Admissions Process

List of 12 frequently asked questions.

• How do I start the admissions process?

  Complete the online application for each child applying to attend Hutchison. Receipt of the completed application and non-refundable $85 application fee by the school formally activates the process. A print application packet may be requested from the Hutchison Admission Office at (901) 762-6672.  Apply Online Now

• How many students attend Hutchison?

  Approximately 800 girls from the Little Hive (2-year-olds) through grade 12 attend Hutchison.

• When should I apply?

  Our priority deadline for applications is Sunday, December 1. We will continue to accept applications in grades where spaces remain available. We recommend that you apply early, but no later than the fall of the year preceding the desired entry date. With an application on file, the Admission Office frequently will send you information to keep you updated about the life of the school.
  
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• What is the birthday cut-off for girls entering your early childhood programs?

  Hutchison has a June 1 cut-off for girls entering our early childhood programs. In other words, a girl entering the Little Hive must be 2-years-old before June 1; a girl entering Pre-Kindergarten must be 3-years-old before June 1; and a girl entering Junior Kindergarten must be 4-years-old before June 1.

• Will there be any openings in the grade to which my child is applying?

  Each year we have approximately 40 girls in Pre-Kindergarten. Other grade levels may also have spaces, occurring by attrition, for new students. We know the approximate number of openings in each grade in January when re-enrollment contracts are mailed to our current families.

• What information does the Admission Committee consider and how important are test scores?

  The Admissions Committee carefully evaluates each applicant on her individual strengths and talents. Admission to Hutchison is selective and based on previous school performance, teacher recommendations, results of an entrance test or evaluation, and an interview. While individual test scores for candidates to grades one and above are important, every part of a candidate’s file plays a critical role in the acceptance process.

• After my daughter completes her assessment/testing, can I be informed immediately about her acceptance?

  As a member of Memphis Association of Independent Schools (MAIS), Hutchison offers contracts in mid-February to new students on a pre-determined date agreed upon by all participating independent schools. This is to your advantage because it allows you to review all of your options before making your final decision. After the February contract date, Hutchison moves to rolling admissions, during which time contracts may be offered to eligible students as spaces become available.

• Do you have a waiting pool and what does that mean?

  Yes, we do have a waiting pool. (A waiting pool is similar to a wait list, but in a wait pool, students are not ranked as to order of next acceptance.) If a girl goes through the admissions process and is placed in the waiting pool, she may be able to enter before the school year starts, provided a spot opens for her. Our waiting pool does not carry over from year to year. A girl’s placement in the waiting pool one year does not guarantee acceptance for the following year. If she is in the waiting pool and would like to be considered for the next year, she will be re-evaluated at that time. However, it is not necessary to submit another application for that candidate.

• Does Hutchison offer financial assistance?

  Hutchison offers financial assistance to deserving students who otherwise would not be able to attend our school, and all Hutchison families pay a portion of tuition. Our Financial Assistance Committee reviews information provided by Clarity, an independent third party, as well as other pertinent information submitted directly to the school by the family. Financial assistance grants are reflected in school contracts. Financial assistance decisions are made separately from admission decisions. For more information, contact the Admissions Office at (901) 762-6672.
  
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• How many Advanced Placement classes are offered in upper school?

  Our Upper School currently offers 24 Advanced Placement classes and more than 50 Honors and Advanced Honors classes in a variety of subjects from Calculus AB and BC to AP Sculpture. The complete list is available in our School Profile.

• How successful is your college placement?

  One hundred percent of Hutchison graduates attend four-year colleges or universities. The college preparation our girls receive opens the doors of higher learning institutions across the country. Our professional college counseling staff works with each girl individually to find the best college match for her interests and needs. Our girls’ college selections are diverse, as they choose to attend Ivy League schools, large universities, and small liberal arts colleges.
  
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• Do Hutchison students wear uniforms?

  Little Hive, Pre-Kindergarten, and Junior Kindergarten girls may wear comfortable clothing of their choice. All girls in Kindergarten through Grade 12 wear uniforms in the school colors of black, white, and gold.