The School has a dual goal in the overall admission process in accordance with its mission:

• Ensuring enrollment of children most able to benefit from a fast-paced and academically challenging program
• Ensuring that grade-level groups consist of students who are socially, emotionally, and academically compatible

The Avery Coonley School maintains an admission pool of qualified applicants. The Admission Committee considers all qualified candidates who continue to keep their information current. Each year the Admission Office sends a letter asking families to indicate their interest in continuing in the admission pool.

No. Intelligence test results are valid for a period of three years. However, the School does require updated copies of report cards and achievement tests.

Openings occur annually for the following school year. Although attrition is low, several openings may occur at your child’s grade level. By qualifying through the admission process, your child will be given every consideration by the Admission Committee.

Not necessarily. Admission is a process. Testing is a baseline measurement of a child’s ability to handle the School’s accelerated and enriched curriculum. The Admission Committee carefully reviews all qualified candidates, and considers the school visit, report cards, and achievement testing along with teacher recommendations.

The Admission Committee is guided by the following criteria:

• Academic readiness appropriate for the group to which the candidate is applying, as measured by intelligence testing, standardized achievement tests (where appropriate), and report cards
• Personal, social, and emotional maturity and development of the candidate
• Observation and evaluations during a school visit
• Affiliation with the School: preferential review, but not preferential admission, is given to qualified siblings from ACS families and qualified children of alumni
• Cultural, ethnic, racial, and economic diversity in the group to which the candidate is applying
• Gender balance in the group to ensure a coeducational atmosphere that fosters development of the whole child

Enrollment in Preschool at Avery Coonley does not guarantee entry to ACS. However, Preschool provides a strong foundation, and a high percentage of students will matriculate to Kindergarten. All candidates who apply to Kindergarten through Group Eight must qualify through the admission process.