Applying To Westside

Submit an inquiry form at westsideschool.org/applying

Create an account on Ravenna, your portal to explore Westside school and start your application.

Learn more about Westside’s program by registering for a tour via your Ravenna account.

Campus Tours

Our campus tours are an ideal way to experience Westside School in action. Via our tour, you'll learn about our unique program and get an up-close look at our classroom and specialist spaces. We will share details about your grade of interest and answer your questions. Tours are a required part of our admission process. Out-of-town families can contact our Director of Admission, Ted Holmes, to arrange a virtual tour.

Early Learning: Learn about our play-based program. We’ll share about program philosophy, daily schedule, specialist offerings, and much more.

Kindergarten-2nd Grade: There is still plenty of time for play and community, as students take their first steps in our Lower School. We’ll describe our literacy, math, science, and social studies as well as how specialists complete a robust and enriching schedule. You’ll also learn how our students’ academic and social emotional journeys progress as they advance through our lower grades.

3rd & 4th Grade: This specialized tour highlights the progression of our major content areas in our upper elementary grades, including the importance of joyful learning and student engagement for children of all ages. As students get older, they begin participating in our outdoor program and school sports.

Middle School (5th through 8th Grade) Tour: Parents and guardians along with your prospective students are invited to join our tour of Middle School. We’ll address the transition from lower school, what it’s like to join Westside in Middle School, and core classes, such as math, language arts, world language and science. We’ll also describe our specialist offerings, such as theater and visual arts, physical education, and tech. You’ll hear about after school sports and our renowned outdoor program.

Register For a Tour Through Ravenna

2023-2024 Virtual Information Nights

Early Learning (PS & PK) and Lower School (K-4th Grade) Virtual Information Night:

• Tuesday, January 4, 2024, 6:00-7:15pm

A complement to our in person open house or substitute if you can’t join us in person. Learn about our Early Learning and Lower School programs in this Zoom session. The evening will feature breakout sessions for you to meet with representatives of your grade(s) of interest.

Middle School Virtual Information Night

• Tuesday, December 5, 2023, 6:00-7:15pm

Learn about what makes our Middle School program unique from teachers, specialists, and school leaders in this 75-minute Zoom session. You’ll have time at the end to ask questions.

REGISTER FOR AN INFORMATION NIGHT Through Ravenna

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 at least two teacher recommendations per student for grades 1-8.
5. Submit transcripts. For grades 1-8, submit the first semester of 2023-2024 and all of 2022-2023. For preschool, pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten, please submit if available.
6. Register for an in-person student visit for your child. Out of town families should contact the school to arrange a video option.

A Note About Testing: Westside does not require testing of our middle school applicants. To ensure an equitable process for all, we will not review any submitted scores.

It is important to us that we meet all prospective parents and guardians. We’ll use this 20-minute Zoom 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.

Your prospective student will participate in an on campus visit with grade level peers.

Families of accepted students are asked to register within one week of our offer. We encourage wait pool families to inform us of your continuing interest.

Leading up to school, admitted students and their families are invited to new family events, teacher conferences, and to see their classroom.

ADMIT: Welcome to Westside!

WAIT POOL: Your student is admissible; there just isn’t enough space. Hang in there; a spot may become available!

DENY: If your student is denied, it is generally due to the fact Westside does not meet their needs. We honor the strength in individual differences and acknowledge some candidates are better suited for a different learning environment.

If Westside does not meet the needs of your student, we will work to provide families with resources that may best support the student’s needs.

Westside School believes in every child having access to the joyful learning and academic challenge at Westside School regardless of their family’s ability to pay the full cost of a Westside education. We believe that diversity of all kinds, including socioeconomic diversity, enriches the educational opportunities for all our families. Families for whom tuition looks initially out of reach are encouraged to visit and apply. Visit our Tuition Assistance page for more information. 

Apply for tuition assistance by February 2, 2024