Admission FAQs

Through our online Admission Portal.

Visit the appropriate Division page (listed below) and click on the "Apply" button to create your Admission Portal account and begin the application. Once you’ve completed the application, you’ll be given access to your student’s full admission checklist.

Admission steps by Division:

• First School (2.5yrs - Kindergarten)
• Lower School (Grades 1-4)
• Middle School (Grades 5-8)
• Upper School (Grades 9-12)

Websites are helpful, but there is no substitute for an in-person visit to campus. Please contact the admission counselor responsible for the Division/Grade to which your child would be applying to schedule a visit.

Each division has unique start and dismissal times. 

First School

• Key-Wee, Pre-School, & Pre-Kindergarten

8:00 a.m. Arrival Time
8:20 a.m. Starting Time
12:00 noon Dismissal Time
12:00 - 3:10 Extended Day option

• Kindergarten

7:30 a.m. Before Care Begins
8:00 a.m. Arrival Time
8:20 a.m. Starting Time
3:10 p.m. Dismissal Time

Lower School (Grades 1-4)

7:30 a.m. Before Care Begins
8:00 a.m. Arrival Time
8:20 a.m. Starting Time
3:15 p.m. Dismissal Time

Middle School (Grades 5-8)

8:00 a.m. Arrival Time
8:15 a.m. Starting Time
3:20 p.m. Dismissal Time

Upper School (Grades 9-12)

8:00 a.m. Arrival Time
8:15 a.m. Starting Time
3:25 p.m. Dismissal Time

*Before Care and After Care are available for students in grades KW-8 from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Upper School students have supervised access to the Science Library until 7:00 p.m.

Yes! Key School works with several local services to offer transportation to and from campus. The exact routes and fees are dependent on ridership and level of demonstrated interest and may change slightly from year to year.

Previously Key has offered routes to and from the following locations:

• Bowie/Davidsonville
• Largo/Upper Marlboro
• Odenton/Crownsville/Annapolis
• Southern Anne Arundel County

Additionally, a Google Maps based Carpool Module is available for families.

We are committed to making Key affordable for all families. The diversity of experiences and financial circumstances within our community is one of our greatest strengths, which is why we are proud to offer financial aid to 32% of our student body on average each year. 

We encourage families who may need assistance to apply for financial aid. Key’s financial aid budget for the 2022-2023 school year was $2.8 million, with the average award being $13,000. 

Key also proudly offers four types of merit-based scholarships in addition to financial aid. Details can be found here.

Yes! Families apply to Key from all over the world. To begin the process, please submit an application through the Admission Portal. Once submitted, an admission counselor for your student’s division will contact you to schedule a visit to campus or complete a virtual interview and walk you through our requirements.  

For students for whom English is not their first language, please note there are TOEFL requirements.

Important Dates
2025-2026 Academic Year

*Applications received after the deadline are reviewed on a rolling basis contingent on available space and waitlist depth. We recommend families contact their admission counselor to learn more about availability in your student’s grade.

To apply for financial aid for the 2026–2027 school year, please begin by visiting the Clarity website and starting your application. When prompted to select a school organization, be sure to choose Key School and enter our access code: 4372.

Clarity charges a $60 application fee, and you’ll find detailed, step-by-step instructions in our Quick Reference Guide.

After submitting your application, return to your Clarity dashboard. You may be asked to upload additional documents, which will appear in the “Document Requests” section of your portal.

Key School does not set income limits for financial aid. Families who need support are encouraged to apply, but aid is limited, and some admissions decisions may be need-aware. We recommend exploring all resources, including family support, before applying.

Key School awards financial aid based solely on demonstrated need—the gap between tuition and what a family can reasonably contribute. After completing the Clarity Application, Clarity analyzes income, assets, expenses, and family circumstances to recommend a contribution. Key’s Financial Aid Committee uses this recommendation to determine awards.

Learn more about how Key School works with Clarity here.

Families will receive notification of the financial aid decision via enrollment contract.

Yes. Families must reapply annually. Awards may change if financial circumstances change, but Key is committed to supporting students through graduation as long as need is demonstrated.

The fee to submit a financial aid application through Clarity is $60. Families are able to submit and pay one application for multiple students and apply to multiple schools, provided those schools are also using Clarity as their financial aid platform.

Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) offer resources and monthly subsidies for eligible families.