Brearley Middle & Upper School Admissions: Expert Guidance for Asian American Families
Navigating an Upper East Side all-girls school with a reported 21% Asian American enrollment
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.
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About the School
Navigating The Brearley School Admissions as an Asian American Family
A federal private school survey figure from the 2021–22 school year put Brearley’s Asian American enrollment at approximately 21.0%, alongside 40.1% White, 24.3% Multiracial, 7.6% Hispanic, and 7.0% Black students. Brearley does not publish a more recent breakdown, so families should treat this as historical context rather than a current statistic.
Brearley’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement, adopted by its Board of Trustees, states the school believes “diversity of thought, practice, and identity are essential elements in preparing students for principled engagement in the world,” alongside a separate Antiracist Statement committing to active, ongoing work. Founded in 1884, Brearley is an all-girls school serving Grades 6–12 in its Middle and Upper School divisions.
Fast Facts
Location
610 East 83rd Street, New York, NY 10028
Type
Private, all-girls, day school, nonsectarian, K–12 (Middle & Upper School: Grades 5–12)
Enrollment
55–65 students per grade; a dated (2021–22) figure put Asian American enrollment at 21.0%
DEI Commitment
Board-adopted Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement and Antiracist Statement
Testing Required
ISEE or SSAT, plus Brearley’s own math and English assessments
Community & Admissions Snapshot
Asian American Enrollment (2021–22, dated)
~21.0%; not confirmed as current
Multiracial Enrollment (2021–22, dated)
~24.3%; not confirmed as current
DEI Statement
Board-adopted, June 2016; committed to “equitable representation and participation”
Antiracist Statement
Board-adopted; commits to antiracist training and policy review
Testing Required
ISEE or SSAT plus Brearley’s own math and English assessments
Because current demographic data isn’t published, families weighing fit should ask directly about current representation and any relevant affinity spaces during a visit.
Want a Full Picture?
For full admissions requirements and student life details that apply to every applicant, read our How to Get Into The Brearley School.
What Families Should Ask About Community Life
Brearley’s Board-adopted DEI and Antiracist Statements reflect institutional commitments, but families should still ask specific, direct questions: what current student affinity groups exist, how the school’s stated commitments show up in daily Middle and Upper School life, and what current Asian American students and families say about their experience. Because the most recent detailed demographic breakdown is several years old, a campus visit and direct conversation remain the most reliable source of current information.
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
Cardinal Education has worked with Asian American families across New York City navigating Brearley’s dual-testing process and helping them ask informed questions about community fit during a visit. Our consultants also help students prepare for the ISEE or SSAT and Brearley’s internal assessments.
For the general Brearley admissions timeline and requirements that apply to every applicant, explore our Getting Into Brearley School: NYC Middle & Upper School Admissions.
“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
How big is the Asian American population at Brearley?
Does Brearley have Asian American affinity groups?
Does Brearley require standardized testing?
What is Brearley’s stated commitment to diversity?
Do Middle School and Upper School have different application timelines?
Considering The Brearley School?
Our consultants help Asian American families navigate The Brearley School admissions process with clarity and confidence.