How to Apply
The MPH Admission Process
Each year, Manlius Pebble Hill School admits approximately 100 new students on a rolling basis beginning in April for the following school year. Admission decisions are made with a commitment to our mission of academic excellence, cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic diversity, and the recognition of special talents. Ultimately, we seek to enroll students who will benefit from and contribute to the unique academic and social environment of the MPH community.
When to Apply
Families are encouraged to apply during the fall before the academic year in which they wish to enroll, but we will continue to accept applications until a grade is fully enrolled. Applications are accepted during the school year for grade levels with space-availability.
Timeline
MPH believes the admission process is an opportunity for the School to explore each applicant’s strengths, goals and potential. Our goal is to get to know our applicants personally so we can best determine if the School provides the right academic and social fit. It is also a time for applicants to get to know the School on a deeper level through a school visit and conversations with our faculty and staff.
Typically, the Admission process takes place over the course of 2-4 weeks. The Director of Admission will work personally with applicants and their families to guide them through the process and to serve as a primary resource.
School Tour and Applicant Meeting
Applicants and their families are encouraged to meet with the Director of Admission and tour the campus prior to submitting an application. Please contact the Director of Admission to arrange a personal appointment.
Applying for Financial Aid
Families seeking financial assistance should submit a financial aid application at the same time they submit the MPH Admission Application Form. Submitting a financial aid application will not affect eligibility for admission and financial information is not shared with the Admission Committee. The Financial Aid application is submitted through School & Student Services, a subset of the National Association of Independent Schools and there is a $60 application fee. The MPH Financial Aid Committee reviews applications for aid and decisions are communicated to families at the time of acceptance.
Admission Notification
The MPH Admission Committee reviews all completed applications and makes an admission decision, which is communicated to families via email and standard mail.
Application Instructions
The application process varies by grade level. Please follow the instructions below for your prospective grade level:
The Lower School (Pre-K through Grade 5)
MPH Application Form and Fee:
All applicants should begin by submitting the MPH Admission Application Form to Manlius Pebble Hill along with the $50 application fee (payable by check or money order to Manlius Pebble Hill School). If applying for more than one student, please submit a separate form and fee for each applicant.
Records Release Form
An up-to-date transcript from the applicant's current school is required (not applicable to applicants to Prekindergarten or applicants to Kindergarten who have not attended a Pre-K program). Parents should complete and sign their portion of the Records Release Form and give it to the appropriate person at their child's school. The school should send the form and the requested records directly to MPH.
Teacher Recommendation Forms
A recommendation from the applicant’s current or most recent teacher is required (not applicable to applicants to Prekindergarten or applicants to Kindergarten who have not attended a Pre-K program). Parents should access the proper Recommendation Form below and forward it to the teacher. The teacher should submit the completed form directly to MPH.
Teacher Recommendation Form- Prekindergarten and Kindergarten
Teacher Recommendation Form- Grades 1-5
Applicant School Visit
Upon review of the initial application components, the Admission Committee will invite eligible applicants to visit MPH for a school day. MPH believes that it is important for applicants to spend time visiting the appropriate classroom and meeting our faculty and students. During the visit, the teacher will administer age-appropriate assessment exercises to determine the applicant’s reading and math capabilities, cognitive development and social skills. Eligible applicants are contacted by the MPH Admission Office to schedule their visit.
- Students applying to Pre-K and Kindergarten will visit Prekindergarten.
- Students applying to Grade 1 will visit Kindergarten.
- Students applying to Grades 2 through 5 will spend two days in their current grade.
The Middle and Upper Schools (Grades 6-12)
MPH Application Form and Fee:
All applicants should begin by submitting the MPH Admission Application Form to Manlius Pebble Hill along with the $50 application fee (payable by check or money order to Manlius Pebble Hill School). If applying for more than one student, please submit a separate form and fee for each applicant.
Student Questionnaire
Students applying for Grades 6 through 12 are asked to handwrite their responses to the Student Questionnaire, which will help us learn more about the applicant and aid us in selecting a student guide for the applicant's school visit.
Records Release Form
An up-to-date transcript from the applicant's current school is required. Parents should complete and sign their portion of the Records Release Form and give it to the appropriate person at their child's school. The school should send the form and the requested records directly to MPH.
Teacher & Personal Recommendation Forms
All applicants must have three recommendations submitted on their behalf Recommendations from the applicant’s current or most recent Math and English teachers are required, as well as Personal Recommendation completed by a non-academic referral (for example, a Guidance Counselor, Coach or Extracurricular supervisor). Applicants should access the proper Recommendation Form below and forward it to the appropriate party. Completed forms should sent directly to MPH.
Math Teacher Recommendation Form
English Teacher Recommendation Form
MPH Entrance Exam
Applicants to grades 6-12 take the CTP IV Exam, an aptitude test supplied by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) that evaluates verbal and quantitative abilities. The Admission Office will contact applicants to schedule a time to take the exam.
Note: this same exam is offered annually (in January) as part of the MPH Scholarship Program. Prospective applicants who wish to qualify for a Scholarship should plan on taking the exam in January. For more information on the Scholarship Exam, click here.
Applicant School Visit
Upon review of the initial application components, the Admission Committee will invite eligible applicants to visit MPH for a school day. MPH believes that it is important for applicants to spend time visiting our classrooms and meeting our faculty and students. Student guides are assigned to Middle and Upper School applicants for their visit. Eligible applicants are contacted by the MPH Admission Office to schedule their visit.
