Admission

Welcome from the Admission Office

Summer 2020

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.

Providing meaningful learning experiences and fostering a safe, nurturing community are now more important than ever. And while we could not gather physically in April and May, Hawken’s faculty, technology team, counselors, and even coaches are providing what Hawken does best – an academically progressive education that focuses on character and intellect.

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 over $9.6 million in tuition assistance each year, we welcome students and families from all backgrounds. And while you’ll find an abundance of information on our website, we will be providing ways for you to get to know us virtually and hopefully in person to 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

Application Timelines

Acceptance to Hawken is dependent on two factors: applicant qualifications and availability of space. 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 may be subject to limited space and/or limited Flexible Tuition.

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

Create an Online Account

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

Submit the application fee of $35 for toddler - grade 8, and $40 for grades 9-12
Upload a photo of your child (strongly recommended)
Submit the Parent/Guardian Questionnaire
Submit Student Questionnaire (Grades 1-12)

Student Visits

Toddlers, Preschool, Prekindergarten and Kindergarten: Student Exploration Visit, Student Discovery Day

The Student Exploration Visit (optional) gives children applying to preschool, prekindergarten and kindergarten an opportunity to explore our Early Childhood Center, The Nido. Not only do students enjoy navigating the many areas of the Nido designed specifically for young children, but this visit also allows you to envision your child in the Hawken environment.

Please call our Lower School Admission Office at 440-423-2950 to schedule a Student Exploration Visit. (Please note that this optional visit is for applicants to preschool, prekindergarten and kindergarten. Applicants to the toddler program do not attend an Exploration Visit.)

The Student Discovery Day (required) is an interactive and engaging step in your child’s application to the toddler program, preschool, prekindergarten or kindergarten. Along with a small group of peers, your child will spend an hour with Hawken faculty participating in meaningful activities. This will allow your child to experience the culture of a Hawken classroom while teachers are able to engage with and observe your child’s approach to learning. Discovery Day sessions are designed intentionally for the developmental age range of the applicant and are formatted slightly differently for each grade level from toddlers-kindergarten. Sessions for 2021-2022 applicants are:

Saturday, December 12, 2020
Saturday, January 9, 2021

Schedule your child's Discovery Group visit through your secure online Ravenna account. Please note that this is a required step in the application process for your child.

Grades 1-4: Student Visit Day (optional)

Please call the Lower and Middle School Admission Office at 440-423-2950 to schedule a visit day for your child. Students have the opportunity to visit classes and experience Hawken for a half day. Parents of applicants have to option to take a campus tour and meet with the admission staff.

Grades 5-8: Student Visit Day

Please call the Admission Office at 440-423-2950 to schedule a visit day for your child. Students will visit classes and experience Hawken on this day. Parents of applicants have to option to take a campus tour and meet with the admission staff.

Grades 9-12: Visit Day & Interview

This required part of the application process enables prospective students to thoroughly experience Hawken’s learning community. Students applying to both the Upper School and the Mastery School will need to schedule visit days at both campuses. Visits fill up quickly, so please call 440-423-2955 in advance to schedule.

At the Upper School, students will attend classes with one or more student hosts and complete an admission interview. After dropping their students off, parents are invited to take a campus tour and to meet with a member of the admission staff to ask questions.
Visit days at the Mastery School will be held in a group format on October 14 and November 12 and include opportunities to engage with Hawken students and faculty through project work and discussions. Parents will have the opportunity to meet with a member of the Mastery School Design Team to ask questions.

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.

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 2019-20 school year (through the most recent marking period) and the complete 2018-19 academic year.

Testing

Toddler, Preschool, Prekindergarten, Kindergarten:
Early childhood applicants are evaluated as part of the Student Exploration Visit and the Student Discovery Group described in Step 2.

Grades 1-4:

For Applicants to grades 1-4, assessments will take place during the applicant’s Discovery Day. Sessions for 2020-2021 applicants are:

Saturday, December 14, 2019
Saturday, January 11, 2020

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, November 16, 2019
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Saturday, January 11, 2020

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 the deadline to register for the ISEE is three weeks prior to the test date. Hawken Upper School’s ISEE code is 361262. The ISEE is administered at Hawken School's Gates Mills campus for Grades 9-12 on the following dates:

Saturday, November 16, 2019
Saturday, January 11, 2020

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?
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Students applying to Hawken spend a day in our community. These visits may be scheduled beginning in September and must be completed before the application deadline.
When do we begin the admission process?
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The admission process for applicants begins the year prior to desired entry, keeping in mind Hawken’s application deadlines listed above. Applications received after the stated admission deadlines will be considered on a rolling admission basis as they become complete and will be subject to space availability.
Is there an age requirement for Preschool, Prekindergarten and Kindergarten applicants?
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Yes. Families of applicants to Preschool, Prekindergarten and Kindergarten should keep the following birthday cutoff dates in mind:
- Toddlers must be 18 months of age by September 30th of the school year in which they will enter Hawken.
- Preschool students must turn three by September 30th of the school year in which they will enter Hawken.
- Prekindergarten students must turn four by September 30th of the school year in which they will enter Hawken.
- Kindergarten must turn five by September 30th of the school year in which they will enter Hawken.
All enrolled students must be able to use restroom facilities independently with the exception of toddlers.
What criteria are used for admission decisions?
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Admission to Hawken is competitive and is based upon the strength of a student’s application as well as space availability. Each applicant’s file will be reviewed by an admission committee consisting of faculty and administrators in the division to which the student is applying. The committee considers each applicant’s promise of academic success at Hawken and alignment with Hawken’s Purpose Promise and Principles.
When are families notified of admission decisions?
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Please refer to Hawken’s application timeline above for further details. Typically, families will have two weeks from the time admission decisions are given to notify Hawken of their intent to enroll.
Does Hawken School accept international students?
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Hawken is able to accept international students. However, Hawken does not have a residential program and enrolled students must live with an adult family member who will act as their guardian while in the United States. Hawken does not offer an ESL/ELL program and students should be fluent in written and spoken English. We require the ISEE (or SSAT) and the TOEFL as part of the application process. In addition, applicants must complete an interview, either via Skype, or during an on-campus visit day. If a student is accepted and enrolls, Hawken will issue an I-20 Form.
Is there bus transportation?
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Hawken transports approximately 25 percent of our students each year. Our transportation program meets all state requirements and inspections regarding the approval of bus drivers, standards for buses, and safe speeds. There are three choices of transportation services for students. Click here to learn more about transportation at Hawken.

List of 3 events.

Upper School Parent Visit

Mastery School Parent Visit

Lower & Middle School Parent Visit

Visit us!

Lower & Middle School

Birchwood School

Upper School

Mastery School

Welcome from the Admission Office

Get to know us!

Application Timelines

Application Process

Create an Online Account

Student Visits

Delegate the Evaluation and Recommendation Forms

Print and Submit the School Records Release Form to Current School

Testing

FAQs

List of 7 items.

When should we schedule a visit to campus?

When do we begin the admission process?

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

What criteria are used for admission decisions?

When are families notified of admission decisions?

Does Hawken School accept international students?

Is there bus transportation?