How to Apply
Bright Kids Belong at Mackintosh Academy
At Mackintosh Academy, our admissions process is designed to help families and our school determine the best fitfor your child. We get to know your student as a whole person — their strengths, learning style, curiosity, and potential — while inviting you, their first teachers, to share insights into how they learn and thrive.
Learn more about our Admissions & Enrollment Timelineto understand key dates and plan the best time for your child’s application and visit.
Step One: Parent Conversation
Your journey begins with a parent conversationvia phone or Google Meet. Together, we’ll explore your child’s:
- Strengths and learning experiences
- Educational needs and goals
- Your hopes and aspirations
You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions about our programs and the admissions process. From there, we’ll invite you for an in-person campus tour, an important first step in discovering whether Mackintosh is the right place for your child to flourish.
Complete the Inquiry Form to Schedule a Conversation
Step Two: Application
Your child’s full story is central to the Mackintosh admissions process. We consider:
- Abilities, aptitudes, and potential giftedness
- Curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm for learning
- Cognitive and achievement testing results
For information about tuition, financial aid, and affordability, please visit our Tuition & Financial Informationpage.
Step Three: Student Visit
After reviewing your child’s application, the admissions committee thoughtfully determines whether to invite them for a student visit day.
During the visit, your child will:
- Experience a Mackintosh classroom firsthand
- Meet teachers and potential classmates
- Participate in informal assessments
This visit helps both families and our team see whether Mackintosh feels like the right learning environment.
Application Requirements
Required Documents:
- Official transcript and/or report card
- Attendance record
- Disciplinary record
- Standardized test data
- Psychoeducational testing and reports (if applicable)
- 504 Plan or IEP (if applicable; Mackintosh does not provide special education services)
For assistance or questions, please contact our Admission Team
Testing Requirements
Age 6 and older:Both cognitive and achievement testing are required.
Under age 6:Testing is not required.
Cognitive Testing
Submit results from one of the following (or equivalent), administered within the last three years. Recommended: at least one major subscore at or above the 90th percentile.
- Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC V)— must be administered by a licensed, doctoral-level evaluator (EdD, PsyD, or PhD)
- CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test)
Achievement Testing
Submit results from one of the following (or equivalent), administered during the current school year. Recommended: scores in the 90th percentile or above.
- Woodcock-Johnson Achievement Tests (WJA)
- Wechsler Individual Achievement Tests (WIAT)
- NWEA MAP Assessment
- i-Ready Diagnostic Assessment
Mackintosh Academy can provide a list of recommended diagnosticians, and we can administer the CogATand MAPassessments for a fee.
Evaluator Requirements
We cannot accept results from unlicensed evaluators. Evaluators must:
- Hold a doctoral degree(PhD, PsyD, or EdD)
Maintain a current licensein the state of testing
Could Mackintosh be a good fit for your child?
Is your kid a Mack kid?
- Is your child an inquirer who asks challenging questions?
- Do they always need to know “why” or “how” when they are learning?
- Do they like to go deep into a subject (though maybe not always in school)?
- Are they sensitive, caring and perceptive, often surprising you with their insights?
- Are they great with puzzles, numbers or reading or do they have a great vocabulary?
- Are they “fine” at school or even struggling but you sense they have great potential?
- When you see them in school, do you sometimes miss the amazing, creative, caring and spirited child you once knew?
If you answered “yes” to several of these questions, your child could be a Mack kid. We encourage you to reach out to find out more about who we are and what we do at Mackintosh Academy. We are always happy to hear from new families.