How to Get Into Horace Mann
Key Dates and Information
- Location: The Bronx, New York City
- The application for the 2025-2026 school year will be available via Ravenna Hub on August 1st, 2024
- Application deadline:
- Family portion: November 15, 2024
- Student components: January 15, 2025
- Financial aid deadline: November 15, 2024
- Admissions tests: January 15, 2025
- Kindergarten and Grade 1: First Look Insights
- Grades 2-4: ISEE
- Grades 5-11: ISEE
- Students who are also applying to boarding schools may submit the SSAT scores instead
- Admissions interview scheduling deadline: October 15, 2024
- Interviews will be held in-person if possible
- Decision release date: first two weeks of February
Introduction
Horace Mann is the largest and one of the most selective independent schools in New York City. In 2023, it was one of the top ten most sought-after schools. Horace Mann offers a wide variety of subjects and extracurriculars. These offerings are one of the reasons Horace Mann is so popular and the applicant pool is so competitive.
We’ve created this guide to help you navigate the admissions process to Horace Mann. Keep reading to learn what you need to do to apply and to discover resources that will help you during the process.
You can also explore our Admissions Assist courses, where you will learn more about what schools are looking for, how to prepare for the admissions interview, and how to write stellar application essays.
Expert Insight
“They take some of our brightest, most interesting boys, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the boys are straight A students. They usually have something quirky about them, whether they’re studying several different languages, had an engaging interview about books/graphic novels, or have made an effort to study STEM or another field that is beyond our curriculum.”
— Kaley Bell, Secondary School Advisor at St. Bernard’s School
Application
Horace Mann processes applications on Ravenna.
Horace Mann’s entry point grades are nursery, kindergarten, and grades 6-9. For grades 1-5 and 10-11, openings vary based on current family retention, so applications are accepted on a wait pool basis. Interested families are still encouraged to apply. There is a $10 wait pool fee, which will go towards the application fee if the application is processed.
The application components vary slightly depending on the grade you’re applying to:
- Submit and pay for the application
- Deadline: November 15th
- Application fee: $60
- $25 for families applying for financial aid
- Upload a photograph (optional)
- Deadline: January 15th
- Complete First Look Insights assessment (required only for kindergarten)
- Deadline: test results must be received by January 15th
- Attend virtual interviews
- Schedule interview through Ravenna
- Child and parent interviews are conducted via Zoom
- Request Confidential School Report from current teacher
- Deadline: January 15th
- Required only for Pre-K and Kindergarten
- Submit parent statement (optional)
- Deadline: January 15th
- Submit financial aid application (if applicable)
- Deadline: November 15th
- Nursery and Kindergarten Admissions Page
- Submit and pay for the application
- Deadline: November 15th
- Application fee: $60
- Initial $10 wait pool fee; family pays remaining $50 if application is activated
- $25 for families applying for financial aid
- Upload a photograph (optional)
- Deadline: January 15th
- Take admissions test
- Deadline: test results must be received by January 15th
- Grade 1: First Look Insights
- Grades 2-5: ISEE
- Information from student’s current school
- Deadline: January 15th
- Grade 1: school submits the Horace Mann Confidential Report (or ISAAGNY Confidential School Report) through Ravenna
- Grades 2-5: recommendation forms submitted from the student’s current teacher and teacher from the previous year through Ravenna
- Submit parent statement (optional)
- Deadline: January 15th
- Submit financial aid application (if applicable)
- Deadline: November 15th
- Grades 1-5 Admissions Page
- Submit and pay for the application
- Deadline: November 15th
- Application fee: $60
- For grades 10-11, initial $10 wait pool fee; family pays remaining $50 if application is activated
- $25 for families applying for financial aid
- Upload a photograph (optional)
- Deadline: January 15th
- Schedule the interview and conversation with ambassadors
- Deadline to schedule: November 15th
- Families can schedule interviews through Ravenna after submitting application
- Submit student essay and summary of student interests and activities
- Deadline: January 15th
- Note: it is preferred to have the essay submitted before the interview
- For the essay, students choose one of the six essay prompts listed here
- Essay should be 500 words or less
- The activity/interest list should be submitted with the essay on Ravenna
- Deadline: January 15th
- Take the ISEE
- Deadline: test results must be received by January 15th
- SSAT also accepted for students considering boarding
- Request two teacher recommendations
- Deadline: January 15th
- At least one of the recommendations must come from a current teacher
- Request grades/report cards from current school
- Deadline: January 15th
- Grades required from previous two years and current year to date
- Submit parent statement (optional)
- Deadline: January 15th
- Submit financial aid application (if applicable)
- Deadline: November 15th
- Grades 6-11 Admissions Page
Please refer to Horace Mann’s admissions page for the most up-to-date information regarding application materials, requirements, and deadlines.
Admissions Interview
Families of students applying for Grades 6-11 can schedule their interviews through Ravenna after submitting their applications. Because interview appointments fill up quickly, families are encouraged to schedule their interview as soon as they submit their application. Interviews are 45 minutes long and will be conducted in-person if possible. The applicant and at least one parent/guardian are required to attend the interview.
The interview is a great opportunity for applicants to share more about themselves and to showcase how their interests and goals align with Horace Mann. Preparation is an important component of the interview process. Test Innovators’ Interview Prep course helps students and parents prepare for the interview. The course will help you gain confidence and learn how to highlight the areas where you stand out from other applicants.
During your interview, it is important to explain why you are interested in Horace Mann specifically. Learn about their Mission and Core Values and consider how you embody these. Check out their curriculum and think about which classes excite you. Explore the John Dorr Nature Laboratory and consider how you may benefit from this outdoor educational opportunity. Look for arts, athletics, or clubs that match your interests.
During in-person interviews, families will be given a tour of the school. If a family must conduct their interview virtually, they are encouraged to schedule a session with a panel of student ambassadors to learn more about the school. The panel replaces the in-person tour families would normally receive during their interviews.
Admissions Tests
Horace Mann requires students to submit the following tests for each grade level:
- First Look Insights: Kindergarten and Grade 1
- ISEE Primary: Grades 2-4
- ISEE: Grades 5-11
- SSAT is also accepted for students considering boarding schools
Preparing for the ISEE will help you gain familiarity with the test, which helps decrease anxiety and increase confidence and performance. When you are ready to start preparing, Test Innovators is here to help. As the only ERB-endorsed practice for the ISEE, Test Innovators offers official practice materials and a personalized prep experience. Our full-length practice tests will give you percentile and stanine scores, which you can compare to target score data for Horace Mann and other schools of interest. You’ll also get a personalized Prep Plan, so that you can identify and target areas that need improvement.
Check out our ISEE Prep Guide to learn more about the ISEE.
Financial Aid Application
Horace Mann has a “need blind” admissions policy, which means that financial aid requests are not a factor in admissions decisions, so students are encouraged to apply regardless of their families’ ability to pay the full cost of tuition. However, they do not guarantee that all financial aid requests will be met if the student is admitted. In 2023-2024, Horace Mann awarded over $14 million in financial aid to 15% of its students.
Financial aid applications are due with the general application on November 15th.
- The application is submitted through Clarity
- You can find a helpful guide on the Clarity application HERE
Please refer to Horace Mann’s financial aid page for the most up-to-date information.
Athletics
Students at Horace Mann can participate in the following sports:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Crew
- Cross country
- Fencing
- Field hockey
- Football
- Golf
- Indoor track
- Lacrosse
- Outdoor track
- Rugby
- Skiing
- Soccer
- Softball
- Squash
This list is a great place to draw inspiration for your interview, application essay, and list of interests and activities.
For more information about Horace Mann’s athletic programs, please visit their athletics page.
Arts
Horace Mann has many courses and extracurriculars in the arts, ranging from filmmaking to choreography to jazz bands. These offerings give students the opportunity to explore and showcase their interests outside of the classroom. Below are the different art offerings at Horace Mann, which are great to incorporate in your interview, application essay, list of interests and activities, and special interest letter of recommendation.
- Wind and jazz bands
- Steel bands
- Orchestra
- Choir
- Acting
- Choreography
- Playwriting and production
- Sculpture
- Photography
- Filmmaking
- Ceramics
- Painting and drawing
For more information about artistic opportunities at Horace Mann and to see examples of student work, please visit Arts on Display.
John Dorr Nature Laboratory
The John Dorr Nature Laboratory is a unique outdoor opportunity for students at Horace Mann. The 320-acre Laboratory offers students a beautiful natural landscape to explore and engage in environmental science, conservation work, and outdoor education. The Laboratory promotes students’ self-reflection and growth and utilizes experience-based learning. Check out Horace Mann’s website to learn more about the John Dorr Nature Laboratory and the activities offered to each grade.
Student Clubs
The Upper Division of Horace Mann has a wide variety of student clubs for you to enjoy your current interests and discover new ones. There are clubs dedicated to service and community engagement, speech and debate, identity and culture, business, hobbies, and more. There are also student publications, which help students explore interests outside of the classroom. Refer to the Horace Mann website to learn more about student clubs and publications.
Conclusion
Horace Mann has many great opportunities for students to pursue their interests in and out of the classroom. Preparation and planning are essential for you to create your strongest application to this popular and competitive school. Test Innovators is here to support you through each step of the application process.
Preparation Resources:
- Enroll in our Admissions Assist courses for Middle School or Upper School
- Learn more about preparing for the ISEE
- Learn more about preparing for the SSAT
- Learn more about Horace Mann
Originally published on June 30, 2022. Updated on August 13, 2024.
