Upper School Admission

The interdisciplinary and integrated curricula in Key's Upper School allows for deeper understanding and real-world connections.

Our Upper School faculty place great emphasis on essential skills over rote memorization, and students build content knowledge through the preparation required to present and defend their answers and points of view.

Key’s Upper School offers:

• 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio
• 14 advanced placement course offerings
• College-level Independent Studies
• A comprehensive and individually tailored college advising program that provides 90+ hours of counseling
• Academic support and enrichment available in every discipline
• 35+ Visual and Performing Arts classes and activities
• 100 + hours of outdoor education experiences
• 40 interscholastic sports teams

How to Apply
Application Deadline
January 10, 2026
Applications received after the deadline are reviewed on a rolling basis contingent on available space and waitlist depth. We recommend families contact our Upper School admission counselor to learn more about availability in your student’s grade.

Tour Campus
We encourage all families interested in the First School to schedule a private tour of campus with your admission counselor.

Participation in an Upper School Drop-In Day is also highly encouraged.

Shadow Days
Prospective 9th graders interested in learning more about Key's College Preparatory Program are encouraged to register for one of the Upper School Shadow Days. Students will shadow a current student, participate in classes and learn more about life at Key during a student panel.

Families interested in admission to Grades 10-12 are encouraged to speak to their admission counselor about scheduling an independent shadow day.

2025-2026 Upper School Shadow Day

• Friday, December 12, 2025 - Register here

Questions? Contact Upper School Admission Counselor Eva Henry at ehenry@keyschool.org.

Apply for Admission
Submit an application through the Admission Portal, our online application platform. All necessary forms and application checklist items can be accessed through your account. 

A $60 application fee will be charged upon submitting the application.

Upper School applicants are required to submit:

• Initial application form and application fee
• Student application
• Student interview
• Current Math and English Teacher References
• School Administrator or Guidance Counselor Evaluation
• Transcripts for the last three years

Admission Testing
All students in grades 5-12 must submit one of the following as part of their application to Key:

• Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) 
  December 6, 2025 and January 10, 2026 test dates available at Key School
  School Code: 210013
• Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) 
  School Code: 4355

*ISEE is recommended unless your student is applying to other schools where the SSAT is required.

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Important Dates
2025-2026 Academic Year

September 5, 2025	2026-2027 Applications Open Online
October 9, 2025	Lower School Information Session
October 14, 2025	Upper School Information Session
October 21, 2025	Middle School Information Session
October 30, 2025	Upper School Information Session
November 8, 2025	First School Open House
December 12, 2025	Upper School Shadow Day
December 15, 2025	First & Lower School Application Forms Due
January 10, 2026	Middle & Upper School Application Forms Due
January 10, 2026	Financial Aid Forms Due
January 13, 2026	Upper School Shadow Day
February 20, 2026	Admission Decisions Released