Question 1

Schedule an Interview

Accepted Answer

Once you have completed the “Application” requirements listed in your GCDS Admission Portal (Step 1 and Step 2 above), you will have access to our interview scheduling system.We kindly ask that you submit the Parent Statement prior to your scheduled interview.If any member of your group may benefit from a specific accommodation, such as an interpreter, please notify the Admission Office as soon as possible.Nursery - Grade 8Parent/Guardian Interview on Old Church RoadInterviews are offered Monday through Thursday from September 27 through late January at 8:45 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 1:00 p.m.Students applying to Grades 7 and 8 should plan to attend the interview with their parents.Students will be interviewed during the scheduled appointment. Please allow approximately 90 minutes for your interview, which also includes a campus tour. Because our Nursery program ends at noon, we encourage parents of nursery applicants to schedule a morning time slot.Grade 9 - Grade 11Student and Parent/Guardian Interview at Stanwich Road CampusInterviews are offered Monday through Thursday from September 27 through late January at 8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m.Please allow approximately two hours for your interview, which also includes a campus tour.Finally, feel free to explore our campus before your interview by viewingour 360 Virtual Tour. Be sure to click on the media gallery hot spot icons in order to enjoy the sights and sounds of daily life at Country Day!The Parent/Guardian Interview is required for all applicant families who do not currently have a child enrolled at GCDS.A Student Interview is required of all applicants to Grades 6-11, including applicants who have a sibling enrolled in the School.Families with children applying to the Upper School and another division should schedule an interview on each campus.

Question 2

Student Visit

Accepted Answer

Getting to know students, and allowing students to get to know us, is an important part of the admission process. Unless otherwise noted, the Admission Office will contact each family to schedule each visit.Nursery - KinderkartenApplicants will participate in a small group admission assessment in January.Grade 1 - Grade 2Applicants will spend the morning with us visiting classes and meeting with a learning specialist.Grade 3 - Grade 6Applicants will spend the morning with us visiting classes. Applicants for Grade 6 will conclude their visit with an admission interview.Grade 7 - Grade 11Applicants will have an admission interview and take a tour of the campus with their parents/guardians during the family’s scheduled Parent/Guardian Interview.

Question 3

Complete Testing

Accepted Answer

Testing and/or student screening are arequiredpart of our process. These requirements and dates may be adjusted, if needed, in response to health and safety guidelines. All testing should be completed by January 15.Nursery - Grade 2N/AGrade 3 - Grade 4Applicants are required to take the ERB CTP 5 test.CTP 5 Testing will be offered at GCDS onSaturday, November 12 and Saturday, December 3.Registration details areonline. If you plan to schedule your test at GCDS, please emailrose.creech@gcds.netto secure a spot on our roster. Early registration is encouraged as space is limited at all test sites.Families may register to test at any school serving as a test site and request that scores be sent to any of the participating schools.Grade 5 - Grade 11Applicantsare required to take either the Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) or the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT).ISEE testing will be offered at GCDS onSaturday, November 12 and Saturday, December 3.Applicants may take the ISEE or SSAT at any test site.To register, visitwww.iseetest.orgorwww.ssat.org.Early registration is encouraged as space is limited at all test sites.When registering, please list GCDS as one of the schools to which your child is applying so that test results will be sent directly to us.Our ISEE school code is 071009.Our SSAT school code is 3580.

Question 4

Additional Requirements

Accepted Answer

Students applying to Grades 9-11 should upload a piece of written work submitted during the 2022-23academic year.The writing sample does not have to be graded by a teacher.In addition,although not required,we welcome the submission of any creative work that represents the academic or extra-curricular interests of the applicant. Students can upload multimedia submissions through theirchosen application platform.

Question 5

Recommendations and School Records

Accepted Answer

Current Teacher Recommendations* help us better understand each child as a learner and as a community member.Through the chosen application platform, parents can email a request for the required recommendation form(s) and school records directly to the appropriate adults and school officials.Students applying to Grades 9-11 should upload a piece of written work submitted during the current academic year. The writing sample does not have to be graded by a teacher.* Note: If the applicant’s current school does not allow teachers to provide recommendations, please ask one individual who has worked with your child in a setting outside the classroom (e.g., a sports coach, a religion teacher, or a music instructor) to complete the Personal/Extracurricular Recommendation.We strongly suggest that parents do not initiate this request prior to November 15.The deadline to receive Teacher Recommendations and School Records is January 15.**In addition, although not required, we welcome the submission of any creative work that represents the academic or extra-curricular interests of the applicant.Students can upload multimedia submissions through their chosen application platform.

Question 6

Check Your Application Status

Accepted Answer

Login to the GCDS Admission Portal to monitor the status of your application and receipt of supplemental forms.

Date	Admission Requirement
December 15	Initial Application deadline
December 15	Financial Aid Application deadline
January 15	Completed Application Deadline
February 21	Admission Decision Notification (via email)
March 10	New Student Enrollment Date

How to Apply

Applying to GCDS

Deadlines and Notifications