Application Process

List of 5 items.

• Step 1: Interview and School Tour

  We like to meet with prospective parents to show you life at Dutchess Day School and to discuss the applicant’s educational future. Please call the admissions office at (845) 677-5014 to set up a tour at your convenience.

  
  Steps 1-4 should be completed by February 15 for the following school year for applicants in grade K-8 and as early as possible for preschool.

• Step 2: Application

  Parents complete the parent’s application and return it to Dutchess Day School along with the application fee.

• Step 3: Class Visit and Evaluation

  After a student has applied to Dutchess Day School we invite the applicant to visit the school.

  
  Preschool:
  Preschool applicants participate in a screening in April where they have the opportunity to play in the preschool classroom and meet with the preschool teachers for assessment.

  
  Kindergarten:
  Kindergarten applicants participate in a screening during the winter where they have the opportunity to play in the kindergarten classroom and meet with the kindergarten teacher for assessment.

  
  Grades 1-8:
  Applicants visit DDS for one or two consecutive days. During this time, applicants will experience a normal day at DDS and be evaluated by classroom teachers and assessed for admission.

• Step 4: Principal's Report, Records Release Form and Teacher Recommendations

  Please distribute these forms to the required people, along with an envelope addressed to Dutchess Day School and ask that they be returned directly to our admissions office.

  
  Kindergarten:
  Teacher recommendation by current preschool teacher or director of the program.

  
  Grades 1-6:
  Principal’s Report, records release form and teacher recommendation by the homeroom teacher.

  
  Grades 7-8:
  Principal’s Report, records release form and teacher recommendations for English and mathematics.

  
  Financial aid is available through the School and Student Services (SSS). Applications are available in the DDS office and can be found online at www.sss.nais.org.

• Step 5: Notification of Decisions

  K-8 applicants and their families are notified of decisions in March. Applications which are completed after March 1st, will be reviewed on a rolling admission, space-available basis and should, therefore, be completed as soon as possible.

  
  New preschool families are notified of decisions in April following the screening. Applications which are completed after then, will be reviewed on a rolling admission, space-available basis and should, therefore, be completed as soon as possible.