Admissions

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  • - Parent '24, '26

    When we first took a tour at RCS everyone was saying that their children literally run out the door to go to school and the thing is it is totally true. There is something about that school house…a combination of comfort, freedom and challenge....that just draws these kids and you can’t ask for more than that.

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Rippowam Cisqua School. We welcome applications for students entering PreKindergarten through Grade 9.

We understand that the task of applying to an independent school can seem complex and we appreciate the time and attention our families give to finding the best educational environment for their children. We hope to simplify the experience for you and hope that you will learn more about our program during your various visits and interviews. We look forward to getting to know you and your child in the coming months and our Admissions team is always available to offer guidance or answer any questions you may have along the way.

We encourage you to start the process early so you have ample time to schedule school visits, assessment appointments and interviews, and to consult with our expert team of Admissions professionals as you go through the application process.

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  • PreK-Kindergarten

    In addition to Kindergarten, Rippowam Cisqua offers two PreKindergarten programs: Junior PreKindergarten (JPK) and Senior PreKindergarten (SPK) for students age three and up.

    STEP 1: Visit us

    Schedule a private tour, attend an Open House, or attend an Admissions event to see first-hand how our exceptional teachers engage with and ignite learning in our students.

    To schedule a private tour, please complete this inquiry form or contact Lori Adelsberg at (914) 244-1205 or adelsberg@rcsny.org.

    STEP 2: Apply online

    To apply, create an account online and complete the application. Students applying to PreK and Kindergarten who are currently enrolled in school will need to submit a Teacher Evaluation form to complete their application.

    Priority applications are due on January 15. After the priority Admissions deadline has passed we accept applications on a rolling basis.

    *If you prefer a paper application, please email admissions@rcsny.org.


    STEP 3: Schedule a Student Readiness Assessment, PlayGroup Observation, and Parent Interview

    After we receive your application, you and your child will be invited back to campus.

    Assessment & Observation: There are two assessments required of our applicants entering Junior PreKindergarten (JPK), Senior PreKindergarten (SPK) and Kindergarten. One is a 30-minute one-on-one Readiness Assessment with one of our teachers. The other is a 30-minute PlayGroup where the children are observed taking part in typical Early Childhood classroom activities. Your child will enjoy exploring our stimulating classrooms while engaging in academic play.

    Parent Interview:     This is your opportunity to share all the wonderful things only you know about your child and to ask us questions. The Parent Interview can be scheduled on the same day as your child’s visit or at another time that works with your schedule.
     
    STEP 4: Apply for tuition assistance (optional)

    We award grants ranging from a few thousand dollars to significantly more in an effort to make a private school education affordable for all families. Learn more about affordability and tuition assistance. Then, complete your application by February 1 using FAST.

    To complete your application, you will need to provide the following items: tax returns, W-2 forms, and pay stubs which you can upload, mail, email, or fax to FAST by the deadline. The application should take approximately 20 minutes to complete and can be accessed on any device. All submissions are kept private and confidential.

    STEP 5: Come to school events (optional)

    Community is an integral part of the Rippowam Cisqua School experience and we will invite you to some events that will provide the opportunity for you to get to know us better. These events may include playdates, student showcases like our Science Fair or Art Show, book fair, speakers series, holiday events, parent coffees, roundtables, and more. 

  • Grades 1-4

    STEP 1: Visit us

    Schedule a private tour, attend an Open House, or attend an Admissions event to see first-hand how our exceptional teachers engage with and ignite learning in our students. 

    To schedule a private tour, please complete this inquiry form or contact Lori Adelsberg at (914) 244-1205 or adelsberg@rcsny.org.

    STEP 2: Apply online

    To apply, create an account online and complete the application. Students applying to Grades 1-4 will need to submit a Teacher Evaluation form and transcripts to complete their application.

    Priority applications are due on January 15. After the priority Admissions deadline has passed we accept applications on a rolling basis.

    *If you prefer a paper application, please email admissions@rcsny.org.

    STEP 3: Schedule a parent interview and visit for your child

    After we receive your application, you and your child will be invited back to campus.

    Classroom Visit: The classroom visit is a chance for us to get to know your child and for your child to experience a typical day at Rippowam Cisqua School. Your child will arrive as the day gets started and will be assigned a “buddy.” Your child will follow along with the day’s classroom schedule until mid-afternoon. During their visit, each child will have a one-on-one Student Readiness Assessment with one of our learning specialists.

    Parent Interview: This is your opportunity to tell us all the wonderful things only you know about your child. The parent interview can be scheduled on the same day as your child’s visit or at another time that works with your schedule.

    STEP 4: Apply for tuition assistance (optional)

    We award grants ranging from a few thousand dollars to significantly more in an effort to make a private school education affordable for all families. Learn more about affordability and tuition assistance. Then, complete your application by February 1 using FAST.

    To complete your application, you will need to provide the following items: tax returns, W-2 forms, and pay stubs which you can upload, mail, email, or fax to FAST by the deadline. The application should take approximately 20 minutes to complete and can be accessed on any device. All submissions are kept private and confidential.

    STEP 5: Come to school events (optional)

    Community is an integral part of the Rippowam Cisqua School experience and we will invite you to some events that will provide the opportunity for you to get to know us better. These events may include playdates, student showcases like our Science Fair or Art Show, book fair, speakers series, holiday events, parent coffees, roundtables, and more. 

  • Grades 5-9

    STEP 1: Visit us

    Schedule a private tour, attend an Open House, or attend an Admissions event to see first-hand how our exceptional teachers engage with and ignite learning in our students. 

    To schedule a private tour, please complete this inquiry form or contact Lori Adelsberg at (914) 244-1205 or adelsberg@rcsny.org.

    STEP 2: Apply online

    To apply, create an account online and complete the application. Students applying to Grades 5-9 will need to submit a Teacher Evaluation form and transcripts to complete their application.

    Priority applications are due on January 15. After the priority Admissions deadline has passed we accept applications on a rolling basis.

    *If you prefer a paper application, please email admissions@rcsny.org.

    STEP 3: Schedule a parent interview and visit for your child

    After we receive your application, you and your child will be invited back to campus.

    Classroom Visit: The classroom visit is a chance for us to get to know your child and for your child to experience a typical day at Rippowam Cisqua School. Your child will arrive as the day gets started and will be assigned a “buddy.” Your child will follow along with the day’s classroom schedule until mid-afternoon. During their visit, each child will have a one-on-one Student Readiness Assessment with one of our learning specialists.

    Parent Interview: This is your opportunity to tell us all the wonderful things only you know about your child. The parent interview can be scheduled on the same day as your child’s visit or at another time that works with your schedule.

    Step 4: Schedule your entrance exam

    We require the ISEE or SSAT entrance exam for students applying to Grades 5-9. Check the ISEE or SSAT websites to register your child. Use the following code to grant us access to your child’s scores.

    ISEE code is: 336190  
    SSAT code is: 6046

    STEP 5: Apply for tuition assistance (optional)

    We award grants ranging from a few thousand dollars to significantly more in an effort to make a private school education affordable for all families. Learn more about affordability and tuition assistance. Then, complete your application by February 1 using FAST.

    To complete your application, you will need to provide the following items: tax returns, W-2 forms, and pay stubs which you can upload, mail, email, or fax to FAST by the deadline. The application should take approximately 20 minutes to complete and can be accessed on any device. All submissions are kept private and confidential.

    STEP 6: Come to school events (optional)

    Community is an integral part of the Rippowam Cisqua School experience and we will invite you to some events that will provide the opportunity for you to get to know us better. These events may include playdates, student showcases like our Science Fair or Art Show, book fair, speakers series, holiday events, parent coffees, roundtables, and more. 
     

Required Forms

In addition to the application, the following forms are required. 

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Important Dates


JANUARY
Priority applications are due on January 15. After the priority Admissions deadline has passed we accept applications on a rolling basis. Applications for tuition assistance should be submitted along with the admissions application. 

FEBRUARY
Applicants will be notified of their admissions decision in February. Students who apply after the priority deadline will be notified on a rolling basis after the application is completed. 

MARCH
Students formally accept their offer of admission and return their signed contract and deposit. 
Lower Campus (PreK-Grade 4)
325 West Patent Road
Mount Kisco, NY 10549
phone: (914) 244-1200
Upper Campus (Grades 5-9)
439 Cantitoe Street 
Bedford, NY 10506
phone: (914) 244-1250
Rippowam Cisqua School is a PreK-Grade 9 independent day school in Westchester County, New York. RCS offers challenging academics built on innovation, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, wellness, leadership, service learning, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.
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