How to Get Into Greenhill School
Key Dates and Information
- Location: Addison, TX
- Grades: Pre-K – 12th grade
- Application deadline:
- Pre-K – 4th grade:
- Part I: December 8, 2023
- Part II: January 26, 2024
- 5th grade – 11th grade:
- Part I: January 5, 2024
- Part II: January 26, 2024
- Pre-K – 4th grade:
- Financial aid application deadline: February 15, 2024
- Admissions tests:
- Pre-K and Kindergarten: C.A.T.S. (Collaborative Academic Testing Services)
- Primer and 1st grade: C.A.T.S. (Collaborative Academic Testing Services) and ISAAD (Independent Schools Admission Association of Dallas)
- Grades 2-11: ISEE
- Deadline: February 4, 2024
- Admissions decision notification: March 8, 2024
Introduction
Greenhill is a top day school in the Dallas area for students in grades pre-K through 12. They provide abundant opportunities for students to explore their interests and passions in and out of the classroom. Greenhill offers a unique primer year between kindergarten and 1st grade to help students develop and mature at their own pace. It was the 12th most sought-after school in 2023.
We have created this guide to help you navigate the application process to Greenhill. Keep reading to learn more about the application requirements and deadlines, and to explore helpful resources.
We recommend using this guide in conjunction with Test Innovators’ Admissions Assist Courses. Our prep courses will help you stand out in your written application materials, ace your interview, and keep you on track during the application process.
Application
Greenhill’s typical entry grades are pre-K, kindergarten, primer, 1st grade, 5th grade, and 9th grade. Students are able to submit applications to other grades, but openings depend on current student attrition.
The application to Greenhill varies based on grade. The following steps are required to apply to Greenhill:
- Complete part I of the application by December 8, 2023
- Online application
- $50 application fee
- Parent/guardian questionnaire
- Complete part II of the application by January 26, 2024
- Parent/guardian meeting (new applicant families only)
- Parent/guardian meetings last 20-30 minutes and are scheduled online through the application
- Preschool admissions observation
- Students participate in an hour-long developmental age observation that includes both one-on-one and group elements
- Observations take place in-person at Greenhill on Saturdays in January
- Transcripts or progress reports from current school or daycare (if applicable)
- Current teacher or daycare evaluation (if applicable)
- C.A.T.S. (Collaborative Academic Testing Services) testing
- Parent/guardian meeting (new applicant families only)
- Complete the financial aid application by February 15, 2024 (if applicable)
- Complete part I of the application by December 8, 2023.
- Online application
- $50 application fee
- Parent/guardian questionnaire
- Complete part II of the application by January 26, 2024
- Parent/guardian meeting (new applicant families only)
- Parent/guardian meetings last 20-30 minutes and are scheduled online through the application
- Lower school admissions observation
- Observations take place in-person at Greenhill on Saturdays in January
- Transcripts or progress reports from current school
- Current teacher evaluation
- Admissions Tests
- C.A.T.S. (Collaborative Academic Testing Services) testing
- ISAAD (The Independent Schools Admission Association of Dallas) First Grade Test (complete by February 3, 2024)
- Parent/guardian meeting (new applicant families only)
- Complete the financial aid application by February 15 2024 (if applicable)
- Complete part I of the application by December 8, 2023.
- Online application
- $100 application fee
- Parent/guardian questionnaire
- Complete part II of the application by January 26, 2024
- Lower school admissions observation
- Observations take place in-person at Greenhill on Saturdays in January
- Transcripts or progress reports from current school
- Current teacher evaluation
- ISEE (complete by February 3, 2024)
- Lower school admissions observation
- Complete the financial aid application by February 15, 2024 (if applicable)
- Complete part I of the application by January 5, 2024
- Online application
- $100 application fee
- Parent/guardian questionnaire
- Student questionnaire
- Complete part II of the application by January 26, 2024
- Interview and campus visit
- Transcripts or progress reports from current school
- Current math and English teacher evaluations
- ISEE (complete by February 3, 2024)
- Complete the financial aid application by February 15, 2024 (if applicable)
For more information on the admissions process and deadlines, please refer to Greenhill’s admissions page.
Admissions Interview
The parents/guardians of new applicant families applying to grades pre-K through 1st grade meet with a member of the Greenhill admissions team for a 20-30 minute conversation. The parent/guardian meeting is scheduled through the online application.
Students applying to pre-K through 4th grade participate in a preschool or lower school admissions observation. Observations take place on the Greenhill campus on Saturdays in January.
Applicants to grades 5 through 11 participate in an admissions interview and optional campus visit. Interviews and visits must be scheduled by January 2024, although scheduling earlier is recommended as space is limited.
The interview is your chance to let Greenhill get to know you and to showcase your unique strengths as an applicant. It is important to be prepared so you can make the most of your interview time. Test Innovators offers an Interview Prep Course to help you develop your interview skills. You’ll practice common interview questions, think strategically about what to highlight in your responses, and gain confidence.
Along with our course, we recommended doing your research so you can share why you are interested in Greenhill. Look at their mission and their work on equity and inclusion. Read about their approach to academics, and familiarize yourself with the curriculum for Preschool, Lower School, Middle School, or Upper School. Get an idea of what life at Greenhill is like. Explore Greenhill’s athletics program, arts program, and clubs and activities, and share how you would like to get involved as a student. If you are prepared for the interview, your passions and interests will come through naturally.
Admissions Tests
The following admissions tests and evaluations are required for Greenhill applicants:
- Pre-K and kindergarten:
- C.A.T.S. (Collaborative Academic Testing Services)
- Primer and 1st grade:
- C.A.T.S. (Collaborative Academic Testing Services)
- ISAAD (Independent Schools Admission Association of Dallas) First Grade Test
- Grades 2-11:
- ISEE (deadline: February 3, 2024)
The ISEE is a big step in the application process, and Test Innovators is here to help you achieve your best results. We are the only official practice partner of the ISEE. Our platform allows you to take full-length practice tests, and gives you a detailed score breakdown after each practice test. You’ll receive additional support and practice questions to target areas with room to improve. You can also compare your practice scores to target scores for Greenhill and other schools of interest.
Check out our ISEE Prep Guide to learn more about how Test Innovators can help you prepare for test day.
Financial Aid Application
Greenhill’s financial aid program supports the goal of enrolling families from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, and is fully need-based. Need for financial assistance is not considered in the admissions decision. For the 2023-2024 year, 20% of Greenhill students were awarded financial aid.
To apply for financial aid, students and families must complete the following steps:
- Indicate interest in applying for financial aid on the online application
- Receive information from the financial aid office
- Submit necessary forms to School and Student Services by February 15, 2024
Families will be informed of financial aid awards with the admissions decisions in March 2024. For more information on financial aid at Greenhill and how to apply, please visit their website.
Extracurricular Opportunities
Athletics
Greenhill students can participate in the following sports teams:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Cross country
- Field hockey
- Football
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track & field
- Volleyball
To learn more about athletics at Greenhill, visit their athletics page.
Arts
Greenhill has a robust arts program that develops students’ creativity and appreciation for the arts over time. There are opportunities to participate in the arts at all grade levels, with a broader exposure in earlier grades and more refined focus in Upper School. Students can take part in performing arts (including band, dance, and theater), visual arts (including digital art, film, and photography), and cultural arts workshops. For more information on the arts at Greenhill, check out their arts page.
Clubs and Organizations
Greenhill offers a variety of clubs and organizations for students to participate in. Some examples of clubs at Greenhill include Business Society, Improv Troupe, and Political Action Club. In addition, Greenhill values community service and has different volunteer opportunities for students. They also have a top debate program. Clubs and organizations are a great place to draw inspiration for your application, so be sure to look at all the opportunities Greenhill has to offer.
Conclusion
Test Innovators is your secret weapon for creating your strongest application to Greenhill. From admissions tests to the interview to understanding the application requirements, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
Preparation Resources:
- Enroll in our Admissions Assist Courses for Middle School or Upper School
- Learn more about preparing for the ISEE
- Learn more about Greenhill
Originally published on October 19, 2022. Updated on November 15, 2023.
