Apply - The Episcopal School of Dallas | Best Private Schools in Dallas

Apply To Lower School

Applications Open September 8, 2026

Application Steps

Beginner
Pre-K / Kindergarten
Grades 1–4

 

Create your Veracross Account
  • You must create an account in Veracross to start/complete your application and sign up for any events. You are welcome to tour before starting an application (although attending a tour is not a required application step). If you applied last year or have a current student at ESD, we ask that you refrain from touring. 
  • Once you pay your $25 application fee, you will then see a personal checklist for each application. 
Complete your Online Application
  • Part 1 is due on December 11, 2026. This includes: application fee, family and student information, family and student photo, and parent statement.
  • Part 2 is due on February 1, 2027. This includes: group observation, teacher evaluation, and school records (if applicable).
Schedule Group Observation
  • In Veracross, you will be able to sign up for one of two group observation days. Space is limited, so please schedule your observation as soon as possible.
Current School Forms and Evaluations
  • In Veracross, you will see checklist items for your Teacher Evaluation and Records Release.
  • The Teacher Evaluation form will be available to send on November 1, 2026. You will enter the email address for your applicant’s current teacher, and the confidential evaluation form will be emailed to the teacher automatically. The evaluation form is due back to ESD by February 1, 2027.
  • The Records Release form will be available to download on January 5, 2027. All records are due back to ESD by February 1, 2027.
Explore an Optional Tuition Assistance Application
  • Tuition Assistance applications are due February 15, 2027. Please reach out to Shelle Montgomery at montgomerys@esdallas.org with questions.
Admission Decision
  • An admission decision of either accept, wait pool, or decline will be released on March 12, 2027, to all applicants who completed their applications by February 1, 2027.
Birthday Policy
  • Students must apply to grades based on their date of birth. The Beginner birthday range is September 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024.
Questions? 

 

 

 

Create your Veracross Account
  • You must create an account in Veracross to start/complete your application and sign up for any events. You are welcome to tour before starting an application (although attending a tour is not a required application step). If you applied last year or have a current student at ESD, we ask that you refrain from touring. 
  • Once you pay your $25 application fee, you will then see a personal checklist for each application. 
Complete your Online Application
  • Part 1 is due on December 11, 2026. This includes: application fee, family and student information, family and student photo, and parent statement.
  • Part 2 is due on February 1, 2027. This includes: group observation, CATS test scores, teacher evaluation, and school records (if applicable).
Schedule CATS Testing
  • Each applicant is required to take the CATS Test on or before February 1, 2027. Please schedule directly with CATS by visiting www.catstexas.com. The CATS requires a $325 test fee; aid is available for qualified families via CATS.
  • Space is limited, so please schedule your CATS test as soon as possible.
Schedule Group Observation
  • In Veracross, you will be able to sign up for one of two group observation days. Space is limited, so please schedule your observation as soon as possible. 
Current School Forms and Evaluations
  • In Veracross, you will see checklist items for your Teacher Evaluation and Records Release.
  • The Teacher Evaluation form will be available to send on November 1, 2026. You will enter the email address for your applicant’s current teacher, and the confidential evaluation form will be emailed to the teacher automatically. The evaluation form is due back to ESD by February 1, 2027.
  • The Records Release form will be available to download on January 5, 2027. All records are due back to ESD by February 1, 2027.
Explore an Optional Tuition Assistance Application
  • Tuition Assistance applications are due February 15, 2027. Please reach out to Shelle Montgomery at montgomerys@esdallas.org with questions.
Admission Decision
  • An admission decision of either accept, wait pool, or decline will be released on March 12, 2027, to all applicants who completed their applications by February 1, 2027.
Birthday Policy
  • Students must apply to grades based on their date of birth. 
    • The Pre-K birthday range is September 1, 2022 – August 31, 2023. 
    • The Kindergarten birthday range is September 1, 2021 - August 31, 2022
  • Completion of Pre-K is a prerequisite to apply to Kindergarten.
Questions? 

 

 

 

Create your Veracross Account
  • You must create an account in Veracross to start/complete your application and sign up for any events. You are welcome to tour before starting an application (although attending a tour is not a required application step). If you applied last year or have a current student at ESD, we ask that you refrain from touring. 
  • Once you pay your $25 application fee, you will then see a personal checklist for each application. 
Complete your Online Application
  • Part 1 is due on December 11, 2026. This includes: application fee, family and student information, family and student photo, and parent statement.
  • Part 2 is due on February 1, 2027. This includes: group observation/student visit, CATS test scores, teacher evaluation, and school records.
Schedule CATS Testing
  • Each applicant is required to take the CATS Test on or before February 1, 2027. Please schedule directly with CATS by visiting www.catstexas.com. The CATS requires a $325 test fee; aid is available for qualified families via CATS.
  • Grade 1 applicants’ CATS scores must be within the last six calendar months for those scores to be accepted. If applicants for grades 2, 3, or 4 have taken the CATS test within the last 12–18 calendar months, those scores will be accepted. Please let CATS know, and they will send the report directly to ESD.
  • If your applicant is taking the ISEE for another school, we will accept those scores; our school code is 447503. However, the ISEE is not part of our required steps. If offered enrollment and you choose to enroll, a CATS test may be required.
  • Space is limited, so please schedule your CATS test as soon as possible.
Schedule Group Observation/Student Visit
  • If applying to grade 1, you will be able to sign up for one of two group observation days. Space is limited, so please schedule your observation as soon as possible.
  • If applying to grades 2–4, each applicant will complete a student visit as a required part of the application. Once you pay your application fee, Rachael Bingham will reach out to schedule a student visit that is convenient for your family. 
Current School Forms and Evaluations
  • In Veracross, you will see checklist items for your Teacher Evaluation and Records Release.
  • The Teacher Evaluation form will be available to send on November 1, 2026. You will enter the email address for your applicant’s current teacher, and the confidential evaluation form will be emailed to the teacher automatically. The evaluation form is due back to ESD by February 1, 2027.
  • The Records Release form will be available to download on January 5, 2027. All records are due back to ESD by February 1, 2027.
Explore an Optional Tuition Assistance Application
  • Tuition Assistance applications are due February 15, 2027. Please reach out to Shelle Montgomery at montgomerys@esdallas.org with questions.
Admission Decision
  • An admission decision of either accept, wait pool, or decline will be released on March 12, 2027, to all applicants who completed their applications by February 1, 2027.
Questions? 

 

 

Explore Our Curriculum

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Meet Our Lower School Teachers

Mallory Adams
Elementary Music Teacher
Department:
LS Faculty
Email
Taylor Benson
Primer Instructional Assistant
Department:
LS Faculty
Email
Elizabeth Bentrup
Fourth Grade Teacher
Department:
Athletics
LS Faculty
US Faculty
Email
Kimberly Bostian
Third Grade Teacher
Department:
LS Faculty
Email
Natalie Boyce
First Grade Teacher
Department:
LS Faculty
Email
Monica Bradford
Part-Time Lower School Library Assistant
Department:
LS Staff
Email

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Contact Apply GiVE

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ESD admits qualified students without regard to race, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin. We are an inclusive community.