Scholars Program:
Admission Process
At Steppingstone, we partner with you and your family to make your dream of college a reality. With proven results, we help you achieve the future you seek by preparing, advising, and supporting you through every phase of your educational life, from elementary school until you earn your college degree. We welcome all Boston 4th and 5th grade students and their families to learn more and apply.

Eligibility
Steppingstone supports Boston students who seek to succeed in middle school, high school, and college. In order to apply, your student must be:
- A Boston resident
- Currently in 4th or 5th grade
- Attending an eligible school*
- Motivated and eager to learn
* Eligible schools include public and select parochial schools. Students currently attending one of Steppingstone’s placement schools or a school accredited by AISNE are not eligible to apply. If you have questions about whether your student’s school is eligible, please contact Elena Jay, Director of Admission, at (617) 862-2217.

Please review the following grade-specific program timeline for a detailed outline of our 12+ year program.
In addition, our program looks for families who:
- Are committed to supporting their students through the Steppingstone journey.
- Demonstrate a need for our tuition-free program (note: there is a $100 fee for each summer of academic program in grades 5–7, which can be reduced or waived if it is a hardship).
- Are interested in exploring independent schools and select Boston public schools, including the three exam schools.


Admission Timeline
1. Attend a Family Information Meeting
There are no more Family Information Meetings for the 2022 Admission season. Please proceed to step 2.
3. Complete an Interview and Exam
February – March
Finalist students and families are invited to interview with Steppingstone staff. Interviews take place throughout the months of February and March. Finalist students will take the Steppingstone Exam in mid-February.
Finalist students and families are invited to interview with Steppingstone staff. Interviews take place throughout the months of February and March. Finalist students will take the Steppingstone Exam in mid-February.
4. Final Admission Decisions and Next Steps
May – July
Finalists will be notified if they have been accepted to the program on May 1. Accepted Scholars will complete enrollment paperwork and attend the New Scholar and Family Welcome Event in May. Scholars begin their first Steppingstone summer in July.
Finalists will be notified if they have been accepted to the program on May 1. Accepted Scholars will complete enrollment paperwork and attend the New Scholar and Family Welcome Event in May. Scholars begin their first Steppingstone summer in July.
2. Submit Your Application
By January 4, 2023 Deadline
Our application consists of the following required components:
Student and Family Application
Our application consists of the following required components:
Student and Family Application
- Includes family contact and demographic information as well as short answer questions for both the student and the parent/guardian
- Optional Independent School supplement for interested families
- Families applying to the program must share this link with their student’s current classroom teacher and ask them to complete it by January 4, 2023
- Includes a brief evaluation of student, Term 1 Report Card, Spring 2022 MCAS scores and/or June 2022 MAP scores
Finalists are selected based on an evaluation of the Student and Family Application, Teacher Recommendation, report card, and standardized test scores. All components must be submitted by January 4, 2023 in order for a student to be considered for admission. Families are notified of the finalist decision by email at the end of January.
