Admissions Guidelines and Information
We seek applicants who will thrive in Shipley's environment and make positive contributions to the School. To assess this, we attempt get to know each applicant in several different ways. Below is the application process for admission to the Upper School.
Application Form (PART 1) And Personal Interests Form (PART 4)
An application for admission must be completed and returned with a $60 check made payable to The Shipley School. The Personal Interests Form is useful for us in getting to know the applicant and arranging for him or her to meet students with similar interests. As soon as we receive your application, we will contact you to schedule a Parent Interview and Classroom Visit. No interviews or visits will be scheduled without a submitted application.
School Tour and Parent/Student Interview
The best way to learn about Shipley is to visit and see our school community in action. Applicants to grades 9 through 12 are required to attend the interview with their parents. The interview includes a tour of the Upper School.
Classroom Visit
The classroom visit provides Shipley with an opportunity to get to know your child and for the student to determine whether Shipley is the right fit for him or her.
During the visit, the applicant will spend the day with a member of the grade in which he or she is presently enrolled. Thus, applicants for grade 10 visit grade 9 for most of a day, 8:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. A grade 9 applicant also spends time with a student in grade 9 so that he/she can experience life in the Upper School. Each student will be provided with lunch and will be asked to do a writing sample to assess writing skills.
Teacher Recommendation Form (PART 2- Confidential Common Recommendation Form for Grades 6-12) and School Records Release Form (Part 3)
A Confidential Teacher Recommendation Form is required of all candidates. It is the family’s responsibility to arrange to have the form sent to Shipley by a teacher at the school the applicant currently attends. The family must also ask for that school to release student records (a transcript) for at least the last two years and the current academic year by submitting a signed Records Release Form to the sending school.
Outside Testing
An applicant must submit ONE of the following tests to complete the application:
a) ISEE (The Independent School Entrance Exam)
b) SSAT (The Secondary School Admissions Test)
c) WISC IV (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fourth Edition)
The first two tests are achievement tests that measure verbal and mathematical skills in a multiple-choice format and also include a writing sample. The Wechsler is an intelligence test that measures aptitude and potential and offers insight into how a child learns. The ISEE and SSAT are usually given in group sessions at schools. The Wechsler is given by an educational psychologist in his or her office. Most applicants submit either of the achievement tests, but a Wechsler is just as acceptable.
To Arrange for the WISC-IV
The test can be administered by a licensed private psychologist or by a testing center, such as the following:
Center for Psychological Services
125 Coulter Avenue
Ardmore, PA 19003
610-642-4873
MLCA Affiliates
121 N. Wayne Avenue Suite 300
Wayne, PA 19087
610-975-9435
Main Line Educational Services
Rosemont Plaza, Suite 14
1062 Lancaster Avenue
Rosemont, PA 19010
610-525-8127
Main Line Psychological and Educational Associates
119 Coulter Avenue
Ardmore, PA 19003
610-896-8666
To Arrange for the SSAT or ISEE
The Educational Testing Service (ETS) administers the SSAT. The Educational Records Bureau administers the ISEE. Both tests are given in group sessions at designated school test centers in the fall, winter, and spring.
Individual ISEE testing is available at Main Line Educational Services in Rosemont (610-525-8127). Bennett Educational in West Chester (610-692-9096) provides individual SSATs. International ISEE testing centers are also available. Registration materials and further information may be obtained by calling the Shipley Admissions Office (610-525-4300 ext.4118).
For more information, you may go to http://www.ssat.org/ or http://www.iseetest.org/.
Deadlines and notifications:
FIRST ROUND DECISIONS: Applications and all supporting documentation, visits, and interviews must be completed or submitted by January 14 for a candidate to be considered for admission in the first round of decisions for the following September. The Admissions Committee considers all completed applications; admissions decisions are sent by mail by February 1.
ROLLING ADMISSIONS: Applications received after the January 14 deadline are reviewed on a space-available basis and families are notified of a decision within two to three weeks of the completion of the application.