Dalton School

Dalton’s teaching philosophy is grounded in the Dalton Plan, a progressive model designed so students experience school as a microcosm of the larger world, building independence, confidence, integrity, and social responsibility. The approach is organized around three pillars—House (belonging and advising), Assignment (a student–teacher partnership emphasizing curiosity and self-directed work), and Lab (built-in time for individual/small-group support and deeper exploration). (dalton.org)

Dalton applications are submitted through the Ravenna platform, starting with a short preliminary application and a $75 fee, and the school primarily enrolls new students in Kindergarten, 6th grade, and 9th grade (with applications also accepted for Prep for Prep students entering 7th or 8th); families interested in non-entry grades are asked to submit an inquiry for possible future openings. (dalton.org) Key dates: Kindergarten applications open August 15 and are due by 12:00 PM on November 14; Middle School and High School applications open after Labor Day and are also due by 12:00 PM on November 14, with decisions/notifications posted in Ravenna based on the ISAAGNY timetable and families typically required to reply by the ISAAGNY deadline (noted as 12:00 PM one week after notification). (dalton.org) Requirements vary by division but generally include scheduled tours/interviews (and an admissions assessment for younger applicants), school records; for Middle and High School, required materials include transcripts/report cards, recommendations (English/LA and math teacher plus a counselor/administrator), and ISEE or SSAT testing taken in the fall (roughly August through the first week of January), while Kindergarten recommendation letters are not required (though welcomed). (dalton.org) Financial aid is need-based and is submitted via the Clarity application (with stated deadlines of November 1 for current families and December 1 for new families), and additional documentation may be required. (dalton.org) Dalton may offer some applicants a waitlist position after decisions are released (with waitlisted applicants eligible if openings occur), and it notes careful consideration for “community applicants” (including children of alumni, current faculty/staff, and siblings of current students); for 9th grade, an Early Notification option is available for certain community categories if families opt in by November 14 at noon and complete all requirements by November 26. (dalton.org)