How to Apply

Applying to the Upper School
To begin the application process, families must create an 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 18, 2022, 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
Families submit the Records Release Form to the applicant's current school to authorize the release of transcripts to Key School.

*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
All applicants will interview with an admission counselor. In an effort to streamline the process for families, we recommend scheduling either an in-person interview to be conducted following a tour of campus, or via Zoom after school hours. Families looking to limit the amount of time their student misses school during the search process often request an after school Zoom (3:30 p.m. weekdays). Families must submit the initial application form in order to schedule an interview. 

Admission Testing 
All applicants to grades 6 through 12 must 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 ISEE is the most commonly accepted standardized test by Maryland Independent Schools. The ISEE can be taken at home, at a local school, or privately at testing offices and prometric test centers. For help finding the best test option for your family, or upcoming test dates and sites in your area, please visit https://www.erblearn.org/families/isee-registration/

If your family is considering boarding school options in addition to day schools in Maryland, the SSAT would be the more universally accepted test score for AIMS and TABS schools. Visit SSAT.org to learn more about test site locations and dates. 

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

Families unable to visit campus can schedule a virtual tour with your admission counselor, where you will be able to virtually traverse Key’s 15-acre main campus and 70-acre athletic park while asking your counselor questions along the way.  

Applying to the Middle School
To begin the application process, families must create an 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 18, 2022, 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
Families submit the Records Release Form to the applicant's current school to authorize the release of transcripts to Key School. 

* Families 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
Applicants to Middle School will have a brief conversation with an admission counselor, typically at the conclusion of the family's campus tour.

Admission Testing 
All applicants to grades 6 through 12 must 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 ISEE is the most commonly accepted standardized test by Maryland Independent Schools. The ISEE can be taken at home, at a local school, or privately at testing offices and prometric test centers. For help finding the best test option for your family, or upcoming test dates and sites in your area, please visit https://www.erblearn.org/families/isee-registration/

If your family is considering boarding school options in addition to day schools in Maryland, the SSAT would be the more universally accepted test score for AIMS and TABS schools. Visit SSAT.org to learn more about test site locations and dates. 

Campus Tours
Private tours of campus can be scheduled with your admission counselor starting in October. In addition to exploring Key’s website, a private tour of campus affords a family the opportunity to ask questions specific to their interests and student(s).

Families unable to visit campus can schedule a virtual tour with your admission counselor, where you will be able to virtually traverse Key’s 15-acre main campus and 70-acre athletic park while asking your counselor questions along the way. 

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, families must create an 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 18, 2022, 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 in-person observations, though we may revert to individual observations as needed. Your admission counselor will contact you with further information and to schedule your child's observation. 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: 90 
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 virtually. 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.