Severn School | Apply to Severn

The Severn Way

At Severn, our values are our compass. Our teachers model the curiosity, respect and intellectual agility that we are instilling in every student - including the idea that it's cool to be smart. We aren't just meeting requirements, we're building community and redefining leadership. Come experience Severn for yourself!

Show Your Support

Donations are what make it possible to provide the innovative, inclusive, and forward-thinking education that defines the Severn experience. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our alums, parents, and friends, every Admiral has the opportunity to discover what matters and reach their full potential.

Douglas, Class of 2024

"Severn has challenged me in and out of class to follow my passions and be a self-advocate. Not only are my teachers approachable and make things like office hours easy, but the upperclassmen since I have been here have done a great job leading by example, helping to energize the student body."

How to Apply

The Severn application process is thoughtfully designed to allow us to get to know you, and to help you get the full Severn experience when you visit. It includes three important steps:

Step 1: Admission Inquiry
Submitting an inquiry allows us to create your family profile, share important information with you that is tailored to your interests, and schedule a campus tour.

Step 2: Apply
The application is completed online and includes a $60 application fee. Transcripts, letters of recommendations and ISEE test results are also required as part of the application. Please review the grade-level details below for specific requirements and due dates.

Step 3: Visit (Interview, Class Visit)
An interview is a required part of the application process and will be scheduled once your application has been submitted. Class visits are optional, but if your student would like to participate in a class visit, the visit and interview will be scheduled for the same day.

Severn Entry Points
The major entry points for new students entering Severn School are preschool for the Lower School, sixth grade for the Middle School, and ninth grade for the Upper School. However, if you are interested in other grades as an entry point to Severn, please reach out to us to discuss space availability. Please see below for details according to grade level and forms.

Grade-Specific Application Details & Deadlines
Please review the specific application details for the grade that you are applying for.

List of 3 items.

Pre-school-Grade 1: Admissions Process

APPLY
The Online Application (and $60 application fee) must be submitted.

NOTE: The first application deadline for the 2023-24 school year has passed. If you are interested in applying for the 2023-24 school year, please first call the Admission Office to discuss availability for the grade level of your student(s). Applications received from January 7 forward are being considered on a rolling basis.

REQUEST TRANSCRIPTS
For students applying for kindergarten and first grade, records from their current school are required. This is all done electronically. Once you apply online, login and go to the checklist. Click on the Transcript Request button and email the request directly to your child's current school after the first term of the current year. Transcripts must be submitted directly to Severn School.

REQUEST TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS
If your child is enrolled now or has been enrolled in a previous school, we request a teacher recommendation. This is all done electronically. Once you apply online, login and go to the checklist. Click on the Teacher Recommendation button and email the request directly to your child's teacher after the first term of the current year. Recommendations must be submitted directly to Severn School online.

ARRANGE FOR OBSERVATION
Applicants to our Early Childhood Division are required to participate in an observation. Ms. Sue Richburg will provide more details for each grade level.

All applicants for Preschool and Prekindergarten must be potty trained by the start of school.

CONVERSATION WITH ADMISSION REPRESENTATIVE
Parents are invited to sit down with Sue Richburg for approximately 20 minutes during the child’s visit. This is a time to ask questions and learn more about the Lower School.
Grades 2-5: Admissions Process

APPLY
The Online Application (and $60 application fee) must be submitted.

NOTE: The first application deadline for the 2023-24 school year has passed. If you are interested in applying for the 2023-24 school year, please first call the Admission Office to discuss availability for the grade level of your student(s). Applications received from January 7 forward are being considered on a rolling basis.

REQUEST TRANSCRIPTS
For students applying for grades 2-5, records from their current school are required. This is all done electronically. Once you apply online, login and go to the checklist. Click on the Transcript Request button and email the request directly to your child's current school after the first term of the current year. Transcripts must be submitted directly to Severn School.

REQUEST TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS
For students applying for grades 2-5, one teacher recommendation is required. This is all done electronically. Once you apply online, login and go to the checklist. Click on the Teacher Recommendation button and email the request directly to your child's teacher after the first term of the current year. Recommendations must be submitted directly to Severn School online.

ARRANGE FOR OBSERVATION
Applicants are required to participate in an observation. Ms. Sue Richburg will provide more details for each grade level.

CONVERSATION WITH ADMISSION REPRESENTATIVE
Parents are invited to sit down with Sue Richburg for approximately 20 minutes during the child’s visit. This is a time to ask questions and learn more about the Lower School.
Grades 6-12: Admissions Process

APPLY
The Online Application (and $60 application fee) must be submitted.

NOTE: The first application deadline for the 2023-24 school year has passed. If you are interested in applying for the 2023-24 school year, please first call the Admission Office to discuss availability for the grade level of your student(s). Applications received from January 7 forward are being considered on a rolling basis.

REQUEST TRANSCRIPTS
For students applying for grades 6-12, records from their current school are required. This is all done electronically. Once you apply online, login and go to the checklist. Click on the Transcript Request button and email the request directly to your child's current school after the first term of the current year. Transcripts must be submitted directly to Severn School. Transcripts must be received no later than January 20.

REQUEST TEACHER RECOMMENDATION
For students applying for grades 6-12, two teacher recommendations are required - one from your child's current English teacher and one from your child's current Math teacher to be submitted directly to Severn School. This is all done electronically. Once you apply online, login and go to the checklist. Click on the Teacher Recommendation button and email the requests directly to your child's teachers after the first term of the current year. Recommendations must be submitted directly to Severn School online. Recommendations must be received no later than January 10.

SCHEDULE INTERVIEW
A scheduled interview is required of all applicants. This is a casual conversation that allows time for us to learn more about your family, your child and your expectations.

If your child is joining us for a class visit, the interviews will be scheduled for that day. Once we receive your application, an admission officer will contact you to arrange a date and time. Interviews must be completed by January 20.

TESTING
Applicants should complete the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) by January 14, 2023. There are several testing options available, including online, paper-based, and at-home administrations. If you opt to take the test on a scheduled test date, these tests do not have to be taken at Severn, and may be taken at any school offering the exam. However, you must request on the registration form that the results be forwarded to Severn. Our school code for the ISEE is 210945. Click here to learn more about testing options and for registration. In-person testing registration closes three weeks prior to the testing date, and many test sites will fill up so please register early. Walk-ins are accepted, space permitting, although there is an additional fee.