The following are common questions prospective families have about Manhattan Country School's application process. If you have additional questions, please contact our Admissions Office.
Children must be four by September 1, 2021 to be considered for the 4-5s program. Children must be five by September 1, 2021 to be considered for the 5-6s program. Please note that we are no longer accepting applications for this grade.
Our deadline for applications is November 15, 2020.
Family Financial Worksheets are due by December 1, 2020.
Supplementary materials such as Confidential Reports (4-5s through 6-7s) and Teacher Recommendations (7-8s and up) are due no later than January 8, 2021.
Applications for 6-7s and up are reviewed on a rolling basis but should be submitted as close to the deadline as possible so that we can act on them quickly once we determine availability in the grade of interest. (See: what is rolling admissions?)
MCS intentionally designed a pre-k to eighth grade school because of the demonstrated benefits this model has for academic growth and challenge, and emotional well-being in children. Children have the chance to be leaders, while also being children for a little while longer before the transition to high school. The pre-k to 8th grade model also allows greater coordination and cooperation amongst teachers across grade levels and increases parent involvement.
Responsibilities grow as students advance through the Upper School (Fifth through Eighth Grade). Leadership examples include the 9-10s serving as Reading Buddies to children in the 6-7s; our 7th graders taking a Child Development class and observing the 4-5s; and 8th graders serving as Admissions Ambassadors on school tours. Our oldest students are empowered, enthusiastic role models for the entire student body.They best demonstrate what it means to value and encourage each other, developing rewarding relationships across age groups based on trust and mutual reliance. Our eighth-graders truly discover who they are as learners and what kind of academic environment would best serve them in high school. MCS eighth graders gain admission to highly selective high schools, view a list here.
As a member of the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY), we adhere to their notification deadlines. Please see our table below:
Notification and Reply Dates 2021
For applications with all elements completed by January 8th, 2021
Grade Entering
Notification Mailing
Parent Reply Deadline
2, 3, and 4 Year Olds
Not before Thursday, February 25th
Not later than noon on Thursday, March 4th
Kindergarten
Mail or email on Thursday, February 4th
Not later than noon on Thursday, February 11th
Grades 1-8
Not before Tuesday, February 9th
Not later than noon on Tuesday, March 2nd
Early Legacy Optional Notification Dates
Please note that schools cannot require parents to opt for the Early Notification program before November 30. School reports for Early Decision consideration must be completed by sending schools and submitted to receiving schools by December 1.
Grade Entering
Notification Mailing
Parent Reply Deadline
2, 3, and 4 Year Olds
No before Tuesday, December 1st Not later than Tuesday, January 15th
Not later than noon on Friday, January 22nd
Kindergarten/Grade 1
Not before Wednesday, December 9th Not later than Monday, January 11th
The Family Financial Worksheet provides the basis for determining a family’s Contracted Fee. All families complete the FFW when applying to the school and annually thereafter. The Family Financial Commitment Plan is at the core of our commitment to economic diversity. It replaces set tuition, scholarships and financial aid with a contracted fee calculated for each family on a sliding scale in equitable proportion to the family’s financial resources.
To determine one’s tuition, families submit a confidential Family Financial Worksheet (FFW) each year. Student fees are then set on a sliding scale.
Afterschool is available Monday through Thursday until 5:30 p.m. MCS offers extended-day coverage through a wealth of enrichment classes that change year to year. Past classes have included Mandarin, Lego Robotics, Yoga, Baking and African Drumming. There is also a daily playgroup for students in the 4- 5s and 5-6s.
Emergency Afterschool is available to accommodate unexpected, last minute changes in families' schedules.
Pricing for Afterschool is based on each class and the number of sessions it holds during the semester. All class costs are fixed and do not follow the sliding-scale model.
MCS eighth graders are accepted to highly selective public, independent and boarding schools. Below are schools to which MCS students have been accepted over the past two years. For a more extensive list, and to view colleges our graduates have attended, please see Life After MCS.
Rolling admissions generally begins in the spring, after both re-enrollment and the main admissions cycle have been completed. Admissions will then start accepting applications for the grades in which we still have anticipated openings. Spring 2021 update: we are now accepting applications for Fall 2021.
MCS uses homework to extend a child’s intellectual life outside of the school day and to help synthesize knowledge and build strong organizational and time-management skills.
Starting in the 6-7s, children begin receiving homework assignments, generally on Wednesdays and due on the following Monday. Homework is gradually increased as the children get older. Upper School students (5th - 8th grades) tackle long-term assignments and complete an hour to an hour and a half of homework each night.