FAQ
About MPH
Why choose an independent school?
Over and over again, the 400,000 families who send their children to the nation’s independent schools cite individual attention, small classes, teacher excellence, and high academic standards. The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) website serves as a valuable resource for parents seeking to understand the value and importance of an independent school education.
Why choose MPH?
The environment at MPH is characterized by an exceptional faculty, small classes, hand-on experiential learning, and extraordinary opportunities in the arts, athletics and community service. The curriculum is demanding and stimulating, and teachers have the flexibility to adapt their curriculum in response to students’ desires to explore certain material more deeply.
What are the school hours?
All grades, including Pre-K, begin at 8:10 a.m. and finish at 3:05 p.m.
How many students attend MPH?
Approximately 500 students are enrolled at MPH in Pre-kindergarten through Grade 12.
What is the average class size?
The average class size is 13 students to one teacher. The student to faculty ratio is 8 to 1.
What colleges do MPH graduates attend?
MPH students attend a wide variety of colleges and universities within the United States and abroad. They attend small, elite liberal arts colleges as well as Ivy League and large public universities. Our Upper School curriculum focuses on college-prep and MPH students benefit from our unique and personalized College Counseling program.
Does MPH offer after-school programs?
MPH offers extended-day options to families in the Lower and Middle Schools. In Lower School, both before- and after-school care is available. Lower School students may be dropped off in the dining hall as early as 7:40 a.m. (there is no charge for before-school supervision). Fees for Lower School Extended Day depend on use. For students in The Middle School, MPH offers an After-Hours Program.
Is there transportation to MPH?
MPH students come from 36 different school districts. Approximately 19 area school districts provide cost-free busing to and from MPH for students who live within 15 miles of the School. In addition, MPH owns several vans that transport students on a space-available basis from Skaneateles, Oneida and Oswego.
What is the cost of attendance?
The cost of attendance varies by grade level and includes both tuition and fees.
Do you have financial assistance available?
MPH uses its available resources to offer financial aid in the form of need-based tuition grants. Prospective families seeking financial assistance can complete a Financial Aid application through School & Student Services, a service of the National Association of Independent Schools, during the MPH application process.
Do you have merit scholarships available?
MPH is proud to offer merit and performing arts scholarships to students entering Grades 6-12. Every January, MPH offers the Scholarship Exam to prospective students in the community who would like to be considered for a merit scholarship.
What is the difference between financial aid and scholarships?
Both financial aid and scholarships are awarded in the form of tuition grants. Financial aid is available to new & returning students in Pre-K through Grade 12 and requires a yearly application. Scholarships are merit-based and are only available to new MPH students entering Grades 6-12. Scholarship recipients will continue to receive their award each year until graduation provided they remain in good standing.
About the MPH Application Process
Who can apply to MPH?
MPH accepts applications for Pre-kindergarten through Grade 11. Children must be four years old by December 1 to be eligible for Pre-K. Applicants to Grade 12 are considered on a case-by-case basis and students admitted to Grade 12 may be required to attend MPH for two years to satisfy graduation requirements.
What do you look for in an applicant?
While there is no such thing as a typical MPH student, we seek students who will benefit from and be successful in our unique academic program. We want students who are fully engaged in their learning and who will contribute constructively to the life of the School. In addition, we acknowledge talent and strength in extracurricular activities, the arts and athletics. While the focus in on the student, MPH seeks families who will be positive members of our school community.
What is your application deadline?
Families are encouraged to apply during the fall before the academic year in which they wish to enroll, but the School will continue to accept applications until a grade is fully enrolled. Applications are accepted during the school year for grade levels with space-availability.
How much does it cost to apply?
Applications to MPH must be submitted with a non-refundable $50 application fee. Families applying for Financial Aid will also need to pay a $60 application fee to School & Students Services at the time they submit the financial aid application.
Will applying for financial aid hurt my child’s chances for admission?
No. While parents are asked to complete the financial aid application during the application process, this information is not shared with the Admission Committee. Financial Aid applications are received by the Director of Financial Aid and awards are approved by the Financial Aid Committee. Families are informed of the result of their financial aid application at the time they receive their admission notification.
What is the process to apply to MPH?
The MPH application process typically takes between 2 and 4 weeks to complete and is very personalized so that we may get to know our applicants in depth. Though the application process varies by grade level, it typically involves submission of records from the applicants current school, teacher recommendations, a family or student interview and grade-level assessment. Applicants who meet the basic admission criteria are invited to visit MPH for a school day as part of the application process.
