Applying To Westside

Step 1 for Preschool/Pre-Kindergarten
Discover Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten

Families interested in learning about our Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten programs are invited to attend one of our Discover Preschool Days scheduled for Tuesdays, October 29, November 12 and December 10. Parents of prospective pre-Kindergarteners are invited to campus for an observation of our preschool and pre-Kindergarten classrooms, a chance to meet the teachers, and a tour of our lower school and campus.

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

Lower school tours for families interested in the 2020-2021 academic year begin in October. Our parents-only 90 minute tour is your best way to see the school, 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. Tours for families interested in first through fourth grade are customized to your child's grade level. Register for a tour via our online application system, Ravenna.

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

Tour: Parents and guardians and your prospective students are invited to tour our middle school. These intimate tours will offer a look at the broad range of our offerings, including core classes such as math, language arts and science, as well as our elective 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 7): Prospective students and their families will experience Westside in a series of hands-on demonstration classes. In addition to this sampling of our academic and co-curricular offerings, visitors to Experience Middle School Night will see Westside arts in action. We’ll showcase our music, theater and visual arts programs.

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 one teacher recommendation per student for preschool, pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten applicants. Submit two teacher recommendations per student for grades 1-8.
5. Submit transcripts. For grades 1-8, please submit first semester of 2019-2020 and all of 2018-2019. For preschool, pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten please submit if available.
6. Submit administrator evaluation form (first through 8th grade only)
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 conversation 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 conference after you formally apply.

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

PRESCHOOL THROUGH KINDERGARTEN APPLICANTS

The student visit is a valuable step of the Admission process for our preschool, prekindergarten and kindergarten. During the regular admission season we will meet prospective students on a Saturday in early February. Visiting prospective students will be placed in small groups, where they will go through a short “day” of school. We invite parents and guardians remain on site during the observation. While waiting, you’ll meet our Head of School, faculty and current
parents/guardians for coffee and conversation.

If you have applied for admission outside of our traditional season, we will arrange a 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 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

Fifth, sixth, and seventh grade applicants will come to campus for a visit that will include a schedule of sample classes with our current fifth and sixth graders. Following their classroom experience, our visitors will join a group of up to six applicants to work on a project, respond a short essay prompt, and participate in a group session. We invite parents and guardians to join us for a question and answer session with our Head of School, Middle School Division Head, a teacher, and other members of our school community.  For eighth grade applicants, we will arrange a full day visit to Westside on an individual basis.