Calhoun School

Calhoun describes a progressive educational approach rooted in curiosity, kindness, and excellence, designed to develop “intellectual authenticity” and adaptability through meaningful challenges and an inclusive community. Across grades, students are given choice and voice, and learning emphasizes deep engagement over rote memorization—often through experiential, project-based work and interdisciplinary thinking. In the Lower School, this is grounded in a Montessori foundation featuring hands-on, child-led exploration and intentionally prepared environments, alongside an explicit emphasis on critical thinking, social justice, and active citizenship.

Calhoun asks prospective families to start by submitting an inquiry form and then applying online through Calhoun’s application portal (a $75 application fee is listed). (calhoun.org) Families must start an application before registering for an official visit; required visits include a campus tour and a parent/guardian program with an in-person interview/conversation, with required campus visits for both Lower School (young 3’s–4th) and Middle/Upper School (5th–12th) applicants. (calhoun.org) Requirements vary by grade, but include on-campus assessment for young 3’s–4th during the visit, and for grades 5–12 Calhoun requires recent standardized testing (they recommend the ISEE) and collects teacher recommendations and other supplementary documents via the portal checklist. (calhoun.org) Key dates are tied to the ISAAGNY shared admissions notification/reply timeline (decisions sent electronically; enrollment contract and deposit due by the ISAAGNY reply deadline), and financial assistance (K–9 entry; not preschool) is processed via Clarity with a posted deadline of December 1, 2025. (calhoun.org) No detailed public waitlist procedure or stated admissions-priority order was found on Calhoun’s public admissions pages reviewed; the only explicit “priority/legacy” mention is that siblings of current students and children of alumni may request an application-fee waiver code. (calhoun.org)