Admissions
Thank you for your interest in Eastern Mennonite School, one of the oldest private schools in Harrisonburg, VA!
Domestic student inquiries for the 2024-25 school year, please email admissions@easternmennonite.org or call 540-236-6021. Space is limited!
Admissions applications for the 2025-26 school year are currently open!
International student inquiries, please click here for your unique information.
If you are unable to find the answer to your questions on these pages, please phone 540-236-6021 or email admissions@easternmennonite.org
We welcome students at any grade level — kindergarten through grade 12 — to our experiential education with an emphasis on the arts in a caring community of faith. We embrace students with a wide range of interests and skill levels.
"We love the global perspective, and the desire to work with and understand the perspective of others. We love the emphasis on community and communication within the school and the many varied opportunities to work with students of all ages. We love the priority placed on individual/self-directed learning, outdoor experiences, creativity/fine arts, and tangible leadership opportunities for even the youngest students." —EMS Parent
STEP 1: VISIT. Register for an Open House or a Family Visit Day (dates here), or schedule a personal tour. Admissions events and tours are available throughout the school year. Complete an inquiry form to indicate interest and to register.
STEP 2: REVIEW TUITION. We work with each family to make an EMS education affordable. Review our tuition page and talk with admissions and business office personnel about affordability (see STEP 3).
STEP 3: APPLY ONLINE. Complete the online application for the upcoming school year after Nov. 1 and work through the admissions checklist. (Your inquiry prior to Nov. 1 puts you in our records as an interested family). Complete the FACTS tuition assistance application between February 1 and February 28 if you would like to be considered for needs-based assistance.
STEP 4: ENROLL. In March, after completing the admissions process, finalize enrollment using our online enrollment system. A $350 non-refundable general fee is due upon enrollment.
Inquiries for 2025-26 and beyond
Parents who want to explore admissions to EMS in the future should complete an inquiry form so that we can stay in touch. Once you are in our records as an interested family, you will be notified well in advance about future admissions events.
Important Dates
- Nov. 1 - Dec. 31: Fall admissions season. No application fee. Admissions review by January 10.
- Jan. 1 - Feb. 15: Winter admissions season. No application fee. Admissions review by March 10.
- Feb. 1 - Feb 28: FACTS tuition assistance applications open. $35 processing fee. Deadline: Feb. 28
- March 1 - summer: Spring/summer admissions season. $50 application fee. Space may not be available at all grade levels.
- March 12: Enrollment opens for newly admitted students. $350 non-refundable student general fee is due.
LEARN MORE
Documents required for admissions:
Kindergarten
- Online application
- Preschool teacher reference
- Personal reference
- Birth certificate
- Immunization schedule
- (Virginia School Entrance Health form - submitted before the start of the school year)
Grades 1-5
- Online application
- Current teacher reference
- Personal reference
- Copies of school records or homeschool work
Grades 6-12
- Online application
- Current teacher reference
- Personal reference
- Pastor/spiritual reference (optional)
- Copies of school records or homeschool work
- Two handwritten essays
Homeschooled students: In addition to the documents above, homeschooled students entering school for the first time must provide a copy of student’s immunization schedule and Virginia School Entrance Health form (submitted before the start of the school year).
After the application form has been submitted, parents/guardians will follow a checklist to complete the remaining items for the student's admission file. We are ready to guide parents and guardians, and answer questions during the process.
The admission file is complete when the school has received the application and all checklist items. We will review it and contact you with questions. Occasionally, we may request additional information or may schedule a meeting with families during the admission phase.
Learning Support
Our Learning Support Services Coordinator collaborates with parents, teachers and principals to provide student-specific services to help each student succeed. These services are made possible through IDEA and Title II funding. The range of services provided depends on the needs of the individual student and the school's resources.
Eastern Mennonite School does not discriminate on the basis of any race, color, handicap, national or ethnic origin, or religion, and admits students to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the school’s non-discrimination policies, including its Title IX policy: Debbie Katz, High School Counselor and Title IX Compliance Coordinator.
For assistance related to Title IX or other civil rights laws, please contact OCR at OCR@ed.gov or 800-421-3481, TDD 800-877-8339.
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