We refer to our Pre-K and Kindergarten classes as 4-5s and 5-6s classrooms, respectively. Throughout our Lower School, we refer to our classrooms by age ranges rather than grades, as they are mixed age groups spanning 18 months, though we have entering birthday cut-offs for each. 

Birthday cut-offs for applying:
  • For the 4-5s classroom, children must be 4 by October 31 of the year they enroll.
  • For the 5-6s classroom, children must be 5 by October 31 of the year they enroll.
Please note that children who are 5.0 to 5.3 by October 31 of their year of enrollment will be considered for our 4-5s and 5-6s program. We will make a decision regarding the best placement for your child based on our playgroup, school reports, and our conversation with parents. 

The following steps are required to complete the admissions process.
All necessary links and forms will be accessible in your admissions checklist on your applicant portal.

Steps to Apply

List of 8 items.

  • Visit MCS

    We offer a number of ways to get to know us: Virtual Information Sessions, an Open House, and in-person tours. We recommend at least one in-person visit during the application process.
    You can sign up for a live Virtual Information Session with Admissions.
    In-person tours are available in your parent portal once you create your account via this Inquiry.
  • Submit an application | Dec. 1 deadline

    Applications for the 2024-25 school year will be available the first week of September. Fill out this Inquiry to create your account. You will then have access to your admissions checklist to help you keep track of steps in the process and due dates, and you can sign up for in-person tours.
  • Sliding Scale Tuition Application | Dec. 1 deadline

    MCS does not have a financial aid program, rather, we operate on a sliding scale tuition model. 
  • Child Playgroup | Oct. - Jan.

    After you have submitted your application, our admissions office will contact you to schedule a child visit. The child assessment is a way for us to engage with your child, get to know them, and ascertain school readiness. 
    We will schedule assessments as we receive applications, and will stop scheduling once we have run out of appointments. We encourage families to submit their applications as early as possible to have a better chance of a guaranteed playgroup date.
  • Teacher Confidential Report | January 11 deadline

    Please request that your child’s current preschool or daycare teacher fill out the Teacher Confidential Report. You can send the request to your child’s teacher via the checklist in your admissions portal. We recommend that you submit the request after November 15 so that your child’s teacher has had an opportunity to get to know them.

    The Confidential Report must be filled out by the teacher/director and must be submitted directly by them to MCS no later than January 11.
  • Parent Interview | Jan. 31 deadline

    Once you have submitted your application you can schedule a parent interview. This is an opportunity to informally engage with members of the Manhattan Country School administration and tell us about your family as well as ask questions that are particular to your child.
  • Admissions decisions released | Feb. 8 (5-6s) & Feb. 29 (4-5s)

    The admissions decisions are shared on the following dates, in accordance with ISAAGNY (Independent School Admissions Association of Greater New York).
    Decision will be posted on parent portals and families will receive an email as well:

    4-5s: Thursday, February 29
    5-6s: Thursday, February 8
  • Enrollment contracts & deposit due | Feb. 15 (5-6s) & March 7 (4-5s)

    If families have been offered admission, the enrollment contracts are due by the following dates:

    4-5s - by Thursday, March 7
    5-6s - by Thursday, February 15
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