Our Middle School application reflects our belief that Middle School education is a process. Through our admission procedures, we hope to determine if a student’s academic abilities, personal interests and overall potential are the right match for The Pennington School. The following items are instrumental in providing important feedback about each applicant. This page is a checklist to help you keep track of where you are in the process.
1. Prospective Middle School Parents Information Session (optional)
Thursday, November 8, 2012 (9:30–11:00 a.m.)
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 (9:30–11:00 a.m.)
Tuesday, January 15, 2012 (7:00–8:30 p.m.)
Please call the Office of Admission at 609–737–6128 to RSVP for one of these information sessions.
2. General Application (Student Data Form)
This form provides important background information and begins the applicant’s official file when submitted electronically and returned with the $50 application fee. This form should be completed by a parent or guardian of the applicant. To submit an application to The Pennington School, you may use the School's Online Application, the SSAT Standard Online Application, or the TABS (The Association of Boarding Schools) Common Application.
3. Parent Statement
The statement should be completed online and signed electronically by a parent or guardian of the applicant.
4. Student Statement
This section, which must be completed by the applicant, provides insight into the applicant as a person and as a student.
5. Academic Recommendations (2)
These forms should be completed by the English and mathematics teachers (if the English and mathematics teachers are different individuals) at the applicant's current school at the end of the first marking period and should be returned directly to the Office of Admission at The Pennington School by the teachers filling out the forms. If the English and mathematics teachers are the same person, another academic teacher is acceptable for the second recommendation.
6. Character Recommendation
This form should be completed by an adult in the student’s life who is not a family member or close family friend. Coaches, instructors, and troop leaders are excellent choices. This recommendation should be returned directly from whoever completes it.
7. Guidance Recommendation/Transcript Release Form
This form should be signed and submitted to the applicant’s current school. The Pennington School must receive an official transcript of grades and standardized testing of at least the past two years, including the current school year, directly from the applicant’s current school. This form should be completed by the current principal or guidance counselor and returned along with the applicant’s transcripts.
8. Campus Visit and Interview
After we have received the general application, please call the Office of Admission to schedule your child’s Spend-A-Day. During this day, students will shadow a current student to classes, eat lunch, meet faculty and students, and have an interview with a member of the Office of Admission staff.
9. Financial Aid Information (if applicable)
Information about the financial aid application process for the 2013–14 academic year is located online in the Financial Aid and Tuition section of the website.
Decision letters for completed applications will be mailed on March 10, with responses due by April 10.
To receive notification on this date, all application materials must be submitted (and an interview completed) by February 1. After this date, applications are welcome but will be considered on a space-available basis.