Applying To Westside

Step 1 for Preschool/Prekindergarten

Families interested in learning about our Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten programs are invited to attend one of our Discover and Play events scheduled for Tuesday, November 6; December 4; and January 15. Families with prospective pre-kindergarteners are invited to bring their prospective student to explore the activities in our pre-kindergarten classroom, while parents observe and hear about our program from teachers. 

Families with prospective preschool students should leave your child at home, but we encourage you to observe our classroom and take a tour.  Students born before August 31, 2016 will be eligible for preschool in September 2019. 

Both Preschool and Prekindergarten families may also register for a tour on a different date.

Create an account on Ravenna to reserve your space for Discover & Play or a tour.

Step 1 for Lower School (Kindergarten through 4th Grade)

Lower school tours for families interested in the 2018-2019 academic year begin in October. Our parents only 90 minute tour is your best way to see the school and to hear about the program directly from our educators and see us in action on a typical school day. We keep our tours small so you get an exceptionally close look at the school. You'll have the chance to speak with students, teachers and administrators. Register for a tour via our online application system, Ravenna.

Step 1 for Middle School (5th through 8th Grade)

Tour: Parents and guardians and their prospective students are invited to tour our middle school. These intimate tours will get a look at the broad range of our offerings including core classes such as math, language arts and science, as well as our “exploratory” offerings such as theater and visual arts, physical education, and tech. Register for a tour via our online system Ravenna.

Experience Middle School Night (November 8): In addition to hearing about our academic and co-curricular offerings, visitors to Experience Middle School Night will have the chance to see Westside arts in action. We’ll showcase our music, theater and visual arts programs. Missed Experience Middle School Night? Join us for a tour of Westside School.

Westside School uses the Ravenna online application system for all grades including preschool and shares a common PSIS (Puget Sound Independent Schools) application. The Ravenna System will guide you through all of the steps outlined below, as well as keep you updated on the status of your child’s application.

APPLICATION STEPS
1. Submit a student and family photo
2. Submit Parent/Guardian Statement
3. Submit Student Activities and Interests form (middle school only)
4. Submit two teacher recommendations
5. Submit transcripts (first semester of 2018-2019 and all of 2017-2018)
6. Submit administrator evaluation form
7. Middle School Only: Submit test scores (SSAT preferred)

It is important to us we meet all prospective parents and guardians. We’ll use this 20-minute interview to get to know you better, learn more about your child, and answer any remaining questions you have about Westside School. You will use the Ravenna system to sign up for a parent and guardian interview after you formally apply.

You will register for a student visit through your Ravenna account.

PRESCHOOL THROUGH KINDERGARTEN APPLICANTS

One of the most important pieces of the Admission process for our preschool, prekindergarten and kindergarten applicants is a 60-minute student observation visit. During the regular admission season we will meet prospective students on a Saturday in February. Visiting prospective students will be placed in small groups, where they will go through a short “day” of school. School evaluators will observe prospective students as they participate in group and individual activities. We invite parents and guardians remain on site during the observation. While waiting, you’ll hear from a panel representing various school constituencies, including our Head of School, faculty and current parents/guardians.

If you have applied for admission outside of our traditional season, we will arrange a meeting or class visit for your child on a date that is mutually convenient.

FIRST THROUGH FOURTH GRADE APPLICANTS

Candidates for first grade will attend a 60-minute observation visit with other prospective first grade students. Students applying for second through fourth grade will be invited to spend a half day on campus. These visits allow us a chance to get to know your child and to assess their readiness for our program., At the same time, these visits give prospective students a real sense of what it would be like to attend Westside School.

FIFTH THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE APPLICANTS

All Middle School applicants will come to campus for a 60-minute observation visit. At this time, your child will join a group of up to six applicants to work on a project complete a short essay prompt and participate in a group discussion. We invite parents and guardians to remain on site for a question and answer session with the Head of School, a faculty member and a current parent/guardian.