Admission Process

Our admission process is not rooted in achievement or test scores. Instead, we are looking for a student’s intellectual curiosity and desire to grow. Below is an outline of our general admission process.

Please note: strong preference will be given to students in seventh through tenth grades in order to allow for a plan that prioritizes a student’s development, the time for proper mentorship, and an academic/college plan that is comprehensive and strategic.

  • Following an initial consultation with the family, students are interviewed for fit and to allow us to better understand who they are and what their goals are. Upon admission, our senior staff holds an orientation meeting with the family.

  • A comprehensive academic plan is put into place, giving students an adjustable blueprint regarding their personal development, academic pursuits, and beyond.

  • Students work with our coach weekly to discuss life, school, and managing it all. Coaching investigates the student’s overall development while academic advising looks at academic decision-making in the short, mid, and long term.

  • Students work with our teachers one-on-one to execute their personalized plan; one that combines their coaching framework with their academic needs. Sessions operate as “independent study” much like college and graduate school, providing a challenging and thoughtful learning experience.

  • In accordance with their academic goals, students receive full long-term comprehensive college admissions counseling.

FAQ

  • Simply put: a strong motivation to develop oneself. An interest in emotional intelligence, empathy, morality, and virtue is highly valued. Character development is prioritized at Chestnut, so acknowledgment of this principle is necessary, interest in it is preferred. We also expect students to be academically motivated and display strong intellectual curiosity.

  • We do not enroll based on grade or age. We instead assess a student’s willingness, capability, and fit. While we give strong preference to students 7th-10th grade, we do not have grade or age limitations.

  • While we appreciate academically inclined students, development of the individual sits at the forefront of our work and therefore cannot be abandoned.