Choosing the right school for your child is an important decision. Below you will find helpful information about The Nysmith School, our programs, admissions process, and student experience. If you need additional information or would like to speak with someone directly, our Admissions team is always happy to help.
It starts with filling out an application, which can be found in both the Admissions brochure and on our website under the “Admissions” tab. Please note that depending on the age of your child, teacher recommendations and testing may be required in order for him or her to be considered for admission.
Once we receive the completed application, we schedule an in-person visit that will enable your son or daughter to become fully immersed in the Nysmith experience. They will see with their own eyes what it’s like for students here and that “day in life” opportunity provides valuable insight into what makes the school different from any other you may be considering.
We provide current Nysmith families that complete their re-enrollment by the end of January the first opportunity to reserve a space for the following year.
For students applying from other schools, if you have submitted all the required documents and your child completes the student visit by Feb. 15, you will be included in the first round of Admissions decisions that are made in mid-February.
After the first set of enrollments are received, the school offers rolling admission for any additional spaces.
Yes. We are happy to consider your child for mid-year admission if space is available in their grade. We also offer rolling admission for the upcoming school year, so families are welcome to apply at any time. Applications are reviewed as they are received and spaces are filled on an ongoing basis.
Absolutely. Fill out the form that is attached, and we will reach out shortly to find the best time for you to come see our program. Schedule your on-site tour today.
The application requirements for each age group are outlined in detail here and our Admissions team is available to answer any questions you have.
We try to make a Nysmith School education affordable for as many families as possible. We use a sliding scale tuition adjustment process that assesses the financial need of the family through the use of ISM Fast software. About 25% of Nysmith families receive financial assistance; typical financial assistance grants amount to 25% to 50% of tuition. Learn more about tuition and financial aid.
You may apply anytime! Because Nysmith has rolling admissions, you may apply before or after you fill out a Nysmith Application.
Families applying for financial aid must complete an online FAST application HERE and submit the necessary supporting documents directly to FAST.
Nysmith utilizes the FAST Program because it is designed to be highly responsive to our families. It is more flexible in terms of the information it will accommodate, thus allowing families to represent their own particular circumstances more accurately. All information from FAST is kept confidential, as is all information pertaining to a family’s financial aid request.
Yes. Funds from 529 accounts, which formerly could only be used for college expenses, can now be used to pay tuition for students attending private K-12 schools – up to $10,000 per year per student.
No. Nysmith does not conduct any fundraising or capital drives to raise additional school funds and we do not have an Endowment Fund from which to award scholarships or grants.
Yes. We will prorate your child’s tuition to the day your child begins school.
A financial aid decision will be made within approximately one week after the verification of your FAST application. Nysmith School will notify you via email.
If you have any questions about this process, please contact Gabrielle Silver in our Business Office at 703-713-3332, ext. 1025.
Absolutely. The Nysmith School is built on differentiation. We challenge your child in a way that is stimulating without pressure–and students showing an advanced proficiency in Language Arts or Math may study up to four grades ahead. And regardless of subject matter, whether it is Science, Social Studies, Technology, Foreign Language or an elective, within each class the teachers are able to provide the personal attention to meet the varying needs of each student.
Beginning with the three-year-old’s, all students take 30 minutes of French every day. In fourth and fifth grades, they transition to Spanish for a half hour each day. Sixth graders move to Latin for that same amount of time. Seventh and eighth graders choose a high school level foreign language they want to study. Learn more about our foreign language programs.
Yes, standardized testing is required for admission to Nysmith. Please see our application requirements here.
1:9 teacher to student ratio. We have two teachers per classroom, with average class sizes at 18 students per class.
Nysmith was created specifically to meet the needs of students who have developed an aptitude in one or more study areas and are looking to pursue their passion for knowledge. The teachers are equally passionate about the subjects they teach, and present a diversified curriculum to smaller classes of curious children in a unique and nurturing environment. We minimize in-class repetition, encourage students to express their opinions freely and challenge them to learn concepts and develop the critical thinking skills they will use in furthering their education. And our 1:9 teacher-to-student ratio allows for the personal attention that is impossible to provide in classes with 20 or more children and a single teacher. Learn more about the Nysmith difference.
Our curriculum not only delivers a deep foundational knowledge-based education; it likewise helps develop children’s character and teaches them how to apply what they’ve learned to work with the goal of becoming their best selves. We teach students to think for themselves, to analyze, problem solve, communicate and lead. Our graduates are dynamic, considerate, resilient and optimistic young people who see problems and look for solutions in their roles as active collaborators and leaders. We help them achieve a healthy level of happiness with themselves, that when combined with the knowledge they secure, prepares them for success in high school, college and life, competing successfully with their peers around the world.
The Nysmith School is for children who have a love of learning and a thirst for knowledge. If your child welcomes being challenged academically and does not need lots of repetition to master new material, he or she will love coming every day to Nysmith which is like no other school you will find anywhere else.
We have many students from Northern Virginia–Great Falls, Vienna, Oakton, Reston, Fairfax, Arlington, South Riding, Ashburn, and of course, Herndon–plus others that come from Maryland, D.C. and areas further south and west. What’s perhaps most impressive is the number of families that move here from other parts of the country for the sole purpose of enrolling their child at Nysmith. We are that different, and are proud that in our case, a special place attracts special students.
No. While we do have grade-level community service events, Nysmith does not accept donations or fundraisers of any kind.
Nysmith’s dress code, which does not apply to our Preschool class, requires a plain colored shirt with a collar, solid pants or skirt. A more detailed version is available upon request.
Yes, yes and yes.
We have buses that pick up and drop off students every day through Great Falls, Vienna, Oakton, Reston, Herndon and other local areas. We also are happy to help families arrange carpools with friends and neighbors.
We have daily hot lunches from outside vendors available for purchase. More details are available upon request.
Child care is open from 7:00 in the morning until 6:30 in the evening. Care can be arranged on an hourly basis as needed and is available over most academic breaks.
We currently have more than 60 after-school teacher-led clubs that run from 3:15 to 4:15 most weekdays. Although the specific offerings vary from year to year, they always include sports/recreational activities, academic pursuits, computer-related interests, music/theater and many other fun options. We also have a wide variety of enrichment clubs presented by outside vendors that run from 4:15 to 5:15pm. See a full list of our after school programs here.
No, but we do have a preschool summer program that operates out of the building. Please contact us for more information.
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