Admissions
Thank you for your interest in Corlears, a progressive school dedicated to the education of children from toddlers through PreK located in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. Students at Corlears are intellectually curious, creative, and have the potential for great academic achievement, peer leadership, and social and emotional growth.
Families who have submitted an application are encouraged to register for a private tour with our admissions team for a firsthand look at our classrooms and community. Throughout the admissions season we also offer a selection of webinars that delve deeper into our curricular approach.
Admissions Policy
Corlears School admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, or ethnic origin or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, or scholarships.
As a school that values equity and inclusion, we believe each child deserves to thrive in their learning environment. As a general education setting, our student success team is dedicated to ensuring students receive what they need to succeed; however, we do not have special education teachers in each classroom, nor integrated therapeutic services for students with high support needs who would benefit from a more specialized setting.
Decisions and Timing
At Corlears, we offer two paths to apply for our Nursery and PreK programs: Early Notification and Standard Admissions. Both lead to the same warm, welcoming community, the difference is simply when you hear back.
A note on choosing your path: There's no wrong choice. Early Notification is a wonderful option for families who know Corlears is the right fit and want the peace of mind of securing their spot early. Standard Admissions gives you more time to visit, ask questions, and get to know our community. Whichever pace feels right for your family is the right one.
Early Notification (Nursery + PreK)
If Corlears is your top choice, our Early Notification pathway lets you complete the process sooner.
November 1, 2026 — Application Due
November 25, 2026 — Full Application Deadline (supporting materials, forms, etc.)
December 9, 2026 — Notification Date
December 16, 2026 — Reply Date
Families applying for financial aid through our TEAM equitable tuition-setting process should also submit TEAM materials by November 18, 2026.
Standard Process (Nursery + PreK)
Prefer more time to explore your options, or discovering Corlears a bit later in the season? Our Standard timeline welcomes you with the same warmth and care.
January 8, 2027 — Application Due
January 31, 2027 — Full Full Application Deadline (supporting materials, forms, etc.)
February 25, 2027 — Notification Date
March 4, 2027 — Reply Date
Families applying for financial aid through TEAM should submit materials by January 8, 2027, alongside their application.
Tuition Equity
Corlears School's Tuition Equity and Accessibility Model (TEAM) changes the paradigm from financial aid to equitable tuition level setting for all. The TEAM process is supported by the Clarity Application during the admissions or reenrollment process to determine an equitable tuition level — from zero to maximum — for all of our families. (Of course, families may also choose to opt out and pay the maximum tuition.)
At Corlears, all families are valued equally, and everyone pays what they can. The school is deeply committed to socio-economic diversity. We strive to maximize belonging for as many families as possible within what is financially feasible.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following is based on a September start date:
- Toddlers: Toddlers must be at least 12 months old on or before September 1
- Nursery: Children must be turning 2 or 3 on or before September 1
- PreK: Children must be turning 4 on or before September 1
Students with September birthdays may be evaluated to move up a grade based on the individual child's developmental readiness.
The Nursery program offers flexible options to meet the varying needs of families and children in this age range.
Families can choose to enroll their child in either a 3-day or 5-day program, and either a half-day (8:30–11:30 a.m.) or full-day (8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.) schedule. Dependent upon student readiness, after-school care until 5:30 p.m. is also available through Corlears Plus.
Ultimately, a child's readiness for a 5-day, full-day schedule will be assessed during the admissions or reenrollment process and decided in partnership between the family and the admissions team.
Some children may experience a continuation or reoccurrence of intense separation anxiety beyond the phase-in period. If separation anxiety is powerful enough to interfere with activities and socialization at school, the school will work with families on an individualized support plan.
Socioeconomic diversity is a priority at Corlears, and we know that tuition can be the number-one barrier for families interested in attending an independent school. We are also conscious of the fact that receiving financial aid can affect a family's feeling of belonging within a school community.
In response, Corlears introduced the Tuition Equity and Accessibility Model (TEAM) in 2021, changing the paradigm from applying for financial aid to an equitable tuition-setting process for all families.
The TEAM process is supported by the Clarity Application during the admissions or reenrollment process to determine an equitable tuition level — from zero to maximum — for all of our families. (Of course, families may also choose to opt out and pay the maximum tuition.)
Connect with Admissions
Interested in enrolling your child at Corlears School? Submit an inquiry and a member of the admissions team will follow up as soon as possible. For any questions, email us at admissions@corlearsschool.org. We look forward to getting to know your family!