MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The Merit Scholarship Program was started over twenty years ago to attract high-performing and well-rounded students. Each year, over 100 prospective students participate in this competitive exam. Merit Scholarships are granted each year based on the results of the Merit Scholarship Exam. The Merit Scholarship Exam consists of a math concepts section, math computation section, a vocabulary and reading comprehension section and will include a writing sample.

As a student, if you can answer, “yes” to all of these statements, you are eligible to sit for the Garden School Merit Scholarship Exam:

I am applying to Garden School for entry in the Fall of 2025 or I am a current Garden Student
I am a current Garden Student in 5th – 9th grade

Merit Scholarship Exam

When: Saturday, November 23rd, 2024
9:00am – 12:00pm

Application Fee: $75

Merit Scholarship Application Process

For Prospective Students
To apply for the Merit Scholarship, prospective students must first submit a completed Garden School application. Please ensure that the $75 application fee is paid by filling out the parent application form (found on your application dashboard) by November 15, 2024. In order to be considered for the Merit Scholarship, your full Garden School application must be submitted no later than January 9, 2025.

For Current Students
Students currently in 5th through 9th grade must complete their scholarship registration by clicking here and submit the $75 application fee by November 15, 2024 to be eligible for the Merit Scholarship.

About the Scholarship

A Merit Scholarship can cover up to 50% of tuition and is awarded for a student’s entire time at Garden. There are four sections on the exam, Reading Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Math Computation, and Math Concepts. In order to be considered for a 50% Merit Scholarship a student must score in the 95th percentile or above on all four sections. In order to be considered for a 25% Merit Scholarship, a student must score in the top percentile on all four sections. All students who qualify for a Merit Scholarship must be in good academic and community standing in order to be considered.

Merit Scholars must maintain specific academic and social criteria in order to maintain their Merit Scholarship award.

Financial Aid

Families who register for the Merit Scholarship Exam (who have not received a Merit Scholarship in the past) may also apply simultaneously for need-based tuition assistance at any time. If a Scholarship is accepted, depending on the size, need-based financial assistance may no longer be considered. Typically, Merit Scholars are not also eligible for need-based financial assistance. If they are not awarded a Scholarship, then their financial aid applications will be considered.

Families are encouraged not to wait for scholarship decisions and to apply for financial aid as soon as possible with up-to-date tax documents.