Apply to be an Aspire Student - Hathaway Brown School

Learn more about The Aspire Program student application process.

After the application deadline, the Aspire Admissions Committee will select a group of applicants to interview on a Saturday at Hathaway Brown School. Students and their families will be required to come for a one-hour visit that includes an individual interview and a group activity.

You will be notified on February 20, 2026, if you have been invited for an interview. Aspire Interview Day is Saturday, March 7, 2026.

Acceptance

Application Requirements

Complete the student application, including short essays
Submit a family statement
Provide two letters of recommendation

Include 4th & 5th grade report cards and recent test scores
Submit documentation of free/reduced lunch status

Provide a video submission

Important Dates 25-26

December 9, 2025: Application Link Opens

February 5, 2026: Application Deadline

February 20, 2026: Notification of Interview

March 7, 2026: Student Interview Day

March 20, 2026: Decision Day

June 23 - July 22: Summer Program 2026

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Aspire is built on four core values: community, mentorship, exposure, and choice. We foster a close-knit, supportive environment where students and teachers learn from one another in a multigenerational setting.

The Commitment

Becoming a part of the Aspire community is a multi-year commitment and students are expected to:

Attend a five-week program, M-F 8:45-3:30 p.m. for three summers (after fifth, sixth & seventh grades)
Attend student registration, family night and closing ceremony each summer
Attend all year-round events (occasional Saturdays and online programming during the school year)
Submit report cards twice per year and maintain contact with Aspire
Participate in the Aspire Alumnae Association

Eligibility for Admission

Aspire is designed to support girls who:

Are strong students in their home schools, earning mostly A's and B's on report cards
Have strong attendance records in their home schools
Are excited about learning and interested in taking healthy risks and trying new things
Have a desire to be a part of a community and life-long sisterhood
Are facing economic hardships and are working toward being the first in their family to go to college.

Through engaging academics and hands-on exploration, girls encounter new people, places, and ideas while developing confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.

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FAQ

Who can apply to Aspire?

Why should my daughter apply to Aspire?

When does the Aspire program start?

Is there a cost to attend Aspire?

Is transportation available?

How can my daughter apply to Aspire?

How is the Aspire program connected to Hathaway Brown School?

The Aspire program is an extension of Hathaway Brown School and an essential component of HB’s commitment to girls’ education, expanding its reach to students of great promise across Greater Cleveland. The Aspire experience supports deep engagement and fully embraces HB’s motto to ‘learn not for school, but for life’. Aspire programming takes place on Hathaway Brown’s campus in Shaker Heights.