Getting Into Brearley School: NYC Middle & Upper School Admissions
Guidance for families applying to Grades 5–12 at this Upper East Side all-girls school
Cardinal Education is an independent educational consulting company. We are not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with any private or public school, including The Brearley School.
As Seen On
About the School
Inside Brearley Middle & Upper School: An Overview
Founded in 1884 by Samuel A. Brearley, The Brearley School is an all-girls, nonsectarian, college-preparatory day school on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Middle School and Upper School together enroll roughly 385–455 students across Grades 5–12, with approximately 55 to 65 students per grade.
Brearley is a member of the ISAAGNY (Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York) coordinated calendar and is considered a sister school of the all-boys Collegiate School and the all-girls Chapin School, with which it shares an after-school program and some classes. Guided by its motto, “By Truth and Toil,” Brearley challenges students to think critically, creatively, and ethically.
Fast Facts
Location
610 East 83rd Street, New York, NY 10028
Type
Private, all-girls, day school, nonsectarian, K–12 (Middle & Upper School: Grades 6–12)
Enrollment
55–65 students per grade in Grades 6–12
Student-Teacher Ratio
approximately 6:1 to 8:1
Testing Required
ISEE or SSAT, plus Brearley’s own math and English assessments
Academic & Admissions Snapshot
Sister Schools
Collegiate School (all-boys) and The Chapin School (all-girls); shared after-school program and some classes
ISEE Code
333475
College Outcomes
Reported average ACT composite of approximately 35 (99th percentile)
Interview
Required, in person, as part of a campus visit
Admissions Coordination
ISAAGNY (Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York)
Rival School
The Chapin School
Want a Full Picture?
For a deeper look at Brearley’s Middle and Upper School admissions process and student life, see our full How to Get Into The Brearley School.
What Makes Brearley’s Admissions Process Unique?
Brearley layers its own internal math and English assessments on top of the required ISEE or SSAT, giving admissions a second, school-specific data point beyond a single standardized test. Middle and Upper School follow separate timelines with different decision and enrollment dates, so families should track the specific calendar for the grade they’re applying to rather than assuming one timeline applies to both.
Key Admissions Dates & Events
Application Window Opens
Early September 2026
Submit Application
December 1, 2026
Register for Interview
December 7, 2026
Complete Admissions File
January 8, 2027
Middle School Decisions Notification
February 8, 2027
Upper School Decisions Notification
February 12, 2027
Middle School Enrollment Deadline
February 26, 2027 (12:00 pm ET)
Upper School Enrollment Deadline
March 11, 2027 (12:00 pm ET)
What the Brearley Application Requires
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01Student Questionnaire & Essay
Applicants for Class V through XI submit questionnaires and writing components via Ravenna. Middle School applicants complete short-answer prompts, while Upper School applicants submit short answers alongside a graded writing sample or personal essay to demonstrate writing ability and critical thinking. Lower School applicants (K–4) do not complete student writing tasks.
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02Parent/Guardian Statement
Required for all applicants (K–11), the Parent/Guardian Statement allows families to share insights into their child’s character, personal background, unique strengths, and alignment with Brearley’s mission and vibrant community.
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03Standardized Test and Brearley Math & English Assessments
Middle and Upper School applicants (Grades 5–11) submit ISEE or SSAT scores and complete two internal Brearley requirements: an online Brearley English Assessment and an in-person, non-calculator Brearley Math Assessment during their campus visit. Kindergarten applicants participate in an age-appropriate, play-based group observation instead of testing.
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04Recommendations
Submitted electronically via Ravenna, Middle and Upper School applicants (Grades 5–11) require official recommendation forms from their current English teacher, Math teacher, and Head of School/Administrator. Lower School applicants require one evaluation from their current teacher or preschool director.
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05Transcript
Requested electronically through Ravenna, applicants in Grades 5–11 must submit official academic records covering the current school year and the complete previous academic year. Lower School applicants submit available prior progress reports or preschool evaluation records.
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06Admissions Interview
For Middle and Upper School applicants (Grades 5–11), the required student visit includes an individual student interview, while parents complete a separate required interview. Kindergarten applicants complete a small-group play session with a corresponding parent interview. Campus tours for all grade levels are optional.
Expert Guidance for Your Brearley School Application
Because Brearley layers its own assessments on top of the ISEE or SSAT, families benefit from preparing for both the standardized test and Brearley’s specific academic evaluation. Cardinal Education’s consultants help students prepare for testing, build strong parent and student statements, and track the distinct Middle and Upper School calendars.
Families interested in support tailored to Asian American applicants can also explore our Brearley Middle & Upper School Admissions: Expert Guidance for Asian American Families.
“Brearley challenged our daughter intellectually in a way we hadn’t seen elsewhere. Cardinal Education helped us prepare for both the ISEE and Brearley’s own assessments, and the interview process felt genuinely manageable by the time we got there.”— Brearley Parent
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Brearley require the ISEE or SSAT?
Is Brearley an all-girls school?
What is Brearley’s relationship with Collegiate and Chapin?
How big is the Asian American population at Brearley?
Do Middle School and Upper School have the same admissions timeline?
Considering The Brearley School?
Our consultants help families prepare for the ISEE or SSAT, Brearley’s internal assessments, and the interview process with clarity and confidence.