Frequently Asked Questions

Packer’s enrollment is typically around 1080 students.  Our enrollment by division is as follows:

On average we have the following numbers of spaces for new students each year:

Pre-K Threes, Kindergarten, and Ninth Grade are our major entry points.

Families may apply at any grade point (except Twelfth Grade), but space may be extremely limited.
 

At Packer, we take a holistic approach when reviewing each student’s application. We value all elements of an application and do not weigh one item more than any other. 
 

The Borough Hall subway station (2, 3, 4, 5 and R trains) is at the end of our block, on Joralemon and Court Streets. Several MTA city buses stop at Borough Hall as well. Jay Street Metrotech (A, C, and F trains) is a short walk away. 

Pre and Lower School students residing in NYC can request a Metrocard for discounted or free rides on MTA buses and subways. Middle and Upper School students are issued Metrocards based on their home locations.

Many Packer families who are not within walking distance coordinate “kid car” transportation.  We currently do not offer private bus service. 

In the afternoon, Lower School students may be dismissed directly to our convenient carpool lane.
 

No. Admissions decisions are made prior to consideration of financial aid awards. 

Our financial aid program is generous, granting over $11 million to families every year. However, requests for aid may exceed our resources. Therefore, to ensure your family is able to be evaluated for a tuition assistance grant, make every effort to accurately and carefully submit financial aid materials well before the posted deadlines.

Packer strives to ensure that all members of the community have access to the full Packer experience. In addition to over $11 million given in financial aid each year, Packer works with our families receiving financial aid to help meet additional costs such as (but not limited to) books, instrument rental, international travel, class trips and other incidentals. Lunch (for Grades 3 through 12) and morning snacks (for PreK through Grade 12) are included in tuition. 

For a more thorough explanation of our Financial aid Policy, please visit Affording Packer.

Pre-K Threes: 3 years old by June 30 of entry year
Pre-K Fours: 4 years old by August 31 of entry year
Kindergarten: 5 years old by August 31 of entry year
First Grade: 6 years old by August 31 of entry year
Second Grade: 7 years old by August 31 of entry year
Third Grade: 8 years old by August 31 of entry year
Fourth Grade: 9 years old by August 31 of entry year

While 5th and 6th Grade admissions age cutoffs can be more flexible than those for our Preschool and Lower School, our Admissions Committee tends to lean more conservatively. If you have questions about which grade you should be applying to, please contact the Middle School Admissions Office.

For the 2022-23 admissions season, standardized testing is waived for Grades 2 through 4, and optional for Grades 5 through 11. 

Invitation to the Pre-K Three playdate is by lottery only. If your child is selected from the lottery, we will conduct individual virtual parent/child interviews throughout the month of February. 

For Kindergarten applicants, once you have submitted the application through Ravenna, the Admissions Office will contact you to schedule the parent/child interview, during which we will work one-on-one with your child, followed by a meeting with parent(s)/guardian(s).

Lower School applicants (Grades 1 through 4) are invited for an interview when spaces are available. 

For applicants to 5th Grade, the Admissions Office will be in touch to schedule an interview after you have submitted the Parent/Guardian Application.

Please plan for approximately 90 minutes to complete the tour and interview step, which includes a conversation with parents/guardians. At the end of the interview, applicants will be given a writing prompt. Please have a pen/pencil and writing paper handy during the interview. No preparation is needed for this step.
 
Parents will have an opportunity to chat with the interviewer once their child(ren) have completed the one-on-one interview and are off completing their writing sample.
 
For Upper School applicants, an admission officer will have a one-on-one conversation with your child(ren). Please expect the interview to go approximately 30-45 minutes. Parents/Guardians will have an opportunity to ask questions to the admissions officer once your child(ren) completes the interview.

Packer’s student:teacher ratio is 7:1.  

Pre-K Threes: 9am to 1:30pm (with an optional 3pm pick-up Monday through Thursday)
Pre-K Fours and Kindergarten: 9am to 3:00pm
First Grade: 9am to 3:15pm
Second Grade: 8:45 am to 3:15pm
Third Grade and Fourth Grade: 8:30 to 3:15pm
Fifth through Twelfth Grade: 8:10am to 3:20pm

Early drop-off for Kindergarten through Fourth Grade is available both in the Packer Early Learning Center and in the Commons starting at 8 am.  This service is provided at no cost to families and advance signup is not required.

A variety of Afterschool Programs are available for students in Kindergarten through Eighth Grade: weekly classes on a semester basis, and flexible aftercare on an as-needed basis.