Student Services (SSS) at https://sssandtadsfa.my.site.com/family no later than January 11, 2024, after submitting their Speyer application. Please note, Financial Aid notification dates are subject to change.

Regular Application Deadline Information

The application deadline for regular admissions is December 1, 2023; all supplemental documents must be received by January 11, 2024. Parent Conversation sign-up deadline is December 15.

Early Decision for Siblings and Legacy Applicants Information

Speyer offers an early decision option to Kindergarten applicants of currently enrolled students, as well as to children of school staff and faculty. Families who are eligible for early decision should contact the Admissions office in the summer, or early in September of the application year, and must follow all early decision deadlines. It is important that you follow the dates outlined below:

November 17, 2023 - All early decision applications must be submitted by midnight.
December 1, 2023 - All other components of the applicant child’s file must be completed, including onsite visit, school records, teacher evaluations, test scores and parent conversation.
December 1, 2023 - If applying for financial aid, please complete the SSS Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) online at sssbynais.org/parents along with all required documentation by midnight.
December 8, 2023 - Early decision notifications are sent out.

As a community-minded school, we appreciate the support and commitment that sibling families have to deepening their ties to Speyer. However, please be aware that all siblings, and other early decision candidates, are evaluated individually using the same criteria as regular applicant children to determine their fit within our educational environment.

Applying to Grades 1 - 4

The number of spaces available in grades 1 – 4 varies from year to year. All successful candidates should begin the process with strong academic records and/or test scores.

Below is a list of steps in suggested order. Click each step to read more details.

Register to Attend Our School Tour, Webinar, or Fireside Chat

Once you have created an account through Ravenna, you will be able to register to attend a School Tour or a Virtual Fireside Chat with Faculty. Be sure to create your account using an email address you will have access to throughout the admissions season, as this will be your primary email contact with our school.

The Admissions Team has designed multiple events for families to learn about Speyer. Parents are required to attend one of our School Tours to get a better understanding of our curriculum. Middle School applicant children are encouraged to join their parents for these tours. During the tour, parents will have an opportunity to ask our staff and school leaders questions.

Fireside Chats allow prospective applicant parents the opportunity to speak with our faculty and learn more about a Speyer School education. Attending a fireside chat is a great way to fully experience the wide range of academics and activities offered. Current students and/or parents will be available to share their experiences.

Complete and Submit an Application

Please fill out the application form on Ravenna. On Ravenna, once you have completed all required questions in the form, the "Pay and Submit Prelim App" button to the above right will turn green. Once you click on that button, your Application will be submitted and you will be prompted to pay the application fee.

If you have completed the application form and the button does not turn green please re-open the form and click on "Highlight Missing Questions" at the top center of the form. Scroll through the form to see if any questions are highlighted. If not, please contact Ravenna Solutions directly at help@ravennasolutions.com.

A photograph of your child and payment of $75 is due at the time of application. Supplemental admissions materials can also be submitted through Ravenna.

Submit Teacher Recommendations

Follow the instructions on Ravenna to input your child's current teacher's name and email address. The teacher will receive an email with a link to a secure Teacher Evaluation form. Once the teacher fills out the form they will submit it directly to our school. After we have received the form from the teacher we will mark this step as complete. Please allow us time for processing.

By emailing or delegating this recommendation form to your child's teacher, you waive any right to access this recommendation and authorize the teacher to provide an evaluation and all relevant information to the school for purposes of your child’s application to the school.

Provide Independent Test Scores and School Records

External testing provides the admissions committee with data points, and we welcome any testing (ie, SSAT, ISEE, Stanford Binet, WISC, SCAT) which took place within the last 12 months of the application date to Speyer. If you are unable to provide external testing results and/or you are unable to secure a testing seat, please contact the Admissions office.

A copy of our School Records Authorization Form is available on Ravenna. Please give this form to your child’s current school to send all report cards and school records for your child directly to Speyer’s Admissions Office.

A writing sample representative of your child’s "best effort," including teacher comments (if possible), must also be uploaded to your Ravenna application.

Participate in a Child’s On-Site Visit

Lower School applicants (1st - 4th grade) will complete a math and literacy assessment, as well as spend time with their peers in a classroom. When you register your child for a visit, there will be a Health Questionnaire Google Form that must be completed the morning of your scheduled visit prior to your arrival at Speyer.

Join us for a Virtual Parent Conversation

Parent Conversations provide an opportunity for an applicant child’s parents to speak with a member of our Admissions team about their child and educational expectations. These virtual conversations are scheduled for 30 minutes on a day separate from your child's visit. Parent Conversation sign-up deadline is December 15.

Submit a Financial Aid Application (if applicable)

To apply for aid, parents must complete an application with School and Student Services (SSS) at https://sssandtadsfa.my.site.com/family no later than January 11, 2024, after submitting their Speyer application. Please note, Financial Aid notification dates are subject to change.

Early Decision for Siblings and Legacy Applicants Information

Speyer offers an early decision option to the siblings of currently enrolled students, as well as to children of school staff and faculty. Families who are eligible for early decision should contact the Admissions office in the summer, or early in September of the application year, and must follow all early decision deadlines. It is important that you follow the dates outlined below:

November 17, 2023 - All early decision applications must be submitted by midnight.
December 1, 2023 - All other components of the applicant child’s file must be completed, including onsite visit, school records, teacher evaluations, test scores and parent conversation.
December 1, 2023 - If applying for financial aid, please complete the SSS Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) online at sssbynais.org/parents along with all required documentation by midnight.
December 8, 2023 - Early decision notifications are sent out.

As a community-minded school, we appreciate the support and commitment that sibling families have to deepening their ties to Speyer. However, please be aware that all siblings, and other early decision candidates, are evaluated individually using the same criteria as regular applicant children to determine their fit within our educational environment.

The Speyer Legacy School does not discriminate on grounds of race, religion, color, gender, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, age or sexual orientation in selecting its students, faculty or staff. While law requires inclusion of the above declaration, the position it states is foundational to the philosophy that guides our community and to the policies that naturally derive from that philosophy. We strive to promote in our community not only tolerance for the differences amongst us, but also a deep and abiding appreciation for the depth and richness those differences contribute to our school culture.

How to Apply to Lower School

Applying to Kindergarten

Applying to Grades 1 - 4

SPEYER SCHOOL

925 Ninth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
212.581.4000

How to Apply to Lower School

Applying to Kindergarten

Applying to Grades 1 - 4

SPEYER SCHOOL

925 Ninth AvenueNew York, NY 10019212.581.4000

925 Ninth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
212.581.4000