The Essential Private School Application Timeline for Boston Students and Families (2026–2027)

October 1, 2026

This year-long private school application timeline will guide you through everything families need to do and when they need to do it, from finding the perfect school(s) to enrolling.

Tours, interviews, essays, and more: applying to private schools is an involved process. But with a little forethought, and the advice below, families can navigate it with ease—particularly since most Boston-area private schools follow a similar admissions timeline. Beginning your private school search and admissions process one year before enrolling, around August, is advisable. This will give you ample opportunities to learn about the private schools that interest you and ample time to complete applications thoroughly and thoughtfully.

Keep reading for a month-by-month breakdown of what applicants and their families need to do and when they need to do it, including a quick summary, month-by-month breakdown, and a handy (we hope!) FAQ.

Quick Timeline Summary

Month	To-Do
August	Brainstorm wants and needs in a private high school and start researching. Cast a wide net!
September	Work toward creating a "short list" of schools to research in depth. Register for standardized tests like the SSAT.
October	Attend admissions events, take standardized tests, and visit/tour schools in person if possible.
November	Finalize your school list and start your application(s), including writing essays and asking for recommendations.
December	Wrap up to-do's, like requesting transcripts or interviewing, well before winter holidays.
January	Apply! Many private school application deadlines fall in January. Don't wait until the last minute to submit your application.
February	Use the previous year's tax info to apply for financial aid. Submit any applications with February deadlines.
March	Prepare for admissions decisions, usually released mid-March. Follow instructions if you're waitlisted.
April	Accept (or decline) enrollment offers, usually due mid-April. Complete financial aid applications if needed.
May–June	Attend admitted-student events. Confirm course registration requirements for the fall.
July–August	Complete back-to-school forms, attend new student orientation, and get excited for the adventure ahead!

Month-by-Month Breakdown

August (one year before enrolling)

Admissions tip: Cast a wide net. The benefit of starting your private high school search in August (or earlier) is that you have time to thoroughly explore and research your options—and to narrow them down later.

Start by brainstorming your wants and needs in a private school: Location, a particular music or athletic program, day vs. boarding school, etc. can all be effective filters. That said, while you may have some nonnegotiables, try to keep an open mind at this stage of your search to get a sense of the full breadth of the schools and possibilities available to you.
Begin researching schools. A simple Google search can be surprisingly fruitful; e.g., “private schools near me,” “best STEM high schools in [state],” etc. You might use websites such as Niche and Private School Review as jumping-off points as well.
If possible, talk to people in your network who have private school experience: Alumni/ae, current parents or students, those who work or have worked in a private school, even friends of friends! Some helpful questions at this stage might include:
- What was most helpful in your private high school search?
- What academic/intellectual, interpersonal, and extracurricular criteria did you consider?
- What do you wish you had known before starting?
- When did your private high school timeline begin?
- What was the search and application process like?
Request information from the schools that pique your interest (and perhaps even some that don’t!) to explore your options and collect data points you can compare.
Familiarize yourself with the experiences that private schools offer. Videos, social media, student publications, and blogs will immerse you in the life of a school.

September

Admissions tip: Try to end this month with a “short list” of schools—those you’re interested in applying to and want to investigate thoroughly. Remember, though, that there’s no magic number of schools to apply to!

Register for standardized admissions tests, if necessary, including the SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) or ISEE (Independent School Entrance Examination). These tests are often administered at local independent schools—for example, Commonwealth offers the SSAT—providing yet another opportunity to interact with private schools in your area. Even if you're considering test-optional schools, it can be helpful to take an exam in the event you change your mind. You can also control which schools see your scores (more below).
Make an application calendar and to-do list so you never miss a step or deadline. Note, most private school application deadlines fall in January or February of the year you wish to enroll. For example, Commonwealth's application deadline is January 15, 2027, if you want to enroll for fall 2027.
Keep track of your observations as you get to know each private high school better. These notes can be invaluable if you find yourself trying to choose between two (or more) acceptances later in the admissions process. (Might we suggest a spreadsheet where you track each school, their application deadlines, admissions point of contact, and other application requirements?)

October

Admissions tip: Focusing on your short list of schools, this is the perfect time to take advantage of every opportunity that will allow you to develop an accurate sense of what it’s like to be a student there, from admission events to virtual visits.

Attend admissions events, whether they are hosted by individual schools or larger fairs held in your area:
- Information sessions and open houses: Prioritize attending open houses and information sessions for the institutions on your short list. (You should be able to find upcoming admissions events on school websites.) These events might include panels with current students, teachers, parents, and admissions representatives; sample classes; and Q&A sessions. And, with the ubiquity of virtual events, it’s easier than ever to connect with schools that interests you. Even if you can't attend a live virtual event, you should register anyway, because you'll almost always get a recording after the fact.
- Admissions fairs: This is a great opportunity to meet many school representatives face-to-face—and they just might remember your face when you apply! Check websites like Private School Review, regional organizations like the Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE), and simple online searches (“private school admissions fairs near me”) for events. Pro tip: grab the free swag these schools are sure to share.
- Collaborative events: Why not meet a few schools in one fell swoop? Collaborative events, whether in person or virtual, allow you to get a quick introduction to multiple private high schools. Commonwealth, for example, has joined with eighteen other local institutions to form the Boston Independent School Collaborative, which offers virtual information sessions that guide families through the admissions process.
Visit schools, in person or virtually:
- In-person tours: Prioritize visiting your top choices, and come prepared with thoughtful questions that will give you a genuine sense of the school.
- Virtual tours: While a virtual tour may not capture the full personality of an institution—even 360-degree tours can feel a little flat compared to the real thing—they’re a low-impact, low-pressure, and low(no!)-cost way to experience a school.
Take any required standardized tests. You can designate which schools will receive your SSAT or ISEE scores when you register for the tests, and you can elect to send scores to additional schools later, too. You can also take either test more than once. Testing in October (or November) gives you ample time to decide whether retesting in December or January makes sense as well. Just be sure to register at least three weeks in advance of your desired test date to avoid late registration fees. Note, you can also get test-fee waivers if the cost of an exam poses any hardship.

November

Admissions tip: By now you should have a largely final list of schools to apply to. This is the time to begin checking off those application requirements in earnest, keeping in mind what admissions committees want to see. At Commonwealth, that's students who revel in learning for its own sake; who want a close-knit, clique-less community; and who jump at the banquet of opportunities available to them, whether that's volunteering with Cradles to Crayons or playing in the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra or just grabbing boba tea nearby.

Draft application essays, if necessary. Schools will vary in their particular prompts and short-answer questions, but they all hope to glean insights into students’ motivations, background, and goals in attending their institution. Of note, applicants to Commonwealth School complete their essays live during their post-application day visit, which more closely resembles the classroom writing experience.
Fill out the application form, taking care to complete each section carefully. You might also want to share the application form and final essay drafts with a trusted editor who can review them with a fresh set of eyes.
Start financial aid applications, including gathering any necessary tax information from the past two years. (This should largely fall to your parents/legal guardians.)
Reach out to possible recommendation writers, typically core subject teachers. For example, Commonwealth asks for recommendations from an English teacher, a math teacher, and a school administrator, such as the head of school, principal, guidance counselor, or placement counselor. Be sure to give them a timeline and what they need to know about how and where to submit the recommendation letter.

December

Admissions tip: The end of the year can be a harried time for students and families, but following the steps on this timeline will keep your private school applications on track.

Request transcripts from your current school. If the schools you’re applying to use the Ravenna platform for their application, as many Boston-area private schools do, you can complete and submit to your current school one transcript request form for multiple schools. They’ll send them directly to the private schools you’re applying to.
Participate in school visits or interview days, if relevant. At Commonwealth, the in-person visit day, conducted after students submit their short application, is a critical component of the admissions process, allowing students to preview what their future here might look like and allowing admissions officers to get a genuine sense of their personality and passions.

January

Admissions tip: All of your research and planning has come to this! Most private school application deadlines fall in January and February, though some schools have rolling deadlines, and others may consider applicants on a case-by-case basis. FYI, Commonwealth's application deadline is January 15.

Apply! If you haven’t already, it’s time to send in those carefully crafted applications and supplemental materials—transcripts, recommendations, writing samples, etc.—by their respective deadlines. Keep in mind that application forms and financial aid forms may have different deadlines as well. Many Boston-area private schools, including Commonwealth, use the application service Ravenna, while others might use the SSAT’s Standard Application Online (SAO) or other products. Confirm with each school you’re considering what their application requirements and deadlines are.
Send standardized test scores to schools, if you haven’t already. Both the SSAT and ISEE allow you to send scores electronically to any school you wish, including scores from specific test sittings, if you took them more than once. Use school codes to make sending standardized test scores easier. For example, Commonwealth’s SSAT school code is 2542.
Send a note of thanks to anyone who has helped you on your admissions journey thus far, such as recommendation writers, interviewers, and admissions representatives (a thank you is certainly not required but always appreciated).
Follow up with recommendation writers, if needed. With patience and appreciation, of course!
Continue attending open houses or other admissions events offered by the schools on your short list. For example, Commonwealth has hosted fun and festive game nights for prospective students in December and January.

February

Admissions tip: Make sure that each school you’ve applied to has received all elements of your application.

Finish applications for financial aid, if relevant, using the previous years’ tax forms (a job for parents/guardians). For example, you can explore the financial aid process at Commonwealth here.
Submit any applications with February or rolling deadlines. Schools that use Ravenna allow you to check your account to ensure that each school you’ve applied to has received everything they need. You can always follow up with the school’s admissions team with any questions about outstanding application items.

March

Admissions tip: Private school admissions teams are poring over your applications, and most will release their decisions mid-month. In the interim, pay attention to any correspondence you may receive from a school about when and how they release decisions, making sure you know your login information to any application portal (to Ravenna, for example, if you're applying to many Boston-area schools).

Prepare for admissions and financial aid decisions, which are usually released on or around March 10 for private schools in Boston. Do you already have a sense of where you will go if accepted or do you need other intel to make your decision? If not, now is the time to give serious thought to this question.
Attend revisit events, which allow you to experience the schools on your list with fresh eyes and a fresh perspective. They’re also a great time to start connecting with possible future classmates.
If you’ve been waitlisted, complete any requested next steps; these are usually shared along with the waitlist decision. And you can always follow up with the admissions team if you have questions.

April

Admissions tip: If you’ve known from the outset which school you want to attend and you now have an acceptance in hand, congratulations—you can complete their required enrollment steps and relax! Many families, however, find themselves deciding between a couple acceptances and/or navigating waitlists. In any event, early April is the time to consider your options and make thoughtful decisions based on all the work and research you’ve done thus far.

Reflect on your options, referring to notes and research materials as needed.
Choose the school that’s the right fit for you and your family. Accept their offer of admission, complete enrollment forms, and send in your deposit. Most Boston-area private schools have a decision date around mid-April. For example, Commonwealth's deadline to accept our offer is April 10.
Complete any needed steps in the financial aid process.

May–June

Admissions tip: Regardless of where you enroll, you should be proud of reaching the end of the private school admissions timeline and all the work that preceded it!

Complete course registration. Now is the perfect time to reacquaint yourself with your new school’s academic catalog and curriculum, particularly any courses just for first-year students.
Attend events for new students and parents. Distinct from orientation, these events foster connections with the entering class and allow you to see the school as a member of their community. For example, at Commonwealth, our New Parent Gathering gives families a chance to get to know each other as well as the faculty and staff who will soon be guiding their children, while New Student Day allows students to meet their future peers (over cookies, of course) and some of the key faculty and staff members they’ll be working with in the year ahead. Like many private schools in and around Boston, Commonwealth also administers placement tests during these events to determine the math and language classes students will be taking in the fall.
Determine summer reading recommendations or requirements. For example, most Commonwealth students have some required reading for their classes reading over the summer, and all members of our community, including faculty and staff, participate in a shared summer-reading book, which we discuss early in the school year. Examples from the summer of 2026 include Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri, and The Plague by Albert Camus.

July–September

Admissions tip: Enjoy their summer! Some students take part in academic enrichment activities that might help them prepare for the school work ahead, but these are typically not required. Students should spend these months engaged in the activities that bring them joy and fulfillment.

Complete back-to-school forms and other requirements, such as proof of recent physicals (a job for parents/guardians).
Attend new student orientation, often several days filled with fun and informative activities designed to empower students for the year ahead. Commonwealth’s new-student orientation typically includes a scavenger hunt and/or escape room; practical introductions to the fundamentals of school life; and meetings with current students eager to ease their way.
Get excited for the academic adventure that awaits...

Private School Timeline FAQs

What is the deadline to apply?

Private high schools vary in their application deadlines, but most fall in January. Like many Boston-area schools, Commonwealth’s application deadline is January 15. Some private schools have "rolling admissions," which means they accept and enroll students at any time.

When do private schools release their admissions decisions?

Again, it varies, but most schools, especially in and around Boston, share admissions decisions in mid-March. (Commonwealth releases decisions on March 10.)

When do I need to choose a school?

You will likely be required to accept (or decline) an admission offer in mid-April of eighth grade—though it’s helpful to start thinking through how to choose your private school long before that! Commonwealth asks students to respond to our admission offer by April 10, the same day as many Boston-area private schools.

What standardized tests do private high schools require?

It varies, but many private high schools in the Boston area require the SSAT. They may also require international students to take the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Examination) or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Commonwealth requires the SSAT for domestic students and TOEFL for international students unless English is their first language or they currently attend a school where English is the language of instruction.

When should I register for standardized tests like the SSAT?

We recommend registering for standardized tests like the SSAT in August or September of eighth grade, the year before you plan to enroll, so you can take the test itself in October or November. That gives you ample time for a retake if you’d like. But there are test dates throughout the year (typically in October, November, December, January, and March) with regular registration deadlines falling a few weeks before the test itself. Keep in mind that there may be higher fees for late registrations.

When should I take standardized tests like the SSAT?

We recommend taking the SSAT in October or November of eighth grade, the year before you hope to enroll in high school, because it gives you ample time to retake the test if you’d like. See more above.

When should I visit schools/go on a day visit? And what does that involve?

We recommend visiting schools on your "short list" in the fall, between October and December, of the year before you plan to enroll. That aligns well with private schools' admissions season, when many schools (especially around Boston) open up their campuses for interviews and tours. The structure of day visits will vary by school, but they all hope to give prospective students a sense of what their futures at the institution might be like, often by attending classes, taking a tour, meeting with admissions representatives, and perhaps even getting lunch or going to a student club meeting. We do all of the above at Commonwealth, where the day visit is also an important part of the application itself, because that's when you'll complete a writing exercise instead of a traditional application essay (students tell us they love this model, because it actually takes the pressure off of writing at home!).

Regardless of where you are in this private school admissions timeline, don’t hesitate to ask questions! Every student and family has unique needs, and admissions teams are happy to help and provide individualized guidance.

Learn More About the Admissions Process