Applying to Gunston
The best way to get to know Gunston is to visit! There are numerous opportunities throughout the admission season to visit our beautiful campus and see our talented teachers and amazing students in action.
- Come for a Visit
- Schedule a Shadow Day
- Application Deadlines
- Complete the Application - Parent & Student Sections
- Have the Recommendation Forms Completed
- Have Transcripts Sent to Gunston
- Admission Testing
Come for a Visit
Schedule a Personal Tour
We invite you to set up a personal tour of our campus. Your tour will feature an introduction to our academic and extra-curricular programs, as well as an opportunity to witness our students and faculty in action. Tours usually last an hour, and can be scheduled by contacting David Henry.
~or~
Attend an Open House Event
Join us at any of our Open House events. Your experience will include:
- A presentation by Headmaster John Lewis
- An introduction to Gunston's Student Ambassadors
- A student-led tour of our 35-acre waterfront campus
- A question and answer session on academics, athletics and campus life
Schedule a Shadow Day
Contact the Admissions Office to schedule a shadow day for the student. During the shadow day, the applicant will visit classes and have the opportunity to interact with Gunston students and faculty. The applicant will also be interviewed during their visit.
The student's visit to Gunston will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude at 12:45 p.m. or 1:25 p.m. depending on the parent's schedule—lunch will be provided. If the applicant opts out of the Shadow Day, an interview will need to be scheduled with the Director of Admission, David Henry.
Application Deadlines
9th Grade Applicants:
Early Decision Deadline: December 15
Families who decide that Gunston is the "perfect fit" for their child are encouraged to apply for Early Decision. Completed applications will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee and applicants and their families will be notified of a decision by January 17. Like college, acceptance during Early Decision is considered a binding commitment.
Regular Decision Deadline: February 1
Completed applications will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee and applicants and their families will be notified of a decision by mid-to-late February. Families typically have 3 weeks to reply to a Gunston acceptance decision.
Rolling Admission:
Applications received after February 1 for grade 9 will be evaluated on a rolling admission basis as space becomes available.
10th-12th Grades Applicant:
Applications are accepted throughout the school year and evaluated on a rolling admission basis as space becomes available.
Complete the Application - Parent & Student Sections
The Gunston School online application has sections for both students and parents. The application does not need to be completed in one sitting; you will be able to start, stop, and resume at any time.
Application Part I-to be completed by the parent/guardian.
Application Part II-to be completed by the student
* Financial aid applications should be completed concurrently with the application for admission.
Have the Recommendation Forms Completed
Applicants will need to have recommendations submitted by a school administrator, their English teacher, and their mathematics teacher.
Applicants should provide the recommendation forms to their current teacher or administrator: a) by email - copy and paste the live link provided below, OR b) by directing them to this webpage, OR c) by printing out and giving the form to the appropriate teacher / administrator to be sent in by mail or email scanned attachment:
- School Recommendation - to be completed by the student's current school administrator—Principal/Headmaster, Vice-Principal/Assistant Headmaster, or Guidance Counselor
- Copy & paste the live link and send by email to school administrator: https://www.gunston.org/admissions/the-admission-p...
- OR - Print form and give to administrator to be sent in by mail or email attachment: School Recommendation
- English Teacher Recommendation - to be completed by the applicant's current English instructor
- Copy & paste the live link and send by email to English instructor: https://www.gunston.org/admissions/the-admission-p...
- OR - Print form and give to English instructor to be sent in by mail or email attachment: English Teacher
- Math Teacher Recommendation - to be completed by the applicant's current math instructor
- Copy & paste the live link and send by email to math instructor: https://www.gunston.org/admissions/the-admission-p...
- OR - Print form and give to math instructor to be sent in by mail or email attachment: Math Teacher
If you are having the teacher / administrator send in the recommendation by mail, it is customary to provide a stamped reply envelope addressed to:
Admissions Office
The Gunston School
P.O. Box 200
Centreville, MD 21617
Have Transcripts Sent to Gunston
The applicant's parent will need to request that the student's transcripts be sent directly to Gunston. This can be done in either of two ways:
a) Call, or send an email to, the applicant's current school counselor or registrar's office, and request that the following be sent to Gunston (the information below can be copied and pasted into your email request):
- All progress reports from the current school year
- Progress reports from the previous school year
- Standardized test score
- Attendance record
* Please ask that all information be sent to Gunston by email to: admission@gunston.org, or by mail.
OR
b) Print, fill out, and give the Transcript Request Form to the applicant's current school counselor or registrar's office, and request that the information be sent to Gunston.
Admission Testing
Applicants for the 9th grade should register to take the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT).
* Late applicants should register to take the SSAT in February, March or April.
Enter our code - 3271- on your SSAT online registration, and your scores will be sent directly to TGS. Visit the SSAT website for more information or to register for the test.
Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE)
While the Admissions Office prefers the SSAT for 9th grade applicants, the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) is also accepted. Please note the test administration dates that correspond to the type of application (early or regular decision), as stated above in the SSAT section.
** This requirement may be waived for students possessing recent and comprehensive educational testing, or for late applicants. Please contact the Director of Admissions for more information.
Summer Applicants:
Please contact David Henry, who will assist you through the application process.