Starting your application process
If you would like to learn more as a prospective parent, please reserve a half-hour personal consultation call by phone or Zoom prior to, or as part of the application process. You can determine availability, ask detailed questions and learn more about our school. This is especially recommended if you live out of the area. You can book your appointment here.
Tour our campus
You may also opt to reserve a personal campus tour. Campus tours book in advance, based on availability. Please plan on an hour for a campus visit though many tours are completed in 45 minutes. Tours can be booked up to 20 days in advance as available.
Prepare to apply
Submitting your application before the end of January enables Merritt Academy to give timely consideration for Fall placement.
Merritt Academy also accepts waitlist applications year-round for early childhood placement, as well as K-8 school classes. Please contact Admissions regarding availability or future openings in your child’s age group.
Watch for admissions emails
For the new school year in August, offers go out by age group starting in February through March for our youngest applicants. Offers for K-8 are sent in March or as openings become available. We send emails to parents of early childhood applicants. We make a courtesy call if you are seeking a later start when an opening comes available. We typically call and then email K-8 parents. Please feel free to contact admissions while you await placement for an update.
Start your application
For early childhood applicants
(preschool applicants should be age 3 turning 4, or age 4 turning 5)
If you have an infant, toddler, two-year-old or preschool child, please complete the application form below which includes the $75 per child, non-refundable application fee payable by credit card. Upon successful completion of your application submission, you will receive a confirmation message. We recommend submitting your child’s application before the end of January for optimal consideration for a Fall admission offer. Also, we accept applications on a rolling basis for other desired starting dates as openings permit.
For K-8 applicants
Please note there are five elements to complete for your K-8 applicant with forms linked below. Your $75 non-refundable application fee can be processed when you are ready, using the application form below. As parent/guardian, you should download the teacher recommendation and records request for your teacher and current school. For optimal consideration, these items are due by the end of January or sooner. Your child’s admissions assessment should be scheduled with the Admissions Office after these items are submitted to your applicant’s file.
- 2025-26 K-8AdmissionsApplication
- 2025-26 K-8TeacherRecommendation should be given to your child’s current teacher; and
- 2025-26 K-8RecordsReleaseAuthorization should be provided to your school registrar.
Once these items are submitted to Merritt Academy, we will work with you to schedule an in-person assessment visit for your K-8 student. Applicant families residing internationally or a great distance from the National Capital Region should contact the admissions office if travel to campus is not possible. The $75 application fee should be submitted before student assessment.
ALL NEW APPLICANTS SHOULD COMPLETE THE ONLINE FORM BELOW FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD AND USE THE FORM TO SUBMIT THE K-8 APPLICATION FEE.
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“ Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education. ”
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
Merritt Academy is proud to be recognized as a National School of Character by the Character Education Partnership, a national non-profit coalition based in Washington, D.C.
After School Activities
Merritt Academy provides a safe, enriching afterschool environment for students attending our elementary program.