• Inquire or RSVP
    Interested in finding out more about Hawken or attending one of our events? Click "Inquire or RSVP" to create an online account, RSVP to events, and receive reminders of events, deadlines, and news from the school.
  • Apply Online
    Hawken utilizes a secure online system called Ravenna to manage applications. Click the button above to create your account and start the application process. Through Ravenna, families can submit required components and track the application process.

Visit us!

Lower & Middle School

Toddler - Grade 8
Lyndhurst Campus
Parent Visits
Thursday, 10/22/20, 8:30 am
Tuesday, 12/8/20, 8:30 am

Open Houses
Sunday, 11/15/20, 1:00 pm
Sunday, 4/18/21, 1:00 pm
 

Birchwood School

Preschool - Grade 8
Cleveland-West Campus
Open Houses
Sunday, 10/18/20, 2:00 pm
Sunday, 1/10/21, 2:00 pm

To schedule a visit at the Cleveland-West Campus, please call 216-251-2321.

Upper School

Grades 9 - 12
Gates Mills Campus
Parent Visits
Thursday, 10/15/20, 8:30 am

Open Houses
Sunday, 11/8/20, 1:00 pm
Sunday, 4/25/21, 1:00 pm

Mastery School

Grades 9 - 12
University Circle Campus
Parent Visits
Tuesday, 10/20/20, 12:30 pm

Open Houses
Sunday, 11/22/20, 1:00 pm
Sunday, 5/2/21, 1:00 pm
 
Events will be virtual if they are unable to be held in person.


Welcome from the Admission Office

We are delighted that you are interested in learning more about Hawken School, a coeducational day school that offers a challenging, real-world education for students from toddler through grade 12. 
 
Hawken was founded to be different - because that’s what it takes to prepare students to thrive in a changing world. From becoming co-educational in 1973 to designing innovative schedules, programs, and learning spaces that support learning by doing, Hawken boldly adapts to and reflects the values of the present to prepare students for a promising future. 
 
With $10.3 million in tuition assistance to 45% of our student body, we welcome students and families from all backgrounds. While you’ll find an abundance of information on our website, we will be providing ways for you to get to know us and learn about our innovative, nationally recognized programming. Click here to inquire online and we’ll keep you informed of upcoming events.
 
We look forward to welcoming you!
 
Kathy O’Neal
Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management

Get to know us!

Hawken offers a variety of ways to help parents make the important decision of where and how to educate their children. One of the best ways to get to know us is to visit.

  • Parents can experience school in session during one of our weekday Parent Visits. 
  • Families meet faculty and tour facilities at an Open House. 
  • Families can schedule a personal tour or meeting with a member of our admission team. 
For more information contact the Admission Office at 440-423-2950 (Lower and Middle School), 440-423-2955 (High School), or 440-423-8801 (Mastery School).

For directions to our campuses, please click here.
Click the links below or call our offices:

Lyndhurst Campus
Toddler - Grade 8
440-423-2950

Gates Mills Campus
Grades 9-12
440-423-2955

Cleveland-West Campus
Preschool - Grade 8 
216-251-2321

University Circle Campus
Grades 9-12
440-423-8801


Application Timelines

Acceptance to Hawken is dependent on two factors: applicant qualifications and availability of space and resources. Because spaces are limited and the applicant pool is competitive, it is to the candidate’s advantage to complete their application by the admission deadlines listed below for entry in the Fall of 2021. Applications completed outside this timeline are considered on a rolling admission basis and are subject to limited space and/or limited Flexible Tuition.

Students must have completed and submitted all required components of the application by the January 15, 2021 deadline to be considered for admission. Families will receive decision notification on February 12, 2021 and will have two weeks from the date of notification to respond to the offer of admission. Acceptance is dependent on two factors: applicant qualifications and availability of space and resources. Because the applicant pool is competitive, we cannot guarantee that space will be available at a later date. Applications completed after the deadline will be considered in a rolling admission process subject to space availability.


Application Deadline, Grades Toddler-12      January 15, 2021
Flexible Tuition Deadline, Grades K-12
 January 15, 2021
Notification Date, All Grades February 12, 2021
Responses Due, All Grades   February 26, 2021

Application Process


Hawkens's application process is thoughtfully designed to allow us to get to know your child and your family. Please note that there may be changes to the procedures below to comply with COVID-19 safe practices and testing availability.


1

Create an Online Account

To begin the application process, create an online account by clicking here. Then do the following online: 

  • Submit the application form and $40 application fee
  • Upload a photo of your child
  • Submit the Parent/Guardian Questionnaire
  • Submit Student Questionnaire (Grades 1-12)
2

Student Visits

Grades 6-8: Student Visit Day
Students applying to grades 6-8 will engage with our campus community and have the opportunity to experience learning at Hawken. To schedule please call the Lyndhurst Admission office at 440-423-2950. 

Grades 9-12: Virtual Visit Day
Students engage with our campus community and complete their admission interview. To schedule this required part of the application process call 440-423-2955 for the Upper School, and 440-423-8801 for the Mastery School. Please note that the application and application fee must be submitted in order to schedule a visit day. Students applying to both the Upper School and the Mastery School will need to schedule visit days at both campuses. 
3

Delegate the Evaluation and Recommendation Forms

Toddler:
  • Caregiver Observation Form: Through your secure online Ravenna account you will be prompted to send a link for the Caregiver Observation Form. Please delegate this form to a daycare provider, babysitter, nanny, or someone who has spent time with and/or caring for your child. We ask that you send it to someone other than a relative. Once they have completed the form, it will be sent to us directly.
Preschool, Prekindergarten, Kindergarten:
  • Caregiver Observation Form: Through your secure online Ravenna account you will be prompted to send a link for the Caregiver Observation Form. Please delegate this form to a daycare provider, babysitter, nanny, or someone who has spent time with and/or caring for your child. We ask that you send it to someone other than a relative. Once they have completed the form, it will be sent to us directly.
  • Teacher Observation Form: If your child is currently enrolled in a school or daycare program, use the prompt in the online application to send his/her current teacher a link to complete the Teacher Observation Form. Once the teacher has completed this information, it will be sent to us directly. This form is required for any student currently enrolled in a program. If your child is not currently nor has ever attended a program, please bypass this step in the application.
Grades 1-12:
  • English and Math Evaluations: Delegate the Teacher Evaluation forms to the current English and math teachers from the online application using teacher email addresses. Teachers will complete and submit the evaluations online.
  • School Administrator or Guidance Counselor Evaluation: Delegate the evaluation to the appropriate Principal, Guidance Counselor, or school administrator. The administrator will complete and submit the evaluation online.
  • Optional Personal Recommendation: Delegate the optional personal recommendation to a non-family member who knows the applicant well, such as a coach, clergy member, scout leader, music or art instructor, or an additional teacher. The recommendation will be submitted online.

Requests are best made after the first marking period in order to allow time for teachers to get to know your child. All evaluations and recommendations are due by the January 15, 2021 application deadline.  
4

Print and Submit the School Records Release Form to Current School


Applicants to Grades 1-12 print and sign the School Records Release form through the online application and take to their current school. Schools submit the requested records directly to the Hawken School Admission Office. Hawken requires transcripts and/or report cards from the 2020-21 school year (through the most recent marking period) and the complete 2019-20 academic year.


5

Testing

 
Grades Toddler-4:
The Student Discovery Day (required) is an interactive experience with Hawken teachers for applicants Toddlers through Grade 4. Sessions for 2021-2022 applicants are:

  • Saturday, December 12, 2020
  • Saturday, January 9, 2021
Schedule your child's Discovery Day visit through your secure online Ravenna account. Please note that this is a required step in the application process for your child.

Grades 5-8:
The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) is required for students applying to Grades 5-8. Applicants may register online for the test at iseetest.org. Please note that the deadline to register for the test is three weeks prior to the test date.  Hawken's Lower and Middle School ISEE code is 365940. The ISEE is offered at Hawken’s Lyndhurst campus for applicants to Grades 5-8 on the following dates:
  • Saturday, December 5, 2020
  • Saturday, January 9, 2021
Grades 9-12:
All students applying for grades 9-12 must submit ISEE scores. Applicants may register online for the test at iseetest.org. Please note that advanced registration is required. The ISEE is offered at Hawken’s Gates Mills and University Circle campuses for applicants to Grades 9-12 on the following dates:
  • Saturday, 11/14/20, 8:30 am, GM
  • Saturday, 12/12/20, 8:30 am, UC
  • Saturday, 1/9/21, 8:30 am, GM & UC

For students entering 11th and 12th grades, submission of PSAT, SAT I, or ACT scores is acceptable for exams taken within the last year.

FAQs

List of 7 items.

  • When should we schedule a visit to campus?

    Read More

  • When do we begin the admission process?

    Read More

  • Is there an age requirement for Preschool, Prekindergarten and Kindergarten applicants?

    Read More

  • What criteria are used for admission decisions?

    Read More

  • When are families notified of admission decisions?

    Read More

  • Does Hawken School accept international students?

    Read More

  • Is there bus transportation?

    Read More
An independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school, toddler through grade 12

Lower & Middle Schools, 5000 Clubside Rd, Lyndhurst, OH 44124
Birchwood School of Hawken, 4400 West 140th Street, Cleveland, OH 44135 
Upper School, PO Box 8002 (12465 County Line Rd), Gates Mills, OH 44040
Mastery School of Hawken, 11025 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Gries Center, 10823 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106

Directions  |  Log in  |  440-423-4446