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Admissions Process

Admissions

 

At Carden Hall, we welcome families who are seeking an exceptional beginning for their child’s educational journey. We believe that a child’s greatest success comes through a strong parternship between home and school. Together with parents, we cultivate consistent expectations, shared values, and a nurturing environment that insprires curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

As you explore the opportunity to become part of the Carden Hall community, we invite you to visit our campus, meet our dedicated faculty, and experience firsthand the joyful, engaging atmosphere that makes Carden Hall such a special place to learn and grow.

Our admissions process is designed to provide a thoughtful, holistic understanding of each applicant. Through a combination of Carden Hall assessments, grade-level standardized testing, classroom observations, and individual interactions with our experienced teachers, we evaluate each child's academic readiness, developmental maturity, and compatibility with our educational model. This comprehensive approach helps ensure that every student is well-prepared to thrive within the Carden curriculum and is placed in the classroom primed for academic success.

Carden Hall accepts applications for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 6. We do not accept applications for Grades 7 and 8.

Age Requirements:

  • Pre-Kindergarten: Children must be 4 years old by September 1. 
  • Kindergarten: Children must be 5 years old by September 1.

Exceptions to these age requirements may be considered for children entering Pre-Kindergarten at age five or Kindergarten at age six whose birthdays fall between June 1 and August 31.

 

 

A collage shows students in school uniforms, smiling and interacting.

Application Process

  • Applicants may begin the admissions process by submitting an online application. New student applications are accepted only during our application period of September 1 through January 15, or until a grade level has reached capacity. 

    Applications for the 2027–2028 school year may be submitted beginning at 9:00 a.m., on September 1, 2026.   

    There is a non-refundable application fee of $250 per student. 

  • We invite all prospective families to schedule a campus tour for an opportunity to attend an assembly, visit classrooms, and experience first hand all that Carden Hall has to offer. Tours are scheduled by appointment only on select Mondays and Fridays, in September through early December. 

    Tours for the 2027–2028 enrollment cycle may be scheduled via this page on or after September 1, 2026. Please note: tours are offered in a limited capacity and are reserved for parents only. 

  • Once an application has been processed, a readiness screening will be scheduled. Assessments take place in a small group setting guided by our experienced classroom teachers on the following dates:

    Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten:

    • Saturday, January 23, 2027
    • Saturday, February 6, 2027

     

    Grades 1 through 6:

    • Saturday, February 6, 2027

    There are no alternate dates available. 

  • In thorough consideration of each applicant and to begin building a meaningful home-school partnership, we ask families to complete the following steps during the admissions process: 

    • Tour campus
    • Submit a Student Recommendation Form completed by the applicant’s current or previous school
    • Complete the New Family Questionnaire
    • Attend a Carden Connection presentation during the student assessment

  • New families will be notified of acceptance or waiting list placement by no later than March 1. Applicants will be notified via email, and have an opportunity to schedule a call with the Director of Admissions to discuss the results of the evaluation and grade placement.

    Enrollment must be submitted within 14 days of acceptance.

    To ensure success and an smooth transition into Carden Hall, students entering grades one through six are required to attend our four-week Summer School program prior to their first year.

Begin your child’s journey at Carden Hall.

Pre-Kindergarten

Give your child a joyful beginning where wonder is nurtured, character is developed, and a lifelong love of learning begins.

Kindergarten

Build a strong foundation where curiosity grows, confidence blossoms, and the joy of learning takes root.

Grades 1–3

Continue your child's educational journey with academic excellence, meaningful character development, and joyful discovery.

Grades 4–6

Prepare your child for the next stage of learning with growing independence, confident leadership, and strong character.

Carden Hall is fully supported by tuition; there are no fund-raising activities, no donations, and no solicitations. Tuition includes all fees associated with books, supplies, activities, yearbooks, and graduation.