Admissions
Applying

Application Process

Begin Here.

To learn more about Cranbrook Schools and to be added to our mailing list, please complete the inquiry form by clicking the Request Information button. The information you provide in this form will allow us to get to know you and your interests. When you are ready to initiate a Cranbrook application, click the Apply button. Grade-specific applicant checklists can be found below.

If you are applying to the Middle or Upper schools and you live in a country other than the United States, (even if you are a USA citizen), please use the Standard Application Online (SAO) rather than Cranbrook’s application. 
Applications for the 2025-26 academic year are now available.

Important Dates

January 31
Application & Financial Aid Due Date
The Admission Committee gives full consideration to all completed applications that arrive by the application deadline.

Feb 1 - Aug 31
Applying after the deadline
The Admission Committee will give due consideration to all applications submitted after the regular admission deadline. Students may be admitted if space is available.
Notification Date
Varies by division
Admission decisions will be delivered on a rolling basis beginning in February. Boarding students will be notified no later than March 10.

Lower School Applicant Checklist (age 3 - grade 5)

List of 8 items.

  • Getting Started: Create an Account

    To begin the application process, it is important to first click the Apply button above to Create an Account.

    Once you have created an account you will be guided through all the checklist items, including the steps below.

  • Application Form

    This form should be completed by a parent or guardian. A $50 fee is required to submit the application.

  • Parent Questionnaire

    This form should be completed by the parent or guardian. It helps us to get to know your child better.

  • Parent Meeting

    The parent meeting is an important and required step in the admission process. It gives us the chance to get to know your family better, and it gives you the chance to tell us what makes your child so special. After submitting your application, please contact us at (248) 645-3512 or at admissionbrookside@cranbrook.edu to schedule a meeting.

  • Student Visit

    Applicants visit our school for either small group activities or a classroom visit day. Applicants for pre-kindergarten through grade 1 participate in a small-group simulated classroom experience. Applicants for grades 2-5 spend a day with us in a classroom. Please contact us (248) 645-3512 or at admissionbrookside@cranbrook.edu after you have completed the application so that we can make alternate arrangements with you.

  • Transcript (Senior Kindergarten – Grade 5 applicants only)

    Cranbrook requires grades from the first marking period of the current year and the previous two years (if available).

  • Recommendations

    We require a recommendation from your child’s current teacher.

  • Testing

    Cranbrook provides age-appropriate standardized testing for grades 2-5.

Middle School Applicant Checklist (grades 6-8)

List of 8 items.

  • Getting Started: Create an Account

    To begin the application process, it is important to first click the Apply button above to Create an Account.

    Once you have created an account you will be guided through all the checklist items, including the steps below.

  • Application Form

    This form should be completed by a parent or guardian. A $50 fee is required to submit the application.

  • Student Questionnaire

    This form should be completed by the applicant. It helps us to get to know your child better.

  • Middle School Parent Questionnaire

    This form should be completed by the parent or guardian. It helps us to get to know your child better.

  • Student Interview/Visit

    During your visit, your child will chat with Jen Heath, the Middle School Admission Dean. Please contact her at (248) 645-3413 or at jheath@cranbrook.edu to schedule a visit.

  • Transcript

    Cranbrook requires grades from the first marking period of the current year and the previous two years.

  • Recommendations

    We require recommendations from your principal/counselor, your math teacher, and your English teacher.

  • Testing

    Cranbrook requires applicants to take the SSAT.

    • You can take the SSAT at a test center or right from your home. Register at https://ssat.org/
    • Please have your scores reported directly to Cranbrook Schools. Our school code for the SSAT is 2650.
    • Recent scores for other standardized tests may be used in lieu of taking the SSAT. Contact our office to confirm.

Upper School Applicant Checklist (grades 9-12)

List of 9 items.

  • Getting Started: Create an Account

    To begin the application process, it is important to first click the Apply button above to Create an Account. If you live in a country other than the United States, (even if you are a USA citizen), please use the Standard Application Online (SAO) rather than Cranbrook’s application.

    Once you have created an account you will be guided through all the checklist items, including the steps below.

  • Application Form

    This form should be completed by a parent or guardian. A $50 fee is required to submit the application. If you live in a country other than the United States, (even if you are a USA citizen), please use the Standard Application Online (SAO) rather than Cranbrook’s application. 

  • Student Questionnaire

    This form should be completed by the applicant. It helps us to get to know your child better.

  • Upper School Parent Questionnaire

    This form should be completed by the parent or guardian. It helps us to get to know your child better.

  • Student Interview/Visit

    Prospective students should interview on campus or virtually. Please contact our office at (248) 645-3610 to make arrangements. We welcome your family to set up an appointment to visit and tour our school with one of our admission deans.

    International students should schedule an interview after submitting an application and TOEFL results.

    Mainland China applicants:

    If your child attends school in Mainland China, please arrange the required interview with Vericant at http://www.vericant.com/interview.

    • Only Vericant interviews are offered in Mainland China and serve as the official interview for applying to Cranbrook.
    • Cranbrook admission officers do not offer individual interviews virtually or in-person for applicants who attend school in Mainland China.
    • If you live in a country other than the United States, (even if you are a USA citizen), please use the Standard Application Online (SAO) rather than Cranbrook’s application. 

  • Transcript

    Cranbrook requires grades from the first marking period of the current year and the previous two years.

  • Recommendations

    We require recommendations from your principal/counselor, your math teacher, and your English teacher.

  • Testing

    Cranbrook requires applicants to take the SSAT.
    • You can take the SSAT at a test center or right from your home. Register at https://ssat.org/
    • Please have your scores reported directly to Cranbrook Schools. Our school code for the SSAT is 2650.
    • Recent scores for other standardized tests may sometimes be used in lieu of taking the SSAT. Contact our office to confirm.

  • English Proficiency Testing – (only required if English is not your first language)

    If English is not your first language, please register to take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) at http://toefl.org OR the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test at https://www.ielts.org/en-us/.

    • Please request that your scores be reported directly to Cranbrook Schools. Our school code for the TOEFL is 8157.
    • Test availability may be limited in some countries. If you are unable to arrange to take this test, please contact the admission office for possible alternatives.

Cranbrook Admission Events Near You!

List of 3 events.

View all Events

SSAT Options

National SSAT Dates:
November 9, 2024
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
December 7, 2024
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
January 4, 2025
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
February 1, 2025
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
March 1, 2025
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Register at https://ssat.org/

SSAT FLEX Test Dates
Monday, January 20, 2025
Cranbrook's Test Site Code: 2650.
Access Code: 8N-3M5T-2U8B  

Alternate test options:

Computer-Based SSAT at Home
Students in the U.S. and Canada can take the SSAT in their own home. Learn more at https://www.ssat.org/testing/home/overview

Computer-Based SSAT at Prometric Test Center
Students in the U.S., Canada and many international locations may take a computer-based SSAT at a Prometric Test Center. Learn more at https://www.ssat.org/testing/prometric/overview

Paper-Based SSAT Flex Test
The Flex SSAT is a paper-based SSAT taken at a school or with a consultant. Learn more at https://www.ssat.org/pages/what-is-a-flex-test

Standard Application Online

Cranbrook accepts the Standard Application Online (SAO) for all students. If you intend to use the Standard Application Online (SAO) process, please do NOT also apply through the Cranbrook website.

Contact Us

PO Box 801
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303
(248) 645-3000

Important Links

Connect