Contact The Admission Office

Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management:

(410) 263-9231, ext. 1226

The Key School
534 Hillsmere Drive
Annapolis, MD 21403

Fax: (410) 280-5516

Tours


Families are encouraged to visit Key School. Weekday tours to see classes in session may be scheduled by individual appointment. As an introduction to Key's campus, take an online tour.

Download Application Forms

Download Application Forms

Admission to Key

Welcome to Key

The Admission Office staff is eager to answer questions about Key's programs and the application process, Pre-K 3 through Grade 12. 

Campus Tours: Families are encouraged to schedule a weekday tour to see classes in session.

Admission Literature: To receive Key School's viewbook and admission information contact Jessie Dunleavy at 410-263-9231, ext. 1226 or jdunleavy@keyschool.org.

Application Process

Parents should submit an Application for Admission along with the application fee to The Key School. Parents can choose to submit an application online or by mail.

Apply Online: Click here to apply online. 

Apply By Mail: Click here to download and print the application.

Testing and Visiting


Parents are asked to schedule student testing and visiting by calling the Key School Admission Office. Testing and visiting procedures vary according to grade level. In all cases, parents should inform the Admission Office if the applicant has special needs that may be pertinent to the application process or to the school visit.

Pre-School applicants complete a series of developmental exercises in individually scheduled sessions. Parents are encouraged to accompany their pre-schooler during this evaluation process.

Students applying to first grade are scheduled for a visit and are given subtests of the Stanford Early School Achievement Test (SESAT) and the Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning (DIAL-3).

Applicants to grades 2-4 take subtests of the SESAT, the Stanford Achievement Test, the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Test, and a spelling test.

Applicants to the Middle School and Upper School (grades five through twelve) may elect to register to take the Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) offered at several locations throughout the season including at Key School on December 1, 2012, and February 2, 2013. Key School's code is 210013.  In lieu of the ISEE, applicants may choose to schedule Educational Records Bureau testing by individual appointment at Key School. These applicants are also asked to complete a questionnaire and write an essay.

Day-long visits are scheduled for students applying to grades 2-12. Student visits―integral to the admission process―provide the opportunity for interaction with Key students and faculty. Beginning in December, applicants for the upcoming school year may schedule testing in conjunction with the school visit.

What We Look For

Key School sustains a strong academic curriculum that encourages intellectual rigor, independence of thought, curiosity, creativity, and openness to differing ideas and perspectives. The School seeks to enroll young people of at least average ability and above average determination who demonstrate the potential to meet high academic standards and contribute to the vitality of the School. In its belief that students learn from one another, Key has been committed from its inception to the principle that diversity in the cultural, ethnic, racial, and economic backgrounds of its students is vital to the School's ability to achieve the highest standards of learning both inside and outside the classroom.

Admission decisions are made by a committee whose membership includes faculty and administrators. In giving careful consideration to the applicant’s match with The Key School program, the committee is guided by concern for the best interest of each student.

Enrollment

An enrollment contract will be issued once a student is accepted for admission. If there is no available space, accepted applicants are added to the waiting pool. As spaces become available, students in the waiting pool are offered enrollment contracts. If unable to offer a space in the grade to which a student applied, the Admission Office will update the application for the next school year and invite the student, at no further cost, to be re-evaluated for admission.

Tuition and Fees

Download Tuition and Fee Schedule

Affording Our School

Key School acknowledges that increased access to the broadest possible range of students enhances the School's ability to attract, enroll, and retain those students whose contributions, values and attitudes strengthen the learning environment for teachers and students alike. Therefore, Key School encourages all academically qualified students who are interested in its programs to apply to Key for admission, regardless of family financial status.

Key School awarded more than $1,700,000 in financial aid for the 2012-2013 school year.

Click here for detailed information about the financial aid process.

The Key School does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, color, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, financial aid and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Featured Videos

"Pre-School Music: Creativity and Cognition Beyond the Notes." A program for parents led by Pre- and Lower School music teacher Kevin Brady.

"Teaching the Scientific Method, Pre-Kindergarten - Grade 12"

A March 2012 Program for Parents

Alumni Perspectives: Justin Cuniff '98. (Click here to watch more videos of alumni reflecting on life at Key.)

In Their Own Words: Students, teachers, parents and alumni discuss Key School culture.

Resources

In The Gallery

The Key School Smith House is often a visitor’s first stop on campus. The building sits out front on campus directly on Hillsmere Drive. It is home to the Admission Office as well as the school’s communication and business offices.

PHOTOS: See Our Campus
In Action

Events

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