Covington Latin School - Admissions

Admissions

Entrance Examination

Covington Latin School determines admission based upon an entrance examination. Specifically, CLS administers the Scholastic Testing Services (STS) Educational Development Measurement Evaluation. The examination assesses progress in three foundational areas: mathematics, reading and language arts. Scores are compiled in national percentiles and reported in comparison to all other fifth, sixth and seventh graders who take the test nationally. This score is the strongest single indicator of a student's suitability for the Latin School curriculum.

Admissibility

For 5th graders taking the exam, an overall score of 90% or better will be considered for admission. For 6th and 7th graders taking the exam, an overall score of 85% or better will be considered for admission. Each individual applicant is reviewed extensively, however, to ensure that the admissions committee arrives at an accurate conclusion. Underperforming students may be encouraged to retake the examination in the event they feel the score is not an accurate reflection of their academic ability.

Preparatory Year or Freshman Year?

For some parents intrigued by the Covington Latin program, the choice of introducing their child into the CLS experience through the Prep year or through Form I (Freshman) year is a challenging one. Parents often ask which is best, because academic performance data and graduation rates are very similar between both routes of entry. The truth is that what is best depends on the individual child. Certain parameters do already exist as matters of policy. All students entering CLS from the seventh grade must enter Form I to protect the integrity of the accelerated nature of the program. Likewise, all students entering directly from fifth grade must enter as Preps. It is for those students entering from sixth grade that this question becomes an issue.