The Dalton School tuition & admissions

Posts about Dalton mostly come from prospective and current families weighing it against Stuyvesant or other top privates, plus a 2020 controversy over a faculty anti-racism document. Commenters broadly agree it is academically strong and sends many students to elite colleges, but they disagree on whether that comes from the school or from family connections. Cost, a wealthy social scene, and a culture some parents find off-putting come up repeatedly.

• AcademicsCommenters say Dalton's academics are at least as rigorous as the specialized public high schools, even if the STEM courses there are less intense than at Stuyvesant. [1][2]
• Arts and athleticsThe current student who started the thread praises Dalton's arts, English and history programs. [1]
• WorkloadOne commenter who attended a specialized high school says Dalton is the easier and less stressful route compared with the competitive public schools. [1]
• TeachersOne commenter says Dalton offers more personalized attention and guidance than a larger school would. [1]
• College counselingCommenters say Dalton is very dedicated to placing students at top colleges, and that its college office publishes its college list. [1][2]
• College counselingOne alumnus says Dalton, like Horace Mann, is known for counseling students who are struggling academically toward less selective colleges. [1]
• Social lifeCommenters describe Dalton's value as its social connections and the professional networks of its wealthy families, which some see as a real benefit and others as a sign of privilege. [1][2][3]
• Social lifeParents who researched Manhattan private schools describe Dalton's culture as elitist and say they want to avoid it for their own children. [1][2]
• Social lifeOne parent says they toured many progressive schools in New York and disliked Dalton the most. [1]
• Cost and aidCommenters react with disbelief to Dalton's tuition, which is roughly $50,000 to $70,000 a year. [1][2]
• Cost and aidOne applicant family says they heard second-hand that Dalton's financial aid generally stops around a $400,000 household income, and asks how assets factor in. [1]
• AdmissionsOne applicant family says their child was rejected from Dalton's kindergarten, and another asks how to prepare a child for the Dalton kindergarten play visit and interview. [1][2]
• DiversityOne commenter says the documentary American Promise, about Black students at Dalton, shaped their view of what it means to be an outsider at a private school. [1]
• AdministrationCommenters are split over a 2020 faculty anti-racism document. Some call it a sign of the school's politics going too far, while others argue it is overblown and not a real change in the curriculum. [1][2][3]

Summarized by AI from 22 Reddit posts since 2019. Opinions are the posters', not ours.

How much is The Dalton School tuition?

For 2026-27, tuition at The Dalton School is $70,800 for grades K-12, per the school's website.

Does The Dalton School require the ISEE or SSAT?

The Dalton School requires its own assessment for applicants.

When is the The Dalton School application deadline?

The main application deadline is November 13, 2026. Families apply through Ravenna.

Does The Dalton School offer financial aid?

Yes. The Dalton School reported $14,488,975 in financial aid to 278 students on its 2024 IRS Form 990.

How many students attend The Dalton School?

The Dalton School enrolls 1,330 students in grades K–12, with about 6 students per teacher (NCES Private School Survey, 2023-24).