The Application Process
1. Complete the online application in Ravenna.
We are here to guide you through the application process and invite you to connect with us before you begin. Please contact our admissions team to set up a time to talk by using our contact form or reaching out to us at 201-568-5566 ext. 7212 or admissions@elisabethmorrow.org.
When you are ready to begin your application, you will need to log in to Ravenna or create an account if you are new to the platform.
Note that some parts of the application process in Ravenna may be completed after you submit the online form:
- Parent Questionnaire: Through your answers, the Admissions Committee will get to know your child and your family by learning about your child’s interests, your family’s culture and traditions, and your aspirations for your child. This information also allows us to personalize your admissions journey and ensure we address the topics most important to your family during the process.
- Teacher Recommendation:* You’ll be asked to provide the name and email address of your child’s current teacher so we may seamlessly request and receive their recommendation through Ravenna’s teacher recommendation form. *If your child is very young and has not previously attended school, you are not required to complete this step.
- Optional Student Essay (Grades 6–8): Middle school applicants play an active role in the admissions process and have the opportunity, through the short essay form submitted through Ravenna, to tell the Admissions Committee about what interests them and what they are looking for in a middle school.
2. Submit academic records.*
Your child’s academic records or transcript must be sent from your current school directly to our admissions office:
The Elisabeth Morrow School
Attn: Admissions
435 Lydecker Street
Englewood, NJ 07631
admissions@elisabethmorrow.org
*If your child is very young and has not previously attended school, or if you do not receive written documentation of your child’s progress from their current school throughout the year, please skip this portion of the application.
3. Submit official ISEE scores (Grades 5–8).*
Middle school applicants must take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) and submit their official scores. Other forms of standardized testing may also be accepted; please inquire. *Applicants to the 2s program through fourth grade are not required to complete this step.
4. Complete an assessment (Early Childhood–Grade 4) or interview (Grades 5–8).
- After you have completed all previous application steps, an admissions representative will contact you to arrange a student assessment or interview.
- Applicants to the fifth through eighth grades will interview with an admissions representative and a member of the Morrow House faculty.
- All families are required to interview with a member of the admissions staff.
5. Review your decision notification in Ravenna.
Decisions will be posted to Ravenna on the dates below. Families who have received an offer of enrollment must confirm their intent by the applicable reply deadline. At that time, enrolling families will pay their deposit to secure their child’s spot for the coming year. Families who apply during the rolling admissions period will be required to reply within two weeks of their acceptance.
Enrolling families will receive a separate communication from our web-based enrollment partner, TADS/SSS, with instructions for completing the enrollment process at The Elisabeth Morrow School.
| Grade Entering | Notification Mailing | Parent Reply Deadline no later than noon on: |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | Mail or email on Friday, February 7 | Friday, February 14 |
| 2-, 3-, 4-year-olds | Mail or email on Thursday, February 27 | Thursday, March 5 |
| Grades 1–8 | Not before Tuesday, February 4 | Tuesday, February 25 |
| Grades 9–12 | Not before Thursday, February 13 | Thursday, March 12 |
LEGACY AND SIBLING NOTIFICATION DATES
| Grade Entering | Notification Mailing | Parent Reply Deadline no later than noon on: |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten and Grade 1 | Not before Wednesday, December 4 Not later than Monday, January 6 | Friday, January 10 |
| 2-, 3-, 4-year-olds | Not before Monday, December 2 Not later than Friday, January 17 | Friday, January 24 |
We can see your child at EMS. When you can see your child here, it’s time to apply.
The bridge between home and school is essential in fostering academic, social, and emotional development. That relationship begins the first time you connect with EMS.
FAQ
Are you still accepting applications?
Yes, the Office of Admissions is accepting applications for the 2022–2023 academic year, however, space is very limited. Contact the admissions office to determine if there are any openings in your child’s grade.
The application season for the 2023–2024 academic year will begin on Sept. 15, 2022.
What test scores are required?
Middle School Applicants (Grades 5–8) are required to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). We will also consider the SSAT and, in rare cases, ERB scores.
What level of English proficiency is required to enroll at EMS?
Children in the 2s program through third grade may enter EMS with limited English skills. In the fourth grade and above, we expect students to have the academic language to comprehend text and understand the academic language associated with social studies and science.
What is your qualifying age for enrollment?
Typically, candidates will be of qualifying age on or before October 1 in their year of entry.
| Grade Level/Program | Age | Date of Birth |
| 2s | 2 | On or before October 1 |
| 3s/4s | 3 | On or before October 1 |
| Kindergarten | 5 | On or before October 1 |
What changes to the admissions process can we expect as a result of COVID-19?
We will follow all of the same health and safety protocols with prospective families that we have implemented for our school community. Masking is currently optional on campus.
What is the cost of EMS?
| Grade Level | Tuition |
|---|---|
| Early Childhood programs (Ages 2–4) | $30,975.00 |
| Kindergarten | $32,865.00 |
| Grade 1 | $41,660.00 |
| Grade 2 | $41,660.00 |
| Grade 3 | $43,665.00 |
| Grade 4 | $43,665.00 |
| Grade 5 | $45,780.00 |
| Grade 6 | $45,780.00 |
| Grade 7 | $45,780.00 |
| Grade 8 | $45,780.00 |
| Other Fees: |
| Parents Association Dues: $330 per family |
| Agreement Fee (due on 1st installment): $50.00 (mandatory if not electing Plan A and paying Tuition in full) |
| Tuition Refund Plan: 1.25% (mandatory if not electing Plan A and paying Tuition in full) |
| Yearbook: $80 per student |
| Basic School Photo Package: $35 |
| Grades 5–8 Textbooks/Supplies: $400 |
| Grades 6–7 Extended Overnight Trip: $500 (health and safety conditions permitting) |
| Grade 8 Extended Overnight Trip and D.C. Trip: $1,000 (health and safety conditions permitting) |
| Optional Fees: |
| Lunch Program: Prices vary by selected entrée. |
| After School Child Care: $16/hour (up to 6 p.m.) |
| Other extracurricular activities and bus transportation are available for an additional fee. |
Not ready to apply yet?
We’d love to answer any questions you have about EMS. Let us know if you’d like us to contact you.
We also invite you to start at any of these points: