The act of applying to an independent school is exciting as much as it is daunting. Admission requirements aside, the journey to find a new school asks applicants and their parents and guardians to understand themselves in a multifaceted way and reflect upon the gifts and talents that they would bring to a community. In many ways, the search for an independent school is an exercise in self-reflection and self-evaluation.
Our admission season formally opens after September 1. To get started, we invite you to create a Ravenna* account and complete your necessary biographical information. Once our application goes live, you will be one of the first to know about the admission process for this school year. Create your Ravenna account by clicking on the blue button to the right that says, "Create a Ravenna Account."
Step 1: Create Your Ravenna Account
Woodside Priory uses an online application platform maintained by Ravenna. Families are strongly encouraged to set-up and update their Ravenna profiles. In order to apply or sign up for any admission event, prospective families must have an active account. Click on the blue button in the upper right that says "Create a Ravenna Account." The admissions season begins with the opening of our application for the next school year in early September.
Step 2: Learn About Priory Through Virtual Events
* Please check here often throughout the fall for information on additional events.
We encourage prospective families to attend events that will help them understand whether Priory is a fit for their child. Except where explicitly noted, attendance at admission events is optional.
Priory Welcome: An Introduction to the Priory Admissions Process
Given the changes in admissions for private schools in our region, Priory Welcome is an introduction to Priory's admissions process for prospective families. Parents will hear from a member of the admissions team as we explain Priory school's admissions requirements and application. We will also provide insight for families to consider as they research different schools in the area. (45 minutes)
Priory Preview: Formerly known as Open House, Priory Preview is an opportunity for families to learn about the academic offerings and how Priory approaches teaching and learning. Families will hear from the Head of School and other key administrators and faculty members. (90 minutes)
Affording Priory: For some families, enrolling their child in an independent school represents a significant investment. In this first of a two-part financial aid series, we explore some of the myths that surround the financial aid process. We will also discuss Priory's financial aid program in more detail. In part two of this series, we will delve into the financial aid application and learn about what pieces of information are required for families to complete this detailed application.
All events require advance registration through Ravenna.
Step 3: Complete the Proctored Writing Exercise
Admissions cycle, many independent Peninsula schools will be administering a 15-minute proctored writing exercise for their applicants. More information about this required step is provided in our application checklist on Ravenna.
Final information and sign-ups, including dates, will be available in late September at participating schools.
Students who complete the optional ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT (with writing) and submit their results to Woodside Priory will be exempted from the PWS requirement.
Step 4: Complete Your Admission Application in Ravenna
Once you have created your Ravenna account and signed up for an Admissions Test, you are ready to begin the admission application. All application steps are completed through Ravenna, including:
Step 5: Sign-up for an Interview
The final step of the application process is an interview. At the Priory, our interviews are conducted through a 45-minute group activity and are facilitated by a member of the Priory faculty. An interview is required for all applicants.
Applicants will be notified to sign up for an interview time slot through Ravenna after the application deadline, typically in late January.
Woodside Priory's tradition for its boarding program is rooted in its founding in 1957. Students from all over the world have called our campus home. Studying at Silicon Valley’s only boarding school offers many opportunities to live and study with students and faculty in one of the most beautiful and tranquil settings in the United States.
Priory's boarding program is different from most boarding schools. Our boarding program is integrated into the daily life of our day program and maintains distinctive social and emotional programming that only a program of our size can accommodate. We invite you to read more about the philosophy and curriculum of Priory’s boarding program.
Step 1: Create Ravenna Account
From its founding in 1957, the boarding program has been an indelible part of the Woodside Priory School community. Today around 50 students choose to be active, contributing members of Priory's boarding community, guided by dedicated Residential Faculty.
All applicants must create a Ravenna account in order to navigate through the application season. This requirement includes applicants who apply to our boarding program through the SAO. To get started, visit Ravenna Hub and add Woodside Priory School to your Dashboard.
Step 2: Get to Know Us
We encourage prospective families to attend events that will help them understand whether Priory is a fit for their child. Except where explicitly noted, attendance at admission events is optional.
Priory Welcome: An Introduction to the Priory Admissions Process
Given the changes in admissions for private schools in our region, Priory Welcome is an introduction to Priory's admissions process for prospective families. Parents will hear from a member of the admissions team as we explain Priory school's admissions requirements and application. We will also provide insight for families to consider as they research different schools in the area. (45 minutes)
Priory Preview: Formerly known as Open House, Priory Preview is an opportunity for families to learn about the academic offerings and how Priory approaches teaching and learning. Families will hear from the Head of School and other key administrators and faculty members. (90 minutes)
Affording Priory: For some families, enrolling their child in an independent school represents a significant investment. In this first of a two-part financial aid series, we explore some of the myths that surround the financial aid process. We will also discuss Priory's financial aid program in more detail. In part two of this series, we will delve into the financial aid application and learn about what pieces of information are required for families to complete this detailed application.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
Applicants can apply to Priory's boarding program in two ways by either completing and submitting the boarding application through Ravenna or submitting the SAO.
For applicants applying through the SAO, please remember that all applicants are required to set up a Ravenna account and add Woodside Priory School to their Ravenna Dashboards. Admissions decisions are only released through Ravenna.
Step 4: Interview
Given the intimate size of our boarding program, boarding applicants will be given an opportunity to meet with a member of the residential faculty and/or admissions team and speak about why Priory's boarding program may be a good fit. Information and invitations will be given to applicants once they have completed and successfully submitted all pieces of their admissions application. Interviews are typically offered in beginning in December through mid-February.
Step 5: Prepare for Your Admissions Decision
Boarding admissions decisions for Woodside Priory will be published in Ravenna on March 10. Initial offers of admission must be accepted (or declined) by families by March 25. During this period, admitted students should contact the Admissions Office should they have any questions about the Priory.
Students offered a place in the Wait Pool may be considered for admission throughout the spring and summer months. Information for applicants in the wait pool will be provided on March 1.
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