Application Process

Application Process

In this section

The Application Process

At University School, we believe that the admission of students, much like the hiring of faculty, defines our identity and aspirations as an institution.

The goal of our admission process is to identify the personal and academic strengths of each candidate and to ensure that a University School education is the right fit for the student, offering an environment where they will be happy and successful.

School records, current teacher evaluations, and application materials provide the Admission Committee with essential insights into how the student performs in an academic setting. These documents shed light on the student’s learning style, achievements, and social behavior. Additionally, a school visit, an interview with the Director of Admission, and admission testing are integral parts of our assessment process.

 

 

Ultimately, what matters most is the holistic view our admission officers develop of each applicant. While specific criteria may vary by grade, we consistently seek certain core qualities:

  • Character - leadership, cooperativeness, honesty, capacity for friendship
  • Industry - willingness to take risks, perseverance, and discipline in completing tasks
  • Competence - academic promise and achievement, love of learning
  • Unique interests and talents - the arts, athletics, hobbies

Through this comprehensive and holistic approach, we aim to build a student body that embodies the values and standards of University School.

 

Junior Kindergarten

 

Junior Kindergarten Process

Thank you for your interest in University School’s Junior Kindergarten program!

As available space in the school is limited, we recommend that interested families call as early as possible in the preceding academic year to begin the admission process. If this is your first contact with University School, please complete the online inquiry form.

Please review the application requirements below; there is no fee to apply. The required items can all be accessed through your son’s admission checklist. You’ll receive instructions for logging into your myUS account to see the checklist after submitting the inquiry form. Feel free to email Beth Anderson or call her at 216-371-6807 with any questions.

Email

 

Required Admission Items for Junior Kindergarten:

  • Online Application
  • Current Educational Setting Visit Permission
    This form allows a member of our admission team observe your son for a brief time in his current school—a place where he feels comfortable. We will schedule that visit at the appropriate time by working directly with the preschool.
  • Parent Visit
    Parent tours are an important step in getting to know University School: you will spend time with a current student, talk with teachers, and see classes in action. After your tour you’ll meet with an admission team member to get your further questions answered and go over the admission process. We recommend a weekday morning for your tour, but other times can be made available. Please email Beth Anderson to schedule your tour.
  • Current Teacher Evaluation
  • Personal Recommendation
  • Group Evaluation 
    This one-hour session consists of playtime and a rotation of activity stations with different teachers.

 

Important Dates

  • January 16, 2026:  Financial Aid application for new students K-12 due
  • January 23, 2026: Admission Applications due for Junior K-12
  • February 12, 2026: Decision Day for Junior K-12
  • March 2, 2026: Rolling admission begins (individual applicants will be reviewed once a file is complete)
Kindergarten

 

Kindergarten Process

Thank you for your interest in University School’s Kindergarten program!

As available space in the school is limited, we recommend that interested families call as early as possible in the preceding academic year to begin the admission process. If this is your first contact with University School, please complete the online inquiry form.

Please review the application requirements below; there is no fee to apply. The required items can all be accessed through your son’s admission checklist. You’ll receive instructions for logging into your myUS account to see the checklist after submitting the inquiry form. Feel free to email Beth Anderson or call her at 216-371-6807 with any questions.

Email

 

Required Admission Items for Kindergarten:

  • Online Application
  • Current Educational Setting Visit Permission
    This form allows a member of our admission team observe your son for a brief time in his current school—a place where he feels comfortable. We will schedule that visit at the appropriate time by working directly with the preschool.
  • Parent Visit
    Parent tours are an important step in getting to know University School: you will spend time with a current student, talk with teachers, and see classes in action. After your tour you’ll meet with an admission team member to get your further questions answered and go over the admission process. We recommend a weekday morning for your tour, but other times can be made available. Please email Beth Anderson to schedule your tour.
  • Student Screening
    This visit is a one-on-one academic skills assessment.
  • Teacher Evaluation
  • Personal Recommendation
  • Group Evaluation 
    This one-hour session consists of playtime and a rotation of activity stations with different teachers.

 

Affording A Private School Education

The Financial Aid Office at University School is dedicated to supporting the school’s mission by ensuring that an exceptional educational experience is accessible to students, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Financial assistance at US is awarded based on demonstrated need. Our goal is to provide opportunities for students who might otherwise be unable to attend, allowing them to benefit from the unique educational environment we offer.

Apply online through Clarity.

Contact Christina Townsend Hartz with any questions regarding our affordability program.

Email

 

Important Dates

  • January 16, 2026:  Financial Aid application for new students K-12 due
  • January 23, 2026: Admission Applications due for Junior K-12
  • February 12, 2026: Decision Day for Junior K-12
  • March 2, 2026: Rolling admission begins (individual applicants will be reviewed once a file is complete)
Grades 1-4 

 

Grades 1-4 Process

Thank you for your interest in University School’s Lower School!

As available space in the school is limited, we recommend that interested families call as early as possible in the preceding academic year to begin the admission process. If this is your first contact with University School, please complete the online inquiry form.

Please review the application requirements below; there is no fee to apply. The required items can all be accessed through your son’s admission checklist. You’ll receive instructions for logging into your myUS account to see the checklist after submitting the inquiry form. Feel free to email Beth Anderson or call her at 216-371-6807 with any questions.

Email

 

Required Admission Items for Grades 1-4

  • Online Application
  • Parent Visit
    Parent tours are an important step in getting to know University School: you will spend time with a current student, talk with teachers, and see classes in action. After your tour you’ll meet with an admission team member to get your further questions answered and go over the admission process. We recommend a weekday morning for your tour, but other times can be made available. Please email Beth Anderson to schedule your tour.
  • Teacher Evaluation
  • Principal or Guidance Counselor Evaluation
  • Personal Recommendation
  • Student Shadow Day / Visit
    Students will spend a day with a US student in the same grade. During the day, students will experience classes, meet teachers, and enjoy a day at US.
  • Student Screening
    This screening is a one-on-one academic skills assessment that will be done during the shadow day/visit.
  • School Transcripts

 

Affording A Private School Education

The Financial Aid Office at University School is dedicated to supporting the school’s mission by ensuring that an exceptional educational experience is accessible to students, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Financial assistance at US is awarded based on demonstrated need. Our goal is to provide opportunities for students who might otherwise be unable to attend, allowing them to benefit from the unique educational environment we offer.

Apply online through Clarity.

Contact Christina Townsend Hartz with any questions regarding our affordability program.

Email

 

Important Dates

  • January 16, 2026:  Financial Aid application for new students K-12 due
  • January 23, 2026: Admission Applications due for Junior K-12
  • February 12, 2026: Decision Day for Junior K-12
  • March 2, 2026: Rolling admission begins (individual applicants will be reviewed once a file is complete)
Grades 5-8

 

Grades 5-8 Process

Thank you for your interest in University School. The following information and time-line will assist you with the free application process. Email Eric Hutchinson or call at 216-371-6808 with any questions.

Email

Available space in the school is limited. We recommend that interested families call as early as possible in the preceding academic year to begin the admission process. If this is your first contact with University School, please complete the online inquiry form.

The following steps are part of the application process. You can login to your myUS account to start your admission journey!

 

Required Admission Items for Grades 5-8

  • Application
    You can access the application form in your admission checklist. We look forward to getting to know your family!
  • Parent Visit
    We are excited to begin offering tours of our campus during the school day in October! This will allow you to feel the spirit inside the school and see the energy exhibited by the students and Faculty. You are encouraged to contact Eric Hutchinson directly to schedule a day and time that works best for you. We look forward to meeting you, and answering your questions.
  • Student Shadow Day / Visit
    Students will spend a day with a US student in the same grade. During the day, students will experience classes, meet teachers and coaches, and enjoy a day at US.
  • Teacher Evaluations (Math and English)
  • Principal or Guidance Counselor Evaluation
  • Student Questionnaire
    Once your son spends a day at US, this brief questionnaire will help us to get to know him better.
  • School Transcripts
  • Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE):
    - October 4, 2025
    November 9, 2025
    December 6, 2025
    January 17, 2026
    March 7, 2026
    April 18, 2026

    The ISEE is also offered at various locations in the greater Cleveland area. An online version is also available.
    For further information regarding additional testing locations, online testing, fees and/or fee waivers, and to register go to iseeonline.erblearn.org.

 

Affording A Private School Education

The Financial Aid Office at University School is dedicated to supporting the school’s mission by ensuring that an exceptional educational experience is accessible to students, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Financial assistance at US is awarded based on demonstrated need. Our goal is to provide opportunities for students who might otherwise be unable to attend, allowing them to benefit from the unique educational environment we offer.

Apply online through Clarity.

Contact Christina Townsend Hartz with any questions regarding our affordability program.

Email

 

Important Dates

  • January 16, 2026:  Financial Aid application for new students K-12 due
  • January 23, 2026: Admission Applications due for Junior K-12
  • February 12, 2026: Decision Day for Junior K-12
  • March 2, 2026: Rolling admission begins (individual applicants will be reviewed once a file is complete)
Grades 9-12

 

Grades 9-12 Process

Thank you for your interest in University School. The following information and timeline will assist you with the free application process. Please do not hesitate to email Christina Townsend Hartz or call 216-292-2149 with any questions.

Email

Available space in the school is limited. We recommend that interested families call as early as possible in the preceding academic year to begin the admission process. If this is your first contact with University School, please complete the online inquiry form.

The following steps are part of the application process. You can login to your myUS account to start your admission journey!

 

Required Admission Items for Grades 9-12

  • Online Application
  • Student Shadow Day / Visit
    The student visit day is a crucial step in the admission process. We are currently scheduling student visits beginning in October on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. A typical visit day begins at 7:45am and lasts through 3:30pm. During the day, students will experience classes, meet teachers and coaches, and enjoy a day at University School.

    While these are our standard visit days, we understand that schedules can vary. If necessary, we are willing to make exceptions to accommodate your needs.

    In order to schedule a visit, please reach out to Mrs. Mandi Weaver via email or phone, 216.292.2148.

    Email
     
  • Teacher Evaluation(s)
  • Principal or Guidance Counselor Evaluation
  • Personal Recommendation
  • School and Transcript Request Form
  • Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE)October 4, 2025
    November 9, 2025
    December 6, 2025
    January 3, 2026
    January 17, 2026
    March 7, 2026
    April 18, 2026

    The ISEE is also offered at various locations in the greater Cleveland area. An online version is also available. 
    For further information regarding additional testing locations, online testing, fees and/or fee waivers, and to register go to iseeonline.erblearn.org.

 

Affording A Private School Education

The Financial Aid Office at University School is dedicated to supporting the school’s mission by ensuring that an exceptional educational experience is accessible to students, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Financial assistance at US is awarded based on demonstrated need. Our goal is to provide opportunities for students who might otherwise be unable to attend, allowing them to benefit from the unique educational environment we offer.

Apply online through Clarity.

Contact Christina Townsend Hartz with any questions regarding our affordability program.

Email

 

Important Dates

  • January 16, 2026:  Financial Aid application for new students K-12 due
  • January 23, 2026: Admission Applications due for Junior K-12
  • February 12, 2026: Decision Day for Junior K-12
  • March 2, 2026: Rolling admission begins (individual applicants will be reviewed once a file is complete)

 


 

University School offers students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin or disability all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. While private school admissions in Cleveland, Ohiowill vary, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or disability in administering educational policies, admission policies, athletic, and other school-administered programs. For more information on our admission process, please contact us today.

 


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