Apply to CWA

Your family's next chapter starts here.

Welcome to the first step in joining the Charles Wright Academy community – where active, joyful learning meets a supportive, values-driven environment. This page will guide you through our application process for all grade levels. Whether you’re exploring opportunities for your youngest learner or considering a transition to Middle or Upper School, we’ve laid out each step clearly to help you move forward with confidence.

If you’d like assistance along the way, our Admissions team is here to help! Please contact us via email at admissions@charleswright.org or by phone at (253) 620-8373.

Limited space left for the 2026-27 school year in Beginning School and Kindergarten.

START YOUR APPLICATION

Select a Division

Beginning School (Ages 2.5-5)

Students must be 30 months old by August 31, 2027, to join our Beginning School program. Admission decisions will be emailed to families who meet all application deadlines by February 19, 2027.

Complete the online application and pay the application fee
Head to our application portal to get started. Once submitted, your portal checklist will guide you through the remaining steps.
Tour our campus
We warmly invite every family who applies to visit our campus.
Submit the Parent Questionnaire
Share a bit about your family and your child - this helps us get to know you before your observation visit.
Submit a teacher or caregiver recommendation (optional)
If your child attends school or daycare, please provide their teacher's name and email in the portal. We'll send them a brief confidential form.
Schedule a group observation
Your child will join a small group visit where our educators can see how they engage and play with others. This is a fun, low-pressure experience for your child.

Lower School (K-4)

Kindergarten applicants must be 5 years old by August 31, 2027. Admission decisions will be emailed to families who meet all application deadlines by February 19, 2027.

Complete the online application and pay the application fee
Head to our application portal to get started. Once submitted, your portal checklist will guide you through the remaining steps.
Tour our campus
We warmly invite every family who applies to visit our campus.
Submit the Parent Questionnaire
Tell us about your family and what you're looking for in a school community.
Share your child's school records
In your application portal, find "School Records Request" and enter the email of your child's school administrator. They'll send the records to us directly. Please submit records for your child's current school year, and the year prior (two years of records total).
Submit a teacher recommendation
Add your child's current teacher's contact info to the application portal - they will submit their recommendation directly to our admissions team.
Schedule a Lower School Shadow Visit and Assessment
For children applying for Kindergarten: Your child will join a small group visit where our educators can see how they engage and play with others. This is a fun, low-pressure experience for your child.
For children applying for Grades 1-4: Your child will spend time in a Lower School classroom and complete our admissions assessment.
Family Interview
All prospective families will participate in a 20-30 minute interview with our Lower School Director. These can take place on most weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We look forward to getting to know your family!

Middle School (5-8)

Admission decisions will be emailed to families who meet all application deadlines by February 19, 2027.

Complete the online application and pay the application fee
Head to our application portal to get started. Once submitted, your portal checklist will guide you through the remaining steps.
Tour our campus
We warmly invite every family who applies to visit our campus.
Submit the Parent Questionnaire
Tell us about your family and what you're looking for in a school community.
Student Questionnaire
We'd love to hear from your student directly! They can complete this together with you or on their own - sharing their academic interests, activities, and what excites them about CWA.
Share your child's school records
In your application portal, find "School Records Request" and enter the email of your child's school administrator. They'll send the records to us directly. Please submit three years of school records for your child, including records for the current school year.
Submit two teacher recommendations
Enter both teachers' contact information in your application portal - we will send them confidential reference forms. Please submit two recommendations: One for math or science, and one for English, humanities, or history
Schedule an assessment
For students entering Grade 5: Please schedule an admissions assessment by calling or emailing our admissions team.
For students entering Grades 6-8: Please schedule your student to take the SSAT or ISEE. Sessions are offered on the CWA campus.
ISEE School Code: 481368 SSAT School Code: 2304
Shadow Visit
All prospective Middle School students are required to attend a shadow visit on our campus. This gives your student the opportunity to sit in a few classes and meet their potential classmates. Your student will be paired with a current Middle School student during their visit.
Family Interview
A relaxed conversation with our Middle School Director - this is a chance for us to get to know your student as a person, not just an applicant.

Upper School (9-12)

Admission decisions will be emailed to families who meet all application deadlines by February 19, 2027.

Complete the online application and pay the application fee
Head to our application portal to get started. Once submitted, your portal checklist will guide you through the remaining steps.
Tour our campus
We warmly invite every family who applies to visit our campus.
Submit the Family Questionnaire
Tell us about your family and what you're looking for in a school community.
Student Questionnaire
We'd love to hear from your student directly! Your student should complete this independently. This gives them a chance to share their story, interests, and goals in their own voice.
Share your child's school records
In your application portal, find "School Records Request" and enter the email of your child's school administrator. They'll send the records to us directly. Please submit three years of school records for your child, including records for the current school year.
Submit two teacher recommendations
Enter both teachers' contact information in your application portal - we will send them confidential reference forms. Please submit two recommendations: One for math or science, and one for English, humanities, or history
Schedule an assessment
Schedule an on-campus assessment with us, or submit official scores from the ISEE or SSAT if you've already taken one. SSAT and ISEE assessments are offered on the CWA campus throughout the school year.
ISEE School Code: 481368 SSAT School Code: 2304
Shadow Visit
All prospective Upper School students are required to attend a shadow visit on our campus. This gives your student the opportunity to sit in a few classes and meet their potential classmates. Your student will be paired with a current Upper School student during their visit.
Student Interview
A relaxed conversation with a member of our Upper School Administration Team - this is a chance for us to get to know your student as a person, not just an applicant.