open doors to your future

In 1843, educating young women was unconventional, even a bit radical. Today, we strive to be unconventional. At Porter’s, you’ll be empowered to design a program of study specific to meet your needs and strengthen your interests. Your classmates, teachers, and community will both encourage you and challenge you. After graduation, you will join a global network of graduates — Ancients — who are shaping a changing world. To learn more about how Porter's can help you shape your future and the world, please fill out our inquiry form or begin your application.

860-409-3530

ADMISSION@MISSPORTERS.ORG

Need more information?

Throughout the year, the Office of Admission hosts a number of events for prospective students and families. These events provide visitors an opportunity to learn more about Miss Porter’s School. Information Sessions include a campus tour, panel, and an interview; these sessions are limited to 10 families per event in order to provide a more intimate and personal experience. Open Houses are larger events which include panels, class visits, and an opportunity to meet members of the school community. Interviews at Open Houses are limited to individuals from out of state and should be scheduled with the Office of Admission.  

Our next admission event is our Spring Open House. Click here for more details.

Virtual Fall Open House

Tuesday, November 1

7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET
Register

Class Visit Day

Thursday, December 8

8:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. ET
Register

Open House: Porter's Preview

Tuesday, November 8

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET
Register

Winter Gathering

Thursday, December 8

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET
Register

The Arts at Porter's

Thursday, November 10

6:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. ET
Register

Information Session

Saturday, January 14

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET
Register

How will you unlock your future?

admission timeline 

Here’s a month-to-month breakdown to guide you through the admissions process.

January – June
  • Consider registering for a Porter’s Summer Program or Porter’s Leads event.
June – August
  • Continue researching schools that are of interest to you.
  • Visit the websites of schools that you have identified.
  • Submit inquiry forms to the schools that are of the most interest to you.
september – october
  • Attend secondary school fairs in your area.
  • Schedule interviews and campus visits.
  • Visit websites regularly for school updates.
  • Register for standardized testing, if taking (read about our test-optional policy below).
november – december
  • Request recommendation letters and school transcripts from teachers and school administrators.
  • Complete the Standard Application Online (SAO) and include Porter’s as one of your chosen schools. 
  • Familiarize yourself with Financial Aid application deadlines for January. Complete the PFS form to submit to SSS in mid-November.
January – february
  • Submit admission and financial aid applications by January 15.
  • The admission committee reviews completed applications.
march – april
  • Admission and financial aid decisions are available online.
  • Revisit schools to which you were admitted by attending a Revisit Day program or scheduling a shadow day.
  • Enroll in the school of your choice by April 10 by submitting the online enrollment contract and enrollment deposit.
  • Decline offers from other schools by April 10.
application checklist

Below are descriptions of all of the items needed to complete your application. The application and all required supporting documents are to be submitted through SSAT’s Standard Application Online (SAO) by January 15.

Please complete and submit the Standard Application Online (SAO) with your parent(s) and/or guardian(s).

We require a graded essay or paper (with teacher comments) from your current English or History class. The graded paper should not be a creative essay.

We require recommendations from your current math and English teachers. Please have teachers submit their recommendations using SAO.

We require a school recommendation from your principal, head of school, or guidance counselor. Additionally, we require a transcript of your grades from the current academic year and the past 2 years.

Note: If you have attended more than one school, you may need to contact each school to obtain the appropriate transcripts.

Test Optional Policy


At Miss Porter’s School, we believe that there are many ways to define academic success and promise. A study conducted of Porter’s students confirmed that standardized testing is not a complete predictor of academic achievement in the classroom. One’s course of study, grades, and teacher recommendations provide a far more comprehensive assessment of one’s ability than standardized testing. Additionally, championing test-optional practices will allow us to assess applicants’ strengths while promoting equity. It is for these reasons that we will no longer require standardized testing in our admission process. 

If a student feels as though standardized test results, whether the SSAT, ISEE, SAT or state-based exams, represent them well and support their academic profile, they are, of course, still welcome to submit them.

While we continue to require applicants whose first language is not English to demonstrate their proficiency in English by submitting either the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo results, we will not require students to submit standardized results from the SSAT, ISEE, or state-based exams.

To apply for need-based financial aid, you must check the appropriate box on the admission application due January 15. For more information about eligibility requirements and application instructions, please visit our financial aid page.

 

All students applying to Miss Porter’s School must complete an interview. To schedule an in-person and/or virtual interview, please contact the Office of Admission at admission@missporters.org or 860-409-3530.

 

GeNDER DIVERSITY STATEMENt

Generation after generation, our leadership is defined by our ability to articulate how young women think, how young women learn, and why gender matters. At Miss Porter’s School, we provide students with a uniquely empowering learning environment and our mission and program focus on girls and women and the experiences needed for our graduates to shape a changing world. 

 

In the admission process, we welcome applicants who identify as girls. While enrolled, some students come to openly identify with different gender identities, and the School is committed to an inclusive community rooted in the inherent worth and dignity of each member. This requires that our teachers, administrators, and students work together to create the conditions that allow for belonging as our understanding of gender expands and deepens over time.

ADMISSION EVENTS

Ready to apply?

Please submit your standard application online (SAO).

Want to know more about tuition and financial aid?

meet the Admissions office
Elizabeth Schmitt

Chief Enrollment & Student Affairs Officer
860-409-3614
lschmitt@missporters.org

Bio
Sarah Quinn

Director of Admission
860-409-3613
squinn@missporters.org

Bio
Katie Ahearn

Assistant Director of Admission
860-409-3610
kahearn@missporters.org

Bio
Gretchen Bilodeau

Admission Assistant & Database Coordinator
860-409-3611
gbilodeau@missporters.org

Bio
Christine Neville-Smith

Admission Office Coordinator, Dorm Affiliate
860-409-3617
cnevsmith@missporters.org

Janet Ortiz

Associate Director of Admission for Financial Aid
860-409-3618
jortiz@missporters.org

Maya Silva Thompson

Associate Director of Admission
860-409-3616
msilvathompson@missporters.org

Bio
Kat Simison

Director of International Recruitment; Equity & Inclusion Associate
860-409-3612
ksimison@missporters.org

Bio
Sarah Smith

Admission Associate
ssmith@missporters.org

Are you applying to Porter's from abroad?