How to Get Into Noble and Greenough School
Key Dates and Information
- January 15, 2024: Application deadline
- Financial aid deadline:
- January 15, 2024: Clarity application
- Admissions tests (required):
- ISEE for middle school applicants
- SSAT for upper school applicants
- Admissions interview (required):
- in-person
- virtual option available
- March 10, 2024: Decision release date
Introduction
Noble and Greenough School, often referred to as Nobles, is one of the best independent schools in the nation and is frequently one of the top ten most sought-after schools. Applying to prominent schools can be daunting, so we’ve put together this guide to help you navigate the admissions process to Nobles.
We encourage you to use this guide in conjunction with our Admissions Assist courses, which will help you prepare for the interview, write compelling personal statements, and gain a better understanding of how independent schools evaluate candidates.
Application
Prospective students should submit the following materials before January 15, 2024. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials should be submitted through Ravenna, the online application portal.
- Nobles Core Application Form
- Application fee:
- $60 for domestic students
- $100 for international students
- Fee waivers are available to families who qualify. Please contact the Nobles admissions team for more information.
- Pre-visit questionnaire
- Due at least two days before the scheduled interview date
- Parent/guardian statement and short answer questions
- Prompts are provided in Ravenna
- Student statement and short answer questions
- Prompts are provided in Ravenna
- Extracurricular activities and interests form
- School administrator or counselor report
- Transcripts/report cards from current (2023-2024) and previous year (2022-2023)
- Current year transcripts should include the final grades of the first marking period (quarter, trimester, or semester)
- Transcripts should be submitted directly from the current school
- Letters of recommendation
- Current math teacher recommendation
- Current English teacher recommendation
- Optional: one additional letter of recommendation from an adult who knows the student well and who can add new information to the application. This optional letter can be a personal recommendation or a special interest recommendation highlighting an artistic or athletic pursuit.
- Admissions Test scores
- ISEE scores are required for applicants to grades 7-8 and should be sent directly to Nobles from ERB.
- SSAT scores are required for applicants to grades 9-12 and should be sent directly to Nobles from EMA.
- Students taking the test in January should indicate that scores should be sent to Nobles when they register for the test in order to ensure that scores arrive on time.
- Digital submissions highlighting talents or achievements (optional)
- Examples include visual arts portfolios, musical recordings, performance videos, and sports highlights
- Submit via email to the appropriate department indicated in Ravenna
Admissions Interview and Campus Tour
Interviews are required for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle. Appointments fill up quickly, so applicants should schedule their interview through Ravenna as soon as possible.
On the day of their interview, families should plan to spend about two hours at Nobles. They will first tour the campus with a current student. They will then meet with a member of the admissions team who will have a 20-to-30-minute conversation with the prospective student followed by a brief discussion with the parents/guardians. Before the interview, students should complete the pre-visit questionnaire on Ravenna.
Nobles also conducts interviews virtually on Zoom. Candidates who would like to interview virtually should reach out to the admissions office directly.
Interviewing is an essential part of the admissions process for both the school and the family. It gives the school the opportunity to get to know students beyond their applications, and it gives families the chance to make sure the school is a good match for them. It’s important for students to prepare for their interviews. The Test Innovators Interview Prep course will help students develop their interviewing skills, prepare common interview questions, and learn how to present themselves as strong candidates.
Please visit the Noble and Greenough admissions page for the most up-to-date interview information and deadlines.
Admissions Events
Prospective students and families can register for a number of in-person and virtual admissions events through Ravenna, including in-person campus tours, open houses, virtual information sessions, and a virtual fair with other top independent schools in the Boston area. Attending these events is a great way to learn more about the school and demonstrate your interest.
Please visit the Nobles and Greenough admissions events page to learn more about upcoming events.
Admissions Tests
Nobles requires all candidates to submit test scores from the fall or winter of the application year. Score reports should be sent directly to Nobles from the official testing body. Students taking the test in January should select Nobles as a score recipient before test day to ensure that scores arrive in time.
Nobles accepts the following tests by grade level:
- SSAT: students applying to grades 9-12
- Check out our SSAT Prep Guide to learn more about the SSAT.
- Learn more about how to send your SSAT report to schools.
- ISEE: students applying to grades 7 or 8
- Check out our ISEE Prep Guide to learn more about the ISEE.
- Learn more about how to send your ISEE report to schools.
Financial Aid Application
Each year, Nobles awards over $7.3 million in financial assistance. In 2023-2024 the average grant size was $44,935. Financial aid is awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need. All prospective students are eligible to apply for aid.
Applicants must complete the Clarity application online by January 15, 2024.
Please visit the Noble and Greenough tuition and financial aid page for the most up-to-date information about the financial aid application and deadlines.
Day vs Boarding
Nobles offers a 5-day boarding program to a total of 48 upper school students. These students live on campus 5 days a week and return home on the weekends.
Upper school candidates will indicate whether they would like to be considered for the day or the boarding program on their application. Boarding space is limited, so those students who are interested in boarding can indicate that they would also like to be considered for the day school if boarding space is not available.
For more information on boarding, please visit the Nobles student life and boarding page.
Arts, Athletics, & Community Engagement
Arts
Nobles offers extensive opportunities for students to explore the visual and performing arts, share their talents, and try new activities both in the classroom and after school. Please visit the Arts at Noble & Greenough page for more information about arts coursework, performance opportunities, and the yearly Artist-in-Residence Program.
Athletics
Candidates who are interested in competing with Nobles’ athletic teams can submit the inquiry form to receive information from the athletic department.
Nobles offers the following athletic programs:
- Alpine skiing
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Crew
- Cross country
- Field hockey
- Football
- Golf
- Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Softball
- Squash
- Tennis
- Track and field
- Ultimate frisbee
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
For more information about the athletic program, teams, and facilities, please visit the Nobles Athletics page.
Experiential and Community Engaged Learning (EXCEL)
Community service and experiential learning are integral parts of student life at Nobles and Greenough. All upper school students are required to complete at least 80 hours of community service before graduation. Two-thirds of graduates exceed this amount.
The school offers many opportunities for students to engage with local and global communities. For more information, please visit the EXCEL program page.
Conclusion
Applying to selective schools like Noble and Greenough can be a challenging task. However, proper preparation can help you achieve higher test scores, write excellent application essays, and ace the interview. Test Innovators is here to help you with every step of the journey.
Preparation Resources:
- Enroll in our Admissions Assist Courses
- Start preparing for the SSAT
- Start preparing for the ISEE
- Learn more about Noble and Greenough School
Originally published on January 10, 2022. Updated on November 17, 2023.
