Frequently Asked Questions

What is Breck's overall school size? What is the size of each academic division?
Breck enrolls approximately 1200 students in preschool through grade 12. While we are all in one building, each academic division's primary classrooms, administrative office, library, and dining room are clustered together within our campus. Our largest division is Upper School with approximately 450 students. The remaining 750 students are divided evenly among our middle and lower school.

What is an average class size?
In Breck's Lower School, the average class size is 16 (preschool and Kindergarten have two teachers per class). In grades 1-12, the average class size is 16-18 depending upon the grade and discipline being taught.

How do you help new students adjust to a new school?
Prior to the start of the school year, there are several opportunities for new students (and parents!) to make connections with other new and current students, whether that be a plaground play date for our Lower School students or a bowling night or similar activity for our Middle and Upper School students. We provide an Open House prior to the start of the school year where Lower School students can see their classroom and meet their teacher. Our Middle and Upper School students can walk through their schedule and meet their teachers during Open House and have an additional orientation meeting to assist them in their transition to Breck.

What are Breck's school hours? Do you offer after school care?
The school day starts at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 3:20 p.m. After school, and for an additional fee, we offer a quality after-school childcare program for students in preschool through grade four (Extended Day). Under the watchful eye of experienced staff, children play and work in a challenging, stimulating environment in a relaxed, non-stressful atmosphere. Middle school students may stay after school in a supervised study hall for no additional cost.

Do you offer additional learning or after school enrichment programs?
Yes! We are pleased to offer short courses through Breck After School Education (BASE) for a small fee. After school courses are offered on an array of topics taught by Breck faculty for students in grades 1-6.

What are the cut-off dates for preschool and kindergarten?
Students enrolling in Kindergarten must be 5 years old on the first day of school. Applicants to Breck's one year Preschool Program must be 4 when the school year begins. Families may choose to enroll a child in our two year Preschool program; applicants must have turned 3 by April 30 to be eligible. Please note, financial aid is available for students enrolling in Kindergarten and for Preschool students who are 4 when school begins.

My student is neurodiverse. What accommodations and/or support services are available to students at Breck?
Breck's Student Support Team works in collaboration with faculty, counselors, parents and students to help set students up for academic success in a developmentally appropriate way. Division-level and/or grade level teams meet regularly to discuss student needs and learning plans. Common accommodations and support include and are not limited to physical placement within a classroom, extended time for tests, and tutoring referrals.

We currently live our of state and relocating to the Twin Cities. How can we get to know Breck from afar?
We are happy to work with families exploring Breck in locations across the country and the globe. This page on our website details the ways families out of town can get to know Breck and how we can support you through a remote application process.

Do you accept international students?
Breck is an I-20 issuing institution, meaning we can support international students accepted to Breck in securing a visa to study at our school. 

Does Breck provide transportation?
Yes. Families enrolling at Breck may opt into our transportation program, which is door-to-door in most areas. In addition to transportation as the beginning and end of the school day. Breck also has an activity bus to accommodate students who stay after school for various activities on campus.

When should we schedule a campus visit?
While campus tours are not a required component of the application process, many families find it helpful to tour campus prior to submitting an application. In addition to scheduling a campus tour, we highly recommend attending an Open House or one of our smaller events. Please review our Admissions Events and Tour page of our website for more information and to register.

Do you offer a student shadow day?
Yes. Applicants to grades 1 through 12 have a required day visit as part of their application requirements. Applicants to Breck's Lower School will be contacted by a member of our team to schedule your day visit. For applicants to Breck's Middle and Upper School, the visit schedule may be accessed from your application checklist. In the fall months, day visits for inquiring students may be scheduled via a link on our admissions events page. Beginning in January and February, day visits are reserved for applicants only given the limited number of visit dates. We recommend scheduling your visit early, prior to the winter holiday season.

Can we attend athletic or performing arts events on campus?
Absolutely! Please contact our office for a list of dates and times; you are welcome to attend a home sporting event or any of our concerts and theatrical productions.

May we attend Chapel?
Yes; we are an Episcopal school and we understand that you may be curious about chapels and religion curriculum. Prospective families from any faither or non-faith background are welcome to join us for Chapel. Please call our office to schedule a Chapel visit as Chapel times vary based on the academic division and school schedule.

Are there opportunities to connect with the academic Division Director for the division in which my child would enter?
Division Directors, as well as other key school leaders, are in attendance at our Open Houses and Curriculum Night events. In addition, there are some other opportunities to connect with these leaders specific to the division you are exploring; details for division specific opportunities will be communication to families who have inquired and/or applied to Breck.

We do not live in the local area; do you offer a virtual tour and/or virtual admissions events?
For the safety and security of our campus, we do not offer a virtual tour. In the fall, we offer a few virtual session to review the application process as well as one session that outlines our financial aid application process. If you have plans to visit the area and do not see an available tour or event on our calendar, please contact our office for further assistance.

When should we begin the application process?
Applications for the 2026-27 school year are due February 1, 2026. Most families begin the process in the fall by first attending an admissions event and/or scheduling a campus tour. Please review this page of our website for more information about upcoming events and scheduling a campus visit.

How do I request an application? Is there a fee to apply?
Breck's application can be accessed from the Apply section within our website. All applications are completed and submitted electronically via our secure online application portal. An application fee of $75 is collected when the initial application form is completed. This fee is waived for families applying for financial assistance. 

When is the application due for priority consideration?
February 1, 2026. Applications that are received by this date and complete all required components of the application will receive an admissions decision at the end of March.

Do you accept applications after the priority deadline?
Applications received after February 1 are considered on a space available basis in April and/or later, depending upon when the application is submitted, Please note, financial aid grants are awarded in March to families that submit an application by the priority deadline. It is less likely that funds may be available to applicants that apply after the priority deadline.

What are your application requirements?
Application requirements vary by grade. A full list of requirements can be found within your application portal account and on this page of our website.

How will I know if my child's application is complete?
Every application has a checklist that you can monitor to track completion of your child's application. We will remind you when the application deadline is approaching and encourage you to log into your account to track your progress. 

When I should I schedule our admissions interview?
Admissions interview, referred to as the admissions conference in your application checklist, are conducted on the same date that your child visits campus, for either a day visit (grades 1-12) or their readiness assessment (preschool and kindergarten). We recommending scheduling your appointment prior the application deadline. 

Do you accept students for all grades?
Yes, our most common entry grades are preschool, kindergarten, 5th, 6th, and 9th grades. For each of these grades, we add between 10 - 30 students each year.

What criteria do you consider in the admissions process?
Admission to Breck is competitive and takes into consideration an applicant's developmental readiness or level of academic achievement, evidence of an an applicant's potential success in our college preparatory program, and a student and their family's alignment with our school's mission and values. The Admissions Committee carefully reviews each application file and identifies those applicants who present the strongest academic promise and fit for Breck's distinct campus culture.

Is a standardized test required for admission?
Testing requirements vary by entering grade. For applicants to preschool through 4th grade, families can register via their application portal for a testing appointment during the week. For applicants to grades 5-12, students register for a testing session held on select Friday and Saturdays in December, January, and February. Application testing requires no advance preparation; the assessment provide a real time snapshot of a student's aptitude in core areas of academic development. For Middle and Upper school applicants, Breck administers the ERB, which is a standardized test given at top independent school across the country. Students may sit for the exam at Breck or submit scores from one of the following exams: ISEE, SSAT, PSAT, SAT, or ACT. 

What kinds of admissions decisions are made?
Applicants to Breck may be accepted, extended a place in our wait pool, or denied admission. We maintain a very small wait pool that we consider in the event that space is available in the grade to which you applied. 

Breck is our first choice. Should we submit applications to other schools?
We are thrilled that Breck aligns with the educational goals you have for your child's next school experience. While we are encouraged when families articulate their enthusiasm for our school, each application cycle is different and we can never predict whether or not admission will be possible. With this in mind, we encourage families to consider a range of school options. 

At what age may my child enroll in kindergarten and preschool?
Students enrolling in kindergarten must be 5 years old on the first day of school. Applicants to Breck's one year preschool program must be 4 when the school year begins. Families may choose to enroll a child in our two year preschool program; applicants must have turned by 3 by April 30th to be eligible. Please note, financial aid is available for students enrolling in kindergarten and for preschool students who are 4 when the school year begins.

How much is tuition? Are there additional costs?
Tuition fees vary by grade; tuition includes classroom instruction, our lunch program, and a laptop (for students in grades 5 and above). Additional costs may vary depending upon a family's needs and/or student interests. For example, our after school care program and our transportation option incur additional fees. A full overview of tuition and fees can be found here.

Does Breck offer financial assistance?
Yes. Our longstanding commitment to our financial aid program has been pivotal to ensuring that Breck remains an accessible community. In 2024-2025, 358 students (30% of the student body) were awarded financial aid grants in excess of $9 million. The amounts varied from $1,000 to full tuition and, in some instances, books and transportation. Grants carry no obligation of payment back to the school.

What is the process to apply for financial assistance?
Breck partners with Clarity to collect the required information and documentation needed to illustrate a family's financial need. Please review the information within the financial aid section our website for required documents and timeline. Financial Aid applications are due February 1, 2026.

Will applying for financial assistance affect my child's chance of admission?
While our financial aid budget is generous, it has limitations too. Sometimes, we are unable to accept a talented applicant because we do not have sufficient financial aid available in the grade to which they applied. We will only accept an applicant for whom we are able to meet a family's full demonstrated need.

Who can I contact with questions about the financial aid application process?
For questions about Breck's financial aid program, please contact Carrie Lennox in Breck's Admissions Office (763.381.8204). For questions about our Financial Aid application software, please contact Clarity's customer support for assistance.