Admissions Process - Bethesda Private School

Welcome to WES!

We know that choosing the right school is an important decision. At WES, we’ve designed our application process to be as seamless, personable, and transparent as possible. We look forward to getting to know your family.

Application Process

Step One: Inquire

Step Two: Schedule Your Tour and Interview

We require families to schedule a visit as part of our admission process.

During your visit to WES, we will conduct an informal parent interview and give you a tour of our building. This gives us a chance to learn more about your child and your family, while giving you the opportunity to ask any questions.

For families located outside the local area, we can arrange a virtual visit over Zoom.

Step Three: Submit Your Application

Complete your Washington Episcopal School admission application.

Please submit the application with the $80 application fee. You may start and save the application as needed before submitting it. Families with financial need may request, in writing, a reduction of the application fee. Please email admissions@w-e-s.org to make this request.

Once you finish the general online application, you will be prompted to provide the additional requirements as appropriate (e.g., transcripts, recommendations). Please allow one to two weeks to complete these additional steps.

Step Four: Schedule Your Student's Visit

Once your application is submitted, we will reach out to schedule your student’s visit to campus:

Students interested in PK3 - Kindergarten will attend a playgroup in January with approximately 4-6 students. Playgroups last approximately 30-60 minutes. Parents will have the opportunity to visit with current and prospective families and ask questions while children attend the playgroup.
Students applying into Grades 1-8 will participate in a full day of school at WES for their visit.

Applications by Grade

PK3 - PK4

Required: Students must turn 3 by September 1 and be toilet trained in order to start in our PK3 program; Children must turn 4 by September 1 to start in our PK4 program.

Teacher Recommendation: Please submit a recommendation from your child’s current classroom teacher through your application checklist in Blackbaud. Please select the form for Applicants to PK3-Grade 1.

Additional Information (OPTIONAL): If you have additional information that would help us to better understand your child, you will have the opportunity to share it when you complete the application.

Kindergarten - Grade 1

Teacher Recommendation: Please submit a recommendation from your child’s current classroom teacher through your application checklist in Blackbaud. Please select the form for Applicants to PK3-Grade 1.

Additional Information (OPTIONAL): If you have additional information that would help us to better understand your child, you will have the opportunity to share it when you complete the application.

Grades 2-8

Teacher Recommendation: Please submit a recommendation from your child’s current classroom teacher (Grades 2-5), or math and English/Language Arts teachers (Grades 6-8). You may access the correct recommendation forms through your application checklist in Blackbaud.

Testing (OPTIONAL): Applicants to Grades 6-8 may choose to take either the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT), but neither is required. 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

Additional Information (OPTIONAL): If you have additional information that would help us to better understand your child, you will have the opportunity to share it when you complete the application.

Admissions Policy and Procedures

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.

To be eligible for enrollment, children must be current on all vaccines required by the current Maryland Immunization Schedule.

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 does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, ancestry, family composition, economic status, or disability in its admission decisions. All persons are encouraged to apply.

Admission Process