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Quick Answer for Busy Parents
Getting into Brooks School means submitting a complete application by January 15, 2027, through either the Gateway to Prep Schools or SAO portal, including an SSAT or ISEE score, a personal statement, a parent statement, and recommendations from a principal or counselor plus English and math teachers. Every applicant also completes a required interview, either a 2-hour in-person visit or a 1-hour virtual session.
With roughly 370 students total and an acceptance rate estimated around 25%, Brooks is genuinely selective. Decisions are posted March 10, 2027, via the Veracross Admission Portal, and enrollment contracts are due April 10.
Why Do Families Choose Brooks School?
Founded in 1926 on the shores of Lake Cochichewick in North Andover, Massachusetts, Brooks School has been coeducational since 1979 and today describes its mission as providing “the most meaningful educational experience” its students will have in their lives. With an average class size of 11 and a 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio, Brooks pairs small classes with a genuinely residential, close-knit community, alongside distinctive programs like the three-week Winter Term and an Exchange Program running continuously since 1986.
Independent verification backs up the school’s reputation: Niche currently rates Brooks an overall A+, with A+ marks in Academics, College Prep, and Clubs & Activities specifically, and ranks the school #2 among private high schools in Essex County, based on a 4.39-out-of-5 average across 69 reviews.
Academic & Community Snapshot
| Category | Detail |
| Total Enrollment | 370 students, grades 9-12 |
| Average Class Size | 11 students |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 5:1 |
| Advanced Coursework | 19 AP courses (161 total credit courses; 65 elective options) |
| Faculty with Advanced Degrees | 80% |
| College Counseling Team | 4 dedicated college counselors |
| Students of Color (U.S.) | 30% |
How Hard Is It to Get Into Brooks School?
Brooks doesn’t publish an official acceptance rate. Third-party aggregators commonly cite a figure around 25%, notably lower than the boarding school average, though this isn’t a school-confirmed statistic and should be treated as an estimate. Families researching similarly positioned New England boarding schools frequently also consider The Governor’s Academy, Pingree School, St. John’s Preparatory School, Middlesex School, and Phillips Academy.
What the Admissions Committee Weighs
- SSAT or ISEE scores (PSAT/SAT/ACT also accepted, primarily for grades 10-11)
- The personal statement and parent statement
- Recommendations from a principal/counselor plus English and math teachers
- The required interview (in-person or virtual)
Top Tips for Brooks Applicants
- Confirm which application portal, Gateway or SAO, applies to your family early in the process
- Treat the required interview as seriously as the SSAT or ISEE score
- If applying from mainland China, schedule the Vericant interview well before December 1
Best Practices for Families
- Request English and math teacher recommendations well ahead of the January 15 deadline
- Attend at least one admissions event; Brooks runs a substantial fall calendar, mostly online
The Brooks School Admission Process
- Choose Your Application Portal: Determine whether your family will apply through Gateway to Prep Schools or the Standard Application Online (SAO).
- Complete the Application: Submit the Candidate Profile, personal statement, transcript, and required recommendations (principal/counselor, English, and math teacher).
- Submit Testing: Take the SSAT or ISEE. Non-native English speakers submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores; mainland China applicants complete a required Vericant interview by December 1, 2026.
- Complete the Interview: Attend a 2-hour in-person visit (tour, student conversation, and parent/guardian discussion) or a 1-hour virtual interview.
- Complete Remaining Application Steps: Finish any outstanding checklist items in the Veracross Admission Portal.
- Receive Your Decision: Decisions are posted March 10, 2027, via the Veracross Admission Portal.
- Enroll: Enrollment contracts are due April 10, 2027.
Brooks School’s Admissions Calendar and Key Dates
- Application Deadline: January 15, 2027
- Vericant Interview Deadline (Mainland China applicants): December 1, 2026
- Decisions Posted: March 10, 2027, via the Veracross Admission Portal
- Enrollment Contracts Due: April 10, 2027
Beyond these key dates, campus visits play a central role in Brooks’ admissions calendar, with a full slate of fall events for prospective families:
| Event | Date | Notes |
| Preparing for Private School Admission | September 10, 2026, 6:30–7:30 PM | Joint event with The Governor’s Academy, Pingree School, and St. John’s Prep, at Pingree School |
| Fall Visit Day | September 26, 2026, 9:15–11:15 AM | On Brooks’ campus |
| Independent School League Admission Fair | October 1, 2026, 6:30–8:00 PM | 16 ISL schools; The Westin Waltham Boston |
| Chat with Parents | October 15, 2026, 7:00–7:45 PM | Online drop-in |
| Admission Fall Reception | October 22, 2026, 6:30–8:00 PM | Concord, Massachusetts |
| Athletics Info Session | October 27, 2026, 7:00–7:45 PM | Online |
| Drop-In Chat with the Head of School | October 30, 2026, 8:00–8:45 AM; November 5, 2026, 7:00–7:45 PM | Two sessions offered |
| All About Student Life at Brooks | November 10, 2026, 7:00–7:45 PM | Online |
| Academic Information Session | November 16, 2026, 7:00–7:45 PM | Online |
| All About Arts at Brooks | December 9, 2026, 7:00–7:45 PM | Online |
Application Requirements
Standardized Testing
To apply, your student will need to take a standardized test. For most applicants, this means taking either the SSAT or ISEE. If they are applying for 10th or 11th grade, the school will also accept PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores.
Additionally, if English is not your student’s first language, they will need to provide scores from an English proficiency test like the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test. If applying from mainland China, your student must also complete a Vericant interview by December 1, 2026.
Personal Statement and Parent Statement
Both the student and parents need to submit essays. Applicants submit a personal statement (the Candidate Personal Statement on Gateway, or Student Essays on SAO), and parents separately submit a parent or guardian statement.
Recommendations by Portal
| Portal | Required Recommendations |
| Gateway to Prep Schools | Principal/Counselor, English Teacher, Math Teacher (Personal Recommendation optional) |
| SAO (Standard Application Online) | Principal, English, Mathematics |
Interview
Required for every applicant: a 2-hour in-person visit (tour, student conversation, and parent/guardian discussion) or a 1-hour virtual session, with specific weekday time slots published on the school’s site. See our Interview Preparation page for guidance.
Applying to Brooks? Get Every Piece Right.
Between two possible application portals, a required SSAT or ISEE score, and an in-depth interview, a coordinated strategy matters. Cardinal Education helps families manage every piece of the Brooks application.
Student Life at Brooks School
Academics
Brooks’ curriculum spans Computer Science, English, Classical and World Languages, History, Mathematics, Science, and the Arts (Visual Arts, Theater, Music), delivered across 161 total credit courses including 19 AP offerings and 65 electives. Facilities include 8 science laboratories, a makerspace, a robotics lab, a Writing Center, and a Learning Center.
Activities and Community
Brooks runs a substantial slate of identity-based affinity groups, including the Asian Student Alliance, Black Students Union, Gender & Sexuality Alliance, Intercultural Student Association, and Students with Interracial Lives (Swirl), alongside its wider DEIB program. Winter Term, a three-week, one-topic intensive held every January, is Brooks’ signature academic tradition; see our companion article for the full story.
Athletics
Brooks fields 15 sports across 45 teams: Fall (Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Soccer, Volleyball), Winter (Basketball, Ice Hockey, Squash, Wrestling), and Spring (Baseball, Crew, Golf, Lacrosse, Softball, Tennis). Facilities include 10 playing fields, a boathouse and two rowing tanks, 8 tennis courts, 9 squash courts, 2 basketball courts, a hockey rink, and a fitness center.
Arts
Brooks’ arts program spans Visual Arts, Theater, and Music, supported by 2 theaters and 10 dedicated art and music rooms.
Global Programs
Since 1986, Brooks’ Exchange Program has sent students to live and study at partner schools abroad, most recently in Botswana, Hungary, Peru, and Scotland. See our companion article on Brooks’ Exchange Program for the full history.
Related Articles:
Inside Brooks School’s Winter Term: Three Weeks of Depth Over Breadth
Brooks School’s Exchange Program: A Global Classroom Since 1986
Notable Brooks School Alumni
- Endicott Peabody — Founded Brooks School in 1926, having previously established Groton School in 1884; his educational philosophy shaped both institutions.
- Michael Weatherly ’86 — Television actor and producer known for starring roles in NCIS, Bull, and Dark Angel.
Beyond these two, Brooks’ relatively small size and history mean its most visible public profile centers on the institution itself rather than a long roster of celebrity graduates; the school’s own alumni network is most active in college matriculation, with recent graduates most commonly attending Boston College, Northeastern, Boston University, Tufts, and Brown, among other selective colleges.
Getting Into Brooks School: What Actually Matters
Brooks’ admissions process is genuinely multi-layered: two possible application portals, a required SSAT or ISEE score, a personal and parent statement, and an interview weighted as heavily as any test. For international applicants, a Vericant interview deadline adds further complexity. Getting all of these pieces coordinated, on Brooks’ January 15 timeline, is where Cardinal Education’s consultants add the most value.
Frequently Asked Questions
My four years at Brooks School were among the most transformative of my life so far. I was challenged both academically and athletically, and through study hall and dorm life, I learned independence early on.
— A Brooks alumnus
Start Your Brooks School Application With a Plan
Cardinal Education helps families choose the right portal, prepare for the SSAT or ISEE, and get ready for the required interview.