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General Information-Grades 1-5

Information about Admissions

For Grades 1-5, the number of openings varies from year to year based on attrition and we accept applications on a Wait Pool basis only.

Once a child is admitted to Horace Mann School, they do not need to re-apply from one year to the next.

What are we looking for in an applicant?

Our process is designed to be age appropriate, and at every level we are looking for students who will benefit from and be successful in our program, and we also look for families who will be positive members of our community. We base that assessment on all the pieces of the application, including but not limited to the school records, teacher recommendations, and the interview.

We also find the standardized testing to be important because it provides the only 'standard' measure that all applicants have in common. We see applicants from many different areas and many different schools, and their backgrounds are varied. The testing enables us to assess them compared to the larger group. However, the standardized test is only one measure of an applicant's success, and we use it in conjunction with the other required materials. Please refer to the First Look Insight or ISEE websites for more information about the tests. We are aware that some area schools no longer require testing for First Grade. Please know that while the test is an important part of our process, it isn't the most important part of our process. 

There is no such thing as a typical Horace Mann student, nor do we have a typical applicant.

How does transportation work at Horace Mann School?

Horace Mann School does not provide transportation. The School partners with several for-profit transportation companies, and families may choose to engage in contracts with those companies. Service is not provided to all locations. Routes - including pick up and drop off locations - are determined by the bus companies based upon the students who register for service and may vary from year to year. Students in the Middle and Upper Division who reside in the five boroughs of New York City may be eligible for a free Student MetroCard, and the 242nd Street stop of the 1 Subway route is one block from campus.

The School population comes from three states and nearly 150 zip codes. However, some commutes are not realistic or developmentally appropriate for some children, depending upon home location, age and grade level. The School may consider commute and travel plans in the admissions process. Families who are concerned about the commute should inquire prior to making any enrollment decision.

Technology Expectations For Enrolling Students 

Students enrolled in Grades 9-12 are required to have a functional laptop (MacBook, Chromebook or other PC) for the purposes of completing coursework assigned during their time in the Upper Division at Horace Mann School. The student should be the primary user of the laptop. Students should be able to bring the device to school as needed, but HM does not require students to travel with a laptop; primary use of the machine should take place at home. Students enrolled in Grades 6-8 should have a dedicated laptop or desktop computer at home for their use; Middle Division students are generally not permitted to bring personal computers to school.  Students enrolled in Grades K-5 should have access to a laptop or desktop computer at home for occasional use under parental supervision. If there is a question about this requirement, please contact our Director of Enrollment Management, Lisa Moreira at lisa_moreira@horacemann.org. Questions about recommended hardware or software may be addressed to the Technology Department at technology@horacemann.org.


General Information about Horace Mann School

Academic Life - Arts - Athletics - Curriculum - Dorr

Tuition Schedule

College Placement Summary

Campus Map

How Does Horace Mann School manage Food Services? What about allergies?

Horace Mann School partners with FLIK Independent School Dining for our food service. Our food service program is not allergen-free. The health and safety of our students and other guests is the highest priority for FLIK Independent School Dining, and a variety of protocols and procedures are in place for those students or employees with food allergies or intolerances. FLIK Independent School Dining also implements associated tested-and-proven standard operating procedures that provide the utmost public health protection in support of their food-allergic customers

At the HM Lower Division, a separate, allergen-friendly menu is written monthly to accommodate students with documented medical needs. The menu consists of meals that are made without the eight major food allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs, milk, wheat and soy), plus gluten and sesame. All students with a documented medical need will receive the same daily meal regardless of their allergy/allergies or special dietary needs. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to notify the school nurse of all documented food allergies, food intolerances, or special dietary needs that are for medical purposes. Parents of students with documented medical needs that do not wish for their student to participate in the allergen-friendly menu/special plate will be required to keep a signed waiver on file with the school nurse. The student will then be permitted to select food from the hot line when desired, utilizing the allergy board, signage, and assistance from staff to determine an appropriate meal for their medical needs.

On the Middle & Upper Division campus and at the John Dorr Nature Laboratory, it is the responsibility of the student or parent/guardian to inform the Food Service Director of any food allergies a student has. Students are invited to meet with the Director of Dining Service and the Executive Chef to review what is available according to their dietary restrictions.  The Executive Chef along with the Chef/Manager will help the students navigate through the servery.

For more information about our campus Dining Services, click here.

Is the application or enrollment process different for international students?

Horace Mann School does not anticipate that we will be providing Forms I-20 for F-1 student visas for students entering in the 2024-25 academic year or afterwards. New enrolling international students will be required to obtain and demonstrate another type of valid legal status. Note that Horace Mann School requires that one or both parents, or a permanent legal guardian, will be in residence with their children during the school year. If the parent or legal guardian who will be in residence with their child(ren) during the School year is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, they must provide the School with proof of valid legal status to enter and remain in the United States during the School year.

Why Horace Mann School?

The New York metropolitan area is filled with wonderful schools, and most children would be happy at any number of those schools. Horace Mann School is unique in that it is the largest independent school in New York, and one of the largest in the country.

Our size gives us the advantage of depth and breadth of program that many smaller schools cannot sustain, without sacrificing the smaller class sizes and strong faculty-student relationships that are a hallmark of independent school education. Horace Mann students, from an early age, are given more independence and choice than many of their counterparts, in and out of the classroom. Our size provides a diverse student population from the tri-state area, representing more than 150 zip codes and many different backgrounds. We also have more than 220 talented faculty members with a range of teaching experiences and academic interests.

The fact that Horace Mann School spans from Nursery through Twelfth Grade means that we can help manage the transitions for our students, and pay very close attention to what has gone before and what comes next to ensure that students are well prepared for what they are learning now.

Our location provides a suburban country day school campus within close reach of all New York City has to offer.

While we hope this has helped you understand a little more about Horace Mann School, we invite you to visit our campus to hear directly from our current students.