Transfer Admissions

Applying to Tenth Grade

Thank you for choosing our high school!

We are thrilled that you are interested in applying to Abbott Lawrence Academy (ALA)'s High School.

We offer students in Lawrence an opportunity previously unavailable to most: the chance to experience a rich and rewarding honors education in the tradition of the most prestigious independent schools in the country, free of charge. ALA provides equal opportunity to all students in the city, leveling the playing fields for Lawrence students who want to accelerate their learning. ALA promises a first-of-its-kind experience: the personalization of an accelerated academic program combined with access to the robust enrichment programs available to LHS. The result is a school that challenges its students every day and ultimately prepares them for admission to the nation’s most competitive colleges and universities.

Transfer Application Deadline

April 10, 2026

How does the transferring process work for the high school?

Abbott Lawrence Academy only admits rising transfer students. Current ninth graders who reside in Lawrence are eligible to apply to transfer to Abbott Lawrence Academy. Students must complete the application process in its entirety to be considered for admission. Through our rigorous evaluation process, only applicants who meet our criteria may be admitted as transfer tenth graders.

Abbott Lawrence Academy does not consider transfer applications outside of our transfer admissions deadline. Additionally, at this time our academy will not consider applicants looking to transfer as rising eleventh or twelfth graders.

Pre-Stage

Transfer Entrance Exam

Applicants that are not are not part of Lawrence Public Schools (LPS) need to take the ALA Entrance Exam in order to apply to Abbott Lawrence Academy. This exam is only offered at Abbott Lawrence Academy on designated days.

Transfer Entrance Exam Registration

Applicants must register by March 20, 2026.

Exam Registration Form

Transfer Student Entrance Exam Dates

Saturday, March 28, 2026
Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Stage 1

Recommendations

Applicants need both a STEM and a Humanities teacher to fill out a recommendation form on their behalf.

Teacher recommendations must be submitted by the application deadline date.

Stage 2

Preparation

It is strongly recommended that applicants prepare their short answers ahead of time and have the relevant information below ready before filling out the application.

School Counselor name and e-mail
STEM Teacher name and e-mail
Humanities Teacher name and e-mail

Stage 3

Apply

Applicants must complete an online application to apply to Abbott Lawrence Academy.

By applying, all applicants authorize Abbott Lawrence Academy to contact their school to confirm/request release of attendance, grades, discipline records, IEP, 504, and other related documentation needed for enrollment.

Stage 4

Student Interview

Students applying to transfer to Abbott Lawrence Academy may be required to participate in a mandatory shadow day and admissions interview in order to be considered for admission.

Please note this requirement varies from year to year and is largely dependent on the applicant pool. Reaching the interview stage does not guarantee enrollment, because demand for Abbott Lawrence Academy is exceptionally high and seats are limited.

Things to Have Ready Before Applying

School Counselor name and e-mail
STEM Teacher name and e-mail
Humanities Teacher name and e-mail

Additional Things for Lawrence Public Schools Students

School ID

Ask Your Teachers to Fill Out Your Recommendation Forms

Humanities Recommendation Form for Transfer Applicants

Prospective tenth grade students must ask a current or former Humanities teacher to complete this Humanities Recommendation Form. A Humanities teacher may be an English Language Arts (ELA), Social Studies, History, or Civics teacher.

As a reminder, these recommendation forms are not sent to recommenders automatically once the application has been submitted. It is the responsibility of the applicant and their family to provide their teacher with the link to this form.

Transfer Applicants Humanities Recommendation Form

Short link to copy:

https://tinyurl.com/ALA-TransferHumRec26

STEM Recommendation Form For Transfer Applicants

Prospective tenth grade students must ask a current or former STEM teacher to complete this STEM Recommendation Form. A STEM teacher may be a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math teacher.

Transfer Applicants STEM Recommendation Form

Short link to copy:

https://tinyurl.com/ALA-TransferSTEMRec26

All recommendations must be filled out and submitted by the Application Deadline Date.

High School Short Answer Questions

Applicants are encouraged to prepare responses to the questions listed below before beginning their applications. Applications must be completed in a single sitting.

All responses should be roughly 5 - 7 sentences. Responses are limited to 1,000 characters.

Why do you want to attend ALA? What are you most excited about and why? Please provide specific examples that pertain to ALA in your response.
In ALA, our courses are fast-paced and require students to think deeply and critically about the material they are learning. If you were accepted into ALA, there may be times throughout the year where you will feel challenged and frustrated. Please explain a time where you were challenged (in an academic or nonacademic setting) and how you responded.
Describe a project or activity (does not have to be school related) that you are passionate about. What have you learned from your involvement?
At ALA students work closely with their peers and our staff. Please provide a specific example of a time that you worked with a partner, team, or group. Describe what you have learned from this experience.

Transfer Applications Are Currently Closed

Admissions for School Year 2026 - 2027

We invite you to embrace new opportunities, challenge yourself academically, discover your strengths, and become part of the Abbott Lawrence Academy community. Take the first step toward an exciting journey of learning, leadership, and endless possibilities.

We are not currently accepting transfer applications. The admissions process for transfer applications will open in Late Winter 2027 for School Year 2027-2028.

2015

High School Founded

200

Available Seats Per Year

Request to Shadow a Student

Current eighth graders who are considering Abbott Lawrence Academy for high school are invited to register for a Shadow Day. During a shadow day, a prospective student is paired with a current student whom they will follow throughout their academic day. This provides prospective students with the opportunity to experience life as an ALA student first-hand by attending actual ALA classes and interacting with students and faculty in an authentic way.

At this time, shadowing opportunities are offered exclusively to prospective ninth grade students, with limited spots available.

If an applicant is selected to attend a Shadow Day, it is their responsibility to find transportation to and from ALA.

Shadow Day Request Form

Shadow Day

Available date(s) for shadowing are listed below.

November 13, 2026
December 24, 2026
January 1, 2027

If an applicant is selected for a Shadow Day, it is their responsibility to find transportation to ALA.