Question 1

What grades does George Jackson Academy serve?

Accepted Answer

George Jackson Academy is an all-boys school serving students in Grades 6 through 8.

Question 2

Is George Jackson Academy a Catholic or charter school?

Accepted Answer

No, GJA is an independent middle school. It has no religious affiliation, is not run by the Archdiocese of New York, and is not a charter school. We welcome students of all faiths.
 
GJA honors Lasallian values:
Contributing positively to the community
Doing one’s personal best
Being open to intellectual, social and spiritual growth 
Communicating love and understanding in every interaction

Question 3

Does George Jackson Academy provide transportation/bus service?

Accepted Answer

No. However, we do provide students with OMNY cards based on how far they live from the school. The majority of our students travel from all over New York City via public transportation.

At a parent or guardian's request, we will do our best to pair new students with a Travel Buddy—another GJA student traveling to the same neighborhood or taking a similar route to and from school.

Question 4

What are the entry points for new students?

Accepted Answer

GJA accepts students entering Grades 6 and 7.

Question 5

Is financial aid available for tuition?

Accepted Answer

Yes. 100% of students receive financial aid. Each year GJA students receive more than $1,000,000 in financial aid to attend. Our mission is to serve the brightest students regardless of income. Depending on your family’s financial situation, some families pay $50 a month, some $200. Each family pays something. George Jackson Academy is determined to keep tuition affordable for all families. Do not let finances get in the way of applying.

Question 6

Is there an application fee?

Accepted Answer

No, the admission and financial aid applications are free.

Question 7

Can students living outside NYC apply?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Students from Westchester, Long Island, Connecticut and New Jersey are welcome to apply.

Question 8

What are the criteria for admission?

Accepted Answer

When selecting new students to join our community, we evaluate several areas:
Admission test results
The student's academic performance and conduct at his current school
Performance during our Simulated School Day—a mock school day experience (by invitation only)

Strong candidates typically have a B average or above, enjoy learning, are kind to others, and bring a positive presence to their school community.

Question 9

What is on the admissions test?

Accepted Answer

Applicants take a reading comprehension test and the Otis Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT). The OLSAT is a multiple-choice assessment that measures reasoning skills through various types of verbal, non-verbal, figural, and quantitative reasoning questions.

These tests are just one part of the applicant's file, and there is no cutoff score.

Question 10

Do students who recently took the ISEE or SSAT still need to take GJA's admissions test?

Accepted Answer

No, students do not need to take an additional test. Please include the results from either the ISEE or SSAT with the student's application.

Question 11

When will admission decisions and financial aid awards be announced?

Accepted Answer

Admission decisions and financial aid awards will be announced via email on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 4:00 PM. To ensure timely processing, all required materials for each application must be submitted by the deadline.

Applications received after the deadline will be considered as long as seats are available.

Question 12

When is tuition due?

Accepted Answer

A non-refundable deposit is required at the time of enrollment. Tuition and fees can either be paid in full at enrollment or through an interest-free 10-month payment plan. Payments are due by the 15th of each month, starting in September and ending in June.

Question 13

Do George Jackson Academy students take city and state tests?

Accepted Answer

On a school-wide level, all students take ERB tests that help assess progress against common benchmarks; these assist in our mission to help students earn admission and scholarships to competitive high schools, many of which rely on similar admissions tests.

Question 14

Where do GJA graduates attend high school?

Accepted Answer

The goal of George Jackson Academy’s High School Placement Program is to ensure that every graduate is admitted to a private day, boarding, parochial, or specialized public high school best suited for him. The placement program prepares students and parents for the high school admissions process. Check out our Impact page for more info.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Trustees appoint Ramón Javier as next Head of School. Click here to read more.

GJA

GEORGE
JACKSON
ACADEMY

FOUNDED 2003

Apply | Give

Frequently Asked Questions

What grades does George Jackson Academy serve?

Is George Jackson Academy a Catholic or charter school?

Does George Jackson Academy provide transportation/bus service?

What are the entry points for new students?

Is financial aid available for tuition?

Is there an application fee?

Can students living outside NYC apply?

What are the criteria for admission?

What is on the admissions test?

Do students who recently took the ISEE or SSAT still need to take GJA's admissions test?

When will admission decisions and financial aid awards be announced?

When is tuition due?

Do George Jackson Academy students take city and state tests?

Where do GJA graduates attend high school?

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Trustees appoint Ramón Javier as next Head of School. Click here to read more.

GJA

GEORGE JACKSON ACADEMY

FOUNDED 2003

Apply | Give

Frequently Asked Questions

What grades does George Jackson Academy serve?

Is George Jackson Academy a Catholic or charter school?

Does George Jackson Academy provide transportation/bus service?

What are the entry points for new students?

Is financial aid available for tuition?

Is there an application fee?

Can students living outside NYC apply?

What are the criteria for admission?

What is on the admissions test?

Do students who recently took the ISEE or SSAT still need to take GJA's admissions test?

When will admission decisions and financial aid awards be announced?

When is tuition due?

Do George Jackson Academy students take city and state tests?

Where do GJA graduates attend high school?

GEORGE
JACKSON
ACADEMY