Elementary School
Admissions

Procedures

Kindergarten Admissions for Entry in Fall 2025

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  • Procedure Intro Text: 2025-2026

    The Hunter College Elementary School application for Kindergarten entry in Fall of 2026 is now open. The deadline to apply is 4:00pm on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

    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 whether or not their child is advancing to Round 2.
    • HCCS and HCCS-approved testers will not share Round 1 scores or performance feedback with parents/guardians or third parties.
    • Round 2 is scheduled to occur the weekends of January 10-11, 2026 and January 17-18, 2026. Participants will be invited to one session during that period. Only those advancing to Round 2 will receive additional information about the process.

    See "Age Requirement" and "Residency Requirement" sections below to determine eligibility.

    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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  • Age Requirement

    Applicants for the September 2026 Kindergarten class must have been born during 2021: January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.

  • Residency Requirement

    Only New York City residents* are eligible to apply and enroll at HCES.

    Parents/guardians must document their primary home address in NYC as of September 1 of the application year and must remain NYC residents for as long as the child attends HCES. Families whose children advance to Round 2 of the admissions process will be required to complete a Proof of Residency form and submit appropriate documentation (i.e. 2024 IT-201 New York State income tax form).

    Addresses that include a P.O. Box, a business name, “in care of” a third party, or any location outside NYC will not be accepted.

    Please note that utility bills, vehicle registration, bank statements and insurance cards are not acceptable as proof of residency.

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

    *For admissions purposes, New York City (NYC) residency means that NYC is the family's primary residence. Property ownership alone does not establish residency. NYC is defined as the five boroughs and does not include Westchester, Nassau, or Suffolk counties.

  • 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.

    Online 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 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 is 4:00pm on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

    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 (must be met to avoid disqualification)

      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

    Families whose children advance to Round 2 will receive further instructions and dates.

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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