How to Get Into Episcopal High School - Test Innovators

How to Get Into Episcopal High School

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15Nov

How to Get Into Episcopal High School

By Admissions Assist, School Admissions Guides Comments Off on How to Get Into Episcopal High School

Key Dates and Information

  • Location: Alexandria, VA
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Application deadline: January 15, 2024
  • Financial aid deadline: February 9th, 2024
  • Admissions decision: March 10, 2024

Introduction

Episcopal High School (EHS) is a boarding school in Alexandria, Virginia for students in grades 9 through 12. EHS is 100% boarding, and believes that boarding is transformative and helps students develop their independence. The school provides abundant academic and extracurricular opportunities for students, taking advantage of its proximity to Washington, D.C. Episcopal High School made the list of the 50 most sought-after schools of 2023, and draws a competitive applicant pool.

Applying to a top school like EHS is both exciting and challenging. Luckily, Test Innovators is here for you. We offer Admissions Assist Courses, which will help you understand what admissions officers look for in applicants, prepare for the admissions interview, and write outstanding application materials.

Application

EHS accepts applications to 9th, 10th, and 11th grade. To apply, students must complete the following steps:

  • Complete the formal application through the SSAT Standard Application Online (SAO) or Gateway to Prep Schools by January 15, 2024
    • Application fee: $60 for domestic applicants; $120 for international applicants
    • Components:
      • Student questionnaire with personal essay
      • Parent questionnaire
      • Health and medical information form
  • Submit the transcript report through the SAO or Gateway to Prep Schools application by January 15, 2024
  • Submit recommendations through the SAO or Gateway to Prep Schools application by January 15, 2024
    • Required recommendations: current counselor, current English teacher, current math teacher
    • Optional recommendations: special interest or personal
  • Schedule and complete the personal interview with an EHS admissions officer
    • Applicants should contact the admissions office to schedule the admissions interview at (703) 933-4062 or admissions@episcopalhighschool.org
    • Deadline: interview must be completed by January 31, 2024
  • Take an admissions test (optional)
    • Accepted tests: SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, and ACT
    • Deadline: Scores received by January 15, 2024
  • Take an English language test (if applicable)
    • Applicants who do not speak English as their first language are required to take the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English test
  • Complete the financial aid application (if applicable)
    • Deadline: January 15, 2024
      • Supporting tax documents deadline: March 4, 2023

To learn more about applying to EHS, please visit their admissions page. 

Admissions Interview

The admissions interview is a required part of the application to EHS. Applicants can contact the admissions office at (703) 933-4062 or admissions@episcopalhighschool.org to schedule the interview, which must be completed before the end of January 2024. 

A member of the admissions team will first interview the student and then meet with the parents/guardians. Interviews are offered both in-person and virtually. 

The interview is a chance for EHS to get to know you as an applicant and for you to share what excites you about the school. Being prepared for the interview is key to putting your best foot forward. Test Innovators offers an Admissions Assist Course, which will ensure you are ready for the interview. In our course, students and parents/guardians practice common interview questions and strategize on what to highlight in the interview.  

Another important way to prepare is to research EHS. Read about their mission and beliefs and consider what resonates with you. Look into the academic curriculum and departments, and consider sharing classes of interest. Learn why 100% of students board at EHS and what residential life is like. Check out opportunities in the arts and athletics, along with clubs and organizations and afternoon programs, and share how you would like to get involved. You are applying to EHS for a reason, so don’t hesitate to discuss that reason in your interview! 

Admissions Tests

Admissions tests are optional for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. Students can submit scores from the SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, or ACT. Scores must be received by the application deadline on January 15, 2024.

EHS is test-optional, but we highly recommend taking an admissions exam if you plan on applying. Taking an admissions exam can only improve your application; instead of “test-optional”, consider it “submission-optional”. Once you receive your scores, compare them to target scores for Episcopal High School and other schools of interest. If they are competitive, submitting them can strengthen your application, and if not, you can choose to omit them. By taking an admissions test, you give yourself another opportunity to show that you are a good fit for EHS. 

If you choose to take an admission exam, Test Innovators has got your back. We are an official practice partner of the SSAT and the only official practice partner of the ISEE. We also offer materials for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT. On our platform, you will take full-length practice exams and receive a detailed score analysis after each one. You can focus on areas with room to improve, while gaining familiarity with the test format and question types. 

When you are ready to get started, check out our SSAT Prep Guide and ISEE Prep Guide.

Financial Aid Application

Episcopal High School recognizes that education is a significant investment for families, and strives to enroll families from all socioeconomic backgrounds. In the 2023-2024 year, roughly 35% of families received financial aid, with an average grant size of $51,430. 

The following steps are required to apply for financial aid:

  • Complete the Clarity financial aid application by January 15, 2024
  • Submit your 2023 W2s(s) by February 9, 2024

Families will receive financial aid decisions along with admissions decisions in March. For more information on financial aid at EHS, please refer to their financial aid page. 

Extracurricular Opportunities

Athletics

EHS students can participate in the following sports:

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Climbing
  • Crew
  • Cross country
  • Field hockey
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Indoor track & field
  • Lacrosse
  • Outdoor track & field
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Squash
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Ultimate frisbee
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling

Visit EHS’s website for more information on their athletics program. 

Arts

EHS’s arts program aims to take advantage of the artistic offerings of Washington, D.C. EHS hosts visiting artists and organizes visits to cultural sites. In addition, students can participate in four arts departments: visual arts, theater, music, and dance. Be sure to explore the abundant opportunities in the arts at EHS, and share your interests in your application materials. 

Clubs and Organizations

EHS clubs and organizations allow students to explore their existing interests and discover new ones. Opportunities include Culinary Club, Spikeball Club, Women in STEM, and Debate Club. They also have afternoon programs built into the curriculum, which include community service, applied journalism, and drama. Check out all the extracurricular opportunities at EHS, and share how you hope to get involved in your interview and application essay. 

Boarding School

EHS is a 100% boarding school, meaning all students live in the dorms on campus. EHS believes that boarding allows students to make the most of their community and environment. 

EHS has eight dorms, four for boys and four for girls. Each dorm is led by a dorm head, with a faculty member on each floor. Freshmen have their own dorms with additional support and faculty to help ease the transition to boarding school. The freshman dorms also have an 11th grade prefect on each floor. Students have one or two roommates, and new students will be assigned roommates in the same grade. Refer to EHS’s website to learn more about residential life.

Conclusion

With Test Innovators, you have help navigating the application process to Episcopal High School. Check out the resources below to learn more about how to create your strongest application. 

 

Preparation Resources:

Start preparing today!

SSAT
ISEE
HSPT
PSAT
ACT
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Admissions Assist

Originally published on October 21, 2022. Updated on November 15, 2023.

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