Applying to Our Elementary Divisions

2024–2025 Ethical Culture Admissions Events

Ethical Culture Information Session

Wednesday 10/9 from 5:00–6:30pm

The information session will provide an opportunity on the Ethical Culture campus to hear from members of our leadership team, our Admissions Office, and current 6th Grade students. Topics covered will include our unique approach to progressive education, academic excellence, and ethical-based learning. Register to attend by completing our inquiry form here.

2024–2025 Fieldston Lower Admissions Events

Fieldston Lower Information Session

Tuesday 9/24 from 6:00–8:00pm

Join us on the Fieldston campus to hear from the Fieldston Lower leadership team, our Admissions Office, and a panel of current 5th Grade students. Topics covered will include our unique approach to progressive education, academic excellence, and ethical-based learning. Register to attend by completing our inquiry form here.

Explore Pre-K–1st Grade at Fieldston Lower (Online Event)

Thursday 10/24 from 7:00–8:00pm

Join us for an in-depth look into the early learning experience at Fieldston Lower. At Fieldston Lower, social and academic curricula are equally important. Topics covered will include our developmentally appropriate academic study through year-long themes, project-based experiential learning, and keeping ethics at the core of our curriculum. Time will be left for Q and A following the presentation. Register to attend here.

Explore 2nd Grade–5th Grade at Fieldston Lower (Online Event)

Tuesday 10/29 from 7:00–8:00pm

Join us online for an in-depth look into 2nd–5th Grade at Fieldston Lower. At Fieldston Lower social and academic curricula are equally important. Each grade designs its curriculum to present our students with skills they will need for the 21st century, specifically cognitive, interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills. Come hear about the experience of joining the Fieldston Lower community in these grades. Time will be left for Q and A following the presentation. Register to attend here.

Create a parent portal account in our online application system.

Our application fee, payable online, is $75. We are happy to provide a fee waiver to qualifying families who request one by contacting us at 718-329-7575.

• School report requests can be initiated using your parent portal checklist.
  • Note: School reports can be initiated using our online application portal. If you require a fillable PDF of a school report or teacher recommendation form, please contact our office. 
  • We do not require or accept standardized testing for Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade applicants. 

• School report requests can be initiated using the parent portal checklist.
  • Note: School reports can be initiated using our online application portal. If you require a fillable PDF of a school report or teacher recommendation form, please contact our office. 
  • We do not require or accept standardized testing for Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade applicants. 

Playgroups for all prospective Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade* students will take place in-person at the Fieldston campus in Riverdale.

This is regardless of which elementary division your family is applying to. Parents/guardians will be given a site tour of the Fieldston Middle and Upper campuses during their child’s playgroup. The on campus playgroup and Fieldston campus tour together last about 1½  hours. 

During the playgroup, two members of the admissions staff observe the children in a classroom setting. The children have an opportunity to interact with one another and work with age appropriate materials that are fun and familiar. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal.

Kindergarten playgroups begin in October and Pre-K playgroups begin in November. Playgroups are scheduled through January.

*Note: 1st Grade applicants applying only to our Ethical Culture division will not be scheduled for a play assessment as 1st Grade is an attrition-based entry point for that division. Families applying to 1st Grade who indicate on their application that they would like to be considered at both elementary divisions will be scheduled for a playgroup assessment. 

• Parents/guardians will have the opportunity to register for a tour of the division to which they are applying (either Ethical Culture or Fieldston Lower), which take place on mornings throughout the fall. These 1½ hour tours are conducted by parent volunteers and a member of the ECFS Admissions team and include a group Q&A meeting with a division administrator. Parents/guardians will use their parent portal checklist to self-schedule a date and time that is convenient for their family. 

• Families applying to Pre-K, Kindergarten, or 1st Grade (Fieldston Lower only) will attend a required, online one-on-one parent/guardian interview with a member of the ECFS Admissions team. Parents/guardians will use their parent portal checklist to self-schedule a date and time that is convenient for their family.

Create a parent portal account in our online application system.

Our application fee, payable online, is $75. We are happy to provide a fee waiver to qualifying families who request one by contacting us at 718-329-7575.

School report requests can be initiated using the parent portal checklist. 

Teacher recommendation requests can be initiated using the parent portal checklist.

2nd–5th Grade school report requests can be initiated using the parent portal checklist.

If we anticipate a possible opening in the grade to which you are applying, we will schedule a parent/guardian interview and your child will be invited to schedule a one-on-one assessment on campus.