APPLYING TO SCHOOL ONE

Each year a handpicked group of 100 students from all over Rhode Island and Massachusetts – as well as the other side of the world – enroll at School One. There is no one type of School One student. Instead, our diversity is part of what makes a School One education so interesting and impactful. We seek students who are inspired by what we have to offer and are willing to make an effort to improve their skills.

IMPORTANT DATES

Applicants who complete the process by February 1st will receive decisions for admission and, if applicable, financial aid by February 24th. After the deadline, we welcome rolling admission applicants when space and/or financial aid are available.

Virtual Tour

Step inside our doors for a “virtual tour” of some of our classrooms.

WHO SUCCEEDS AT SCHOOL ONE?

Students who seek a meaningful role in designing their educations.
Students who want small classes in which they feel comfortable asking questions.
Students who respond to teachers who are readily available for help inside and outside of class, and who can adapt to their learning styles.
Students who are passionate about art, ideas, writing, and science.
Students who value being part of a safe, supportive, close-knit community.

TO APPLY

STEP 1: Give us a Call

STEP 2: Take a Tour

STEP 3: Submit Supporting Documents and Placement Evaluations

Every applicant takes our Humanities and Math Placement Evaluations so we can help place you in the right classes. The tests take around 2-3 hours, but they aren’t timed. The Placement Evaluations must be completed and returned at least 1 business day before the visit.

In addition, prospective students must submit the following:

School One Application 2023-2024
Recent School Report, Report Card, or Transcript

And, if applicable:

A recent Neuropsych Evaluation, IEP, or 504
Financial Aid Application

STEP 4: Come for a Visit

We strongly encourage every applicant to come for a day-long visit or longer.

During the visit we see how you participate in class and get along with the students here. During the visit, you get a real sense of the classes, the students, and our School One culture. Faculty and staff make an admissions decision at the end of the visit. School One requires at least a daylong visit for all potential students, but students may visit for a full week if they want or need more time to experience the School One program.

In many cases, students might need to enroll at School One during the school year rather than for the following September. For mid-year enrollments, we follow the same three-step admissions process but require a five-day visit. If the student is accepted for admission after the five days, the student can immediately enroll at School One

“You will come away from School One with something beyond skills and knowledge: The creativity and audacity to do something big, bold, and beautiful with what you've learned.”

— Sam Kellogg '07

“My friend came to school with me one day and when I was driving her home she said, ‘Wow, your school is great. Everyone talked to me! It made me feel really welcome.’ And I was just so proud because, yeah, that’s my school!”

— Anna Russell '12

“Something in the atmosphere here inspires creativity, curiosity, and authenticity; it has the power to transform lives. Our students love coming to school because they can be, and become, who they really are.”

— Michael Fox, English Teacher & Advisor

“I’m inspired by the transformations we create at School One: shy students become more confident, procrastinators learn to stay on top of work, and all students get to experience support and challenge on a daily basis.”

— Jennifer Borman, Head of School

“What drew me to School One was the sense of community, which made it an ideal learning environment. The teaching method was all encompassing and interactive, inspiring me to actually want to learn and participate.”

— Patty Bowman '98

“School One tore down every pre-conceived belief I ever had about what school had to be like. It taught me to challenge tradition, to take risks, to make my own path, to live life passionately, and to be ME.”

— Elicia Castaldi '97

"School One has offered me a place to freely express myself, and continue growing as an individual. Being a transgender teen, the welcoming environment and wonderful people have been a dream come true."

— Kit Medeiros ’18

APPLYING TO SCHOOL ONE

IMPORTANT DATES

At School One, we teach students to think, write, analyze, and create. As a community, we treat each other with care and respect. We appreciate each other’s differences as people and as learners.