Ransom Everglades Acceptance Rate | Your Guide to Admission

Quick Answer for Busy Parents

Ransom Everglades is a competitive, coeducational college preparatory day school in Coconut Grove, Florida, serving grades 6–12. Admission requires the SSAT or ISEE, Character Skills Snapshot, teacher and administrator recommendations, an interview, and student & parent statements. Applications open in September, with decisions released March 1. With an acceptance rate historically between 10 and 20 percent, RE seeks students who bring curiosity and character to its rigorous academic community.

Why Do Families Choose Ransom Everglades?

Ransom Everglades traces back to 1903 and took its current form in 1974, when the Ransom School for Boys merged with the Everglades School for Girls. Today the school pairs a demanding core curriculum with standout signature programs: the Constance & Miguel Fernandez STEM Center, hands-on marine science and bay research that leads many students to earn SCUBA certification, the Dan Leslie Bowden Fellowships in the Humanities, an annual bridge-building competition, and a business plan challenge. Families are also drawn to RE’s academic results, which have made it the top-ranked private high school in Florida.

Classes average 14 students, with a 1:8 teacher-to-student ratio, and 72% of faculty hold advanced degrees. The student body is genuinely multicultural: 64% of students identify as multicultural, and 53% speak a language other than English at home.

How Hard Is It to Get Into Ransom Everglades?

Ransom Everglades does not publish an exact acceptance rate, but admission has historically ranged between 10 and 20 percent, making it one of the more selective independent schools in South Florida. The school evaluates applicants holistically: academic records, an interview, writing samples, standardized testing, and the Character Skills Snapshot all factor into a decision, and RE has said directly that strong grades and test scores alone do not guarantee admission. Families should also know that RE recommends applying to at least one additional school, since admission is never guaranteed, even for legacy and sibling applicants.

Top Tips for Applying

• Take the Character Skills Snapshot seriously because it is a key factor in the admissions process.
• Attend an admission event, such as an open house or campus tour, before applying.
• Register for the SSAT or ISEE early because testing dates fill up quickly.

Best Practices for Families

• Schedule your admissions interview as soon as MyCompass opens in September.
• Request recommendation letters from your child’s teachers and school administrator well before the deadline.
• Submit your completed application well in advance of the deadline.

What Is the Admissions Process at Ransom Everglades?

The first step in the admissions process is to submit an online inquiry and sign up for an admission event, which could be a campus tour or an open house. After you visit the school, you may then proceed with the application following these steps:

1. Attend a Campus Tour or Open House
2. Submit the Online Application — Parent Questionnaire, Student Statement
3. Upload Transcripts
4. Register for the SSAT or ISEE
5. Complete the Character Skills Snapshot
6. Delegate Recommendation Letters — Current Math & English Teacher, Principal/counselor/school administrator
7. Schedule Student & Parent Interview
8. Await Decisions

Ransom Everglades Admissions Calendar and Key Dates

What Are the Ransom Everglades Application Requirements?

Parent Questionnaire

In applying to Ransom Everglades, parents are required to answer a parent questionnaire. This is the admissions committee’s window into your family’s values and how your child will contribute to the campus culture, rather than just a place to restate a resume. The school seeks to understand the relationship between the student and the family and whether both are a good fit for the RE community.

How to write a compelling parent questionnaire:

Focus on specific anecdotes that illustrate your child’s character, values, and personal development instead of simply listing accomplishments. Use these stories to demonstrate alignment with Ransom Everglades’ mission. Learn how to write a compelling private school parent statement that leaves a lasting impression on admissions officers.

Student Questionnaire

The student questionnaire provides the admissions committee with a direct sense of your voice and perspective. Elaborate on your intellectual curiosity and problem-solving approach rather than providing a list of achievements. This is your opportunity to show that Ransom Everglades is the right environment for your intellectual growth and interests.

How to write an effective student questionnaire:

Focus on highlighting a particular moment of discovery or a unique experience where you showed growth rather than attempting to summarize an entire childhood of extracurriculars. It is essential to write in your own voice, as specific examples make a stronger impression than a long list of achievements. Learn how to develop an authentic writing voice that helps your student statements stand out.

Standardized Testing

Applicants submit either SSAT or ISEE scores, with no preference between the two. Families should focus on test preparation that aligns with the student’s learning style, as RE views these scores as just one part of a holistic profile. RE’s SSAT school code is 6004, and its ISEE school code is 101056.

How to prepare for the SSAT or ISEE:

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. Learn more about private school test prep.

Character Skills Snapshot

The Character Skills Snapshot is a critical tool for RE to understand the “whole child,” measuring intangibles like resilience, initiative, and social awareness that don’t appear in grades. This online assessment also measures intellectual curiosity, teamwork, responsibility, and open-mindedness. RE recommends completing it by January 15; please refer to the official testing portal for current fee information.

Recommendation Letters

A complete file includes two teacher recommendations (math and English) and one from a school administrator. Families should choose recommenders who know the student well enough to speak to their character and growth. It is helpful to provide recommenders with a summary of the student’s recent development and accomplishments to help them write a more impactful letter.

How to get the best recommendation letter:

To secure a strong recommendation letter, it is crucial for your child to build a genuine relationship with the teachers. Your child’s leadership in the school community is as important as their academic performance. For the recommendation to be of value, the teachers, principal, or school counselor must be able to talk about how your child plays a big role in the school community in terms of their leadership and how they model good behavior and excellent academic performance for their peers.

Transcripts

Applicants must submit their official school transcripts for the current school year and the two previous academic years. These should be requested through your child’s current school and submitted directly to Ransom Everglades via the online admissions portal.

How to improve grades:

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.

Student & Parent Interview

The interview is an essential part of the admissions process. It serves as a vital opportunity for the admissions committee to understand the student’s unique personality, intellectual interests, and how the family’s values align with the Ransom Everglades mission. Simultaneously, the interview allows the family to gain deeper insight into the Ransom Everglades community and its educational philosophy.

How to prepare for the admissions interview:

Approach the interview as a conversation rather than a performance. Students should be prepared to discuss their interests, achievements, and reasons for applying, while parents should thoughtfully explain why Ransom Everglades is the right fit for their family. Comprehensive interview preparation helps families communicate with confidence and authenticity, making a strong impression during the Ransom Everglades admissions interview.

Applying to Ransom Everglades?

Cardinal Education’s admissions consultants help families prepare a strong, authentic Ransom Everglades application, from the Character Skills Snapshot to the interview.

Schedule a Consultation

What Is the Student Life Like at Ransom Everglades?

At Ransom Everglades, student life is defined by a dynamic balance of intellectual rigor and vibrant community engagement. Students thrive in a supportive, multicultural environment that encourages exploration across academics, athletics, the arts, and a wide array of co-curricular pursuits.

Academics

Ransom Everglades offers a rigorous academic program that spans the humanities, sciences, and arts. The curriculum is designed to foster intellectual curiosity and prepare students for success at the most competitive colleges and universities.

• Constance & Miguel Fernandez STEM Center: Courses in computer science, robotics, and engineering.
• Marine Science & Bay Research: Hands-on field research and SCUBA certification opportunities.
• Dan Leslie Bowden Fellowships: Specialized research opportunities in the humanities.
• Bridge-Building Competition & Business Plan Challenge: Signature annual academic events.

The school’s academic excellence is reflected in its results, with historically over 90% of students achieving passing scores (3 or higher) on their AP exams.

Athletics

The athletic program at Ransom Everglades promotes teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness across a wide variety of competitive sports, utilizing top-tier facilities including an athletics field, docks, and a gymnasium.

The year-round sports performance program ensures athletes stay conditioned, a commitment reflected in the success of RE alumni who have reached professional and Olympic levels.

Arts

The arts at Ransom Everglades are an integral part of the student experience, offering over 55 visual and performing arts courses designed to inspire creativity and technical mastery.

• Performing Arts: Acting, orchestra, and dance.
• Visual Arts: Sculpture and digital art.
• Media Arts: Photography and various digital showcases.

Students enjoy regular opportunities to showcase their work to the community and compete for prestigious regional and national awards.

Activities

With more than 60 co-curricular clubs and organizations at the upper school alone, students can find a community for almost any academic, cultural, or personal interest.

This variety ensures that every student has the opportunity to develop leadership skills and pursue their passions outside the classroom.

Notable Students & Alumni of Ransom Everglades

Ransom Everglades prepares students to lead with intellectual curiosity and rigorous problem-solving skills. Graduates excel in diverse fields like athletics, the arts, law, and film, reflecting the school’s mission to nurture deep thinkers who make meaningful contributions. Notable alumni include:

1. Ashleigh Johnson: Two-time Olympic gold medalist and goalkeeper for the U.S. women’s water polo team.
2. Phil Lord: Academy Award-winning director known for works such as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and The Lego Movie.
3. Dave Barry: Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist and author best known for his long-running column in the Miami Herald.
4. Bruce Weitz: Emmy Award-winning actor best known for his role in the television series Hill Street Blues.
5. Ondi Timoner: Two-time Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize winner and acclaimed filmmaker.

These alumni showcase how a Ransom Everglades education empowers students to pursue their passions and make lasting impacts. Graduates matriculate to prestigious colleges and universities across the globe, continuing the school’s tradition of excellence and leadership in their chosen fields.

Is Ransom Everglades the Right Fit for Your Child?

Ransom Everglades rewards students who bring genuine curiosity, initiative, and character to a demanding academic community, not just strong test scores. For families who see that description in their child, the application process, from the Character Skills Snapshot to the interview, is designed to let that character show.

At Cardinal Education, our admissions consultants build a customized private school admissions strategy tailored to your child’s unique profile and intellectual interests. From guiding applicants through the nuances of the Ransom Everglades interview to coaching students to articulate their passions—whether in marine science, humanities research, or STEM—we ensure your application demonstrates deep alignment with Ransom Everglades’ collaborative, community-focused, and rigorous academic values.

Schedule a Consultation

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Working with Cardinal Education was the best decision my family ever made. Not only did they help me get into Ransom Everglades, but they also made me realize my worth and value as a student, which helped me become successful throughout high school.

— A Cardinal Education Family