How to Apply
Select the appropriate grade level below to view detailed information about the admission process. Please contact the Admission Office at (904) 256-5030 with any questions.
Please contact the Admission Office with any questions:
(904) 256-5030 or Email.
Lower School (PreK-5)
We are excited that you are considering Bolles for your child and are happy to answer any questions that you have during the admission process. Please let us know if we can help by contacting Shelly Lenhart, Director of Lower School Admission, (904) 256-5034.
PreK or Kindergarten - How to Apply
Students applying to Pre-Kindergarten must be 4 years old by September 1 of their entry year. Students applying to Kindergarten must be 5 years old by September 1 of their entry year. Bolles does not make exceptions to this rule.
The deadline for applications considered in our first round of selections is January 27, 2023.
The Lower School application fee is $100 as this includes the cost of in-house testing.
To begin the application process, please create an Applicant Portal account using our online application system HERE. This Applicant Portal account will allow you to:
- Schedule to attend an EXPLORE BOLLES! event or tour
- See a comprehensive list of required application materials (including a Parent Questionnaire and teacher recommendations)
- Pay the $100 application fee
- Submit application materials
- Meet deadlines
- Learn about admission events
You may return to your account as often as needed, and you may always contact the Admission Office with any questions.
- Teacher Recommendation
- Parent/Guardian Questionnaire
- School Admission Student Visits (Required)
- Important Dates to Remember
Teacher Recommendation
Completion of a recommendation form by the applicant’s current teacher is required. Instructions to request the recommendation are included in your Applicant Portal.
If the student does not attend school but takes part in an activity such as music, sports or Religious School, please request that the teacher complete the Teacher Recommendation.
Parent/Guardian Questionnaire
To help us get to know your child, we ask that you please complete a questionnaire included in your Admission Applicant Portal. The Parent Guardian/Questionnaire must be received no later than your child’s scheduled admission visit/testing.
The Bolles Lower School Parent/Guardian Questionnaire is a common form used by the members of the Greater Jacksonville area independent schools accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS). If you are applying to other schools listed on the form, you may print the completed form in your Admission Applicant Portal for submission at other schools. If you have already completed a paper form at another FCIS school, you may upload it in your Applicant Portal or email it to Shelly Lenhart.
School Admission Student Visits (Required)
Getting to know students is an integral part of the admission process. All children applying for Grades 1 – 5 at Bolles participate in a full-day classroom visit. This visit provides the opportunity for students to make new friends, meet many faculty members, and participate fully in the Bolles experience. The school visit is the final step in the admission process.
Important Dates to Remember
Grades 1-5 - How to Apply
The deadline for applications considered in our first round of selections is January 27, 2023.
The Lower School application fee is $100 for grade 1 as this includes the cost of in-house testing and $50 for grades 2-5.
To begin the application process, please create an Applicant Portal account using our online application system HERE. This Applicant Portal account will allow you to:
- Schedule to attend an EXPLORE BOLLES! event or tour
- See a comprehensive list of required application materials (including a Parent Questionnaire and teacher recommendations)
- Submit application materials
- Meet deadlines
- Learn about admission events
You may return to your account as often as needed, and you may always contact the Admission Office with any questions.
- Teacher Recommendation
- School Transcripts
- Parent/Guardian Questionnaire
- School Admission Student Visits (Required)
- Testing
- Important Dates to Remember
Teacher Recommendation
School Transcripts
Parent/Guardian Questionnaire
To help us get to know your child, we ask that you please complete a questionnaire included in your Admission Applicant Portal. The Parent Guardian/Questionnaire must be received prior to your child’s admission visit/testing.
The Bolles Lower School Parent/Guardian Questionnaire is a common form used by the members of the Greater Jacksonville area independent schools accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS). If you are applying to other schools listed on the form, you may print the completed form in your Admission Parent Portal for submission at other schools. If you have already completed a paper form at another FCIS school, you may upload it in your Applicant Portal or email it to Shelly Lenhart.
School Admission Student Visits (Required)
Getting to know students is an integral part of the admission process. All children applying for Grades 1 – 5 at Bolles participate in a full-day classroom visit. This visit provides the opportunity for students to make new friends, meet many faculty members, and participate fully in the Bolles experience. The school visit is the final step in the admission process.
Testing
Grade 1 applicants must complete a school readiness assessment. This assessment will be administered during the student’s full-day classroom visit.
Applicants for grades 2 - 5 are required to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE – school code 100745) no later than February 4, 2023, to be considered for first-round admission consideration.
For test dates, locations, information about each test and to register, go to https://www.erblearn.org/families/isee-registration/. If the in-person test dates are not convenient, an online testing option is also available.
Applicants for Grades 2 – 4 will be eligible to take the ISEE Primary Exam at The Bolles School on November 12, December 3, January 7 or February 4. Please contact the Admission Office for a registration access code.
Applicants for Grade 5 will be eligible to take the ISEE Exam at The Bolles School on November 12, December 3, January 7 or February 4. Grade 5 applicants may also take the ISEE at a Prometric Testing Center. To register for the ISEE at a Prometric Test Center, go to ISEE Testing at Prometric.
About the ISEE
For more information about the ISEE, visit https://www.erblearn.org/families/isee-by-erb/ or download the ISEE student guide at https://www.erblearn.org/families/isee-preparation/
Registration Information
- To register online for the ISEE, go to https://www.erblearn.org/families/isee-registration/.
- Applicants can take the ISEE at any ISEE testing location. To review testing dates and locations, including the dates offered at Bolles, use ERB’s Search for Open Tests.
- Applicants for Grades 2 – 4 will be eligible to take the ISEE Primary Exam at The Bolles School on November 12, December 3, January 7 or February 4. Please contact the Admission Office for a registration access code.
- When registering for the ISEE, please list The Bolles School as one of the schools to which your child is applying so that test results will be sent directly to us. The Bolles School code is 100745.
- Early registration is encouraged as spaces at all test sites are limited. An applicant must register at least three weeks prior to the testing date of choice.
- Testing Dates
Important Dates to Remember
Middle School (6-8)
We are excited you are considering The Bolles School for your child. If you have questions at any point in the process, please contact Liz Mundin, Director of Middle School Admission, (904) 256-5033. We look forward to meeting and working with you!
How to Apply
The deadline for applications considered in our first round of selections is January 27, 2023.
To begin the application process, please create an Applicant Portal account using our online application system HERE. This Applicant Portal account will allow you to:
- See a comprehensive list of required application materials (including a Parent Questionnaire, Applicant Questionnaire, teacher recommendations, school transcripts and student interview)
- Register for required testing
- Submit application materials
- Pay the $50 application fee
- Meet deadlines
You may return to your account as often as needed, and you may always contact the Admission Office with any questions.
Testing
Applicants for grades 6, 7 and 8 are required to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE – school code 100745) or the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT – school code 1750), by January 31, 2023, to be considered for first round admission consideration.
The ISEE is offered on multiple dates throughout Jacksonville (see About ISEE below). For test dates, locations, information about each test and to register, go to https://www.erblearn.org/families/isee-registration/ for the ISEE and www.SSAT.org for the SSAT. If the test dates are not convenient or a test center is not available in your area, Prometric Test Centers offer the ISEE. To register for the ISEE at a Prometric Test Center, go to ISEE Testing at Prometric.
About the ISEE
For more information about the ISEE, visit https://www.erblearn.org/families/isee-by-erb/ or download the ISEE student guide at https://www.erblearn.org/families/isee-preparation/
Registration Information
- To register online for the ISEE, go to https://www.erblearn.org/families/isee-registration/.
- Applicants can take the ISEE at any ISEE testing location. To review testing dates and locations, including the dates offered at Bolles, use ERB’s Search for Open Tests.
- When registering for the ISEE, please list The Bolles School as one of the schools to which your child is applying so that test results will be sent directly to us. The Bolles School code is 100745.
- Early registration is encouraged as spaces at all test sites are limited. An applicant must register at least three weeks prior to the testing date of choice.
- Testing Dates
Important Dates to Remember
Upper School (9-12) |
Day or Boarding |
We are very pleased you will be applying to the Upper School at Bolles. The Admission Office remains ready and available to assist you at any stage of the process. The deadline for applications considered in our first round of selections is January 27, 2023.
Boarding: We offer boarding open to ninth through twelfth grade students.
If you have any questions about the process, please contact Mark Frampton, Director of Upper School and Boarding Admission, (904) 256-5032.
How to Apply
To begin the application process, please create an Applicant Portal account using our online application system HERE. This Applicant Portal account will allow you to:
- See a comprehensive list of required application materials (including a Parent Questionnaire, Applicant Questionnaire, teacher recommendations, school transcripts and student interview)
- Register for required testing
- Submit application materials
- Pay the application fee ($50 for domestic applicants; $75 for international applicants)
- Meet deadlines
You may return to your account as often as needed, and you may always contact the Admission Office with any questions.
Testing
Applicants for grades 9, 10, or 11 are required to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE – school code 100745) or the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT – school code 1750). For test dates, locations, information about each test and to register, go to https://www.erblearn.org/families/isee-registration/ for the ISEE or www.SSAT.org for the SSAT. If the test dates are not convenient or a test center is not available in your area, register to take the test at home or at a Prometric Test Center.
ISEE Testing Dates
Grade 12 or Post-Graduate applicants are required to submit their results from the SAT or ACT. To register for the SAT go to www.collegeboard.org. To register for te ACT, go to www.ACT.org.
International applicants are required to submit their IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo scores.
Important Dates to Remember
School Admission Visits (Required)
Upper School applicants are encouraged to visit Bolles during the Admission Process. We offer individual tours and monthly Explore Bolles Upper School events. To schedule an individual tour call (904) 256-5030 or e-mail admission@bolles.org.
Our Explore Bolles Upper School event is an excellent way for parents and students to learn more about Bolles, our programs, and activities. Provided below are the dates for the 2022-23 events.
- Friday, November 11, 2022 (8:30-11:45 a.m.)
- Friday, December 2, 2022 (8:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.)
- Saturday, December 3, 2022 (1-2:30 p.m.)
- Saturday, January 7, 2023 (1-2:30 p.m.)
To register for an event, click HERE. If one of these dates does not appear on the calendar below, the event is currently full.
International Applicants
Bolles has a long history of educating international students from all over the world. These students have gone on to the most selective colleges and universities in the United States, and have become business leaders, scientists, doctors, lawyers, teachers, professional artists, athletes, and Olympians.
Application and Enrollment Requirements
Application and Enrollment Requirements
- One Semester and One Year Applicants – When space is available, one semester- and one year-only applicants are considered for enrollment.
- Day or Boarding? To attend Bolles as a day student, one or both parents, an aunt, an uncle or grandparent must live in the Jacksonville area. If living with an aunt, uncle or grandparent, that family member must be a Court Appointed Guardian. Students with immediate family members living outside of the Jacksonville area are required to attend Bolles as a boarding student.
- Host Families - International students are not permitted to live with a host family.
- Application - International applicants follow the same application process as domestic students. Follow the "How to Apply" instructions in the appropriate school division on this page.
- Transcripts - original and translated transcripts from your student’s 2019-20 and 2020-21 school year, and most recent report cards are required. (Middle and Upper School Applicants)
- Testing Requirement (Middle and Upper School Applicants) – Except for Grade 12 and Post Graduate (PG) applicants, all applicants are required to take Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT). Grade 12 and PG applicants are required to submit their SAT or ACT scores.
- English Proficiency - If English is not your student’s first language, an English Proficiency Test score from IELTS (IELTS English Language Test), TOEFL (The TOEFL ets.org) or Duolingo (Duolingo English Test) are required.
- Interviews - student & parent Interviews are conducted in person or through Zoom after the student’s application has been submitted.
- Student Visa (F1) – Bolles will provide an I-20 form to new international students, once enrolled. To attend Bolles, all international students must obtain an F1 visa (Student Process Steps: How to Navigate the U.S. Immigration System | ICE). Listed below are the documents that need to be on file at Bolles before an I-20 can be issued.
- Copy of Birth Certificate
- Copy of Passport
- Complete a Promise of Cash Support (provided by Bolles)
- Monthly financial statement showing periodic deposits, or a consistent balance, to support the student’s education at Bolles.
- Health Insurance – to ensure your student has access to the doctors and health services used by Bolles, families of international students are required to purchase the health insurance provided by Bolles.