Admissions

How to Apply

Welcome to Bank Street School for Children Admissions. We look forward to partnering with your family throughout our admissions process. There will be many ways for families to get to know Bank Street during the admissions season, including virtual and in-person events. We are holding child visits in person and parent interviews will be conducted virtually.

The admissions application for the 2025-26 school year is now available. The application deadline is December 2. Our birthdate cutoff is September 1, meaning that the student’s age must match their grade level by September 1 of their entering year. For example, children must be 5 years old by September 1, 2025 when they enter kindergarten (5/6s) in 2025.

There are a few key steps in the application process:

  • Fill out and submit your application 
  • Attend an open house
  • Schedule your child’s visit and your parent interview 
  • Submit the required documents

Request an Application   Continue Application   Register for an Open House

We are available to answer any questions about our program and our approach to teaching and learning. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 212-875-4433 or sfcadmissions@bankstreet.edu. We are excited to share more about our school and look forward to getting to know your family.

Application Process by Grade

  • 3/4s (Preschool)

    Submit Your Application
    Once you submit your application, be sure to follow the prompts on your parent portal checklist to schedule your child’s visit and parent interview.

    Child Visit
    Your child’s 45-minute play visit will take place in one of our bright and spacious classrooms. The small play group will be led by members of our Admissions team. We ask that one parent accompany and stay with each child during these visits. Children will have the opportunity to explore materials during an open-ended play time, clean up together, listen to a story, and sing songs. 

    You will receive guidelines for the visit a few days prior to your scheduled date, along with a short video introducing our Admissions team in order to help your child feel more comfortable before coming into the school. 

    Parent Tour
    After you have submitted your admissions application, you will have an opportunity to take an hour-long tour and experience Bank Street during a typical school day.

    Parent Interview
    A member of the Admissions team will conduct a virtual parent interview to get to know your family, understand what you are looking for in a school, and answer any questions you may have about Bank Street and the admissions process. Parent interviews take place at least two days after the child’s visit so that interviewers can share observations from the child’s play visit.  

    Confidential School Report
    If your child attends an early childhood program, the ISAAGNY Confidential School Report (pdf) must be completed by your child’s teacher and emailed to sfcadmissions@bankstreet.edu by January 9, 2025. Your child’s current school may require the submission of the Permission to Release Student Information Form (pdf) prior to sending the ISAAGNY Confidential School Report.

    Financial Aid
    We offer financial aid in the 3/4s but the aid is more limited compared to the 4/5s and above. In the 3/4s, we offer only a limited number of financial aid spots and they have a maximum aid award of 50% off tuition. Please indicate on your admissions application if you are applying for financial aid. Financial aid applications for the 2025-26 school year will be available on November 1, 2024 and must be submitted by January 1, 2025.

    ISAAGNY Dates
    Bank Street follows the notification and reply dates set by the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY).

    • Notification Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025
    • Parents Reply Date: Thursday, March 6, 2025 by 12:00 PM
  • 4/5s (Pre-Kindergarten)

    Submit Your Application
    Once you submit your application, be sure to follow the prompts on your parent portal checklist to schedule your child’s visit and parent interview.

    Child Visit
    Your child’s one hour, play-based visit will take place in-person, in a small group and will be led by members of our Admissions team. During their visit, children engage in a variety of activities, some at their own initiative and others at the interviewer’s request. They will have opportunities to play, explore materials, draw, listen to a story, and do a movement activity. 

    Our team wants you and your child to feel as comfortable as possible and will support your child as they enter a new space and meet new adults and peers. You will receive guidelines for the visit a few days prior to your scheduled date, along with a short video introducing our Admissions team in order for your child to become more familiar with our interviewers. 

    Parent Tour
    During your child’s visit, you are invited to receive an hour-long tour, giving you an opportunity to experience Bank Street during a typical school day.

    Parent Interview
    A member of the Admissions team will conduct a virtual parent interview to get to know your family, understand what you are looking for in a school, and answer any questions you may have about Bank Street and the admissions process. Parent interviews take place at least two days after the child’s visit so that interviewers can share observations from the child’s play visit.  

    Confidential School Report
    If your child attends an early childhood program, the ISAAGNY Confidential School Report (pdf) must be completed by your child’s teacher and emailed to sfcadmissions@bankstreet.edu by January 9, 2025. Your child’s current school may require the submission of the Permission to Release Student Information Form (pdf) prior to sending the ISAAGNY Confidential School Report.

    Standardized Admissions Testing
    Formal admissions testing is not required for 4/5s applicants.

    Financial Aid
    Please indicate on your admissions application if you are applying for financial aid. Financial aid applications for the 2025-26 school year will be available on November 1, 2024 and must be submitted by January 1, 2025.

    ISAAGNY Dates
    Bank Street follows the notification and reply dates set out by the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY).

    • Notification Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025
    • Parents Reply Date: Thursday, March 6, 2025 by 12:00 PM
  • 5/6s (Kindergarten)

    Submit Your Application
    Once you submit your application, be sure to follow the prompts on your parent portal checklist to schedule your child’s visit and parent interview.

    Child Visit
    Your child’s one hour, play-based visit will take place in-person, in a small group and will be led by members of our Admissions team. During their visit, children engage in a variety of activities, some at their own initiative and others at the interviewer’s request. They will have opportunities to play, explore materials, draw, listen to a story, and do a movement activity. 

    Our team wants you and your child to feel as comfortable as possible and will support your child as they enter a new space and meet new adults and peers. You will receive guidelines for the visit a few days prior to your scheduled date, along with a short video introducing our Admissions team in order for your child to become more familiar with our interviewers. 

    Parent Tour
    During your child’s visit, you are invited to receive an hour-long tour, giving you an opportunity to experience Bank Street during a typical school day.

    Parent Interview
    A member of the Admissions team will conduct a virtual parent interview to get to know your family, understand what you are looking for in a school, and answer any questions you may have about Bank Street and the admissions process. Parent interviews take place at least two days after the child’s visit so that interviewers can share observations from the child’s play visit.  

    Confidential School Report
    If your child attends an early childhood program, the ISAAGNY Confidential School Report (pdf) must be completed by your child’s teacher and emailed to sfcadmissions@bankstreet.edu by January 9, 2025. Your child’s current school may require the submission of the Permission to Release Student Information Form (pdf) prior to sending the ISAAGNY Confidential School Report.

    Standardized Admissions Testing
    Formal admissions testing is not required for 5/6s applicants.

    Financial Aid
    Please indicate on your admissions application if you are applying for financial aid. Financial aid applications for the 2025-26 school year will be available on November 1, 2024 and must be submitted by January 1, 2025.

    ISAAGNY Dates
    Bank Street follows the notification and reply dates set out by the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY).

    • Notification Date: Thursday, February 6, 2025
    • Parents Reply Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025 by 12:00 PM
  • 6/7s (Grade 1)

    Submit Your Application
    Once you submit your application, be sure to follow the prompts on your parent portal checklist to schedule your child’s visit and parent interview.

    Child Visit
    Led by members of our Admissions team, your child’s in-person playgroup visit will be an hour and 15 minutes. During the visit, children engage in a variety of activities, some at their own initiative and others at the interviewer’s request. They will have opportunities to play, explore materials, draw, listen to a story, and participate in a movement game, as well as age-appropriate math and literacy activities. 

    Our team wants you and your child to feel as comfortable as possible and will support your child as they enter a new space and meet new adults and peers. You will receive guidelines for the visit a few days prior to your scheduled date, along with a short video introducing our Admissions team in order for your child to become more familiar with our interviewers. 

    Parent Tour
    During your child’s visit, you are invited to receive an hour-long tour, giving you an opportunity to experience Bank Street during a typical school day.

    Parent Interview
    A member of the Admissions team will conduct a virtual parent interview to get to know your family, understand what you are looking for in a school, and answer any questions you may have about Bank Street and the admissions process. Parent interviews take place at least two days after the child’s visit.  

    Confidential School Report
    If your child attends an early childhood program, the ISAAGNY Confidential School Report (pdf) must be completed by your child’s teacher and emailed to sfcadmissions@bankstreet.edu by January 9, 2025. Your child’s current school may require the submission of the Permission to Release Student Information Form (pdf) prior to sending the ISAAGNY Confidential School Report.

    Standardized Admissions Testing
    Formal admissions testing is not required for 6/7s applicants.

    Financial Aid
    Please indicate on your admissions application if you are applying for financial aid. Financial aid applications for the 2025-26 school year will be available on November 1, 2024 and must be submitted by January 1, 2025.

    ISAAGNY Dates
    Bank Street follows the notification and reply dates set out by the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY).

    • Notification Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025
    • Parents Reply Date: Monday, March 3, 2025 by 12:00 PM
  • 7/8s – 9/10s (Grades 2 – 4)

    Submit Your Application
    Once you submit your application, be sure to follow the prompts on your parent portal checklist to schedule your child’s visit and parent interview.

    Child Visit
    Led by a member of our Admissions team, your child’s hour and a half visit will include a tour of Bank Street, an academic skills assessment, and time in a class with students in the same grade.

    Parent Tour
    After you have submitted your admissions application, you will have an opportunity to take an hour-long tour and experience Bank Street during a typical school day.

    Parent Interview
    A member of the Admissions team will conduct a virtual parent interview to get to know your family, understand what you are looking for in a school, and answer any questions you may have about Bank Street and the admissions process. Parent interviews take place at least two days after the child’s visit.  

    Required School Documents

    • Your child’s school report from last year 
    • Your child’s most recent school report 
    • A written school assignment from a current class

    Confidential School Report
    Each of the following Confidential School Reports must be completed by your child’s teachers and emailed to sfcadmissions@bankstreet.edu by January 9, 2025:

    Your child’s current school may require the submission of the Permission to Release Student Information Form (pdf) prior to sending the ISAAGNY Confidential School Report.

    Standardized Admissions Testing
    Formal admissions testing is not required for 7/8s–9/10s applicants.

    Financial Aid
    Please indicate on your admissions application if you are applying for financial aid. Financial aid applications for the 2025-26 school year will be available on November 1, 2024 and must be submitted by January 1, 2025.

    ISAAGNY dates
    Bank Street follows the notification and reply dates set out by the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY).

    • Notification Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025
    • Parents Reply Date: Monday, March 3, 2025 by 12:00 PM
  • 10/11s – 13/14s (Grades 5 – 8)

    Submit Your Application
    Once you submit your application, be sure to follow the prompts on your parent portal checklist to schedule your child’s visit and parent interview.

    Student Visit
    Your child’s visit will include a tour of Bank Street, an academic skills assessment, and time in a class with students in the same grade. 

    Parent Tour
    After you have submitted your admissions application, you will have an opportunity to take an hour-long tour and experience Bank Street during a typical school day.

    Parent Interview
    A member of the Admissions team will conduct a virtual parent interview to get to know your family, understand what you are looking for in a school, and answer any questions you may have about Bank Street and the admissions process. Parent interviews take place at least two days after the child’s visit. 

    Required School Documents

    • Your child’s school report from last year 
    • Your child’s most recent school report 
    • A written school assignment from a current class

    Confidential School Report
    Each of the following Confidential School Reports must be completed by your child’s teachers and emailed to sfcadmissions@bankstreet.edu by January 9, 2025:

    Your child’s current school may require the submission of the Permission to Release Student Information Form (pdf) prior to sending the ISAAGNY Confidential School Report.

    Standardized Tests
    This year, Bank Street School for Children is not requiring student candidates to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or the SSAT. Both exams are optional. If the exam is taken, the results can be submitted to Bank Street.

    Financial Aid
    Please indicate on your admissions application if you are applying for financial aid. Financial aid applications for the 2025-26 school year will be available on November 1, 2024 and must be submitted by January 1, 2025.

    ISAAGNY dates
    Bank Street follows the notification and reply dates set out by the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY).

    • Notification Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025
    • Parents Reply Date: Monday, March 3, 2025 by 12:00 PM