Ross School Orientation Resources
General Information
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
The Academic Calendar for 2024–2025 is available at ross.org/about/calendar and on Blackbaud.
PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF PROCEDURES
Lower School
2024–25 Pickup/drop-off information for K–5 will be posted mid-summer.
Upper School
Drop-off is from 7:40–8 am and classes begin promptly at 8 am. Late arrivals must sign in at the Upper School Office.
> Grades 6, 11, and 12: Center for Well-Being (Building 5) Loop
> Grades 7–10: Upper School/Media Buildings (Buildings 1/2) Loop
Pick-up is in the same location at 3:05 pm.
District buses depart at 3:45 pm.
Athletics and clubs end by 5:15 pm.
SUPPLY LISTS
Please see the Upper School Supply Lists for a detailed list of items needed for the 2024–2025 school year. The lists are also available on Blackbaud. Lower School supply lists will be available mid-summer.
SUMMER READING
Summer Reading lists are available on Blackbaud > Resources > Library and at ross.org/summer-reading.
BUSING
If you reside within 15 miles of Ross School, your local school district will transport your child. Fill out the Transportation Request Form and return it directly to your school district as soon as you enroll at Ross School.
STUDENT PARKING
Grade 12/PG Day students are able to park on campus. Students must have a Class D license, register their vehicle with the High School office, and park in the athletic field lot next to the first athletic field, across from the CWB (building #4 on the map.)
Orientation Schedule
New Upper School Boarding Students
-
11:15 am–12 pm: Students & Families
Campus Tour
Families and Students Rotate through Information Tables (Contact Info, Nurses, Forms, Communication Home, Banks, University Counseling, Etc.)
Great Hall, Center for Well-Being
12–1 pm: Students & Families
Lunch
Ross Café, Center for Well-Being
12:30–1:15 pm: Students & Families
Campus Tour
Meet at Center for Well-Being
1–2 pm: Students & Families
Families and Students Rotate through Information Tables (Contact Info, Nurses, Forms, Communication Home, Banks, University Counseling, Etc.)
Great Hall, Center for Well-Being
2 pm: Students
Depart for Boarding Houses
Meet in Great Hall, Center for Well-Being
5–6 pm: Students & Families
Dinner with Leadership
Ross Café, Center for Well-Being
6:15 pm: Students
Return to Boarding Houses
6:15–7:30 pm: New Day & Boarding Parents
New Parent Welcome Reception with Ross Parents Association
Senior Building Lobby
-
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31: Students
9–11 am
Banking: Bank of America (East Hampton) and Chase (Sag Harbor)
11:30 am–4:30 pm
Shopping, Bridgehampton Commons
4:30 pm–Evening
Dinner, House Orientation, and Activities at Boarding Houses
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1: Students
10 am–2 pm
Area Activities/Beach
2:15–3:30 pm
Ice Cream in Sag Harbor
4:30 pm–Evening
Dinner, Games, and Movies at Boarding Houses
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2: Students
Morning–Afternoon
Sleep in or Shuttle Option to Towns (Sag Habor, East Hampton, or Bridgehampton)
Evening: 5–8 pm
BBQ at the Millstone Boarding Houses
-
Students
8–8:45 am
Breakfast
Ross Café, Center for Well-Being
8:50–9:15 am
Introduction to Residential Life Fundamentals
Senior Building Lobby
9:15–9:45 am
Introduction to Leadership with Mark Frankel, Head of Upper School
Senior Building Lecture Hall
9:50–10:30 am
Activity
Great Hall, Center for Well-Being
10:30–12 pm: Grades 6–8
Meet your Team Leaders and Advisors
10:30–12 pm: Grades 9–12
Tech Setup
Senior Building Second Floor
Following Tech Setup: Learn to Read Your Schedule Tour!
Across Campus
Testing
Senior Building (SB): Math (SB Lecture Hall), ESOL (SB 1-6), Mandarin (SB 1-7) or Spanish, if needed (SB 1-4)
12–1 pm
Lunch
Ross Café, Center for Well-Being
1–1:10 pm
Pickup
Building 1 Loop
New Upper School Day Students
-
Students Only
9–9:15 am
Drop-off
Center for Well-Being Loop
9:15–9:30 am
Welcome and Introduction to Leadership for Students with Mark Frankel, Head of Upper School
Senior Building Lecture Hall
9:50–10:30 am
Activity
Great Hall, Center for Well-Being
10:30–12 pm: Grades 6–8
Meet your Team Leaders and Advisors
10:30–12 pm: Grades 9–12
Tech Setup
Senior Building Second Floor
Following Tech Setup: Learn to Read Your Schedule Tour!
Across Campus
Testing
Senior Building (SB): Math (SB Lecture Hall), ESOL (SB 1-6), Mandarin (SB 1-7) or Spanish, if needed (SB 1-4)
12–1 pm
Lunch
Ross Café, Center for Well-Being
1–1:10 pm
Pickup
Center for Well-Being Loop
Technology Onboarding and Requirements
BRING-YOUR-OWN-DEVICE POLICY
Ross School follows a Bring-Your-Own-Device policy for Grades 6–12. Under this policy, parents and students have the flexibility to tailor their devices to their own needs. It ensures device availability for students at all times, whether courses are on campus or online.
In order to supply students with standardized software and support, we require students to use Apple laptops. Ross School works with Apple to provide our families with an educational discount: apple.com/edu/ross. International families, please see the section below with country-specific information.
You are also free to shop elsewhere, though the machine must meet the minimum requirements outlined below. Please remember that if you choose this option, you will not receive the school discount.
MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Students who are not taking graphics arts, digital photography, video editing, CAD, or programming classes: MacBook Air, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, AppleCare+ Warranty
Students who will be taking graphics arts, digital photography, video editing, CAD, or programming classes: MacBook Pro, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, AppleCare+ Warranty
Students should also have a USB C external hard drive as extra storage.
If you have any questions about the system requirements, please email technology@ross.org or call 631-907-5200.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
> Protective case that covers both the top and bottom of the laptop. Suggestions:
> Apple ID: Students should use their Apple ID rather than share one with their parents. Parents can create and manage their child's Apple ID using the convenient Family Sharing program.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Backup Plan
We recommend using Apple's Time Machine software and an external SSD, such as a Samsung T5 Portable SSD. Once again, if you have any questions, please email technology@ross.org or call 631-907-5200.
Apple Stores for International Families
Preferred Device Enrollment Resellers for Asia-Pacific
Preferred Device Enrollment Resellers for Canada, Latin America, and the United States
Preferred Device Enrollment Resellers for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
Important Information for International Students
WHAT TO BRING
Click here for a list of items students should bring with them.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Health Insurance through Ross School is required for all international students and is available to domestic boarding students upon request. For plan information, please contact your admissions representative.
ARRIVAL INFORMATION
According to immigration regulations, students may arrive in the United States no more than thirty (30) days prior to the start date listed in section #5 of their I-20.
AIRPORT INFORMATION
John F. Kennedy (JFK) and LaGuardia (LGA) Airports – Approximately 2.5 hours travel time to Ross School
Newark Airport (EWR) – Approximately 3.5 hours travel time to Ross School.
Airport Shuttle Guidelines
F-1 VISA INFORMATION
I-20s are issued to international students upon enrollment at Ross School. Students must use this document to apply for an F-1 Visa at their local consulate. Some visas can take a few weeks, and some can take a few months, so we recommend beginning this process as soon as possible to ensure you are prepared for travel.
Guide to the Hamptons
Essentials
ACCOMMODATIONS
See Where to Stay: East Hampton for a list of local accommodations. This Hamptons Hotel Guide includes hotels and B&Bs in the wider area.
BANKS
14 Newtown Lane
East Hampton, NY 11937
55 Main Street
East Hampton, NY 11937
Additional branches located in Sag Harbor and Bridgehampton.
HEALTH CENTERS
470 Montauk Highway
East Hampton, NY 11937
2044 Montauk Highway
Bridgehampton, NY 11932
SHOPPING CENTER
Bridgehampton Commons
2044 Montauk Highway
Bridgehampton, NY 11932
Outdoor shopping center with department store (Kmart), supermarket, pharmacy, urgent care center, AT&T and Verizon stores, clothing stores, book store, beauty and accessories stores, school/office supply store, hair and nail salons, and casual dining options.
RESTAURANTS
Click here for a guide to the best restaurants in The Hamptons.
TECH AND MOBILE
Victra Verizon Retailer—Cell phones, wireless plans, and mobile accessories.
2044 Montauk Highway, #60
Bridgehampton, NY 11932
AT&T Retailer—Cell phones, wireless plans, and mobile accessories.
2044 Montauk Hwy, #90
Bridgehampton, NY 11932
Geek Hampton—Computer and cell phone support services, including mobile phone screen repair, plus computer and phone accessories.
34 Bay Street
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Transportation
TAXIS
Ted's Taxi Service
(631) 324-2003
East End Transportation
(631) 324-8800
Uber and Lyft services are also available in the area.
Blackbaud
Blackbaud is Ross School’s student information and learning management system. It is our central hub for everything ranging from your student’s schedule, assignments, grades, and report cards to student and family directories, school calendars, news, resources, absence requests, and more. Blackbaud is also used for emergency communications, so it is essential that your contact information is up-to-date in your Blackbaud account.
If you aren’t sure if you have a Blackbaud account, please contact admissions@ross.org or 631-907-5400. If you have any questions about your account, please email forms@ross.org.
Click here for instructions on signing in, viewing student schedules, assignments, and course progress, selecting calendars and syncing to Google and iCal, and viewing resources.
Important School Contacts
Ross School Main Line & Directory: 631-907-5000
Lower School Office: 631-702-8300
Upper School Office: 631-907-5185
Residential Life: 631-907-5451
Health Center, Upper Campus: 631-907-5166, nurse@ross.org
Security, Upper Campus: 631-907-5100, security@ross.org
Admissions: 631-907-5400, admissions@ross.org
Ross Summer Programs: 631-907-5376, summer@ross.org
Tennis Center: 631-907-5162, tenniscenter@ross.org