Admissions Process
Nothing about the moment we find ourselves in right now is "typical" and we understand that families might be considering a new school placement for next year outside of the "typical" admissions cycle. True to form as a progressive school, we've adjusted our admissions process to meet the needs of prospective families during this challenging situation.
CSW will continue to review new applications on a rolling basis as space remains. Given the current situation, we will waive standardized testing requirements for applicants that haven't already taken the SSAT/ISEE/PSAT/SAT. We'll conduct admissions interviews via the zoom platform, and families will receive an admissions decision within a few days of submitting their completed application.
If you have any questions about our school or admissions process as you consider your options for fall--reach out to us via email or phone. Our office is open while we work remotely, and we're here to help!
CSW will continue to review new applications on a rolling basis as space remains. Given the current situation, we will waive standardized testing requirements for applicants that haven't already taken the SSAT/ISEE/PSAT/SAT. We'll conduct admissions interviews via the zoom platform, and families will receive an admissions decision within a few days of submitting their completed application.
If you have any questions about our school or admissions process as you consider your options for fall--reach out to us via email or phone. Our office is open while we work remotely, and we're here to help!
The Cambridge School of Weston welcomes applications from bright, intellectually curious, motivated boarding and day students. We look for creative thinkers and bold learners who will be positive, contributing members of our diverse and close-knit community. This portion of the website will guide you through our application process.
While we encourage all applicants to apply by our January 15 deadline, applications will be considered after January 15, as space permits.
Applicants from mainland China should refer to Supplemental Information for Applicants from Mainland China.
While we encourage all applicants to apply by our January 15 deadline, applications will be considered after January 15, as space permits.
Applicants from mainland China should refer to Supplemental Information for Applicants from Mainland China.
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Request Information
Complete our online inquiry form or call our office (1-781-642-8650) to request our information packet. You’ll also be added to our mailing list so that you can receive invitations to campus events and updates throughout the application process. -
Campus Visit & Interview
Students in their application year are invited to visit campus for a school tour and interview. Your visit will last approximately 1.5-2 hours and will allow you to tour campus, step into classes, and meet with an admissions counselor to discuss your experiences, interests, and questions. Interviews are conducted Monday through Friday while school is in session. We ask that you set up a Ravenna account before scheduling your visit.
Interviews are a required part of the application process. Students who are unable to travel to campus for an interview should call or email the office to discuss alternatives. Given the current situation with COVID-19, our campus is closed to visitors, and we are scheduling Skype interviews in place of campus interviews. -
Open House & Information Sessions
We invite prospective students and their families to learn more about our engaging academics and inclusive community during one of our fall Open Houses! Along with informational sessions, you will also have an opportunity to speak with faculty, students, and parents.
If you are unable to make it to one of our Admissions Open Houses, and you are not yet sure if you want to pursue admission to CSW, you may find an Information Session/Tour helpful. This is a family's first introduction to CSW, so is not appropriate for those families who have attended Open House or have scheduled a Campus Visit. It includes a 20-minute introductory information session followed by an abbreviated campus tour. Families who decide to apply to CSW will need to schedule an admissions interview, which will include an extended campus tour that will step into classrooms.
Please call our office or check back here to see if CSW will offer additional information sessions this fall. -
Submitting Application Materials
If space permits, we will consider applications on a rolling basis after our January 15 application deadline. Please call our office to inquire about availability before proceeding with the application process.
The first step in the application process is to set up your online account with Ravenna, our web-based application system. Through Ravenna, you’ll be able to work on and save the different pieces of your application—detailed below—as well as email and/or download the school and recommendation forms.
Our online application system, Ravenna, will walk you through the steps to:Submit family application materials:- Application for Admission
- Application Fee ($50 for domestic students, $100 for international students)
- Student Questions, which must be filled out by the student
- A 2-3 page graded academic paper, such as a research paper written for a history class or a literary analysis written for an English class. This should be a piece of expository writing, and should not be a lab report, group project, or a creative writing assignment.
- Parent/Guardian Questions
- Optional Supplemental Materials, such as writing samples, art portfolios, or additional recommendations
Send requests for teacher recommendation and school records to the appropriate people:- Current School Official Recommendation, transcript for previous year, and current grades (Applicants to upper grades must submit transcripts for all years of high school.)
- Current English Teacher Recommendation
- Current Math Teacher Recommendation
- Dorm Parent Recommendation (for any applicant who has been a boarding student in the past two years)
Also Required:Standardized Testing- All applicants must complete one of the following exams: SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, or ACT. Scores for the SSAT or ISEE must be sent to CSW directly. CSW’s test code for the SSAT is 2020; for the ISEE it is 222350. Scores from a PSAT, SAT, or ACT exam must be sent to us directly from your current school. Scores should be received by our office before the January 15 application deadline.
- International applicants for whom English is not their native language are required to submit official TOEFL scores, as well. Our test code for the TOEFL is 9641.
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Applying for Financial Aid (by February 1, 2021)
Families applying for financial aid are required to submit their online Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) on or before February 1. The PFS should be completed and submitted online to the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) and list CSW as a recipient. Signed copies of your 2019 federal tax documents, including 1040 (or equivalent) and all schedules, W-2s, and 1099s must be uploaded to SSS by February 15. For more information, visit our Tuition and Financial Aid page.
It is unlikely that we will have funds remaining in our financial aid budget for families who apply after January 15. Please feel free to call and speak with an admissions counselor if this will be a factor for your family. -
Decision Notifications Sent
We share notification of admission decisions online via each student's Ravenna account, and we also mail that information to students' homes. Please note that we are unable to provide admission decisions over the phone, and that by submitting your application via Ravenna you will have the earliest possible access to your notification.
During the rolling phase of our application process, we review applications as soon as they become complete and strive to notify families of their decision within a week of their application becoming complete. -
Revisit Events
Admitted students and their parents or guardians are invited to revisit events in late March and early April. These events are designed to give students a deeper sense of the CSW experience, and to give adults an overview of the program and an opportunity to ask questions of faculty, administrators, and staff. -
Enrollment (by April 10, 2021)
By returning the signed enrollment agreement and deposit to CSW, families make their student's enrollment official! Once we receive and process the enrollment, families will receive information about choosing classes and getting ready for the coming school year.
Apply Online
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The first step in the application process is to set up your online account with Ravenna, our web-based application. The system will walk you through the application steps. Please refer to our Admissions Checklist to ensure that you have completed all required parts of your application.
The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.