Admissions Process
Rivers seeks highly qualified students of proven academic ability and strong character for selected openings in grades 6 through 11. In addition, the Admissions Committee looks for students who will be strong citizens and contribute to our community through involvement in artistic, athletic, and co-curricular activities.
In making its decisions, the Admissions Committee closely evaluates a student's current transcript, standardized test scores, teacher recommendations, and the quality of the student and parent applications. A campus visit with a student-led tour and an interview with an admissions officer are also required.
No family should hesitate to apply to Rivers due to an inability to pay. Need-based financial aid is available to qualified applicants who file a separate application to Rivers through School and Student Services (SSS).
Rivers admits academically qualified students of any race, religion, sex, disability, or national origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally available to its students. Rivers does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, color, ethnic, or national origin in our admissions policies, educational policies, financial aid and loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.
How to Apply
Inquire Online
Please complete our inquiry form by clicking here.
Schedule an Interview and Virtual Tour
All families will need to set up an appointment for an admissions interview which will be conducted via Zoom this year. A virtual tour will be included as part of your interview experience. Please schedule this interview as soon as possible through your Ravenna account in order to ensure an interview time that works well with your schedule. Interviews must be completed by the end of January.
Please complete our inquiry form by clicking here.
Schedule an Interview and Virtual Tour
All families will need to set up an appointment for an admissions interview which will be conducted via Zoom this year. A virtual tour will be included as part of your interview experience. Please schedule this interview as soon as possible through your Ravenna account in order to ensure an interview time that works well with your schedule. Interviews must be completed by the end of January.
Register for Standardized Testing
If you are applying for grades 6, 7 or 8, we will accept scores for the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT). If you are applying for grades 9, 10 or 11, please register for the SSAT. The Rivers School code for the ISEE is 220610. The Rivers School code for the SSAT is 6058.
To register for the ISEE, please visit their website.
To register for the SSAT, please visit their website.
To register for the SSAT, please visit their website.
If you plan to take the Boston Exam Schools entrance test, please arrange to have those results forwarded to us directly.
Complete the Candidate and Parent Application
Complete the online Candidate Application Form and the Parent Application Form through your Ravenna account. Applications are due by January 15th. The non-refundable application fee is $50.00.
Complete the online Candidate Application Form and the Parent Application Form through your Ravenna account. Applications are due by January 15th. The non-refundable application fee is $50.00.
Complete forms in the online application
Within your Ravenna account, you are able to request recommendations from your English teacher, math teacher and guidance counselor/or principal/school administrator. An optional Special Interest Form is also available. We request that all records come directly from your student’s school.
Within your Ravenna account, you are able to request recommendations from your English teacher, math teacher and guidance counselor/or principal/school administrator. An optional Special Interest Form is also available. We request that all records come directly from your student’s school.
Request your official and current transcript to be either uploaded to Ravenna or sent directly to the Admissions office.
Applying for Financial Aid
If you are applying for financial aid, please follow the financial aid application guidelines outlined in the financial aid page. Be sure to submit all required paperwork by January 15th.
If you are applying for financial aid, please follow the financial aid application guidelines outlined in the financial aid page. Be sure to submit all required paperwork by January 15th.
Timeline
September - December
• Submit an inquiry to request our viewbook and set up a Ravenna account.
• Schedule your tour and interview
• Attend the Fall Open House on Saturday, October 24 at 10:00 a.m. (Virtual)
• Register for and take standardized testing required for admission.
• Attend one of our Rivers Webinars from 7-8:00 pm:
• Request recommendations from your English teacher, math teacher and guidance counselor or principal/school administrator. (Optional: Special Interest Form). Electronic forms are available through your Ravenna account.
• At the end of your first quarter or trimester, ask your school to either upload a copy of your official transcript to your Ravenna account, or send an official copy to our office.
December - January
• Continue to work on your Candidate Application Form and be sure your parents complete the Parent Application Form.
• Schedule your interview and campus tour if you have not done so yet.
• Attend either the Middle School Admissions Evening on Tuesday, Jan. 5th, from 7-8:30 p.m. or the Upper School Admissions Evening on Thursday, Jan. 7th, from 7-8:30 p.m.
• Complete your standardized testing requirements.
• Check with your teachers to make sure that they have submitted your
recommendations and that your school has sent in your official transcript.
• Applications for admission are due on January 15th.
• Applications for Financial Aid are due on January 15th.
March - April
• Notification of all admissions decisions will be available electronically on March 10th through Ravenna.
• All admitted students are invited to visit Rivers and attend classes with a student host.
• Submit an inquiry to request our viewbook and set up a Ravenna account.
• Schedule your tour and interview
• Attend the Fall Open House on Saturday, October 24 at 10:00 a.m. (Virtual)
• Register for and take standardized testing required for admission.
• Attend one of our Rivers Webinars from 7-8:00 pm:
• Tuesday, Sept. 29: Upper and Middle School Academics
• Tuesday, Oct. 13: Fall Sports
• Tuesday, Oct. 27: Upper and Middle School Student Life
• Tuesday, Nov. 10: Performing Arts
• Tuesday, Nov. 17: Winter Sports
• Tuesday, Dec. 1: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Thursday, Dec. 3: Spring Sports
• Tuesday, Dec. 15: The Parent Perspective
• Request recommendations from your English teacher, math teacher and guidance counselor or principal/school administrator. (Optional: Special Interest Form). Electronic forms are available through your Ravenna account.
• At the end of your first quarter or trimester, ask your school to either upload a copy of your official transcript to your Ravenna account, or send an official copy to our office.
December - January
• Continue to work on your Candidate Application Form and be sure your parents complete the Parent Application Form.
• Schedule your interview and campus tour if you have not done so yet.
• Attend either the Middle School Admissions Evening on Tuesday, Jan. 5th, from 7-8:30 p.m. or the Upper School Admissions Evening on Thursday, Jan. 7th, from 7-8:30 p.m.
• Complete your standardized testing requirements.
• Check with your teachers to make sure that they have submitted your
recommendations and that your school has sent in your official transcript.
• Applications for admission are due on January 15th.
• Applications for Financial Aid are due on January 15th.
March - April
• Notification of all admissions decisions will be available electronically on March 10th through Ravenna.
• All admitted students are invited to visit Rivers and attend classes with a student host.
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