How to Get Into Horace Mann
Key Dates and Information
- Location: The Bronx, New York City
- Application deadlines:
- Application form deadline: November 18, 2026
- Completed application deadline: January 8, 2027
- Admissions decisions: February 2027
- Financial aid deadline: November 15, 2026
- Admissions tests:
- Kindergarten: Admission assessment
- Grade 1: First Look Insights assessment
- Grades 2–4: ISEE Primary
- Grade 5: ISEE
- Grades 6–11: ISEE
- Admissions interview scheduling deadline (Grade 6-11): October 15, 2026
- Interviews are required for applicants to Grades 6–11. Families must submit their application and schedule interviews by October 15, 2026, to guarantee interview appointments. Interview requirements for younger applicants vary by grade
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 for the 2027–2028 school year are Nursery, Kindergarten, Grades 6–9, and Grade 8 as a specific entry point with five expected openings. For Grades 1–5 and Grades 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. For Grades 10–11, 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 18, 2026
- Application fee: $60
- $0 for families applying for financial aid using the school’s waiver code
- Attend interviews
- Schedule interviews through Ravenna.
- Threes and Pre-Kindergarten child interviews/playgroups are held in person, while parent interviews are conducted via Zoom.
- Kindergarten child playgroups and parent interviews are held in person.
- Deadline to schedule: October 15, 2026
- Complete First Look Insights assessment
- Required only for Kindergarten.
- Deadline: Test results must be received by January 8, 2027.
- Assessment fee: $55.
- Request Confidential School Report from current teacher
- Deadline: January 8, 2027.
- Required only for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten.
- Submit parent statement by January 8, 2027.
- Submit financial aid application (if applicable) by November 15, 2026.
- Nursery and Kindergarten Admissions Page
- Submit and pay for the application
- Deadline: November 18, 2026.
- Application fee: $0.
- Applications are accepted on a wait pool basis.
- Take admissions test
- Deadline: Test results must be received by January 8, 2027.
- Grade 1: First Look Insights.
- Grades 2–4: ISEE Primary.
- Grade 5: ISEE.
- Submit information from student’s current school
- Deadline: January 8, 2027.
- Grades 2–5: Last year’s report card is required by October 15, 2026. The current year’s first marking-period report should be submitted when available.
- 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 by January 8, 2027.
- Submit financial aid application (if applicable) by November 15, 2026.
- Grades 1-5 Admissions Page
- Submit and pay for the application
- Deadline: November 18, 2026.
- Application fee: $60.
- For Grades 10–11, initial $10 wait pool fee; family pays the remaining $50 if the application is activated.
- Families applying for financial aid can use the school’s waiver code to reduce the application fee to $0.
- Schedule the interview and campus tour
- Deadline to schedule: October 15, 2026.
- Families can schedule interviews through Ravenna after submitting the application.
- The applicant and at least one parent or guardian must attend.
- Submit student essay and summary of student interests and activities
- Deadline: January 8, 2027.
- The student essay should be submitted before the interview when possible.
- For the essay, students choose one of the six essay prompts listed here
- Students must complete the three essay prompts listed on the official admissions page.
- The activity/interest list should be submitted with the essays on Ravenna.
- Take the ISEE
- Deadline: Test results must be received by January 8, 2027.
- SSAT is also accepted for students considering boarding schools.
- Request two teacher recommendations
- Deadline: January 8, 2027.
- At least one recommendation must come from a teacher providing instruction during the current academic year.
- Request grades/report cards from current school
- Report cards from the previous two years must be uploaded by October 15, 2026.
- Official grades and transcripts, including the current year’s mid-year or first-quarter/trimester report, must be received by January 8, 2027.
- Submit parent statement by January 8, 2027.
- Submit graded student essay (optional for Grades 8–11) by January 8, 2027.
- Submit financial aid application (if applicable) by November 15, 2026.
- 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. For the 2027–2028 admissions cycle, applications must be submitted and interviews scheduled by October 15, 2026, to guarantee an interview. Families should allow an hour and a half for the interview and tour. 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:
- Kindergarten: First Look Insights
- Grade 1: First Look Insights
- Grades 2–4: ISEE Primary
- Grade 5: ISEE
- Grades 6–11: ISEE
- SSAT: Also accepted for students considering boarding schools applying to Grades 6–11.
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
For the 2026–2027 academic year, Horace Mann reports that 17.5% of students receive financial aid, totaling more than $19.5 million in tuition and other school-related support.
Financial aid applications for the 2027–2028 school year are due November 15, 2026
- The application is submitted through Clarity
- Families can begin the Clarity application on September 15, 2026.
- The Clarity application has a $65 submission fee.
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
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Water polo
- Table tennis
- Wrestling
- Ultimate
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 music and theater to dance, film studies, and visual arts. These offerings give students the opportunity to explore and showcase their interests outside of the classroom. Below are some of the artistic opportunities at Horace Mann, which are great to incorporate in your interview, application essay, list of interests and activities, and special interest letter of recommendation.
Music
- Wind and jazz bands
- Steel bands
- Orchestra
- Choir
Theater, dance, and film studies
- Acting
- Choreography
- Playwriting and production
- Theater performances
- Dance and film studies
Visual Arts
- 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.
- 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 in Washington, Connecticut, offers students a natural landscape to explore and engage in environmental science, conservation work, and outdoor education. Students begin visiting Dorr in Grade 2, with overnight programs starting in Grade 3. The Laboratory promotes students’ self-reflection and growth through experience-based learning, outdoor activities, and community-building experiences.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 and publications for students to enjoy their current interests and discover new ones. There are more than 100 clubs and publications, covering a range of interests, including service and community engagement, speech and debate, identity and culture, business, hobbies, and more. Student publications also help students explore interests outside of the classroom and develop their writing and leadership skills. 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.
