Thank you for your interest in Beit Rabban Day School! We’re so glad you’re here.
The admissions process is a critical moment in the life of your family. School is a place of achievement and growth, but it is also a place to call home. Throughout the year, we offer many opportunities for prospective families to deepen their understanding of our school through both in-person and virtual programming – and we hope to welcome you to Beit Rabban in the near future. Please email or send along an inquiry; we would welcome the chance to schedule an introductory conversation with you. You can also gain insight into our school community by following us on social media and subscribing to our weekly newsletter.
We know the application process can at times feel overwhelming, (particularly in New York!), and we are eager to help your family navigate that process at Beit Rabban.
Looking forward to getting to know you –
Rebecca Leicht, Director of Admissions
WELCOME FROM
ADMISSIONS
HOW TO APPLY
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This first step affords us basic information that will help to expedite your admissions process. Once you submit your inquiry, you will receive a follow-up email to schedule an initial conversation with our admissions team.
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We get to know all families new to Beit Rabban through a virtual introductory conversation with parent(s) prior to scheduling an in-person tour. Submitting your inquiry will begin the process of scheduling this first conversation.
INTRODUCTORY CONVERSATION
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We offer individualized tours every school day morning at or before 9AM, and we encourage you to join us at Beit Rabban! These tours are for parents only (there will be another chance for your child to join us).
TOUR
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Applications submitted by our initial deadline of January 6th (2025) will be considered for our first round of admissions. These candidates will receive early notification no later than January 31st. If applicable: should you be applying for tuition assistance, please submit a scholarship application along with your admissions application.
Please note: Applications are complete when all supporting documentation (recommendations, progress reports, IEPs and the like, if applicable) is submitted and should be delivered no later than January 10th. Reference forms from your child’s current or former school are automatically sent and received through our online system.
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PARENT INTERVIEW
If you have already met with our admissions team, either virtually or in person, that will check this box. If not, we will ask to meet you to learn more about your family.
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SCHOOL VISITS
(PLAYDATES & INTERVIEWS)
Our admissions team meets with all prospective students once applications are complete. Gan and Kindergarten applicants will join us for a "playdate,” and 1st - 8th applicants will visit for an interview and grade-level assessment.
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DECISIONS
Families will be notified of the status of their application in January (first round early notification) and through February (second round) and then on a rolling basis. If applicable, families will also receive information about scholarship support at that time.
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ENROLLMENT
Enroll on or before February 13, 2025 to take advantage of our Early Bird enrollment discount. Rolling enrollment follows this date.
Beit Rabban considers many factors when creating our classes, including grade-level readiness and age range. The birth date range of September 1st to September 1st often works best for our program (for example, students entering Pre-K in fall 2025 are born between 9/1/20 and 9/1/21, students entering Kindergarten between 9/1/19 and 9/1/20), but we are happy to discuss your child’s placement during the admissions process.
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Preschool: Children applying for our youngest Gan (preschool) classes must reach their 3rd birthday by or before December 31, 2024.
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Pre-K: Children applying for Pre-K must reach their 4th birthday by or before September 2025.
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Kindergarten: Children applying for Kindergarten must reach their 5th birthday by or before September 2025.
PLANNING TO APPLY TO ONE OF OUR YOUNGER GRADES?
After meeting for an introductory conversation and once we have received your application materials, we require all applicants to 1st - 8th grade to attend a school visit (which you might think of as an interview, though we always aim for engagement and fun for the children that visit our school). The length of this visit will vary by grade and may include evaluations that will give us the opportunity to better know your child(ren).
APPLICANTS FOR GRADES 1-8
After meeting for an introductory conversation and once we have received your application materials, we require all applicants to the Gan and Kindergarten to participate in a school observation. These take place in person, or, if necessary, via Zoom. We call this observation a playdate, and we aim for it to be fun for our prospective students. The visit will include developmentally appropriate structured and unstructured activities; these interactions (in addition to other application information) give us the opportunity to better know your children.
GAN AND KINDERGARTEN APPLICANTS
OFF-CYCLE ADMISSIONS
MORE ABOUT OUR INTERVIEW PROCESS
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If you have already met with our admissions team, either virtually or in person, that will check this box. If not, we will ask to meet you via Zoom to learn more about your family.
PARENT INTERVIEW
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In addition to our application, it is vital that we receive any supporting documentation (recommendations, reports from other schools, evaluations, IEPs) to consider an application complete. If applicable, you will be able to send reference forms to your child’s current or former faculty automatically through our online system.
COMPLETE
APPLICATION
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Our admissions team meets with all prospective Gan – 8th grade students once applications are complete. Gan - K applicants will have a "playdate," and 1st - 8th applicants will join us for an interview and assessment.
SCHOOL VISITS
(PLAYDATE OR INTERVIEW)
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Families will be notified of the status of their application as quickly as possible during off-cycle admissions. If applicable, families will also receive information about scholarship support at that time.
DECISIONS
OFF-CYCLE ADMISSIONS Please reach out directly to our Director of Admissions, Rebecca Leicht, who will guide you through your off-cycle admissions schedule. We are eager to welcome families into the admissions process at all points of the year should we have available space in your grade of interest.
TUITION OPTIONS
Beit Rabban makes every effort to ensure that tuition is not a deterrent for any student who wishes to enroll. Like all things, we consider financing a Jewish day school education to be a partnership between our school and your family. Day school is an expensive proposition - our costs per child exceed the price of tuition. We also recognize that tuition is a challenge for many families. We address this challenge by offering families three tuition options: Full Tuition, The Affordability Initiative, and Scholarship Support.
Beit Rabban's Board of Trustees sets tuition in January of each academic year for the following year. Rates below reflect tuition for the 2024-25 school year.
GAN (Early Childhood)
12:30 PM Dismissal: $28,100
2:30 PM Dismissal: $31,300
KEVUTZOT (Elementary / Kindergarten - Fourth Grade)
$39,800
CHATIVAH (Middle School / Fifth - Eighth Grade)
$41,800
FULL TUITION
We are committed to making a Beit Rabban education accessible to all families. If you are unable to pay full tuition and the Affordability Initiative does not work for your family, we encourage you to apply for scholarship support. Scholarship support is allocated based on demonstrated need. We strive to make this process as simple as possible, with an absolute dedication to confidentiality.
Applying for Scholarship Support
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FACTS Account: Visit FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment and either log-in or create a new FACTS account.
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Submissions: Follow the instructions and submit all required financial information and documentation by January 6, 2025. (Deadline for returning families is December 13, 2024.)
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Determination: An anonymous Scholarship Committee reviews all applications, considering FACTS determination of need as well as a family’s explanations.
Scholarship Allocation: Families are informed of their scholarship allocation at the same time as they receive tuition contracts for the coming year. Admissions decisions are made independently, and are in no way influenced by a family’s financial resources.
Beit Rabban Day School is grateful for all contributions to our Scholarship Fund, and for the support of the UJA-Federation of New York, and the Rose Biller Day School Scholarship Fund.
SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT
Our Affordability Initiative option is designed for families at Beit Rabban with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $150,000 to $400,000, regardless of whether income is from salary or investments. To apply, please use this form.
Eligible families pay a total tuition of the higher of 15% of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), regardless of the number of children in the school, or 62.5% of the total full tuition for each child at Beit Rabban. Families with access to income above this level are asked to cover the full cost of their children’s education.
To participate in the Affordability Initiative, please fill out our Affordability Initiative Commitment form by December 6, 2024 and submit that form with a non-refundable deposit check for 10% of the projected tuition (you can use current tuition rates to determine the amount of your deposit or contact our COO, Nicole Weiss, for help). In January, contracts will be generated for returning students and a second payment of 10% will be required to accompany the signed contract. After the initial deadline of December 6, 2024, the minimum tuition will increase to 67.5%.
AFFORDABILITY INITIATIVE
ADMISSIONS DATES & DEADLINES
SEPTEMBER 4, 2024
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024
Introductory Conversations and Tours Begin
Please send along an inquiry form and we will be in touch to schedule your visit.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
Cafe Rabban: Parent Learning Around the Student Support System
9 AM (Virtual)
SEPTEMBER 29, 2024
Mah Rabu: A Sunday Nature Walk
9:30 AM in Central Park (Geared Toward Gan & K Families)
OCTOBER 22, 2024
Gan Families: Cafe Rabban – Coffee in the Sukkah
8:30-9:15 AM at Beit Rabban (Prospective Families Invited)
NOVEMBER 14, 2024
Open House
7:30 PM at Beit Rabban; RSVP Here
DECEMBER 16, 2024
Cafe Rabban: Parent Learning Around Literacy & the Science of Reading
8:30 AM (In-Person at BRDS)
Affordability Initiative Applications Due
JANUARY 6, 2025
First Round Applications & Tuition Assistance Applications Due
Supporting documents due by January 10th
JANUARY 12, 2025
Gan (Preschool) & Garinim (Kindergarten) Playdates
JANUARY 13-22, 2025
1st - 8th Applicant Interviews
JANUARY 20, 2025
MLK Day Community Tefillah
8:30 AM at Beit Rabban (Prospective Families Invited)
JANUARY 24, 2025
First Round Early Notifications
FEBRUARY 7, 2025
Second Round Notifications
FEBRUARY 19, 2025
Reception for Admitted Parents
7:30-9:00 PM
FEBRUARY 21, 2025
Early Bird Parent Reply (Enrollment) Deadline
FEBRUARY 28, 2025
First & Second Round Parent Reply (Enrollment) Deadline
MARCH 14, 2025
Purim! Community Megillah Reading
9:00 AM at Beit Rabban (Prospective Families Invited)
MARCH 28, 2025
Cafe Rabban: Parent Learning Around Jewish Life & Learning
8:15 AM (In-Person at BRDS)
MAY 1, 2025
Yom Ha’Atzmaut Shira B’Tzibur Community Celebration
5:30-7:00 PM (Prospective Families Invited)
JUNE 8, 2025
Parent Association End of Year Picnic
2:30-5:30 PM in Central Park
To the extent possible, Beit Rabban coordinates its notification and reply deadlines with the dates established by the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY).
ADMISSIONS FAQs
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How old does my child have to be to start the Gan program?Preschool: Children applying for our youngest Gan (preschool) classes must reach their 3rd birthday by or before December 31, 2024. Pre-K: Children applying for Pre-K must reach their 4th birthday by or before September 2025. Kindergarten: Children applying for Kindergarten must reach their 5th birthday by or before September 2025.
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What are school hours?Gan (Early Childhood Center): Arrival: 8:15 AM - 8:40 AM (Soft Start) Early Dismissal (Gan Kachol Only): 12:30 PM Regular Dismissal: 2:30 PM (1:30 PM on Fridays) Optional Afterschool Dismissal Varies By Program Kevutzot (K - 4th Grade): Arrival: 8:00 AM - 8:15 AM (Classes begin at 8:15 AM) Dismissal: 3:30 PM (1:30 PM on Fridays) Optional Afterschool Dismissal Varies By Program Chativah (5th – 8th Grade): Arrival: 8:00 AM - 8:05 AM (Tefillah begins at 8:10AM) Dismissal: 4:00 PM (M/T/Th), 3:30 PM (W) (1:30PM on Fridays) Optional Afterschool Dismissal Varies By Program *Times subject to change before holidays and snow days. Please read the weekly newsletter and visit the school’s website and Facebook group for real-time announcements.
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What is the after-school program schedule?The timing, prices, and programming vary by day and age division, and the details can be found here.
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Does my child need to be out of diapers and using the bathroom before attending school?All Gan children should be “potty trained” by the start of school. If your child has not learned to use the toilet before the start of school, please speak with their teachers or reach out to us prior to the first day. Toilet learning should begin at home.
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What are the age quidelines for entering Beit Rabban Day School?Children applying to the Gan (Early Childhood) must turn three by December 31st of the school year they enter; children entering Kindergarten should be five in September of the year they enter. We evaluate each child to determine readiness for school and use these evaluations to inform placement decisions.
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What transportation is available?Free busing is available for most students, beginning in Kindergarten, through the New York City Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT). Coordination of bus service takes into account the age of your child(ren), the distance from your home to the school, and the total number of students along your route. Beit Rabban offers an annual maximum $2000 per-child transportation subsidy – regardless of financial status – to families whose children are technically eligible for busing through OPT, but who are unable to secure OPT busing, either because they live outside the OPT catchment area and/or do not have a sufficiently large neighborhood cohort to trigger OPT busing. To qualify for this subsidy families must meet all the following criteria: Students must be enrolled in Kindergarten through 6th Grade (that is, of age to be eligible for OPT busing). Families should be outsourcing private transportation to and/or from school (that is, we do not subsidize families using their own transportation or public transportation). Subsidies per family may not exceed out of pocket costs. Please note: Families are encouraged to arrange shared transportation and combine subsidies. In order to participate, families must check in with the COO before the school year in order to confirm eligibility and set up a payment schedule. Because Gan (Early Childhood) students are not eligible for busing, families must arrange their own transportation to and from school. Please call us if you have questions or concerns about transportation. Our parent association strives to aid in organizing transportation whenever possible.
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How many teachers are there in each classroom?Gan (Early Childhood Center): Beit Rabban invests in having two full time teachers in each Gan class. Our class sizes in the Gan vary by age and generally have 6 to 14 children. Additional teachers rotate into the classroom throughout the school day, both for specials like art and music, and in particular at transition times when our Gan students may need more caregiver support. Kevutzot (K - 4th grade): Beit Rabban invests in having both full time teachers and learning specialists in our classes each year. Our class sizes in Kevutzot generally have 12-18 children. All of our Kevutzot classes divide into smaller learning groups regularly. Small group and individual instruction allows for differentiation, and additional teachers and learning specialists often rotate into our classrooms to facilitate differentiated learning. Chativah (5th - 8th grade) Beit Rabban offers specialized instruction in all subjects in our middle school, with one teacher in each class, in addition to regular cross-pollination between subjects and instructors when appropriate. Our Chativah also has a comprehensive mentorship/advisory program for our students.
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What is your medical record and immunization policy?Medical Records: Parents must ensure that we have received their child's up-to-date medical records and emergency contact information form. Health records can be sent to immunizations@beitrabban.org. This should include any information about allergies, illness and dietary needs. Each fall, the New York City Department of Health reviews and monitors all students’ immunization records. Vaccinations: Should you have questions regarding immunizations needed for entrance to school, please review required immunizations for New York City. Beit Rabban Day School does not accept religious exemptions for immunizations. COVID-19 Vaccination: All eligible staff members and students are encouraged to vaccinate once becoming eligible. The NYC Department of Health does not require immunization against COVID-19.
PUBLIC PROGRAMS
We invite you to get to know Beit Rabban by joining our public programs. These events are opportunities to meet current Beit Rabban families and teachers and to get a better sense of our education and culture. We look forward to welcoming you!
PAST PROGRAM
Open House
Thursday, November 14th at 7:30 PM
At Beit Rabban on the 1st Floor
Excited, curious, or interested in Beit Rabban? Join us this November for our in-person Open House to learn more about our methodologies, curriculum, and values.
Cafe Rabban: Parent Learning Around Literacy & The Science of Reading
Monday, December 16th at 8:30 AM
At Beit Rabban on the 2nd Floor
Join Head of School, Stephanie Ives and Principal, Ingrid Goldfein at our Café Rabban- a gathering for parents to sip coffee and learn together. This first session will cover the topic of Literacy at Beit Rabban, and the field of research around the science of reading. The session will provide an overview of the structure, methodologies, and philosophy of literacy while being an open space to ask any and all questions around this topic.
OUR GRADUATES
Beit Rabban students graduate with confidence in their own abilities, respect for the abilities of others, and a commitment to making a difference in the world around them.
HIGH SCHOOLS
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Beit Sefer Reut in Jerusalem
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Bronx Science High School
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Dwight-Englewood School
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Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School
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The Frisch School
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High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at City College
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High School of Art & Design
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The Heschel School
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LaGuardia High School of Music & Art
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The Leffel School
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Midreshet Hartman L’Banot
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NYC iSchool
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Professional Children's School
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The Ramaz School
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SAR High School
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Stuyvesant High School
COLLEGES
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Barnard College
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Columbia University
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Cornell University
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CUNY Queens College
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Fairleigh Dickinson University
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Harvard University
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IDC Herzliya
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Johns Hopkins University
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McGill University
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Muhlenberg College
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New York University
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Rutgers University
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Princeton University
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School of Visual Arts
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Smith College
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SUNY Albany
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University of Chicago
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University of Manchester (UK)
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University of Melbourne
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University of Pennsylvania
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Yale University