Your roadmap to joining The Field School community: discover the essential steps and insights for a successful application.
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Founded in 1972 by educator Elizabeth Ely, The Field School was established with a mission to provide an innovative, student-centered education in Washington, DC. From its early beginnings in a single townhouse to its current 10-acre campus nestled near Rock Creek Park, Field has stayed true to its founding vision—emphasizing creativity, intellectual curiosity, and strong student-teacher relationships.
The school serves students in grades 6 through 12 and is known for its progressive approach to learning. With small class sizes and a curriculum that integrates interdisciplinary studies, Field prioritizes experiential learning and fosters a sense of responsibility, empathy, and independence in its students. The community is tight-knit, diverse, and inclusive, encouraging students to be active.
Gaining admission to The Field School is highly competitive, reflecting its reputation for academic excellence and innovative, student-centered education. The school offers an intimate learning environment with an average class size of 14–18 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 6:1, ensuring that each student receives personalized attention and support.
The admissions process includes several important steps: submitting an online application through Ravenna, paying a non-refundable application fee (waived automatically for families applying for financial aid), uploading required supplemental materials, and scheduling a student visit and a parent/guardian conversation. Applicants must also submit teacher recommendations and school transcripts, with requirements varying slightly depending on the grade level.
The Field School primarily accepts new students at key entry points: Grades 6 and 9. Applications for other grades are considered on a space-available basis. For the 2025–26 school year, the application deadline is December 1, 2024, and admissions decisions are released in mid-March 2025. The school may consider rolling admissions if space becomes available later in the year, but financial aid may not be available at that stage.
Standardized testing is required for applicants to Grades 6 through 11. Acceptable tests include the ISEE, SSAT, or any nationally normed standardized test taken within the past year. While scores are considered, The Field School uses a holistic admissions process, prioritizing student and parent/guardian questionnaires, teacher recommendations, and academic transcripts to assess readiness, fit, and potential for success.
Given the competitiveness of the process, families may benefit from working with private school admissions consultants who understand the ins and outs of The Field School admissions process. Consultants can provide valuable guidance in presenting a compelling application and ensuring prospective students stand out in a highly selective pool of candidates.
Creating an account on Ravenna is the first step in the Field School application process. You may apply, register for admission events, receive notifications, and monitor your application progress all through your Ravenna account. The admission steps you should take are as follows:
For more details and to begin your application, visit The Field School Admissions page.
Parents or guardians of middle and upper school applicants are required to answer a parent/guardian questionnaire that is found on Ravenna. You will be asked to talk about your child and share information about their personality, achievements, and other personal information. Be authentic in sharing your family’s goals and willingness to promote the values and mission of the school.
The parent statement is an integral part of the application process as it will help admissions officers better understand your child’s background and potential to become successful at The Field School. It will also demonstrate your family’s commitment to your child’s education. When choosing what to write about, remember that you have to be honest and authentic. Focus on your child’s strengths and unique characteristics, and provide anecdotes to support your statements. For some tips on how to write a powerful parent statement from experienced educational consultants, click here.
Applicants must submit recommendation letters from current math and English teachers and the principal or counselor. The forms can be found on Ravenna and will be sent to the admissions committee online.
Teacher recommendations are crucial for admission since they give a more thorough evaluation of your child’s character, personality, and academic aptitude. Because they deal with your child on a daily basis and can confirm your child’s academic success, they can make professional and unbiased observations. Building strong relationships with teachers is crucial if you want them to be able to provide strong recommendations that support other application materials when the time comes for them to do so.
Applicants must submit transcripts from both the previous academic year and the first semester of the current one. Once submitted, the school will handle the process directly.
The transcript will demonstrate your child’s readiness to handle The Field School’s rigorous curriculum. But what if your child’s grades aren’t all that outstanding? Start private school admissions consulting early! Our tutors and academic coaches will work with your child to improve grades and achieve scores that meet the requirements. We provide online or in-person tutoring for a variety of courses as well as diagnostic testing. However, because we are aware that boosting GPA won’t guarantee success, we provide academic coaching that teaches executive function skills as a more holistic strategy.
There are questions that an applicant has to answer within a limited character count. The questions delve into your child’s personality, skills, and interests, as well as their expectations of The Field School. The questions might seem simple and easy to answer, but admissions officers are looking at certain characteristics and values in your child that will determine if they are a good fit at The Field School.
Our private school admissions consultants can guide your child and give advice on how to best answer the questions truthfully. Our years of experience working with families applying to The Field School have allowed us to understand what they are looking for in applicants. From your child’s personal circumstances, we can identify what traits and characteristics will interest the admissions team and be considered for admission. Here are some useful tips on how to write a compelling personal statement.
Applications from Grades 6-11 must include ISEE or SSAT results. Admissions personnel can better assess each applicant’s academic preparedness and likelihood of succeeding in the school’s demanding environment with the use of these exams.
Preparing for the SSAT/ISEE for Field
We are aware that getting ready for standardized tests can be somewhat stressful, but we can be of assistance. We will help your child through customized test preparation strategies based on our years of expertise working with families applying to The Field School. Our objective is to alleviate the burden of test preparation and ensure that your child is prepared to present their best self on test day. We offer individualized SSAT practice tests and ISEE practice tests to make sure your child submits impressive scores.
As part of The Field School’s admissions process, both student and parent/guardian interviews are required. These interviews are conducted with members of the Admissions Committee and are designed to foster a collaborative academic experience. They provide an opportunity for the school to learn more about the applicant and for families to gain deeper insights into The Field School’s community and educational approach.
To schedule your interview and for more details on the application process, please visit The Field School’s Application Process page.
Your child will be assessed and evaluated based on how they conduct themselves on those occasions. With nearly 20 years of experience in the industry and helping numerous families get into The The Field School, we know what they are looking for. With informed interview preparation, our admissions consultants will introduce your child to common interview questions and teach them how to answer them truthfully while adhering to their values.
The The Field School offers a range of opportunities for prospective families to learn more about its programs and community through campus tours, open houses, and virtual information sessions.
To sign up for any of these events, visit the admissions page at https://www.fieldschool.org/admissions and navigate to the events section, or go directly to their Ravenna profile.
Student life at The Field School is vibrant, inclusive, and designed to encourage self-expression and community engagement. With a small student body and low student-to-teacher ratio, students build strong relationships with peers and faculty, creating a sense of belonging from day one. Advisory groups, daily community meetings, and school traditions like Field Day and Coffeehouse performances foster connection and school spirit. Whether it’s leading a club, joining a sports team, or participating in student government, students are given the space and encouragement to find their voice and shape their school experience.
Outside the classroom, students are immersed in a dynamic mix of extracurriculars that reflect the school’s commitment to the arts, athletics, service, and leadership. The campus environment is casual yet purposeful, empowering students to take initiative while being supported every step of the way. From thought-provoking seminars and immersive arts experiences to local internships and social justice initiatives, Field students are encouraged to explore their passions and make meaningful contributions to their community.
The Field School curriculum is built around intellectual curiosity, interdisciplinary learning, and real-world application. Serving students in grades 6 through 12, the school emphasizes depth over rote memorization, encouraging students to think critically, ask questions, and take ownership of their learning. Core subjects include English, math, science, history, and world languages, with a strong emphasis on discussion-based learning and collaborative projects. The curriculum is designed to be flexible and responsive, allowing teachers to tailor coursework to student interests and current global issues.
In addition to traditional academic disciplines, students engage deeply with the arts and technology. All students take visual and performing arts courses throughout their time at Field, and electives range from studio art and music production to playwriting and filmmaking. The school also offers experiential learning opportunities through independent studies, off-campus programs, and senior capstone projects. With no AP courses, The Field School focuses on creating a balanced and challenging academic experience that prepares students for college and life beyond, without teaching to a test.
The Field School offers a competitive and well-rounded athletics program that promotes teamwork, leadership, and physical wellness. Students can participate in a variety of sports across three seasons, with opportunities at the varsity, junior varsity, and middle school levels. The athletics program is a key part of student life and encourages students to develop discipline, resilience, and school spirit.
The Field School encourages participation at all levels and fosters a culture of inclusion, sportsmanship, and personal growth. Teams compete in the Potomac Valley Athletic Conference (PVAC), and student-athletes are supported in balancing academics with athletic commitments.
The Field School offers a rich and immersive arts and music program that is integral to its academic and cultural identity. From the moment students arrive, they are encouraged to explore their creativity through visual arts, music, theater, and digital media. The curriculum includes foundational courses as well as advanced electives in areas like painting, photography, ceramics, and graphic design. Students showcase their work in exhibitions throughout the year, both on campus and in the broader DC arts community.
Music and performing arts are equally central to student life. Students can participate in vocal and instrumental ensembles, learn music theory and composition, or experiment with music technology and production. The theater program offers opportunities in acting, directing, and stagecraft, with multiple performances staged each year. Field’s Coffeehouse events and talent showcases provide relaxed, student-led spaces for artistic expression. Whether it’s through a jazz solo or a gallery piece, students are empowered to take creative risks and express their unique perspectives.
Clubs and organizations at The Field School are student-driven and reflect the community’s passion for leadership, creativity, and social engagement. Students are encouraged to start and lead clubs based on their interests, and faculty advisors provide support while allowing students the freedom to shape the direction and activities of each group.
Popular clubs include Student Government, Environmental Action Club, Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Literary Magazine, and Model UN. There are also interest-based groups like Chess Club, Art Club, Coding Club, and Debate. These organizations give students space to collaborate, explore their passions, and develop leadership skills in a supportive environment. Club meetings are held during dedicated community periods, ensuring all students have the opportunity to participate without sacrificing academic time.
Some notable alumni of The Field School include:
These alumni highlight The Field School’s encouragement of individuality, creativity, and excellence across a wide range of fields.
Field has a tradition called Coffeehouse—a relaxed, student-led performance night featuring music, poetry, and skits.
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