Application Process

Step 1: Experience HWIS

Discovery Open House - Learn about our philosophy and meet our community.
Personalized Tour - Experience HudsonWay on a typical school day.
HudsonWay Insights - Join educational conversations for curious parents.
Parent Connect - Connect directly with a HudsonWay family.
Community Events - Join us at family events to experience the HudsonWay community firsthand.

Step 2: Submit the Application

The primary entry point for HudsonWay is in preschool ages 2-4*. Preschool students do not need to have any prior background or exposure to the target language. We accept students in elementary and middle school grades without prior exposure to the target language with the understanding that additional tutoring support may be required.

*2s Program:

Children must be 2 years old by October 1 to enroll in the school year.
We offer mid-year entry when space permits. If a student is enrolled mid-year but is not 3 years old by October 1 in the following year, the student will be required to repeat the 2s program.

Children do not need to be potty trained prior to admission.

Create an account and complete an online application.

Start Your Application

Important dates for NJ campus:

December 4, 2026 - sibling application due
January 8, 2027 - financial aid application due (current families)
February 26, 2027 - new student application due
February 26, 2027 - financial aid application due (new family)

Step 3: Student Visit & Parent Conversation

A woman in a polka-dot shirt helps a young girl with a worksheet at a wooden desk in a classroom with other students in the background.

Admissions is a two-way process. These visits give your child an opportunity to experience a day at HudsonWay while helping us get to know your child and family more personally.

Student Visit
Your child's visit is designed to feel like a real HudsonWay experience. Students spend time in the classroom, meet teachers and classmates, and participate in age-appropriate activities. During the visit, our educators also conduct informal assessments to better understand your child's academic readiness, language development, and overall fit with our program.

Preschool 2s & 3s
60-minute playgroup

Preschool 4s & Kindergarten
Half-day classroom visit

Grades 1–5
Full-day classroom visit

Parent Conversation
The Parent Conversation is an opportunity for us to learn more about your child, your family's educational goals, and what you're looking for in a school. It's also a chance for you to ask questions and explore whether HudsonWay is the right fit for your family. Both parents are required to attend.

Log into Portal

Step 4: Submit Supplemental Materials

These materials help us build a fuller picture of your child’s learning experience and readiness for HudsonWay. Requirements vary by division.

Preschool

Teacher recommendation, if available
Final report cards for the two most recently completed school years, along with the most recent progress report or midyear report from the current school year, if available

Elementary School

Teacher recommendation
Final report cards for the two most recently completed school years, along with the most recent progress report or midyear report from the current school year, if available
Standardized test results, if available

Middle School

Teacher recommendations from the current Language Arts and Math teachers
Final report cards for the two most recently completed school years, along with the most recent progress report or midyear report from the current school year, if available
Standardized test results, if available

How to Submit Teacher Recommendations and Progress Reports

When completing your application in the admissions portal, you will be asked to provide the name and email address of your child’s current teacher(s) in the system, for a confidential link to be sent directly to each teacher.
Please provide this completed Transcript Release Form to your current school authorizing release of school records to HudsonWay.

Step 5: Receive Your Admissions Decision

Once your application is complete and all required admissions steps have been completed, families will receive an admission decision along with any applicable financial aid notification. Families are kindly asked to respond to the notification within two weeks.

2027 Notification Dates

Beginning the week of February 8, 2027

Family Decision Reply Date

Within two weeks after notification is sent

Our Admissions team is here to help you get to know HudsonWay and determine whether our program is the right fit for your child and family. We will guide you through each step, answer your questions, and help you understand what makes the HudsonWay experience distinctive.

Nicole Liu

Director of Enrollment NY & NJ

Email: nliu@hwis.org

Nicole brings more than a decade of experience in admissions, international education, and bilingual education within New York City's independent school community.

Next Steps →

Submit an Application

Learn about Financial Aid

Connect With Admissions

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