Expert Admissions Consulting for The Episcopal School of Dallas
Guidance for families applying to Grades 6–12 at this Dallas Episcopal day 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 Episcopal School of Dallas.
As Seen On
About the School
Overview of The Episcopal School of Dallas (ESD)
Founded in 1974 by the Reverend Canon Stephen B. Swann and a group of Episcopalian community leaders, The Episcopal School of Dallas (ESD) is a coeducational, faith-centered, college-preparatory day school on a 39-acre campus in Dallas. Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School together enroll roughly 1,150–1,183 students, with about 430–435 students in Upper School alone. ESD is known for Wolf Run Ranch, a 300-acre outdoor education facility near Anna, Texas, and for having what the school describes as the only completely student-run Honor Council in Dallas.
Fast Facts
Location
4100 Merrell Road, Dallas, TX 75229
Type
Private, co-ed, day school, Episcopal, college preparatory, Grades PK–12 (Middle & Upper School: Grades 6–12)
Enrollment
1,150–1,183 students in PK–12 (Upper School alone: 430–435 students)
Student-Teacher Ratio
approximately 7:1 to 8:1
Testing Policy
ISEE required for Grades 5–9; ISEE, PSAT, or PACT for Grades 9–11
Academic & Admissions Snapshot
Accreditation
Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS), NAIS member
Athletics
25 varsity teams; 70+ total teams across 19 sports; Southwest Preparatory Conference
Outdoor Education
Wolf Run Ranch, 300 acres, near Anna, TX
Student Leadership
Completely student-run Honor Council (per ESD, unique in Dallas)
Racial/Ethnic Diversity (self-reported)
~24% of families self-identify as students of color
Application Portal
Veracross
Want a Full Picture?
For a deeper look at ESD’s Middle and Upper School admissions process and student life, read our Episcopal School of Dallas Admissions.
What Makes Applying to The Episcopal School of Dallas Different?
ESD’s testing requirement shifts by grade: Grades 5–8 applicants take the ISEE, while Grades 9–11 applicants may submit ISEE, PSAT, PACT, SAT, or ACT scores, along with a required writing sample. ESD is also explicit that it does not encourage formal test prep, stating that heavy preparation can skew the Admission Committee’s overall picture of an applicant rather than help it. The school’s process is instead designed to give the admission committee a genuine, rounded sense of each child and family.
Key Admissions Dates & Events
Application Opens
September 8, 2026
Middle School Tours
Sep. 30, Oct. 13 & 21, and Dec. 2, 2026
Upper School Tours
Oct. 13, 14 & 28, and Nov. 18, 2026
Teacher Evaluation Form Availability
November 1, 2026
EDS Open House
December 6, 2026
Application Part 1 Due
January 11, 2027 (includes application fee, family & student photo, family & student information, and parent statement)
Application Part 2 Due
February 1, 2027 (includes student visits, ISEE test scores, teacher evaluations, and school records)
In-person ISEE Testing
January 9, 2027
Student Visits
(Scheduled once application fee is paid)
Family Conversations
(Scheduled once application part 2 is completed)
Admissions Decision Notification
March 12, 2027
What the ESD Application Requires
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01Student Statement
Applicants for Middle and Upper School (Grades 5–11) complete required student statement sections directly within the online application portal (Veracross). Upper School applicants submit short-answer responses and writing prompts designed to evaluate writing ability, critical thinking, and character.
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02Parent/Guardian Statement
Required for all applicants (Lower School through Grade 11), the Parent/Guardian Statement provides families the opportunity to share insights into their child’s personality, academic habits, unique strengths, and overall alignment with ESD’s mission and community values.
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03Standardized Test
For Grades 5–9, ESD requires current ISEE scores. Grade 10–11 applicants may submit PSAT or PACT scores alongside a graded English essay instead of taking the ISEE; otherwise, they must take the ISEE. Lower School applicants (Beginners–Grade 4) complete the CATS assessment or an age-appropriate group observation session.
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04Recommendations
Submitted electronically through the Veracross portal, applicants for Middle and Upper School (Grades 5–11) require official recommendation evaluations from their current English teacher, Math teacher, and Head of School/Administrator. Lower School and early childhood applicants require a teacher evaluation form completed by their current classroom teacher or preschool director.
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05Transcript
Requested electronically through the application portal, applicants applying to Grades 1 through 11 must submit official academic records, including full 1st semester/trimester reports from the current year and complete transcripts for the previous two academic years. Early childhood applicants must submit available preschool evaluations or progress reports.
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06Family Conversations
Required exclusively for Upper School applicants (Grades 9–11), this requirement is scheduled once Part 2 of the application is submitted. The applicant and at least one parent or guardian participate in a virtual or in-person dialogue with an ESD educator or administrator to discuss student life and community expectations.
Get Expert Support for Your Episcopal School of Dallas Application
Because ESD’s process weighs a genuine, rounded picture of each family over an optimized test score, Cardinal Education’s consultants focus on helping families build a complete, authentic application: strong transcripts, a compelling writing sample where required, and thoughtful preparation for interviews and conversations with the Admission Committee.
Families interested in support tailored to Asian American applicants can also read our Episcopal School of Dallas Top Admissions Guidance for Asian American Families.
“We were pretty overwhelmed going into the ESD application. Cardinal Education helped us through the whole thing, and honestly, the best part was how they helped us show who our son actually is, not just stats on paper. It really helped the school see why he’d be a great fit.”— ESD Parent
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ESD require the ISEE?
What is Wolf Run Ranch?
How big is the Asian American population at ESD?
Is ESD a religious school?
What is the student-run Honor Council?
Considering The Episcopal School of Dallas?
Our consultants help families build a complete, authentic ESD application and navigate the division-specific testing requirements.