Admissions
From first visit to first day
Our admissions process is rigorous + supportive. We want a fit with your family + your child. Here’s how it works, what to expect, and the deadlines that matter.
The admissions process
6 steps
- 1Step 1 — September–DecemberVisit the schoolGroup tours, private family visits, shadow days, open houses. Most families do 1–2 visits before applying. Free; no commitment.
- 2Step 2 — by DecemberBegin the applicationApplication portal opens September. Includes student application (age-appropriate questions), parent statement of interests + reasons, prior school transcripts.
- 3Step 3 — January 15Application deadlineApplication due. Late applications considered case-by-case based on space; some grades fill earlier than others. Same deadline for need-based financial aid application.
- 4Step 4 — January–FebruaryInterview + assessmentStudent interview (age-appropriate). Parent interview. Age-appropriate academic assessment (varies by grade).
- 5Step 5 — March 15Admissions decisionsDecisions released by March 15 by mail + portal. Three outcomes: accepted, accepted from waiting list, denied. Decisions arrive together for families with multiple applications.
- 6Step 6 — April 15Enrollment + tuition contractTuition contracts due by April 15. Enrollment deposit ($2,500) finalizes the spot. New parent orientation in late August.
Schedule a visit
The best way to know Marlowe is to visit
Pick what works. We’ll confirm within 1 business day.
Schedule a campus visit
Pick your visit type, the grade level you’re considering, and a window that works. Our admissions team will confirm within 1 business day.
Step 1 of 4
What kind of visit?
Visit options
Different ways to see Marlowe
Group campus tours — 60 min
Tuesday + Thursday 9-11am. Saturday 10am. Walk-and-talk tour with admissions team. Best for early-stage exploration. Sign up via the scheduler above.
Private family tours — 75 min
Weekday afternoons by appointment. More personalized; can include classroom visits + meeting with division director. Best when you have specific questions or grade-level concerns.
Shadow visits
Applying students Grade 5+ shadow a current student for a full school day. Attend classes, eat lunch, meet teachers. Best way for an applying student to test fit.
Open house events
Quarterly Saturday events. ~3 hours. Whole admissions team, division directors, current parents, and student tour guides present. Great for families with multiple children to consider.
Admissions meetings (no campus)
30-min video calls with admissions counselor. For initial conversations, particularly for distance-traveling families. Often precede an in-person visit.
Specific program meetings
45-min meetings with department heads (STEM, arts, athletics, learning support). For families with specific program-fit questions.
What we look for
In application + interview
Curiosity + intellectual engagement
Students who ask questions, dive into topics, want to know more. Curiosity is the most important indicator of fit at Marlowe.
Character + community-mindedness
Students who care about how they treat others. Honor + responsibility + service-mindedness. Character matters as much as academics.
Academic preparation appropriate to grade
Strong reading + math foundations for K applicants. Subject-matter readiness for Middle + Upper School. We don’t expect perfection; we expect readiness + capacity to grow.
Family-school alignment
Families whose values align with Marlowe’s — whole-child philosophy, intellectual rigor, community over competition. Parent statement helps us assess this.
Diversity of background + perspective
We seek diverse student body across multiple dimensions (geography, race, religion, socioeconomic, learning style, family structure). Different perspectives strengthen our community.
Specific contributions + interests
Athletes, artists, scientists, writers, musicians, entrepreneurs, environmentalists. Students with passion + practice in a specific area enrich our community.
Admissions questions
What families ask most
- January 15 for fall admission. Same deadline for financial aid. Late applications considered case-by-case based on grade-level space; some grades fill earlier (K, Grade 5, Grade 9 are most competitive).