Merit Scholarships

Prospective new students entering 9th grade in the 2025-2026 school year are invited to compete in the Gene and Ken Ackerman Merit Scholarship program. Ackerman Scholarships are awarded based on high academic performance and leadership potential, combined with strong character. Once awarded, students will continue to receive the partial scholarship each year provided the students maintain strong academics and are members in good standing of the Wellington community. Scholarship recipients may also apply for need-based tuition assistance aid.

How to apply 

1. Prospective students must first complete an admissions application prior to participating in the Ackerman Scholarship competition.
2. Grade 9 applicants who are interested in participating in the merit scholarship competition must indicate their intention on the admissions application.
3. A copy of the student’s most current report card must accompany the registration and admissions application.
4. The competition includes both a standardized test and a written essay, which will be administered at 9 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at The Wellington School. The alternate test date is Friday, February 21, 2025.
5. Students will also be asked to secure three teacher recommendations to be returned to the Admissions Office no later than February 15. Recommendations submitted as part of the admissions process will fulfill this requirement.

Scholarship recipients will be selected on the basis of test results, transcripts, the writing exercise, and teacher recommendations. Recipients will be notified by March 1.

Prospective new students entering 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th grade in the 2025-2026 school year are invited to compete in the Duke Merit Scholarship program.

Duke Scholarships are awarded based on high academic performance and leadership potential, in addition to a strong character. Once awarded, students will continue to receive the partial scholarship each year provided the students maintain strong academics and are members in good standing of the Wellington community.  The Duke Scholarship awards range from $500 to $5,000.  Scholarship recipients may also apply for need-based tuition assistance.

How to Apply

1. Prospective students must first complete an admissions application prior to participating in the Duke Merit Scholarship competition.
2. Applicants for grades 5 through 8 who are interested in participating in the merit scholarship competition must indicate their intention on the admissions application.
3. A copy of the student’s most current report card must accompany the registration and admissions application.
4. The competition includes a standardized test and a written essay, which will be administered at 9 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at The Wellington School. The alternate test date is Friday, February 21, 2025.
5. Students will also be asked to secure three teacher recommendations to be returned to the Admissions Office no later than February 15. Recommendations submitted as part of the admissions process will fulfill this requirement.

Scholarship recipients will be selected on the basis of test results, transcripts, the writing exercise, and teacher recommendations. Recipients will be notified by March 1.