The Admission Visit

Narrowing the list of schools you are interested in applying to for your child can be an overwhelming task. Once you have completed your research, contacted each school’s Admission Office and completed the campus tour, you are faced with the next task: completing each school’s admission application process. Not to worry - here at Episcopal, admission staff members are only a phone call or email away and stand ready to walk alongside you throughout the application process.

Each year prospective parents ask a myriad of questions related to their child’s consideration for admission. Primarily questions relate to their child’s school visit to the school: what can we expect and what should we do to prepare our child? Regardless of the age or grade of your child, there is a shared purpose of his or her admission visit: this on-campus experience is intended to help us get to better know your child while giving you and your child the opportunity to get to know us better.

Below you will find specific details related to the Episcopal campus visit along with general admission visit tips. To help your child prepare for his or her time on campus, we invite you to share as much - or as little - of the information as you see fit. You know your child best, so follow your parental instinct as you help prepare your child for the visit.

A few general tips for your child's school admission visit:

• We caution you against over-prepping your child for an admission test or screening; for some children, this can result in increased anxiety.
• Ideally, your child will have a restful night’s sleep and a meal or snack before his or her visit. We realize this ideal scenario may not play out! Again, do not worry - the visit can always be rescheduled if it presents an unreasonable struggle for you or for your child.
• Be clear with your child about your plans - will you remain on campus during his or her visit? If not, let your child know that you will be back at pick-up time. You are welcome to reassure your child that a member of the Admission Team will be available should we need to reach you during the visit.
• If your child has any specific dietary needs, please let a member of the Admission Team know in advance.
• If your child has an educational evaluation that allows for extended time on tests, it is important you share this information with a member of the Admission Team in advance of the scheduled screening or test day. The team may not be able to provide extended time without advance notice.​

What can your child expect during his or her Episcopal admission visit? See below our summary of the applicant visit process for prospective students:

PreK-3, PreK-4 and Kindergarten Screenings

• Applicants to PreK-3, PreK-4 and Kindergarten attend small group screenings with 4 to 5 other prospective students. Visits last about an hour and include a combination of individual work with a Lower School teacher and group work with student peers. PreK-3 screenings are play-based and are designed to assess an applicant’s school readiness. PreK-4 and Kindergarten screenings integrate more academic elements used as predictors of future school success.
• For most applicants in this age group, the most difficult part of the screening process is the initial separation from parents to join the Lower School teacher in the classroom.
• To help prepare your child for the screening, we suggest clearly explaining each step of the process. Let your child know that you will stay to talk with the other parents while he or she explores Episcopal and meets our teachers.
• We encourage you to arrive 5 minutes prior to your scheduled visit so you and your child have time together to get comfortable before the screening begins. If your child has trouble separating, don’t worry! Our team is well-prepared to care for your child; if the visit becomes overwhelming, we will be happy to reschedule a follow-up visit.
• If you think your child would benefit from a campus visit prior to his or her screening, we are happy to arrange a “kiddie tour” in advance of his or her scheduled screening. To schedule a “kiddie tour,” please contact the Admission Office.

1st through 5th Grade Screenings

• Applicants to grades 1-5 spend a combination of their screening in the classroom with student peers and working individually with Lower School teachers. This format allows applicants to experience a typical Lower School class and meet current Episcopal students.
• Applicants will work with teachers to complete a combination of math, reading, and writing work in class. This work is used to assess the applicant’s familiarity with and mastery of topics relative to our grade level academic milestones.
• Our teachers love seeing applicants use their problem-solving skills, logic and a positive attitude when faced with a challenge. Therefore, encourage your child to give his or her best when completing work and to ask questions when unsure or confused. We don’t expect them to have all of the answers!
• The length of your child’s screening will vary based on the grade in which you apply. First grade applicants typically spend a little over an hour on campus, while applicants to 5th grade spend over 4 hours on campus.
• Students are encouraged to wear their current school uniform, if applicable, or appropriate school attire.

Admission Testing Grades 6-12

• Applicants to grades 6-12 are required to attend one of two Saturday admission test sessions, scheduled in December and January.
• Episcopal will administer an age-appropriate standardized test, typically lasting around 2.5 to 3 hours for Middle School applicants and 4 hours for Upper School applicants. Following the timed test, students will complete an untimed writing sample.
• Calculators, scratch paper, pencils, water and snacks will be provided. Students are encouraged to dress comfortably and bring layers in the event the room is cold.
• Episcopal will administer a traditional standardized test; there is no advanced preparation required. We encourage each student to get a full night’s sleep prior to the test and eat a balanced breakfast before attending test day.
• The results of your student’s admission test will be used to help the Admission Committee determine how well your child may perform within our academic setting. The test is a piece of the admission puzzle and is considered alongside your child’s application, student statement, current school records, teacher recommendation forms, and writing sample.
• Note: If your child is an applicant to 6th grade from an Episcopal Parish Day School, the current school will provide ERB scores in place of admission testing. A member of the Admission Team will administer the writing sample at the Day School in December.

Shadow Day Grades 6-12

• Applicants to grades 6-8 are invited to attend a half-day shadow visit from 7:40 a.m. to noon. If your child is an applicant for 6th grade, he or she will be paired with a current 6th grade host student; applicants to 7th Grade and 8th Grade will shadow with a host student in the applicant’s current grade. Visiting students will attend classes, Middle School break, and lunch.
• Applicants to grades 9-12 attend a full-day shadow visit from 7:40 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If your child is an applicant for 9th grade, he or she will be paired with a current 9th grade host student; applicants to grades 10-12 will shadow with a host student in the applicant’s current grade.
• Students are encouraged to wear their current school uniform, if applicable, or appropriate school attire.
• If your child would benefit from a campus tour prior to attending a shadow day, we invite you to register for Test Drive Tuesday or contact the Admission Office to arrange an individual meeting.

• Applicants to Upper School are required to attend an on-campus interview at the conclusion of their shadow day.  The interview are conducted by key faculty and staff and help us learn more about your child’s interests and experiences.

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Learn more:

To learn more about the Episcopal admissions process, contact a member of our Admission Team.

Elena McPeak
Director of Admission
mcpeake@ehsbr.org
​(225) 755-2685

Dana Messina
Admission Coordinator
messinad@ehsbr.org
(225) 755-2684

Andrea Vidrine
Admission Coordinator
vidrinea@ehsbr.org
(225) 755-2713