ISAAGNY has been silent since announcing in March that there would be no universal standardized test for admission into New York's independent schools - read more about that here. Most schools have been similarly slow to announce what, if anything, would replace the ERB test that was previously used for evaluation. Due to ISAAGNY's and the schools' relative silence, Aristotle Circle conducted an informal survey of schools to see which schools will continue to use the ERB test as a factor or requirement for next year's admissions. We called each of the below schools twice to gather information about their admissions process for next year.
29% of the schools surveyed said they will still be requiring the ERB, for most if not all grades they teach.
15% of the schools said that the ERB would be optional for all students but scores should be sent if they are available.
56% of the schools said they would not be using the ERB at all, in favor of their own assessments.
78% of schools conducting their own assessments will accept ERB scores if available.
22% of schools conducting their own assessments will NOT accept ERB scores under any circumstances.
2% of the schools offered conflicting information.
2% of schools have yet to return our calls
The following is a list of schools and their responses to the question, "Will you require the ERB for next year's admission?"
| SCHOOL NAME | ERB REQUIREMENT |
|---|---|
| Allen Stevenson | Yes (ALL GRADES) |
| Avenues | Yes (ALL GRADES) |
| Berkeley Carroll | School Specific Assessment (K-1) School will NOT accept ERB results (K-1) |
| Brearley | School Specific Assessment (ALL GRADES) |
| Browning | School Specific Assessment (ALL GRADES) School will NOT accept ERB results (K-1) |
| Buckley | Yes (ALL GRADES) |
| Chapin | School Specific Assessment (ALL GRADES) School will NOT accept ERB results (K-1) |
| Collegiate | School Specific Assessment (ALL GRADES) |
| Columbia Grammar | School Specific Assessment (ALL GRADES) |
| Corlears | School Specific Assessment (ALL GRADES) |
| Dalton | School Specific Assessment (ALL GRADES) |
| Dwight | School Specific Assessment (ALL GRADES) |
| Ethical Culture | Yes (Grades 2 and above) School Specific Assessment (K-1) School will NOT accept ERB results (K-1) |
| Friends | School Specific Assessment (ALL GRADES) |
| Grace Church | School Specific Assessment (ALL GRADES) |
| Hewitt | School Specific Assessment (ALL GRADES) |
| Horace Mann | Yes (ALL GRADES) |
| Leman Prep | Optional (ALL GRADES) |
| Little Red | School Specific Assessment (ALL GRADES) |
| Mandell | Yes (Grade 4-8) School Specific Assment (K-3) School will NOT accept ERB results (K-1) |
| Manhattan County School | School Specific Assessment (ALL GRADES) |
| Marymount | School Specific Assessment (ALL GRADES) School also accepts AABL |
| Nightingale-Bamford | Yes (Grade 2-11) School Specific Assessment (K-1) School will NOT accept ERB results (K-1) |
| Packer Collegiate | School Specific Assessment (ALL GRADES) |
| Poly Prep | School Specific Assessment (ALL GRADES) |
| Ramaz | Yes (ALL GRADES) |
| Rodeph Sholom | Yes (ALL GRADES) |
| Rudolf Steiner | School Specific Assessment (ALL GRADES) |
| St. Ann’s | School Specific Assessment School will NOT accept ERB results (ALL GRADES) |
| St. Bernard’s | School Specific Assessment School will NOT accept ERB results (ALL GRADES) |
| St. David’s | School Specific Assessment School will NOT accept ERB results (ALL GRADES) |
| St. Luke’s | Optional (ALL GRADES) |
| Sacred Heart | Yes (ALL GRADES) |
| Solomon Schechter | Yes, but also accepts variety of tests (ALL GRADES) |
| Spence | Optional (ALL GRADES) |
| Town | School Specific Assessment School will NOT accept ERB results (ALL GRADES) |
| Trevor Day | School Specific Assessment or AABL School will NOT accept ERB results (ALL GRADES) |
| Trinity | School Specific Assessment (ALL GRADES) |
| United Nations International | School Specific Assessment (ALL GRADES) |
| Village Community | School Specific Assessment (ALL GRADES) |
All in all, it appears as though the ERB will remain an option for many schools. Aristotle Circle is here to help you prepare with our award-winning test prep materials and tutoring. Please contact us or call 1.800.467.0895 to find out more info today. We also offer preparation for selective public schools like Hunter and Anderson, as well as preparation for individual school assessments.
**Please note that we are constantly updating this list and edits may be forthcoming as school requirements finalize.