We hope to have the opportunity to share with you all that Gerstell Academy has to offer. Please call the Admissions Office to schedule a private tour at any time during the week. Tours are conducted on weekdays throughout the year and during the summer. Call us to schedule a visit. The Director of Admissions may be reached directly by calling 410-861-4400. Feel free to review our Admissions materials by requesting a View Book and other Admissions materials.
Application and Application Fee
Application to Gerstell Academy should begin during the fall preceding the year of expected enrollment. Applications may be obtained by calling or e-mailing the admissions office. Applications will be accepted between October and January. The admissions process must be completed by the first week in January in order to be considered for admission by the February 14th notification date. Although applications will be accepted after January, openings cannot be assured in each class. Applications received after the deadline will be handled as space is available and on a rolling timetable. Once the Application for Admission is completed, please return the forms to Gerstell with the $40.00 application fee.
The Gerstell Academy Application for Admission may be downloaded from our website and printed using Adobe Reader.
Student Evaluation and Visit
Upon receipt of the application, the Admissions Office will contact each applicant’s parent or guardian to schedule a date and time for an evaluation/visit. Please call to reschedule if it is not possible to attend the appointed session.
Pre-Kindergarten –Kindergarten
Children to be considered for the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs will be evaluated at Gerstell Academy. Evaluations will be held in a small group setting during the month of January.
Pre-First Grade
Students applying to Pre-First Grade are tested during the month of January. Pre-First is a potential point of entry in the Gerstell Lower School.
Grades 1 through Grade 5
Children applying to first grade will spend part of the day at Gerstell. While visiting, students will spend some time in a classroom and participate in a Lower School evaluation to assist us in determining placement.
Children applying to second through fifth grade will spend the day at Gerstell from 8:30 a.m. through 3:15 p.m. During the day, applicants will have an opportunity to participate in a variety of subject areas ranging from math, reading and writing to music, physical education and art. Visiting students will also participate in a Lower School evaluation.
Grades 6 through Grade 12
Students applying to the Middle School should register to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) between October and February of the year preceding admission. The ISEE may be taken at any school listed on the ISEE registration information. You may register for the ISEE online at http://www.erbtest.org/pages/ERB_ISEE.html. Please be sure to request on the registration form that results be forwarded to Gerstell Academy, school code 211213. The ISEE will be administered at Gerstell Academy again on Saturday, December 8th, 2012 and March 23rd, 2013.
Shadow Days
As part of the admissions process, middle and upper school applicants are invited to spend the school day visiting with middle/upper school students and faculty. The day begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 3:15/3:55 p.m.Students are encouraged to participate in class discussions. During their visit, students will participate in a both an assessment and interview with an Admissions’ representative. Visiting students will also interview with the Head of Middle/ and or Upper School. Lunch is provided upon request.
Middle/Upper School Admissions
Parents of candidates meet with the respective Heads of School in an informal interview setting to further understand the curriculum, scheduling, and extracurricular opportunities.
