Frequently Asked Questions

List of 16 frequently asked questions.

• What grade levels have openings?

  In Pre-Kindergarten, which is our earliest grade level, we will accept 36 new students. Kindergarten and first grade will have approximately 3 – 7 spaces and in fourth grade, we will add a minimum of 8 new students.
  
  Fifth grade which is the beginning of middle school, we will add approximately 20 – 25 new students and in grades 6, 7 and 8, we will add approximately 5 – 7 new students.
  
  Form I (9^th grade) is the beginning of upper school where we expect to add 20 – 25 new students. Grades 2, 3, Form II (10^th), Form III (11^th) may have spaces available for new students depending on attrition. We do not accept students in Form IV (12^th grade).

• At what age can students first apply to Hockaday?

  In order to attend prekindergarten, a girl must be four years old by September 1. That typically means applying when the child is three years old.

• What are the school hours?

  Hockaday Lower and Middle School students begin class at 8:00 a.m. Upper School students begin classes at 9:00 a.m. and end the academic day at 4:00 p.m. 
  
  Lower School students release by grade level:

  • PK/K/Primer: 2:45-3:00 pm 
  • First/Second Grades: 3:10-3:25 pm 
  • Third/Fourth Grades: 3:30-3:45 pm 
  • Fifth/Sixth Grades: 3:30-3:45 pm 
  • Seventh/Eighth Grades: 3:45-4:00 pm 

• Do you have after school options for my daughter?

  Daisy Afternoons provides girls in Pre-K through Eighth Grade options for extended learning and enrichment during the hours immediately following the school day. Programs provide supervised play indoors and outdoors, a variety of enrichment classes, time to complete homework, and more. After-school programs remain open on school days until 6:00 pm. 

• Are Hockaday students required to present up-to-date immunizations to enroll in the School?

  Yes. In accordance with Texas law, the Hockaday School requires all students to present a certificate of up-to-date immunizations. Official records from a physician or clinic are required. For all new students, official records must be approved by the Director of Health Services before the enrollment process is considered complete. Exemptions from immunizations for reasons of conscience will not be accepted for any enrolled students.  

• Do you have a waiting list from year to year?

  Since we treat each year as a new year, we do not carry over a waiting list. For example, if a student goes through the admission process and is placed in the wait pool, she may be able to enter Hockaday before the school year starts, if a spot opens for her. If she is not admitted to Hockaday and decides to apply for another admission year, she begins a new application and goes through a new admission process.

• Do you offer admission application fee waivers?

  The Hockaday School is committed to providing families with the financial resources needed to make an independent school education possible. Admission application fee waivers are available for those who qualify. Please contact the Kristen Laws at klaws@hockaday.org or call 214-360-6526 for information.

• Does Hockaday accept TEFA Funds?

  At this time, Hockaday is not accepting TEFA funds. Before making any decision about accepting funding from this program, Hockaday’s Leadership Team and Board of Trustees are carefully reviewing the educational, financial, and operational implications for the School. If Hockaday makes a decision to accept funds from the program, we will communicate promptly with families and provide any necessary next steps.
  
  

  We are deeply committed to our robust, need-based financial aid program, and feel it best serves our mission. Hockaday strives to meet 100% of demonstrated need. 

• What world languages are offered and when?

  Students are introduced to both French and Spanish at the Pre-kindergarten level and continue through second grade. In third grade, they select Spanish or French to study. Students can begin the study of Latin in the seventh grade.

• Are siblings and children of alumnae guaranteed admission?

  They are not guaranteed admission; however, if all other factors are equal, children of alumnae and siblings of current students do receive preferential consideration. Our policy states that every effort is made to accommodate qualified children of alumnae and qualified siblings of current students; however, admission decisions are based primarily upon the composite qualifications of the individual candidate.

• What types of tests are given to Prekindergarten and Kindergarten students?

  Typically, students participate in a group test setting that evaluates their developmental areas as well as how well they follow directions and interact in a group setting. Each student also participates in an individual session at the Collaborative Academic Testing Services (CATS) to examine her verbal and non-verbal problem-solving skills. 

• What kind of test preparation course should a student take before applying to Pre-K, K and First Grade?

  We strongly discourage applicants from taking test prep courses or being tutored in any way for admission testing. “Prepping” makes students overly anxious about the testing process as well as question their own abilities. For the best testing situation, we recommend that girls get a good night sleep and have breakfast before coming for the test.

• What is the ISEE?

  The Independent School Entrance Exam is an admission test that has four levels: Primary (for applicants to grades 2, 3 and 4), Lower Level (for applicants to grades 5 and 6), Middle Level (for applicants to grades 7 and 8) and Upper Level (for applicants to grades 9 through 11). The ISEE has different forms at each level for security purposes. 

   

  For more ISEE information please call 1-800-446-0320 or visit www.iseetest.org.

• Is Hockaday affiliated with a particular religion?

  Hockaday is an independent school and is not associated with any particular religion. Our girls come from diverse religious backgrounds. It is the goal of the school to foster each student’s appreciation of her own spiritual beliefs as well as develop an understanding of the religious beliefs of other students.

• Can a new international student receive a Form I 20 to enroll at Hockaday?

  An international student is one who does not hold American citizenship or is not considered a permanent resident of the United States. The Hockaday School does not issue a Form I 20 to new international students. 

• Do international students have to take the TOEFL to apply to Hockaday?

  Yes. An international student is one who does not hold American citizenship or is not considered a permanent resident of the United States. All non-native English speakers are required to submit the TOEFL test results to complete their application to The Hockaday School. Middle School applicants may take the TOEFL Jr.