Admissions Procedures
CGPS Students
Students are chosen for their emotional maturity, ability to work in a demanding academic setting, and potential for growth in a social environment devoted to creating an appreciation and concern for others. Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School enrolls students without regard to race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin or sexual orientation.
Kindergarten Admissions Open House
Our Open House provides an opportunity for parents to obtain an overview of the Kindergarten program. Please note that this Open House is not obligatory and is not an opportunity to tour the school. Parents meet with the Headmaster, the Director of the Grammar School and the Director of Admissions to answer any questions pertaining to the school.
We invite you to attend our Kindergarten Open House on Wednesday, October 3rd from 4:00 until 5:00 pm or from 5:00 until 6:00pm. Because of limited space, we request that you reserve a place by calling the Admissions Office at (212) 749-6200 ext. 261. Attendance is optional.
Grade 9 Admissions Open House
Our Open House provides an opportunity for both parents and students to obtain an overview of the Prep School program. Parents meet with the Headmaster, the Director of the Prep School and the Director of Admissions for any questions pertaining to the school, while the students meet with a Dean and some of our current students.
The Open House dates are October 10th and October 23rd. In order to attend, an RSVP is required. We invite you to join us for our Ninth Grade Open House. Because of limited space, we ask that you reserve a place by calling extension (212) 749-6200, ext. 362.
Attendance is optional.
Interviews

Interviews are required for all applicants and are arranged after the application is received and processed for applicable grades. An assigned interview date and time will be sent to you. We request that you keep the appointment. We would always prefer to have both parents accompany the applicant.
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten
Applications for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten must be filed by the application deadline date, Friday, December 7th, 2012. There is a $60.00 application fee. Due to a limited number of interview spaces, we ask that you submit the application as soon as possible. If interview spaces are filled before the application deadline, your application will be placed on a hold list.
Testing
The ECAA test administered by the ERB Office is required for admission into grades Pre-Kindergarten through Fourth grade. Your child's testing should be arranged by contacting The Educational Records Bureau, listing CGPS as a recipient. The telephone number of the ERB office is (212) 672-9800. ERB's are due by January 30, 2013.
School Records
Please request that your child's sending school forward current (2012-2013) school year records directly to us in a timely fashion. The deadline is January 15, 2013. We welcome other pertinent information that will help us understand your child's background.
Pre-Kindergarten
Children are seen in small groups while parents tour the school and meet with the Director of the Grammar School and the Director of Admissions to answer questions and learn more about the school. Applicants for Pre-Kindergarten must turn four years-old by August 1, 2013.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten children are seen in small groups in our playroom while parents tour the school and meet with the Director of the Grammar School and the Director of Admissions to answer questions and learn more about the school. Applicants for Kindergarten must turn five years-old by August 1, 2013.
Grades 1 - 5
Openings may be very limited. We will only process applications if we foresee openings for these grades.
For grade One through Five, please call (212) 749-6200 ext. 261 for further information.
Applications for Grades One through Five must be filed by December 7th, 2012. There is a $60.00 application fee. Due to a limited number of interview spaces, we ask that you return the application as soon as possible.
Testing
The ECAA test administered by the ERB Office is required for admission into grades Pre-Kindergarten through Fourth grade. The ISEE test is required for admission for grades Five. Your child's testing should be arranged by contacting The Educational Records Bureau, listing CGPS as a recipient. The telephone number of the ERB office is (212) 672-9800. ERB's are due by January 30, 2013.
School Records
We request that your child's current homeroom teacher or advisor fill out the Candidate Recommendation Form.
All forms can be downloaded from this site. Please request that the sending school forward current (2012-2013) school year records directly to us in a timely fashion. The deadline is January 15, 2013. We also welcome other pertinent information that will help us understand your child's background.
Grades 6, 7, 8, 10, 11
Openings may be very limited. We will only process applications if we foresee openings for these grades.
For grade Six, please call (212) 749-6200, ext. 261 for further information. For grades Seven, Eight, Ten and Eleven, please call (212) 749-6200 ext. 362 for further information.
Applications for Grades Six, Seven, Eight, Ten and Eleven must be filed by December 7, 2012. There is a $60.00 application fee. Due to a limited number of interview spaces, we ask that you return the application as soon as possible.
Testing
The ISEE or SSAT test is required for admission for grades Six through Eleven. Your child's testing should be arranged by contacting The Educational Records Bureau or SSAT Office, listing CGPS as a recipient. Testing results are due by January 30, 2013.
School Records
We request that your child's current homeroom teacher or advisor fill out the Candidate Recommendation Form. For applications to grades Six through Twelve, your child's current year mathematics and English teacher must fill out the Mathematics Recommendation and English Recommendation Forms. All forms can be downloaded from this site. Please request that the sending school forward current (2012-2013) school year records directly to us in a timely fashion. The deadline is January 15, 2013. We also welcome other pertinent information that will help us understand your child's background.
Grade 9
Application
Applications for grade Nine must be filed by December 7th, 2012.
Testing
The ISEE or SSAT test is required for admission for grade Nine. Your child's testing should be arranged by contacting The Educational Records Bureau or SSAT Office, listing CGPS as a recipient.
School Records
We request that your child's current homeroom teacher or advisor fill out the Candidate Recommendation Form. In addition, your child's current year mathematics and English teacher must fill out the Mathematics Recommendation and English Recommendation Forms. All forms can be downloaded from this site. Please request that the sending school forward current (2012-2013) school year records directly to us in a timely fashion. The deadline is January 15th. We also welcome other pertinent information that will help us understand your child's background.
Notification of Decision
All members of the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY), including CGPS, will send on the same date the letters of notification to those parents who have completed the admissions process by January 15, 2013.
