How to Apply

Applying to the Upper School
To begin the application process, parents must create a family account through Ravenna. Once the account is created, click on "apply to a school" and select Key School within the "Annapolis Area" region. All necessary forms and application checklist items can be accessed through your Ravenna-Hub. You will have access to a personalized dashboard where you can submit information securely, access real-time status updates, register for events, and more.

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

Applications received after January 15, 2021, are reviewed contingent on available space and waitlist depth. We recommend families contact us to learn more about the specific grade to which your child is applying and the likelihood of space becoming available.

Student Application - available through Ravenna
The student application affords applicants the opportunity to tell the Admission Committee, in their own words, why they believe Key is a good fit. The form also provides a space for students to list and rank their interests, activities and hobbies.

References - available through Ravenna
Teacher reference forms must be completed by the applicant's current English and Math teachers.

Transcripts - available through Ravenna
Parents submit the Records Release Form to the applicant's current school to authorize the release of transcripts to Key School.

*Parents of home school applicants are asked to submit: a syllabus and description for each course; a list of textbooks and readings; reports; assessment and samples of recent work; and student references.

Student Interview / Reading & Writing Assessment
All applicants will interview with an admission counselor and then take a brief reading and writing assessment (via Zoom). 

Testing 
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the ISEE and SSAT may not be accessible to all families. Therefore, in lieu of the ISEE or SSAT, Key School admission counselors will administer a brief reading and writing assessment at the conclusion of the student interview (via Zoom). Furthermore, if your child took standardized tests in the 2019-2020 school year (such as ERB, MAP, SOL, Stanford, IOWA, CTP, PAARC), please request to have the scores included with the official transcripts sent to Key.

Virtual Visits
There are numerous opportunities for students and families to explore Key School throughout the admission season. In the Upper School, we recommend the following visits:

Virtual Open House
Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. (RSVP)

Virtual Campus Tour
Private, virtual tours of campus can be scheduled with your admission counselor starting in October. In addition to exploring the virtual opportunities on Key's website, a private virtual tour of campus affords a family the opportunity to ask questions specific to their interests and student. Prior to touring, we always recommend that families explore the Upper School Guide to help generate questions for the admission counselor.

Additional Information Sessions
We are working on topic-specific virtual events to allow families and students to engage with members of our community and learn more about topics and disciplines of particular interest to them (Ex: Integrated Science; Civilizations, Athletics; Academic Advisory, Office Hours and College Advising). 

Applying to the Middle School
To begin the application process, parents must create a family account through Ravenna. Once the account is created, click on "apply to a school" and select Key School within the "Annapolis Area" region. All necessary forms and application checklist items can be accessed through your Ravenna-Hub. You will have access to a personalized dashboard where you can submit information securely, access real-time status updates, register for events, and more.

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

Applications received after January 15, 2021, are reviewed contingent on available space and waitlist depth. We recommend families contact us to learn more about the specific grade to which your child is applying and the likelihood of space becoming available.

References - available through Ravenna
Teacher reference forms must be completed by the applicant's current English and Math teachers, as well as one additional teacher from the prior school year.

Transcripts - available through Ravenna
Parents submit the Records Release Form to the applicant's current school to authorize the release of transcripts to Key School. 

* Parents of home school applicants are asked to submit: a syllabus and description for each course; a list of textbooks and readings; reports; assessment and samples of recent work; and student references.

Student Interview / Reading & Writing Assessment
All applicants will interview with an admission counselor and then take a brief reading and writing assessment (via Zoom). 

Testing 
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the ISEE and SSAT may not be accessible to all families. Therefore, in lieu of the ISEE or SSAT, Key School will accept other standardized tests conducted by your child's school, such as ERB, MAP, SOL, Stanford, IOWA, CTP, or PAARC. Please request to have the scores included with the official transcripts sent to Key. 

Virtual Open House
Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. (RSVP)

Virtual Campus Tour
Private, virtual tours of campus can be scheduled with your admission counselor starting in October. In addition to exploring the virtual opportunities on Key's website, a private virtual tour of campus affords a family the opportunity to ask questions specific to their interests and student. Prior to touring, we always recommend that families explore the Middle School section of the website, the curricular overviews and even the Upper School Guide to help generate questions for the private tour.

Additional Information Sessions
We are working on topic-specific virtual events to allow families and students to engage with members of our community and learn more about topics and disciplines of particular interest to them (Ex: Integrated curriculum; Athletics; Academic Advisory, Activities, etc.).

Application
To begin the application process, parents must create a family account through Ravenna. Once the account is created, click on "apply to a school" and select Key School within the "Annapolis Area" region. All necessary forms and application checklist items can be accessed through your Ravenna-Hub. You will have access to a personalized dashboard where you can submit information securely, access real-time status updates, register for events, and more.

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

Applications received after January 15, 2021, are reviewed contingent on available space and waitlist depth. We recommend families contact us to learn more about the specific grade to which your child is applying.

Student Observation
First School applicants are typically observed by teachers in a group, play-based setting with children of the same age. This admission season we will continue to conduct observations individually via Zoom, and for some grade levels, we will ask families to send us prepared videos. Observation dates are schedule with your admission counselor, Cheryl Martin. An application for admission must be submitted prior to scheduling an observation.

References
Applicants currently enrolled in school or a daycare program are required to have a current teacher complete Key's reference form. For applicants with no school experience, please submit the reference request form to a non-relative who is well-acquainted with your child.

*Students for whom English is their first language, please refer to the application procedures for the appropriate Grade Level.

TOEFL Scores
Applicants for whom English is not their first language: The Office of Admission requires that both an official TOEFL report, as well as the Student and Parent portions of the application, be completed and submitted before an interview can be scheduled. Additionally, an applicant’s TOEFL score must meet the minimum requirement for the indicated grade of entry to be eligible for an interview (see below).

Minimum TOEFL scores by grade of entry
Grade 9: 85 
Grade 10: 90
Grade 11: 95

Interview
Once the above criteria has been met, an interview can be scheduled. Interviews may be conducted in person or via Skype. To schedule an interview, please contact Makeba Barnes at mbarnes@keyschool.org or +1.443.321.7817.

ISEE / SSAT
In addition to the TOEFL, all applicants to grades 6 through 12 must also take either the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE - Key School's code is 210013) or the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT - Key School's code is 4355). The SSAT is more commonly administered internationally--test sites can be found at SSAT.org.