Admissions Process Overview
The Baldwin community is culturally, ethnically, religiously, and socio-economically diverse, and celebrates girls who love to learn. Each year girls are welcomed into almost every grade. The Admissions Committees’ decisions are based on prospective students’ ability to thrive and be successful at Baldwin.
The following steps broadly comprise the admissions process. A more detailed checklist, by grade, is available in the files linked in the download box.
Parent visit
Parents are invited to visit the campus to learn more about Baldwin’s curriculum, programs, and community, and to offer the Admissions Office an opportunity to learn more about their daughter. A tour of the campus is part of the visit; if schedules permit, a student guide will lead the tour. Please call the Admissions Office to schedule a time that is convenient for you, or plan to attend one or several of our Open Houses.
Application
An application may be completed online, mailed, or faxed. An application fee of $50 is required. The application is required in advance of the student visit.
Student Visit
A student visit is required for all applicants. Depending on the grade to which they are applying, an applicant will spend all or part of a school day with her peers, attending classes and participating in activities. All visitors have a hostess who will guide them through the day.
School Forms
Teacher recommendation and transcript release forms, if applicable, should be given to your daughter’s teacher(s) for completion and be submitted directly to the Admissions Office. These forms are available in the files linked in the download box.
Testing
Girls who are applying to Pre-Kindergarten will be assessed individually at the time of their visit. Applicants to Kindergarten through Grade 5 will take the WPPSI aptitude test if they are under six years of age, while those six years of age or older will take the WISC. Girls who are applying to Grades 6 through 12 may take either the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) or the SSAT (Secondary School Admissions Test).
We encourage families to begin the admissions process in the early fall. Applications which are complete by early December will be included in our first round of decisions. We welcome applications throughout the winter and spring and will consider them as space is available in each grade.