Learn more about WES — come to our Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 9 (9am-noon). Register here or schedule a private tour.

  • Alumni
  • Parent Portal
  • Give
  • Visit Us
Skip to content
  • About
    • Welcome from the Head of School
    • Fast Facts
    • Mission & History
    • Episcopal Identity
    • 2023-28 Strategic Plan
    • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
    • Leadership, Faculty, Community & Alumni
      • Our Faculty
      • Parents Association
      • Governing Board
      • Alumni
      • Community Partners
    • Accreditation & Memberships
    • Careers
  • Admissions
    • Admission Process
    • Why WES
    • Schedule a Private Tour
    • RSVP for an Admission Event
    • Tuition & Financial Assistance
    • High School & College
    • Meet the Admission Team
  • Academic Life
    • Early Childhood (Age 3- Gr. 1)
      • Early Childhood Welcome
      • Academics
      • Student Life
      • Kindness & Community
      • Arts
      • Science & Innovation
      • School Schedule
      • Experiential Study Trips
    • Elementary (Gr. 2-5)
      • Elementary School Welcome
      • Academics
      • Student Life
      • Kindness & Community
      • Arts
      • STEM & Innovation
      • Athletics
      • School Schedule
      • Experiential Study Trips
    • Middle School (Gr. 6-8)
      • Middle School Welcome
      • Academics
      • Student Life
      • Kindness & Community
      • Arts
      • Science & Innovation
      • Athletics
      • School Schedule
      • Experiential Study Trips
    • Summer Reading and Learning
  • Campus Life
    • School Calendar
    • After School Programming
      • Extended Day
      • After-School Enrichment Program
    • Athletics
    • News & Events
    • Campus Highlights
    • School Uniforms
    • Photo Gallery
    • Traditions at WES
  • Support
    • Annual Fund
      • Annual Fund
      • Give
      • Make a Pledge
      • Stock, Matching Gifts, & More
      • Annual Fund FAQs
      • Giving Circles
      • Annual Report
    • Auction
    • Volunteer
    • WES Grandparents
    • Sales
      • Campus Store
    • Meet the Development Office
  • Summer at WES
    • Summer at WES
      • Sleep Away Camp @ Camp Tall Timbers
      • Jr. Dragon Day Camp
      • Dragon Quest Camp
      • Choose Your Own Adventure Camp
      • Outdoor Adventures
      • DMV Excursions
      • Counselor in Training Program
    • Summer at WES Overview
    • Why Summer@WES?
    • Camps by Age Group
    • Summer@WES Policies
    • Sign Up for Camp
  • Contact
  • Dragon Login
  • Support

Admission Process

Thanks for Your Interest in WES!

Thank you for your interest in Washington Episcopal School!

The application process is designed to assist you and the Admissions Committee in making the best placement decision for your child. During any part of the admission process, feel free to contact the Director of Admission and Financial Aid Kim Bair (kbair@w-e-s.org) and Associate Director of Admission Nick Lellenberg (nlellenberg@w-e-s.org) as they are always here to help.

We are still accepting applications for the 23-24 school year for PK3, PK4, and Kindergarten. We have a few select spots in other grade levels as well.

For students entering for the 2024-2025 school year, the application deadline is January 14, 2024. See below for the process of getting to know WES and submitting an application!

APPLY ONLINE TODAY

Key Admission/Application Dates

WED 10/25/23 6:30-7:30 p.m  Virtual Information Session

TUE 11/9/23 9-10 a.m. On-Site Coffee: Early Childhood (PK3-Grade 1)

MON 11/20/23 Current Family/Sibling applications and documents due

SAT 12/9/23, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Admission Open House (On Site)

THU 1/4/24, 9-10 a.m. Meet the Head of School Coffee (On Site)

WED 1/10/24 6:30-7:30 p.m. Virtual Information Session

SUN 1/14/24 Application Deadline

THUR 1/25/24 6:00-8:00 pm Applicant Families Happy Hour

TUE 2/13/24  9:00-10:00 am  Applicant Family Coffee

FRI 3/1/24  Admission Decisions Announced

THU 3/7/24  Admitted Family Breakfast Reception

FRI 3/15/24  Enrollment Contracts Due

Application Information

Step One: Tour

Schedule a Private Tour

Come experience what a WES education is like for yourself.

Click to schedule a visit today!

Step Two: Meet With Us

Tell us about your child and family.

A parent interview is required. The interview gives the WES admissions team the chance to learn more about your child and your family. You can schedule a parent interview online.

This is the time to share with the admissions team your child’s learning style, personality, interests, hobbies, and educational background. The best way to prepare for the parent interview is to think about a list of your aspirations for your child’s education and any information about your child’s learning or medical needs.

At the end of the interview, both you and the Office of Admission should have a good idea if WES a potential fit for your child.

Not sure what to ask during the Parent Interview? Read a list of private school parent interview questions to help you dig a little deeper and get the information that will truly help you compare one school to another.

Step Three: Apply Online

Begin your Washington Episcopal School admission application.

NOTE: The application deadline is January 14, 2024.

Please submit the application with a photo of your child and the application fee. The application takes about 10 minutes to complete, and you may start and save the application as needed before submitting it.

Families with financial needs may request, in writing, a reduction of the application fee.

Once you finish the general online application, you will be prompted to complete the additional requirements as appropriate (i.e. transcripts, recommendations, and testing). Please give yourself a week to two weeks to complete the additional steps.

Applying to PK3 or PK4

Required: Students must be age 3 by September 1 and toilet trained to apply to our PK3 program or must be age 4 by September 1 to apply to our PK4 program.

Recommendation: Give the Independent School Confidential Recommendation form to your child’s current teacher. Please select the form for Applicants to PK3-Grade 1.

Teacher Recommendation Form (if applicable)

Applying to Kindergarten (age 5)

Recommendation: Give the Independent School Confidential Recommendation form to your child’s current teacher. Please select the form for Applicants to PK3 – Grade 1.

Testing (OPTIONAL): The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV). Scores are valid and usable for 18 months. Please let us know if you need assistance finding a tester.

Teacher Recommendation Form (if applicable)

Applying to Grade 1

Recommendation: Give the Independent School Confidential Recommendation form to your child’s current teacher. Please select the form for Applicants to PK3-Grade 1.

Testing (OPTIONAL): The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV) is optional for all applicants to Grade 1. Scores are valid and usable for 18 months. Please let us know if you need assistance finding a tester.

Teacher Recommendation Form

Applying to Grades 2 - 8

Recommendation: Give the Independent School Confidential Recommendation form to your child’s current teacher. Please select the form for Applicants to Grades 2 – 8.

Testing (OPTIONAL): For the 2022-2023 admission cycle, all testing is optional. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V) is optional for all applicants applying to Grades 2 – 5. Applicants to Grades 6-8 may take either the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT). Scores are valid and usable for 18 months.

  • To register for the ISEE, please visit www.iseetest.org and enter 090329 to ensure that WES receives your child’s scores.
  • To register for the SSAT, please visit www.ssat.org and enter 8035 to ensure that WES receives your child’s scores.

Transcript: Please submit this form to your child’s current school to request a transcript.

Recommendation Form

Transcript Release Form

 

Applying for Financial Aid Information

Click HERE to learn more about tuition and the financial assistance available, as well as how to apply.

Helpful Hints for Applying

Do

  • Be yourself.
  • We want to get to know the real you. WES has a diverse and inclusive community that welcomes and embraces a range of students and families.
  • Ask questions.
  • Talk with our admissions team, administrators, faculty, students, and families. They will give you the confidence that you have the full picture of WES.
  • Visit, visit, visit!
  • Join us for an Open House, take a private tour, attend a Chapel, see a game, view a play, and more. Our doors are always open.
  • Read: Finding the Best Fit School for Your Child

Don’t

  • Give a partial portrait of your child.
  • If your child has special needs, please let the Office of Admission know. WES has a support team comprised of the school nurse, counselors, learning specialists, and chaplain who can help assess if WES can meet those needs. WES is always happy to make referrals if there is a school that would be a better fit.
  • Get stressed.
  • The Office of Admissions is here to help you. Freely email or call with questions or concerns.
  • Wait to invest in your child’s education
  • 28% of WES families receive financial aid. The online financial aid application takes about 30 minutes to complete and can make a huge difference in WES’s affordability. Grants range from a few thousand dollars to nearly full aid.
Admission Policy

Washington Episcopal School seeks qualified students who can contribute to and benefit from our educational program. All students applying to the school are screened to assess their readiness for the program. Students are selected for admission on the basis of multiple factors and the school’s enrollment at time of application. In all cases, the school retains the right to determine, at its sole discretion, whether or not to select a student for admission or to re-enroll a student.

When there are more qualified candidates than openings available, the school establishes an unranked waiting list. If any openings occur, the admissions committee decides which candidate(s) to offer a position based on the overall profile of the class and the match between the needs and qualifications of the student and the needs of the school.

Siblings of current WES students may apply early and opt to receive early admission decisions, which are generally sent in early January.

Washington Episcopal School is committed to having a diverse student population. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, ancestry, family composition, economic status, or disability. All persons are encouraged to apply.

 

  • Have a quick question about WES or how to apply to WES?

Want to Know More?

  • Why WES?
  • Schedule a Tour
  • Apply Now
Quicklinks:
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Athletics Schedule
  • School Calendar
Login Area:
  • Parent Login
  • Faculty Login
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Vimeo

5600 Little Falls Parkway Bethesda, MD 20816 | 301-652-7878