Elementary School
Admissions

Application Process

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  • Procedures

    The application for Kindergarten entry in Fall of 2026 is now closed. The application for Kindergarten entry will open again in September 2026.

    Prospective families should note the following:
    • Kindergarten is the only application point for Hunter College Elementary School.
    • All information in the "The Application Process: Step-by-Step" section below must be read before starting an application.
    • The process involves two phases: Round 1 and Round 2. Families will be notified about Round 2 advancement in early December.
    • Round 1 scores or feedback will not be shared with parents/guardians or third parties.
    • Round 2 is scheduled to occur over 2 weekends in January. Those advancing to Round 2 will receive additional information.
    • Transportation is not provided to the outer boroughs, or to locations in Manhattan north of W 145th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue, or south of Hudson and Bank Streets.

    Families may contact the Admissions Office at admissions@hunterschools.org or 212-860-1401 with additional questions.

The Kindergarten Application Process

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  • Eligibility Requirements

    To be eligible for the Fall 2027 Kindergarten class, candidates must:

    1. Be born during 2022: January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.

    2. Have primary residence in one of the five boroughs of New York City, as of September 1 of the application year. (Child must be listed as a dependent of their parent(s)/guardian(s) at a permanent NYC address listed on the NYS IT-201 tax form. P.O. Boxes or non-NYC addresses on the tax form will not suffice, regardless of the information listed  in sections E and F.)

    NOTE: Utility bills, vehicle registration, bank statements, or insurance cards will not be accepted.

    CLICK HERE to view the acceptable residency documents. For questions, please contact our office at admissions@hunterschools.org, or at 212-860-1401.

  • Sibling, Twin, and Legacy Policy

    Hunter College Elementary School (HCES) does not have a sibling policy.

    In an effort to make the opportunity to attend HCES available to all families,  preference is not granted to siblings of current students or Hunter College Campus Schools (HCCS) alumni. Every applicant is evaluated on their individual merits. The admissions decision for one sibling has no bearing on the admissions decision for another.

  • The Application Process: Step-by-Step

    The Application Process: Step-by-Step 

    Fees
    Applying to Hunter College Elementary School (HCES) involves:
    • $50 non-refundable application processing fee
    • $375 Round 1 testing fee
    Financial assistance is available for eligible families. If you plan to request a fee waiver or have a Head Start waiver code, please visit the Reduced Fee and Head Start section for instructions.

    Applications via Ravenna
    HCES applications are processed through Ravenna, an online system used by many K–12 schools. Please read all instructions carefully to avoid delays or disqualification.

    Step I: Check Eligibility & Costs

    Confirm your child meets age and NYC residency requirements before proceeding. Application and testing fees are listed above.

    Step II: Create a Ravenna Account

    Go to www.ravenna-hub.com and click Create Account to begin.
    You can also use this direct link to Hunter's page in Ravenna.

    Step III: Add Your Student's Profile

    In Ravenna Hub, click Add Student on the left side of the dashboard and complete the required information. This profile will house your Hunter application and all related forms.

    Step IV: Submit the Application

    In the upper-left menu, open the school directory, search for Hunter College Campus Schools, and click Apply.
    • Select the Elementary School application and complete all required questions.
    • Pay the $50 [non-refundable] application fee through Ravenna’s secure system.
    • A separate student profile is required for each child applying.

      The deadline to apply will be in late October 2026.

    Step V: After You Apply

    Within three business days, you will receive an email with:
    • Instructions for scheduling Round 1 testing
    • A list of HCES-approved testers (contact only one)
    • Your child’s ID number
    • The testing deadline will be 21 days from the email's "sent" date.

      CHECK SPAM FOLDER, IF NECESSARY, TO LOCATE THE EMAIL.
    Important:
    • Contacting more than one tester without a referral will result in disqualification.
    • Missing the testing deadline will result in disqualification.

    Step VI: Complete Round 1 Testing

    Round 1 is the first of two assessment rounds. Parents schedule testing with an HCES-approved tester, who will assess intellectual reasoning and cognitive abilities. The $375 testing fee is paid directly to the tester.

    Financial assistance details are in the Reduced Fee section or you can call Admissions at 212-860-1401.

    Step VII: Notification for Round 2

    All families will be notified about advancement to Round 2. Those who advance will receive further instructions and dates by the second week of December.

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  • Visiting HCES

    Hunter offers a unique way to explore our vibrant community through our "Admissions Video," located HERE. This video showcases all that Hunter has to offer. We invite families to watch and discover what makes our school so special!

    Traditionally, only parents or guardians of children who are offered admission -- or placement on the wait list -- are invited to visit HCES. At that time, those families are able to visit classrooms, and meet the principal, faculty, and other staff prior to submitting enrollment paperwork for their child.
     
Hunter College Campus Schools
71 East 94th Street 
New York, NY 10128
Elementary School: 212-860-1292
High School: 212-860-1267
Professional Photography © Laura Dwight