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Everything New York City families need to know about applying to Grades 5–12 at this Upper East Side all-girls school.
Quick Answer for Busy Parents
The Brearley School is an all-girls college-preparatory day school on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, enrolling 55–65 students per grade across Grades 5–12. Founded in 1884, Brearley requires the ISEE or SSAT alongside its own math and English assessments. Applications are due December 1, files are completed by January 8, and decisions arrive in mid-February. Brearley participates in the 8-school NYC Interschool Consortium for select classes and after-school programming.
Why Do Families Choose The Brearley School?
Samuel A. Brearley founded the school in 1884 and served as its head until his death from typhoid fever in 1886; since 1926, Brearley has been led by women, beginning with Millicent Carey McIntosh.
Families are drawn to Brearley’s humanities-intensive, depth-over-breadth curriculum, its small classes (averaging around 15 students), and outcomes that include a reported average ACT composite near 35, placing students in the 99th percentile nationally. Worth magazine has ranked Brearley among the top schools in the country for sending students to Harvard and the second-best nationally overall for that outcome.
Beyond its academic rigor, families choose Brearley for its supportive, all-girls environment that empowers young women to develop confidence, leadership, and lifelong bonds. Coupled with dedicated faculty mentorship and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, the school cultivates both intellectual curiosity and character.
Did You Know? Worth magazine ranked Brearley #2 in the nation and #1 among schools that admit girls for sending students to Harvard University.
How Competitive Is Admission to The Brearley School?
Brearley does not publish an official acceptance rate, but third-party estimates place it in the single digits to low double digits at Kindergarten and Grade 9–ranking it among the most selective private independent schools in New York City and the nation. Because the applicant pool consists almost entirely of high-achieving, qualified candidates, admission is exceptionally rigorous.
The school evaluates candidates through a comprehensive, multi-layered process where standardized test scores and internal assessments are weighed alongside teacher recommendations, academic transcripts, and in-person interviews.
Beyond raw academic metric perfection, Brearley seeks students who demonstrate exceptional intellectual curiosity, resilience, and potential to thrive in its fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.
Top Tips for a Competitive Application
- Register for the ISEE or SSAT by early-to-mid October, allowing time for a retake before January.
- Submit your application by December 1 and register for an interview promptly afterward.
- Track the specific Middle or Upper School calendar for your child’s entry grade, since dates differ between divisions.
Best Practices for Prospective Families
- Request transcripts and teacher recommendations (current English and math teachers plus counselor or principal) early.
- Ask directly about the shared programming within the 8-school NYC Interschool Consortium during a visit.
- Complete the admission file by the January 8 deadline to stay on track for on-time decisions.
What Is The Brearley School’s Admission Process?
Creating an account in Ravenna is the first step in The Brearley School’s admissions process. There, you will be able to sign up for events and submit the required documents for your application.
- Create a Ravenna account.
- Submit the online application.
- Preliminary Application & Fee
- Parent Statement
- Student Questionnaire & Essay (Grades 5–12)
- Delegate recommendations.
- Current math & English teacher
- School administrator, principal, or counselor
- Request transcripts.
- Current and previous academic year
- Complete standardized testing & the Brearley Assessment.
- ISEE or SSAT
- Brearley Math & English Assessment
- Attend the admissions interview & visits.
- Applicant Visit & Interview
- Parent/Guardian Interview
- Campus Tour (Optional)
What Are the Application Requirements for Brearley School?
Student 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.
How to write an effective personal essay: Focus on a specific moment of growth rather than a list of activities. Authenticity is key. By honing their reading and writing skills, students can produce compelling, authentic essays. Learn how to develop an authentic writing voice that helps your statement stand out.
Parent/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.
How to write a compelling parent statement: Share anecdotes that demonstrate your child’s maturity and values rather than repeating their resume. Keep your tone authentic and collaborative. Learn how to write a compelling private school parent statement.
Standardized 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.
How to strengthen test-taking skills: Effective test preparation involves more than just content review; it builds a deep understanding of exam-specific question formats, pacing strategies, and underlying academic skills. Personalized coaching helps students master these exams with confidence.
Recommendations
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.
How to get the best teacher evaluations: To secure strong teacher evaluations, ensure your child builds genuine relationships with teachers and mentors. Recommenders should highlight your child’s leadership, behavior, and academic impact on the community.
Transcript
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.
How to improve academic performance: If grades have been a genuine struggle, improving them before applying requires targeted, consistent support—not last-minute cramming. This is where tutoring and academic coaching help strengthen the student’s key skills months before applications are due, allowing students to demonstrate meaningful, sustained academic growth.
Admissions 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.
How to prepare for the admissions interview: Approach the interview as a natural conversation. Students should be prepared to discuss their interests, achievements, and reasons for applying to The Brearley School. Comprehensive interview preparation helps students communicate with confidence and authenticity, making a strong impression.
Have Questions About Your Daughter’s Application?
Cardinal Education’s consultants help families prepare for the ISEE or SSAT and Brearley’s internal assessments, and track the Middle or Upper School timeline.
What Is Student Life Like at The Brearley School?
Student life at The Brearley School is an intellectually vibrant blend of rigorous academic study, artistic expression, athletic competition, and civic engagement.
Beyond the classroom, students are encouraged to pursue their passions through a rich selection of extracurricular offerings, off-campus programs, and collaborative community traditions.
Academics
Academic life at Brearley balances a traditional liberal arts foundation with advanced, specialized study, enabling students to develop critical thinking, analytical depth, and personal intellectual agency.
| Metric | Overview & Academic Feature |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 6:1 (averaging small class sizes around 10–15 students) |
| Core Curriculum | Required sequences across English, Mathematics, Biology/Lab Sciences, World History, and Foreign Language |
| Advanced Opportunities | Advanced Science Research Seminar, Poetry Workshop, and Columbia University Science Honors Program |
| World Languages | Four comprehensive language tracks: French, Spanish, Mandarin, and Latin/Classics |
This structured curriculum equips students to engage in independent research, quantitative problem-solving, and persuasive communication.
Off-Campus Learning
Brearley features flagship experiential programs designed to extend learning beyond the traditional school walls through research, service, and travel.
- Curriculum-Related Travel: Required grade-level historical and civic trips, including Washington, D.C., visits in Class IX and Class X.
- Interschool Consortium: Academic partnerships with seven Manhattan peer schools—comprising Chapin, Collegiate, Browning, Dalton, Nightingale-Bamford, Spence, and Trinity—for shared courses, events, and advanced seminars.
- University & STEM Partnerships: Access to Saturday morning advanced coursework at Columbia University and Barnard College.
- Summer Travel & Study: Travel and independent study grants through the MacDonald and Kathryn Schaefler Pershan ’49 Scholarships.
These off-campus initiatives foster civic responsibility and real-world perspective, expanding students’ horizons locally and internationally.
Arts
The arts curriculum provides comprehensive training across visual and performing disciplines, backed by dedicated studio spaces and performance venues.
- Performance Productions: Over 20 mainstage dramatic plays, dance concerts, and showcase events annually.
- Music Ensembles: 3 school orchestras alongside choral groups, jazz ensembles, and chamber music opportunities.
- Visual Arts Studio: Extensive instruction spanning studio art, ceramics, sculpture, photography, and darkroom practice.
- Co-Curricular Arts: Specialized programs like Drawing at the Met, utilizing local museum collections for direct observational study.
Students build technical proficiency while regularly sharing creative work through public exhibitions and live performances.
Athletics
The Beavers athletic program focuses on skill development, team collaboration, and competitive excellence across regional independent school leagues.
| Athletics Metric | Program Statistics |
| League Affiliation | Founding member of the Athletic Association of Independent Schools (AAIS) |
| Varsity Offerings | 14 Varsity sports teams across Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons |
| Middle & JV Teams | Sub-varsity levels (V/VI, VII/VIII, and JV) across soccer, basketball, volleyball, track, and lacrosse |
| Dedicated Facility | Dedicated off-site athletics hub at the Brearley Field House |
The athletic department provides structured coaching that balances physical conditioning, sportsmanship, and high-level competition.
Clubs & Activities
Brearley offers student-led clubs and affinity groups that allow students to explore shared interests, lead initiatives, and build community.
- Academic & STEM Clubs: Competitive groups such as Math Team, Coding Club, Chess Club, and Robotics.
- Publications & Humanities: Student publications, Creative Writing Club, and Model UN / Debate organizations.
- Leadership & Spirit: Student Government and the Athletic Association (organizing schoolwide events like Field Day and Mountain Day).
- Social Justice & Service: Diversity Club, Community Engagement Committee, and the Brearley Environmental Action Committee (BEAC).
These activities give students direct opportunities to practice leadership, project organization, and peer advocacy.
Notable Alumnae of The Brearley School
The legacy of The Brearley School is best reflected in the remarkable achievements of its graduates, who embody the school’s commitment to academic rigor, creative expression, and community leadership. Across diverse fields, including public health, fine arts, entertainment, media, and technology, Brearley alumnae have left an indelible mark on their communities and the world at large.
- Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney: A renowned sculptor, art collector, and philanthropist who founded the Whitney Museum of American Art, shaping the landscape of modern American artistic expression.
- Dr. Mary Steichen Calderone: A pioneering physician, advocate, and co-founder of SIECUS whose landmark efforts transformed public health policy and sex education awareness nationwide.
- Jill Clayburgh: An Academy Award–nominated and Cannes Film Festival–winning actress whose acclaimed performances across film, television, and theater reflected the creative confidence nurtured at Brearley.
- Eva Chen: Author and Director of Fashion Partnerships at Instagram—and former Editor-in-Chief of Lucky magazine—whose leadership at the intersection of media and digital culture showcases the school’s innovative spirit.
- Elisabeth Murdoch: Prominent media executive, philanthropist, and founder of Shine Group, whose entrepreneurial vision and industry influence demonstrate the strategic leadership fostered by the school.
These distinguished graduates serve as a powerful inspiration to current students, illustrating that a foundation built on intellectual curiosity and a commitment to purpose can lead to extraordinary success. Their accomplishments continue to define the Brearley legacy, demonstrating that with the right tools and support, students are prepared to make a meaningful, lasting impact on the world.
Expert Guidance for Brearley’s Selective Admissions Process
Admission to The Brearley School is exceptionally rigorous, with single-digit acceptance rates at competitive entry points. Success requires navigating a multi-layered evaluation, where both standardized test scores and Brearley’s own challenging math and English assessments are critical.
Cardinal Education provides the comprehensive, strategic support families need to master both layers of testing, navigate complex admissions timelines, and present a compelling, holistic profile that stands out to the admissions committee.
Related Articles:
Brearley’s Sister Schools: The Collegiate and Chapin Connection
Inside Brearley’s Socratic Seminar Approach to Humanities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brearley a religious school?
Does Brearley require standardized testing?
What is the Brearley acceptance rate?
What is The Brearley School known for?
How big is the Asian American population at Brearley?
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