Discover the Spirit of Hackley
When you visit the Hilltop, you’ll experience a Hackley education that’s about achieving more, together. Across our 285-acre campus, 860 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 thrive in a dynamic and diverse learning environment. Guided by dedicated faculty and staff, students cultivate a love of learning and build lifelong connections with peers. With robust programs in the arts and athletics and our unique five-day Boarding program, Hackley provides opportunities for every student to be challenged, supported and inspired to grow in character, scholarship and accomplishment.
Our graduates leave Hackley well-prepared for college and life beyond the Hilltop. They are empowered with the knowledge, confidence and drive to pursue their passions and make a meaningful impact in the world.
Welcome to Hackley School!
Here, we believe in the power of more, together: More curiosity, more opportunity, more growth, all made possible by a diverse community that lifts each other up and a culture that forges lasting connections.
Founded in 1899, Hackley has long been a place where students find challenge, belonging, and success in academics, the arts and athletics. Our mission calls students to grow in character, scholarship and accomplishment, shaping lives of purpose and impact. Hackley alumni carry our mission forward across the globe and return to our Hilltop to support the next generation of changemakers.
We invite you to visit and discover what makes Hackley’s community so special. Join us for an upcoming event to experience the energy and warmth of the Hilltop. We can’t wait to meet you!
Warmly,
Sheila Hicks-Rotella P ’34, ’37
Director of Enrollment Management
Admissions FAQs
Natural entry points include Kindergarten, Grade 2, Grade 6 and Grade 9. There are occasional openings in Grades 1, 3-5, 7-8 and 10-11 based on attrition. Please contact our office if you have questions about admission into a non-entry year.
Hackley does not offer merit-based scholarships. Instead, we offer need-based financial aid with the assumption that all students admitted to Hackley have great merit.
Please visit our Tours and Admissions Events page for ways to learn more about Hackley through in-person and virtual events.
The family portion of the application, including the Parent and Student Questionnaires, and the application fee must be submitted by Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. Supporting paperwork must be completed and received by Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in order for an application to be considered.
We recommend that you submit the release of information form and the teacher recommendation forms to your child’s current school no earlier than the first week of November. Please ask the teacher to print a copy of the recommendation for their records. The electronic recommendation should be submitted to Hackley no later than Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.
We do accept additional recommendations, but they are not required. It does not put a student at a disadvantage to have only the required recommendations.
Your child should take either the ISEE or the SSAT before Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. The ideal months for the exam are November and December. We find both tests equally helpful and do not have a preference. Both testing agencies are offering several ways to take the test for the Fall 2025 season, including at-home versions. You can find more information about the SSAT and the ISEE online.
We generally have spaces in our typical entry grades as follows:
Kindergarten: 30 - 32
Grade 2: 12 - 15
Grade 6: 15 - 20
Grade 9: 40 - 45
Grade 10: 3 - 6
Hackley’s tuition varies by division. It is important to note that Hackley’s tuition does not cover all of our annual costs; we are immensely grateful to the innumerable parents, alumni, parents of alumni and friends whose generosity provides necessary additional support for all our programs and for maintenance of our wonderful facilities. For further details, please visit our Affording Hackley page.
The average class size is 16 students across all divisions. The student-teacher ratio is approximately 6:1.
Please visit our Daily Transportation page for all information about busing.
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What I love most about Hackley are the endless possibilities. You can truly be anybody you want to be here, and you will have friends and teachers to support you along the way. It’s the best place.
— Peter Roberts ’25
Additional Information
Hackley School adheres to a long-standing policy of admitting qualified students of any race, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin and other legally protected classifications to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities as well as the use of its facilities generally accorded or made available to students at the School.
Hackley School does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity or national origin, and other legally protected classifications in the administration of its educational policies, employment, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Hackley seeks students of high character who demonstrate intellect, resourcefulness in problem-solving, creativity, empathy and a love of learning and who have a variety of skills, talents, abilities, interests, experiences, backgrounds and goals, as well as a commitment to principles that Hackley strives to uphold.
Families whose commitment to Hackley’s values has been demonstrated, where parents are alumni or who have other children who have enrolled at Hackley, and whose children meet Hackley’s criteria for admission, receive careful consideration.