Is the ISEE required for every private school in Washington, D.C.?

Nope—but it depends on where you’re applying. Some private schools in Washington, D.C., especially highly selective ones, still require or strongly recommend ISEE scores. Others might accept the SSAT instead. A growing number of schools have gone test-optional, especially in recent years, but here’s the truth: a strong ISEE score can still make a difference. It gives admissions officers a standardized benchmark that helps them evaluate students from different schools and academic backgrounds.

So while you technically can skip the ISEE at some schools, it’s often a missed opportunity to stand out, especially if your child tests well. The best approach? Check each school’s admissions page or ask us to help build a strategy based on your school list. We’ll tell you when to go all-in on prep and when it might be smarter to let those writing samples and transcripts do the heavy lifting. Either way, we’ve got your back.