• Open House for 5th Grade Students/Parents: Thursday, November 13, 2025 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM
• Application is Available: Friday, November 14, 2025 at 3:00 PM
• 5th Grade School Counselor Virtual Workshop: Monday, November 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM
• Application Deadline Date (Students/Parents): Friday, December 12, 2025 at 3:00 PM
• Deadline for Letters of Recommendations: Friday, January 9, 2026 at 3:00 PM
  • The recommendation letter must be submitted via the email link sent to the recommender.  One letter of recommendation is required; the recommendation should be from a 4th or 5th grade academic teacher.
• Application Deadline Date (School Counselors/Administrators): Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 3:00 PM
  • Counselors must submit all pertinent student information through their counselor dashboard by this time.
• Acceptance or Nonacceptance Notification: Friday, April 17, 2026 at 3:00 PM

1. Submit a Separate Application for Each Student
   • If you have more than one student applying, please complete a separate application for each.
2. Complete the Application in One Session
   • The application must be completed in one sitting. You cannot save your progress and return later. Please be prepared before starting.
3. Prepare Required Information in Advance
   • Before you begin the application, have the following information ready:
     • School Counselor’s contact information
     • Recommender’s name, email address, and phone number
     • Student’s written essay

4. Email Verification Required for ONLY ONE Parent/Legal Guardian
   • One parent/legal guardian listed in the application must have their email address verified. This step ensures that we have the correct contact information associated with your student’s application.
   • A verification code will be sent to the listed email address. Please check your inbox (and spam/junk folder) to complete this required step.
   • The email address you provide and verify will be used exclusively for application-related communications. All updates, reminders, and important information about your child’s application will be sent to this verified email only. Please ensure you enter an active and regularly monitored email address.

Important: It is the student/parent’s responsibility to complete and submit the application by Friday, December 12, 2025 at 3:00 PM.

The application sections are:

Section 1: Parent/Legal Guardian Information

Section 2: Student Information

• First Name, Middle Name, Last Name
• Gender
• Date of Birth

Section 3: Demographics

• Is the Student Hispanic or Latino?
• Student's Race (More than one race category may be reported for the student.)
  • American Indian or Alaska Native - A person having origins in any of the original people of North and South America (including Central America) and who maintains a tribal affiliation or community attachment.
  • Asian - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.
  • Black or African American - A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.
  • Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.
  • White - A person having origins of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East or North Africa.

Section 4: Twin or Sibling(s) Also Applying

• Name and Date of Birth

Section 5: Student's Current School Information

• School’s Name
• Counselor's Name and Email

Section 6: Letter of Recommendation

• One (1) Mandatory Online Recommendation from a classroom teacher in grade 4 or 5.  Classroom teacher refers to teachers who provide instruction in core academic subjects such as Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.
  • You must have your designated teacher's CORRECT email address.  There is a section on the application to input the recommender's email address.
  • Your selected recommender will receive an email to complete the recommendation form online.
  • Hard copies or emails of recommendation letter will not be accepted.

Section 7: Explore Middle School Essay

• Write a detailed informative/explanatory essay introducing yourself. Please include your 1. school career, 2. family life and 3. your individuality (hobbies, interests, talents, or special skills that make you unique) Minimum 150 words, Maximum 250 words.

Section 8: Explore Middle School Parent/Guardian Question

• What three goals would matter most to you for your child’s middle school experience at Explore? (Minimum 100 words, Maximum 150 words)

Section 9: Application Deadlines, Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement & Electronic Signature

Important: It is the student/parent’s responsibility to provide the correct recommender email address on the application (see Section 6). If the email is entered incorrectly, the recommendation request will not be delivered.

How it works:
Upon submission of the student’s application, the listed recommender will automatically receive an email with a link to complete the Applicant Recommendation Form for the 2026–2027 school year.

Deadline:
The recommendation is due by Friday, January 9, 2026 at 3:00 PM.