Application Process

List of 6 items.

• Step 1: Connect with the Admissions Office & Schedule a Visit

  The first step in the admissions process is a campus visit. To begin, please submit an online inquiry HERE. Once your admissions portal account has been set-up, you will be able to register for admissions events or request a private tour.
  
  Please note: As of November 2025, we are using a new database. If you inquired prior to this time you must create a new account in the new admissions portal HERE.
  
  If you have questions or wish to schedule a visit by phone, please contact Abbi Graber, Admissions Counselor, 410-838-4848 or via email: agraber@harfordday.org.

• Step 2: Complete & Submit Application

  Applications for the 2026-27 academic year are being accepted November 1, 2025 to February 2, 2026. The application process should be completed by the above deadline. 
  
  Teacher Recommendation & School Records
  A Transcript and Records Release request for your child's current school office and a Common Recommendation Form to be completed by a current teacher are required for all applicants currently enrolled in school or a program outside of the home (day care/preschool). You will submit these electronic requests through your admissions portal checklist. The forms may be previewed below:

  • PK-Grade 1 Common Recommendation Form
  • Grades 2-12 Common Recommendation Form
  • Transcript & Records Release Form

  Admissions Prerequisites:
  Little Dragons (ages 3-4) applicants must be age 3, K-Prep applicants must be age 4, and Kindergarten applicants must be age 5 by September 1st of the year of entry and fully potty trained. If you have questions regarding this policy, please contact the admissions office directly.
  
  Waitpool
  Harford Day School does not maintain a wait pool from year-to-year. The admissions process begins anew each fall.   
  
  Rolling Admissions
  After the February 2, 2026 deadline, applications will be accepted on a rolling, space-available basis throughout the year. Please contact us directly to discuss availability prior to submitting an application.
  
  Please note: As of November 2025, we are using a new database. If you previously inquired, you will need to create a new account in the new admissions portal HERE.

• Step 3: Student Visit Day (Shadow Day)

  Classroom Visits
  (Little Dragons, K-Prep, Kindergarten & Grade 1 Applicants)
  As a part of the admissions process, our youngest applicants participate in a 1 hour classroom visit typically on a Friday or Saturday morning in January or early February. Scheduling and details are shared after the application is submitted.
  
  Visit Days (Shadow Days)
  (Grades 2 to Grade 8)
  All applicants to Grade 2 through Grade 8 are required to complete a student visit day (Shadow Day). Shadow Days are an official part of the admissions process and are scheduled after a completed application has been submitted. Lower School students typically visit in the grade they are enrolled in for the current school year while Middle School applicants visit the grade to which they are applying.

• Step 4: Student Assessments

  After completing the required campus visit and paying the admissions application fee in the admissions portal, you will be able to schedule your child's admissions assessment. Assessments may occur throughout the academic year but are most common November-February.

  • Little Dragons-Grade 1 applicants complete a developmental assessment typically occurring in January-February. Dates and details are supplied after an application is submitted.
  • Students applying to Grades 2-8 complete a standardized online admissions assessment.

• Step 5: Admissions Review

  The admissions committee, comprised of the Head of School, Director of Enrollment Management, and the respective Division Head, carefully assesses each applicant’s readiness for academic, social, and personal success at Harford Day School. All admissions are made at the discretion of the Head of School. Admissions decisions for candidates who have completed the admissions process (campus visit, admissions fee, classroom visit, and the admissions assessment) by the February 2, 2026  deadline will be notified of the school's decision February 20, 2026.
  
  *Incomplete applications, or applications received after the deadline, will be reviewed on a rolling (space-available) basis.

• Step 6: Indexed Tuition Application Process

  Admissions decisions are independent of the indexed tuition process and require a separate Indexed Tuition application. If you think your family may qualify for Indexed Tuition, you are advised to begin the process at the same time as the admissions application. See Affording HDS for more information on the process. The Indexed Tuition application deadline is February 2, 2026 for families new to Harford Day School. After the deadline, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as funds allow.