How to Apply

APPLY TO THE CROWDEN SCHOOL

Thank you for your interest in The Crowden School!

Admission to The Crowden School is based on grades, grades, day visit, teacher recommendations, music assessment, and entrance examination results. Special attention is paid to:

  • Each student’s enthusiasm for the instrument played, or their enthusiasm to start a new instrument
  • Each student's willingness to commit their time and energy to both a full academic curriculum and full music program
  • The willingness of parents/guardians to support and contribute to a community of young musicians and scholars

The Crowden School welcomes beginners on any stringed instrument, in every grade level!

Students do not need any prior music experience to start a stringed instrument at the Crowden School. Our piano program does require a significant amount of experience before applying, as pianists need to be experienced players and music readers in order to play chamber music. Please reach out to Admissions Director Kirsten Shallenberg for more specific information about the piano program expectations or if you have any questions.

To apply, fill out your application using the Ravenna platform:

The Application Process

Dates & Deadlines

December 15, 2023
Early-bird applicaton deadline for new prospective families (reduced application fee, $50)

January 25, 2024
Applications for the 2024-2025 school year are due for all new, prospective families (application fee, $75)

February 7, 2024
Entrance Day (grades 3 through 5)

Feburary 14, 2024
Entrance Day (grades 6 through 8)

March 14, 2024
Admissions decisions are emailed to all applicant families

March 21, 2024
Signed contacts and tuition deposits are due for enrolling families

Click here to learn how to apply for tuition assistance, including important deadlines.

Please submit your application through Ravenna, along with the non-refundable application fee.

Early-bird Deadline: December 15, 2023 (reduced fee $50)

Regular Application Deadline: January 25, 2024 ($75 fee)

The Crowden School is proud to use the Clarity Application to determine a family’s level of financial need based on the information that families share in the application which includes assets, income, expenses, and debts.

Once we receive your application, we will contact you to schedule a day visit for your child. This is an opportunity for your child to fully experience a day in the life of the Crowden School. We assign a buddy to the visiting child, and include the visitor in all activities.

Fill out the top portion of the Teacher Recommendation Form (fillable PDF) and ask your child's current classroom teacher to complete and return directly to The Crowden School.

Submit the Transcript Release Form to your child’s current school to release progress reports from the past two years. You may also include your own copies of progress reports with the application

The Crowden School Entrance Days include both an academic and a musical assessment. Fourth through eighth grade applicants take a written test with sections in English and Math. Third grade applicants attend a mock classroom, where they complete math, reading, and writing activities. All applicants will also participate in a brief musical assessment for music faculty. Experienced players will demonstrate their current playing level, and beginners will talk with music faculty about their interest in musical studies.

Entrance Days

  • Grades 3 through 5: Tuesday, February 7, 2024 (Time TBA)
  • Grades 6 through 8: Tuesday, February 14, 2024 (Time TBA)

At The Crowden School, we partner with parents and guardians to provide the best possible education for our students. We conduct a Parent/Guardian interview for each applicant, so that we can learn about the family's priorities and their expectations of a school experience. The interview is also an opportunity for parents and guardians to ask any questions they may have about life at The Crowden School.

Admissions decisions are emailed to all applicant families on March 14, 2024.

Signed contracts and tuition deposits are due by March 21, 2024 for returning families.

The Crowden School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression 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 and ethnic origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Crowden is committed to creating a diverse environment, and we value our inclusive community of students, parents, and faculty and staff of all backgrounds. Together, we celebrate our many differences and unite in our shared love of music of all kinds and origins.

Celebrate 40 years of Crowden this Memorial Day weekend!» Join us May 25–26, 2024
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