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.
Applications for the 2019-2020 school year are currently being considered on a rolling admission basis. Before beginning an application, please call 440-423-2950 (Toddler - Grade 8) or 440-423-2955 (Grades 9-12) to inquire about space availability.  

Applications for the 2020-2021 school year will open in September and are due in January of 2020.

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 preschool through grade 12.
 
Academically progressive with a dual focus 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.
 
While you’ll find an abundance of information on our website, the best way to get to know Hawken is to visit. With over $8.9 million in tuition assistance each year, we welcome students and families from all backgrounds to tour our campuses, explore our state-of-the-art facilities, and learn about our innovative, nationally recognized programming. To sign up for a group event, individual tour, or visit day please call 440-423-2950 (grades preschool-8), or 440-423-2955 (grades 9-12) or click here to inquire online.
 
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 is to visit.

  • Parents can see 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. 
  • Students attend classes during their visit day as part of the application process.

Individual campus tours and student visit days may be scheduled by contacting the Admission Office at 440-423-2950 (Lyndhurst Campus) or 440-423-2955 (Gates Mills Campus). 

RSVP now for one of our events by clicking here.

For directions to our Lyndhurst and Gates Mills campuses, please click here.


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. Applications completed after these deadlines will be considered on a rolling admission process based upon space availability.
         
Grades 1-12        
PS, PK, K        
Application/Flexible Tuition Deadlines:         
January 18, 2019
January 25, 2019
Notification Dates:       
February 15, 2019          
February 22, 2019       
Responses Due:
March 1, 2019
March 8, 2019
 






Applications completed outside the above timeline will be considered on a rolling admission basis and may be subject to limited space and/or Flexible Tuition.

Application Process


Hawkens's application process is thoughtfully designed to allow us to get to know your child and your family.


1

Create an Online Account

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

  • Submit the $35 application fee
  • Upload a photo of your child (strongly recommended)
  • Submit the Parent/Guardian Questionnaire
  • Submit Student Questionnaire (Grades 1-12)


2

Student Visits


Preschool, Prekindergarten and Kindergarten: Student Exploration Visit, Student Discovery Group

The Student Exploration Visit gives children an opportunity to explore our Early Childhood Center, The Nido. Not only will students enjoy navigating the many areas of the Nido designed specifically for young children, but this visit will also allow you to envision your child in the Hawken environment. Prekindergarten and kindergarten candidates will also participate in a brief activity during the one-on-one visit as part of the admission process. 

Please call our Lower School Admission Office at 440-423-2950 to schedule Student Exploration Visits.

The Student Discovery Group is an interactive and engaging step in your child’s application experience. 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. Sessions for 2019-2020 applicants are:

  • Thursday, January 10, 2019 (Kindergarten) 
  • Friday, January 11, 2019 (Preschool and Kindergarten) 
  • Friday, January 25, 2019 (Preschool and Kindergarten)
  • Saturday, January 26, 2019 (Preschool, Prekindergarten and Kindergarten)
  • Thursday, January 31, 2019 (Preschool and Prekindergarten) 
  • Friday, February 1, 2019 (Kindergarten)
Schedule your child's Discovery Group visit through your secure online Ravenna account.

Grades 1-5: Student Shadow Day
Please call the Lower and Middle School Admission Office at 440-423-2950 to schedule a shadow day for your child. Students will visit classes for a full day and tour the campus. Both a math and reading assessment will be administered during the individual visit day. Parents of all applicants are also highly encouraged to take a campus tour and to meet with a member of the admission staff.

Grades 6-8: Student Shadow Day
Please call the Admission Office at 440-423-2950 to schedule a shadow day for your child. Students will visit classes and tour the campus on this day. Parents are also highly encouraged to take a campus tour and to meet with a member of the admission staff.

Grades 9-12: Visit Day & Interview
Please call the Upper School Admission Office at 440-423-2955 to schedule a personal visit day. Students will visit classes, tour the campus and have an interview. Parents are highly encouraged to take a campus tour and to meet with a member of the admission staff. If the applicant would like to meet with a particular coach or instructor, please inform the Admission Office when arranging the visit day.


3

Delegate the Evaluation and Recommendation Forms

Preschool, Prekindergarten, Kindergarten:
  • Teacher Observation Form: If you 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.
  • Personal Recommendation: An optional Personal Recommendation may also be submitted by an adult who knows your child well such as a music or art instructor, in-home caregiver, clergy member or neighbor.
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.


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 2018-19 school year (through the most recent marking period) and the complete 2017-18 academic year.


5

Testing


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, a math and reading assessment will be administered during the applicant’s Shadow Day.
 
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 17, 2018
  • Saturday, December 15, 2018
  • Saturday, January 12, 2019
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, October 27, 2018
  • Saturday, November 17, 2018
  • Saturday, December 15, 2018
  • Saturday, January 12, 2019
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