Learn More & Apply

The Inquiry Form helps us learn more about your family. Once the form is submitted, you can expect emails outlining next steps and helpful tips for the application process. 

Inquire Today

A visit to Dexter Southfield is an essential part of the application process, and there is no better way to get to know our community than a personal campus tour.

Note: An interview is a required step of the application process. 

To schedule your tour, please create a Ravenna account and use our online booking calendar, you will find this under the Campus Visit/Student Interview application step.  

Middle School & Upper School Candidates Tour 

In-Person Student and Parent/Guardian tour and interview: 

• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 1:45 p.m. 

• Monday: 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

Virtual Student and Parent/Guardian tour and interview: 

• Monday–Friday: 9:00 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 1:45 p.m. 

Classes 6-12 applicants are required to take the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT) or the Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) during the fall or winter preceding their anticipated enrollment date. 

Applicants to Classes 6-8: Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE)

ISEE submission code: 222607 

Applicants to Classes 9-12: Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT) or PSAT/SAT/ACT

SSAT submission code: 2842
PSAT/SAT/ACT: submit directly to the Admissions Office in the form of a PDF.

The TOEFL is required when English is not the applicant's first language.  

short-essay questions on the application

We encourage Middle and Upper School applicants to review these topics in advance and be thoughtful in their responses. 

1. Describe either an academic or extracurricular event/activity that has influenced your way of thinking about yourself and/or the world around you. What did you learn from that experience?
    
2. Each person has unique characteristics that define who they are. Choose three words that best describe you as a person, and explain how they represent you.
    
3. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? From whom did you receive the advice and how did you apply it?
    
4. Learning to step outside their comfort zone, students at Dexter Southfield learn by doing and develop a willingness to take measured risks. Tell us about a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. How did it affect you? What did you learn from the experience?

Using the student profile in Ravenna, applicants can manage their application, submit required documents, and view admissions decisions (March 10). Dexter Southfield uses the Boston area common forms for its admissions process, which can be accessed and submitted through the Ravenna Admissions portal. 

Students applying using the SAO must also create a Ravenna profile. Our team will pull all supporting documents over into the Ravenna account. The choice of platform has no bearing on admission decisions. The completed application is due by January 15 to ensure a March 10 decision and is comprised of the following: 

• Biographical Information 
• Application Fee: $65 Domestic, $65 International
• Student Interview 
• Standardized Tests (See Step 4 above for more information) 
• Student Essays/Candidate Statement (see step 5 above for more information) 
• Parent Statement 
• Recommendations – submitted online by current teachers (Required: School Administrator, English Teacher, and Math Teacher; Optional: Personal and Special Interest.) 
• Transcript – documents must include current and prior year grades