Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Q. When do we begin the application process?
A. Applications for the 2024-25 school year are due February 1, 2024. Most families begin the process in the fall by first attending an admissions event and/or scheduling a campus tour. Please see the Visit section of our website for more information about upcoming admission events and scheduling a campus visit.
Q. When should we schedule a campus visit?
A. While campus tours are not a required component of the application process, some families find it helpful to tour campus prior to scheduling an admissions conference with a member of the admissions staff.
Q: 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 18 depending on the grade and discipline being taught.
Q: Do you offer after school care and enrichment programs?
A: Yes; 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. Extended Day is a place for friendships to continue in familiar Breck surroundings. Middle school students may stay after school in a supervised study hall for no additional cost.
Q: Does Breck provide transportation?
A: Yes. Families enrolling at Breck may opt in to our transportation program, which is door-to-door in most areas. In addition to transportation at 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.
Application and Admission Testing Questions
Q: How do I request an application?
A: 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.
Q: Do you accept students for all grades?
A: Yes; our most common entry grades are Preschool, Kindergarten, 5th, 6th, and 9th grades. For each of these grades, we add between 15-30 students each year.
Q: 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 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.
Q: What criteria do you consider in the admission process?
A: Admission to Breck is competitive and takes into consideration a variety of factors, including the applicant’s academic strengths, the ways the applicant will get involved in the community outside of the classroom, as well as space availability in the grade to which the student has applied. The Admission Committee is comprised of members of the admissions team, school division directors, and faculty. In carefully reviewing each application file, the committee looks to identify the applicants who present the strongest academic promise and fit for Breck’s distinct campus culture.
Q.Is a standardized test required for admission?
A. 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 Saturdays in November, December, January, and February. Application testing requires no advance preparation; the assessments 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 day schools 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.
Financial Aid Questions
Q: What is the process to apply for financial aid?
A: 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 of our website for required documents and timeline. Financial Aid applications are due February 1, 2024.