Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for 4th-7th Grade at Aspen Academy

The middle years are when a child truly begins to discover who they are. At Aspen Academy, we don't just teach them subjects; we build the foundation for their life as a leader. If you’re looking to apply to private schools that prioritize grit, vision, and character, you’ve found home.

Because we believe in substance over flash, we want your private school application process to be as clear and direct as our curriculum. It’s our goal to provide a “how to get into private school” resource for prospective families.

Step 1: Connect and Tour

Before you dive into the private school application, come see the seeds we're planting. Join a tour or a School Preview to witness our LiFE (Leadership, Finance, Entrepreneurship) program in action. This is where you'll see why we're the premier starting point for entrepreneurs.

Step 2: Submit the Online Application

Ready to start? Visit our Application Portal to begin. The deadline for priority consideration is mid-January, but we accept applications for select grades year-round if space allows.

Step 3: Gather Your Records

When families ask how to apply to private schools, they often worry about the paperwork. For 4th-7th grade applicants, we require:

• A Parent Statement: This is where you tell us about your family and your kiddo’s amazing personality.
• Teacher Recommendations: We use a Common Recommendation Form to make it easy for your current school.
• Report Cards: We look at your previous years to understand your child's academic journey.
• Testing: 4th and 5th graders may submit DAS II, WPPSI-IV, or WISC-V scores. Applicants for 6th and 7th grade must take the ISEE or SSAT.
• Any additional testing you may have (psychoeducational evaluations, MAP/STAR/iReady scores, accommodation plans, etc)

Step 4: The Student Visit (A Day in the Life)

We want your child to feel the "Cheers" theme song vibe. Applicants spend a full day in our classrooms, experiencing our culture firsthand. Kiddos show up as themselves and spend the day with like-minded student ambassadors.

Step 5: The Parent Conversation

You’ll meet with our leadership team virtually. We don’t go gray on our values—we want to make sure we are the "second family" you’ve been looking for.

Your Admissions Questions Answered

How to set Aspen for grade notification?

Once you create an account in our admissions portal, you can opt-in to notifications. This keeps you updated on deadlines, missing documents, and enrollment decisions (which typically go out in late February).

What to write on a private school application?

Be honest and specific. What do private schools look for in applicants? At Aspen, we look for alignment with our core values: Be Kind, Do Good, Work Hard, and Make the World Better. Don’t worry about "resume padding"—tell us about your child's character, their curiosity, and how they handle challenges.

What does it take to get into a service academy?

While we are a PreK-8 school, our leadership curriculum is designed to build the exact "durable skills" service academies demand. By starting with leadership and entrepreneurial development in 4th-7th grade, our graduates leave with the discipline and service-mindset required for those elite institutions.

What is a good class rank out of 500?

In a traditional public school setting, being in the top 10% (rank 50 or higher) is excellent. However, at Aspen, we focus on individual growth rather than just ranking humans against each other. Our small class sizes mean every kiddo is seen and pushed to their own "no ceiling" potential.

Are kids who go to private school more successful?

Success isn't just a high-paying job; it’s being a human of consequence. Research shows that private school students often benefit from smaller classes and specialized programs. At Aspen, our students are on average 40% more proficient in math and reading than national norms, but more importantly, they graduate with the financial and leadership skills to lead a life of purpose.

Start Your Journey

The most important thing a parent will ever do is raise up a good human. We are here to help you do exactly that. Don't wait for a "paradigm shift"—create one for your family.

Book a 1:1 call with our admissions team. No pressure. Just a conversation about your kiddo and what you're hoping for.