Admissions FAQs

The first step to begin our application process is to submit our inquiry form, which will place you on our mailing list to receive communications about our application process and to allow you to register to attend admissions events. Next, you can create an account in our online application system to access our application.

Families begin the admissions process in the fall the year before intended enrollment. We encourage families to submit our online application, which initiates the admissions process, as soon as they have decided to apply. Applications for entry in Fall 2025 will open on September 3, 2024.

The admissions application fee is $125 and is valid for two years. The application fee is waived for families applying for financial assistance. Testing fees vary depending on the grade. Please note that all fees are nonrefundable.

Parker enrolls students who are academically, developmentally, and socially prepared to navigate our program. To read a detailed explanation of the application steps and requirements, please visit our division specific admission pages:

• Lower School (Junior Kindergarten, Senior Kindergarten, and Grades 1-5)
• Middle School (Grades 6-8)
• Upper School (Grades 9-12)

The deadline to complete an application for priority consideration is February 1, 2025. A completed application includes submission of our online application form and all other required materials, as outlined in the answer above. If a family misses the priority consideration deadline, applications are accepted on a rolling basis to fill any available open seats.

Yes, Parker does accept and consider applications which become complete after the priority deadline to fill any available open seats.

Parker uses Finalsite Enrollment, an online platform, to manage the admission process. In addition to registering for admissions events, families (and the applicant's current school) will use Finalsite Enrollment to submit application materials and check their application status.

Follow the steps below to view your admissions checklist:

1. Log in to your Application Portal
2. Click your child's name
3. Click the "Go to application" button
4. View the right side of page. A green checkmark indicates the step is complete.
5. Click the "Show me what's left" button for information on the incomplete steps.

We process a high volume of applications, so please allow up to 48 hours for submitted materials to be marked as received.
 

Yes. We are aware that some school districts do not allow their teachers to complete student evaluations for other schools. We still welcome applications from families currently enrolled in one of these districts.

If this is true for your family, please inform the Associate Director of the division to which you are applying so the teacher evaluation requirement can be waived. Instead, we will then ask these applicants to submit supplemental evaluations to complete their application (form available in Finalsite Enrollment). Any adult not related to the student—a coach, mentor, tutor, etc.—is welcome to submit a supplemental reference.
 

Families to each division must participate in an admissions interview by February 1 to complete their application. At least one of the applicant's parents/guardians needs to attend the interview, and applicants to the Middle and Upper School also participate in the interview themselves. Interviews can be scheduled through a family’s Finalsite Enrollment application checklist and should be scheduled as soon as possible after the application form has been submitted as the appointments fill quickly. Interview appointments are most readily available during September and October, with availability decreasing because of demand in January.

Yes, there is an optional checklist item in Finalsite Enrollment which allows families to upload artwork, creative writing, video clips, or other supplemental media to a student's application.

Families who complete their application by the February 1 priority consideration deadline will be notified of their applicant’s admissions decision via email on March 7, 2025 after 3:30 pm. Admitted families will then have until the end-of-day on March 21, 2025 to complete their enrollment agreements to secure their seat.

Yes. Each year we receive applications from more qualified students than the number of seats we have available. Applicants who we would like to admit but are unable to due to class size are offered a place in our wait pool. If an admitted student chooses not to enroll, or we learn of a current student who will not be returning to Parker, we then offer the open seat to an applicant in the wait pool. 

Tuition and new student fees are set by the Board of Trustees each winter for the following year, and are announced in acceptance letters. Other expenses, which vary by grade level, include books, uniforms, transportation and some class activities. Lunch at all divisions, and snacks at the Lower School, are included in tuition.

Visit the Tuition Page for additional details on tuition costs. 
 

Parker is committed to socio-economic diversity. Approximately $7.25 million in tuition assistance was awarded to 25% of the student body based on demonstrated financial need. Parker does not offer academic or athletic scholarships. 

Financial assistance applications are completed via Clarity and are due by February 1 for families seeking admissions. Applications are reviewed by a committee of Parker administrators using an objective and equitable process.

Most additional costs (e.g., books, technology, transportation, extracurricular activities, and international travel) are discounted at the same percentage as the financial assistance award covers tuition.

Applying for financial assistance will not impact your child’s chances of admission. A family’s economic circumstances, including whether they’ve submitted an application for financial assistance, are not known by the Admissions Committees when making admissions decisions and are not a factor in their considerations.