The Gateway Schools

Admissions

We appreciate your interest in our Schools, and we are eager to meet prospective students and their families. We look forward to sharing our philosophy, approaches and focus as well as hearing about families' educational goals for their children.

Admission to The Gateway Schools is an extensive and careful process.  The admissions process begins each September and continues until classes are filled for the following academic year.  Through admissions, we seek students with uneven learning profiles who have average or higher cognitive potential.  Such students may have language-based learning disabilities, nonverbal learning disabilities, or attentional difficulties but do not have primarily behavioral or emotional disabilities.

VISITING THE SCHOOLS

The best way to get to know our schools is by visiting them.  Full morning open houses are held during the Fall and Winter months.  Families are encouraged to contact The Admissions office beginning in mid-September of each year to request an application packet and to arrange attendance to a visiting day.

During visiting days, parents tour the Schools, meet some students and staff members, view unique features of the educational programs, and hear various presentations about the Schools and our educational community.  Parents are strongly encouraged to ask any questions they have about the Schools during the visiting day because we believe that an active dialogue between the Schools' personnel and parents is the best way for parents to gain a fuller understanding of the Schools.

THE ADMISSIONS PACKET

Upon request, an admissions packet will be mailed to all families with children for whom The Gateway Schools may be appropriate.  Parents are encouraged to submit both the Application Form and the report from the neuro-psychological or psycho-educational evaluation as soon as possible so that an applicant file may be started for the child and the admissions committee may begin the review process.

A completed Application Packet consists of the following:

  • The Application Form
  • A report from a neuro-psychological or psycho-educational evaluation, completed within 1 year from the date of application for children under 7 years of age, or within 18 months for children older than 7 years of age
  • The most recent reports from professionals working with the child, if applicable
  • The most recent school reports for the child
  • The most recent IEP for the child, if applicable
  • A non-refundable application fee


SCREENING

Due to the volume of applications, we are not able to offer a screening to all applicants.  Screenings are offered when there is significant indication from the Application Packet that The Schools could offer the best educational environment for a child and when there is reason to believe that an opening might exist in a class that would be appropriate for the applicant.  During a screening, the applicant has the opportunity to see The Schools, meet students, and work with several faculty members.  On the same day as the screening, a conference will be held with the family and feedback will be given concerning Gateway's impressions.  Admissions decisions are typically made within 4 weeks after the screening.  There is an additional fee for screenings.

 

FINANCIAL AID

Financial Aid is available to students at both schools in the form of payment plans, loans, and scholarship awards.  Payment plans and loans are administered by Key Bank, and the forms to apply for these services are included with enrollment contracts.  Scholarships are needs based and are awarded on a case-by-case basis until funds are exhausted for the year.  Families interested in applying for scholarships are required to participate in The School and Student Service for Financial Aid Process (SSS), which assists the Schools in determining scholarship amounts.  Information about SSS is provided by request to the families of students to whom an offer of enrollment has been extended.

 

CONTACTING THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE

Thank you, again, for your interest in The Gateway Schools.  We look forward to working with you throughout the application process and are available to assist you in any way possible.  If you are interested in requesting an application or in reserving a spot for a visiting day, please complete this form or contact us at 212-777-5966.