Admission Process
Eligibility
- Be a Boston resident
- Be in 4th or 5th grade at the time of application
- Be motivated and eager to learn
- Attend an eligible school*
- Steppingstone does not use any one factor to determine the outcome of an applicant’s candidacy; instead, all parts of the application are considered holistically. The below income guidelines are just one tool we use to identify candidates who demonstrate the greatest need for Steppingstone's tuition-free program. Consideration of income alone is not a determining factor in an application.
* 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 your student or family’s eligibility, or whether your student’s school is eligible, please contact admissions@steppingstone.org
- 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. Submit an Inquiry Form
2. Attend a Family Information Meeting
5. Final Admission Decisions and Next Steps
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.
Teacher Recommendation
- Families applying to the program must share the Teacher Recommendation Form with their student’s current classroom teacher and ask them to complete it by January 3, 2024
- Includes a brief evaluation of student, Term 1 Report Card, Spring 2023 MCAS scores, and most recent MAP scores
- We encourage you to start speaking to your current classroom teacher now about your interest in Steppingstone. As a reminder, the links to your Student and Family application as well as the Teacher Recommendation Form will be emailed to you in early December.
Finalists for the program will be selected at the end of January based on an evaluation of the Student and Family Application, Teacher Recommendation, report card, and standardized test scores. All components must be submitted by Wednesday, January 3, 2024 in order for a student to be considered for admission.
4. Complete an Interview and Exam
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-March.
3. Submit Your Application
After attending a Family Information Meeting, you will be sent a link by email to complete a written application. The required components of the written Steppingstone application are:
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 families interested in applying to independent schools
Have questions?
The Admission team is here to help!
admissions@steppingstone.org | 617-423-6300 (press one for Admissions)
Hablamos español.
Ailyn Rivera '09
Program Operations Coordinator
Ailyn joined Steppingstone in 2023 and supports both the Admission and Academy teams in her role. She is a Steppingstone Alumna and first-generation college graduate, receiving her B.A. in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Stanford University. In her role, she looks forward to learning from and supporting the Steppingstone community throughout the first chapters of the Scholars Program journey.
Cindy Chen
Admission Assistant
Cindy was born in Boston and grew up in the Greater Boston Area. She earned her B.A. in Political Science and Chinese Language and Culture from Beloit College in 2022. Though she thinks the Midwest is underrated, she has since returned to Massachusetts and she joined Steppingstone as an Admission Assistant in 2023. Being a first-generation college graduate herself, she appreciates being able to both work with Scholars and help them reach their academic goals.
Danielle Rettinger
Director of Admission
Danielle received her Ed.M from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education and her B.A. from Bates College. She has spent the majority of her career working at schools in New York and New England, and loves speaking with students about their favorite things: classes, books, games, artists, etc...
Originally from New York City, Danielle is a huge fan of live theater. Although she cannot carry a tune, she can often be found singing songs from her favorite musicals (loudly) to her patient family and friends.
Danielle is very excited to welcome new Scholars and their families into the Steppingstone community.
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Delaine Gneco De La Cruz
Admission Assistant
Delaine, originally from the Dominican Republic, graduated from Brandeis University in 2023 with a B.A in Film, Television, and Interactive Media, and double minors in Creativity, the Arts & Social Transformation, and Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies. Delaine brings diverse experience from Film/TV, Admissions, and community engagement roles. Joining Steppingstone in 2023, Delaine is excited to contribute to the Admissions team supporting prospective students and families. Delaine values being part of a collaborative team that genuinely cares for increasing college access for all youth. In her free time, she enjoys dancing diverse dance styles, trying new foods, cafe-hopping, and being outdoors!
Deysi Gutierrez ’11
Admission Assistant
Deysi Gutierrez was born in El Salvador but has lived in East Boston since she was seven. During her upbringing Deysi struggled in school, but had various mentors that supported her education, including the Steppingstone Academy. In 2021, Deysi got her B.S in Communications from UMass Boston. Being the first person to attend and complete college in her family, it was a dream come true graduating! As a Steppingstone alumni, Deysi is so excited to be working with families and Scholars to support them with Steppingstone's admission process. Hoping that Steppingstone families can benefit from the program's guidance and support, as much as she did!
Steppingstone is an educational nonprofit which serves students of every race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, or political beliefs to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to Scholars enrolled in the program. It does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship programs, or other organization-administered activities.
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