| Application deadline | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | January 31, 2027 (2027 cycle) |
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| Cost | Last year's cycle (2026): $5,075; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): $1,500; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Financial aid | Last year's cycle (2026): Need-based tuition scholarship for admitted students: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Limited and competitive; requires a separate application with essays.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Need-based financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Up to the full program fee; requested in the online application with the first page of the family's most recent Form 1040.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Expenses and aid conditions | Last year's cycle (2026): Non-refundable application fee: $50. Waived for applications received by the Early Bird deadline.; Health insurance fee (international students only): $90; Need-based tuition scholarship for admitted students: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Limited and competitive; requires a separate application with essays.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Nonrefundable enrollment deposit: $200. Due within 14 days of the acceptance notification.; Need-based financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Up to the full program fee; requested in the online application with the first page of the family's most recent Form 1040.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Catalog terms: Non-refundable program fee, due upon acceptance: $60. Covers all materials, a camp T-shirt to keep and the loan of a Zoo uniform shirt.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Stipend or pay | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Eligibility | Grades 8–12 when applying; check the provider's rules for graduating seniors | Grades 10–12 (provider uses rising grades) | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Additional eligibility | Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 8–12 when applying; Requirement: Good academic standing with at least a 2.0 GPA; Requirement: International students need no visa or TOEFL score for the Academies | Ages 15–18; Requirement: Open to rising grades 10–12 | Ages 13–17; Requirement: Must be between 13 and 17 years old on May 1, 2027; Requirement: First- and second-year ZooTeens commit to at least 100 hours (including one 40-hour week of camp); third-year and returning ZooTeens commit to at least 70 hours; Requirement: Must be able to receive program information by email and keep an online ZooTeen profile to log service hours |
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| Session dates or duration | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 7, 2026; Ends June 19, 2026; 2 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Starts June 19, 2027; Ends June 27, 2027 (2027 cycle) | Starts May 31, 2027 (2027 cycle) |
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| Format | In person | In person | In person |
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| Housing and supervision | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Location | Washington, DC | Granville, OH | Cincinnati, OH |
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| Selection and application | Selection: Earlier Academy admissions described rolling review and first-come seat registration; next-cycle availability is not established. Application materials: 300- to 500-word personal statement | Selection: Track-specific audition or supplemental review on a rolling basis until capacity is reached; no current acceptance rate or track capacity is published. Application materials: One recommendation form completed online by a teacher or school counselor; Discipline-specific supplemental materials (audition or prompt videos) | Selection: The Zoo says the program is very popular and cannot accept all applicants; it publishes no applicant count, cohort size, or acceptance rate. Application materials: Online application (separate forms for new and returning ZooTeens) with short essay questions; One in-person group interview |
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| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-08-22Source 5 · checked 2026-08-22 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-10-09Source 5 · checked 2026-08-20 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24 |
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