Early Consideration at Wheeler

Choosing the right school is a big decision — and for some families, that decision is crystal clear from the very start. Our Early Consideration process is designed for those families who already know Wheeler is where they want to be. By applying early, you can complete the admissions process ahead of the general timeline, receive an earlier decision, and take comfort in knowing your plans for next year are set. If Wheeler already feels like home, this is your opportunity to make it official a little sooner.

Early Consideration: Frequently Asked Questions

We know applying to schools can be exciting — and sometimes a little stressful. By offering an earlier option, we hope to give families who are already sure about Wheeler the chance to plan ahead and enjoy some peace of mind a little sooner.

Every family’s journey looks a little different and that’s okay! Early Consideration is designed for families who already know Wheeler is where they want to be next year. If you’ve fallen in love with our community and feel confident about your choice, this is a great path for you. If you’re still exploring and want to compare a few options, that’s completely fine too — the general admission process will give you more time to do just that.

No. Early Consideration is for families who are ready to make Wheeler their school home. If a student is accepted through this process and your family chooses to enroll, you’ll sign an enrollment contract to secure your spot. If you’re not quite ready to make that commitment, we recommend waiting for the regular application cycle.

Not at all. The most important thing is finding the right school for your child. If that’s Wheeler, wonderful — and if you need more time to make that decision, that’s absolutely okay too. The general admission process gives families more time and flexibility.

In most cases, yes! While we can’t promise space in every grade, we expect to have spots available in many of them. So if you’re not quite ready for Early Consideration, know that there are still opportunities to join our community later in the general enrollment season.

Yes, it is. As long as your financial aid application is submitted through Clarity by December 31, your family will be considered for need-based financial aid as part of the Early Consideration process. We want this to be an option that’s accessible to all families who are ready to say “yes” to Wheeler.

Yes! Even though you’ll need to make your enrollment decision before our Revisit Day on March 2, we’d love to welcome you back for the celebration. It’s a special day to explore campus, meet classmates, and feel the joy of becoming part of our community.

Early Consideration isn’t available for applicants to Hamilton School at Wheeler. The Hamilton School application process can run on a different timeline as families discover their need for Hamilton at different times in the school year.

No. If your child is accepted, the decision to enroll is still yours. If you choose to move forward and sign an enrollment contract, that contract is binding. But the choice to take that step is entirely up to your family.

There are a few ways things can go:

  • Accepted – You receive an offer and can officially join our community early.

  • Deferred – In some cases, we may move your application into the general pool for a later decision.

  • Financial Aid Waitlist – If funding is limited, qualified applicants may be placed on a financial aid waitlist.

No matter the outcome, we’ll communicate clearly and support you every step of the way.