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Entry points, the ISAAGNY process, testing, interviews, and life at Berkeley Carroll’s Middle and Upper School
Quick Answer for Busy Parents
Berkeley Carroll is a PreK–12 college preparatory school in Brooklyn’s Park Slope with more than 1,000 students. Grade 9 is a main entry point; Grades 5–8 and 10–11 enroll by attrition. For 2027–28, the core application is due November 16, 2026, and completed applications are due January 8, 2027. Applicants submit ISAAGNY forms, a report card and transcript, and ISEE or SSAT results; Upper School adds an Online Writing Exercise. Interviews are by invitation.
Why Do Families Choose Berkeley Carroll?
“At Berkeley Carroll, every person is the most important person.” The school describes an education that is rigorous, joyful, and meaningful, cultivating critical, ethical, and global thinkers who are respected and accepted, empowered and supported. Families choose Berkeley Carroll for academic depth, including Upper School Independent Research and a three-year Science Research & Design sequence where students design their own experiments. They choose it for belonging, with affinity spaces in every division. And they choose it for Brooklyn itself: Middle School’s Project NYC and Upper School travel programs take learning beyond the classroom, and every graduate enrolls in college.
Berkeley Carroll Fast Facts
| Category | Details |
| School type | Private, non-sectarian, co-ed, college preparatory day school |
| Middle/Upper School | 181 Lincoln Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217 |
| Lower School | 701 and 712 Carroll Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215 |
| Divisions | Lower (PreK–4), Middle (5–8), Upper (9–12) |
| Enrollment | 1,000+ |
| Class size and ratio | Not published by the school |
| Athletics | 9 sports, 40 teams |
| College enrollment | 100% |
| Transportation | Bus service |
| Access partners | Prep for Prep, Oliver Scholars, TEAK Fellowship, Boys’ Club NYC, Breakthrough Collaborative |
How Hard Is It to Get Into Berkeley Carroll?
Berkeley Carroll doesn’t publish an acceptance rate or a number of open seats. Two factors shape your odds. Grade 9 is a main entry point, while Grades 5–8 and 10–11 depend on attrition, so openings vary. And interviews are by invitation with limited slots; if applications exceed interview times, the process may close early. Families often compare Berkeley Carroll with other Brooklyn and Manhattan independent schools that share the ISAAGNY calendar.
Top Tips for Applying
- Submit the core application well before November 16.
- Delegate the teacher recommendation after October 30.
- Prepare for the ISEE or SSAT, and the Online Writing Exercise for Grades 9–12.
- Send the parent statement before your interview.
Best Practices for Families
- Attend an Open House; it’s strongly encouraged for Grades 5–11.
- Ask about attrition-based openings in your child’s grade.
- Plan your ISAAGNY essay early.
- Track notification and reply dates across schools.
Is the Interview Required at Berkeley Carroll?
Interviews for Middle and Upper School applicants are by invitation. Grades 9–12 include the student and a parent or guardian, and slots are limited, so early submission matters.
The Berkeley Carroll Admissions Process
- Create a Ravenna account to see your grade-specific checklist.
- Submit the core application by November 16, 2026.
- Attend an Open House (strongly encouraged for Grades 5–11).
- Complete the ISAAGNY Common Applicant Essay, Student Activity and Interest Form, and Parent/Guardian Statement.
- Delegate the ISAAGNY Teacher Recommendation and request the official transcript.
- Take the ISEE or SSAT, plus the Online Writing Exercise for Grades 9–12.
- Complete an interview if invited.
- Receive your decision on February 10 (Grades 5–8) or February 19 (Grades 9–12), 2027.
Berkeley Carroll Admissions Calendar
| Milestone | Date | Notes |
| Applications open | September 1, 2026 | Through Ravenna |
| Teacher recommendations delegated | No earlier than October 30, 2026 | ISAAGNY Teacher Recommendation Form |
| Core application due | November 16, 2026 | Grades K–12 |
| Completed application due | January 8, 2027 | Including ISAAGNY Parent/Guardian Statement |
| Notification, Grades 5–8 | February 10, 2027 | ISAAGNY date |
| Notification, Grades 9–12 | February 19, 2027 | ISAAGNY date |
| Reply deadline | February 26 (5–8); March 11 (9–12), 2027 |
Berkeley Carroll Application Requirements
| Requirement | Grades 5–8 | Grades 9–12 |
| 2025–26 report card | Yes | Yes |
| Official school transcript | Yes | Yes |
| ISAAGNY Common Applicant Essay and Student Activity and Interest Form | Yes | Yes |
| ISAAGNY Common Parent/Guardian Statement | Yes | Yes |
| ISAAGNY Teacher Recommendation | Yes | Yes |
| ISEE or SSAT | Yes | Yes |
| Online Writing Exercise | No | Yes |
| Interview | Student, by invitation | Student and parent/guardian, by invitation |
ISAAGNY Forms
Students complete the Common Applicant Essay and Student Activity and Interest Form, and families complete the Common Parent/Guardian Statement. Berkeley Carroll asks families to submit the statement soon after applying and before the interview, even though the official deadline is January 8.
Teacher Recommendation and Records
The ISAAGNY Teacher Recommendation goes directly to Berkeley Carroll; delegate it no earlier than October 30, 2026. Families also submit the 2025–26 report card and an official transcript.
Testing and Writing
Applicants register for the ISEE or SSAT at Admission.org. Upper School applicants also complete an Online Writing Exercise.
Preparing for ISAAGNY and the Interview?
We help students write with voice, test with confidence, and interview naturally.
Can My Child Apply to Grades 10 or 11?
Yes, though new students in Grades 1–8 and 10–11 are enrolled based on attrition, so openings depend on the year.
Student Life at Berkeley Carroll
Academics
Departments include arts, computer science, English, history, math, physical education, science, and world languages. In Science Research & Design, Upper School students move from Introduction to Science Research and Design in Grade 10, to designing an independent project in Grade 11, to a Grade 12 symposium where they analyze and present their findings. Middle School students take part in Explorations and Project NYC, and Upper School students can join Independent Research and travel programs.
Activities
Students join Speech and Debate, student publications, student leadership, and co-curriculars like the fall chess tournament. Affinity spaces run in every division.
Athletics
Berkeley Carroll fields 40 teams across 9 sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, and volleyball.
Arts
The arts program spans dance, theater, music, and visual arts. The Upper School theater department’s fall production is Come From Away, and ensembles include an Upper School jazz ensemble.
Summer Programs
BC Summer offers summer programming; check the school’s site for current options.
Notable Berkeley Carroll Alumni
- Sarah Paulson: Emmy Award-winning actress.
- Fabiano Caruana: chess grandmaster
- Adam Ottavino: MLB pitcher
- Richie Palacios: MLB player for the Tampa Bay Rays
- Rebecca Naomi Jones: Broadway actress
- Margaret Farrar: first New York Times crossword editor
- Helen Gahagan Douglas: actress and congresswoman
Is Berkeley Carroll Right for Your Child?
Berkeley Carroll suits students who want rigorous academics, real research, and a community that values who they are. We help families decide whether it fits and apply early and well.
Let’s Plan Your Berkeley Carroll Application
From ISAAGNY forms to the interview, we’ll help your family plan with confidence.
Related Articles:
Applying to Berkeley Carroll Through ISAAGNY: Essays, Statements, and Key Dates
Inside Berkeley Carroll’s Science Research & Design Program