Boarding community, dorms, residential life

Learn more about the Admission Process

The first round of admission for 2022-23 enrollment has ended. We will consider late applications for very limited number of remaining openings. Some late applications may result in an offer of admission, and many late applications will be placed in our waiting pool. They will be considered if an unexpected opening occurs when a family changes their plans. Contact the Admission Office for more details.

We encourage you to explore our website and provide your name and contact information through the Apply Online button. This will ensure you receive information about the application process and allow you to register for upcoming online admission events such as open houses, student panels, parent information sessions, and more. Our website is also a great resource to learn about our Middle School and Upper School programs. Discover Athenian's approach to serious academics through some of our unique programs, including Middle School Focus Days, class trips, international exchange, and the Athenian Wilderness Experience.

Athenian's admission process is designed to give us the opportunity to learn about you while you discover Athenian. We look beyond the typical qualifications. Strong academic performance is important, and we seek students who embrace Athenian's philosophy and approach to education. Athenian's Admission Committees also look for students who will add to the mix of experiences, talents, backgrounds, and perspectives that form the Athenian community.

The Admission Office is here to help you in the application process. Contact us at any time!

Please note that all events listed on the website require registration via Ravenna. You may click here or click on the Request Information button above to create an account. You can also register from an existing Ravenna account at www.ravenna-hub.com. In Ravenna, select The Athenian School from the school directory and choose Upcoming Events. Select The Athenian School Information Session to register.

Reference Downloads

Meet the Admission Team

Student Ambassadors

Request Information

Apply Online

Middle School: Grades 6-8

List of 2 items.

Application Steps
1. Start your application by using "Apply" link or clicking here. Complete the Applicant Household Information Form and submit the $100 application fee along with a photograph of yourself. To apply from an existing Ravenna account, log into ravenna-hub.com and choose The Athenian School from the School Directory. Fee waivers are available for low income families.
2. We are working to finalize the details of our new online visit experience. Look for more information by October 1. At that time you can use the link provided in the Student Visit step to schedule a required student visit experience.
3. Complete the Student Statement and Parent Questionnaire.
4. Submit Teacher Recommendation Forms to two teachers. At least one recommendation must be from a current teacher. (We ask that students applying for grade 6 get recommendations from grade 5 teachers.) The second recommendation could be from the prior year teacher (a fourth-grade teacher for those applying to grade 6.)
5. Submit the Transcript Request Form to your current school.
6. Regarding entrance examinations: Athenian has waived the entrance examination test for students applying for fall 2021 entry. We will administer a brief math and writing exercise as part of the application process. We will send you more information about this process as the details of our plan are finalized.
7. Complete the Financial Aid Application if you want to be considered for Financial Aid.
International Student Note: Athenian's Middle School (grades 6-8) is designed for local students. International students are welcome to apply to grades 9, 10, or 11, where our boarding program, staff, and curriculum support them. If an international student applies to the Middle School they should have attended school for at least three years, speak and write English fluently, and live with an appropriate family member near Athenian.
Student Campus Experience
We invite students to visit our campus in person or virtually and experience Athenian for yourself. Virtual visits or campus experiences are required for applicants and begin in October each year. Campus visit registration will begin by October 1.
1. In Ravenna, our online admission platform, use the Register for an Event link to select a date, class, and time for the student classroom experience. Please register for only one (1) class visit. A confirmation will be sent from help@ravennasolutions.com to the email address used to create your account in Ravenna.
2. Submit the Student Classroom Experience Information Form.
3. An Admission Team member will contact you to review your scheduled visit.
4. A few days before your student's virtual campus visit or on campus experience, you will receive a reminder with instructions, including the necessary links.

Upper School: Grades 9-12

List of 2 items.

Application Steps
1. Start your application by using "Apply Online" link or clicking here. Complete the Applicant and Household Information Form and submit the $100 application fee along with a photograph of yourself. To apply from an existing Ravenna account, log into ravenna-hub.com and choose The Athenian School from the School Directory. Fee waivers are available for low income families.
2. Use the link provided in the Upper School Domestic Student Campus Visit and Interview step to schedule a required student visit experience and interview. These visits will be open for registration by October 1.
3. Complete the Student Statement, Student Supplement, and Parent Questionnaire.
4. Submit the Transcript Request Form to your current school.
5. Submit the Teacher Recommendation forms to your current math and English teachers using Athenian's Ravenna application platform. For example, students applying to grade 9 should submit recommendation from grade 8 teachers.)
6. Submit one Secondary School Report to your current school Administrator (optional).
7. Athenian requires all Upper School applicants to complete an online writing exercise. This activity is not a Pass/Fail test but is designed to assist in evaluating the readiness of prospective students. The Writing Exercise is another opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their abilities through an essay that encourages individual expression and imagination. The writing exercise will take place online supported by Test Innovators. To register, use the Register for event link under Additional Steps in the applicant's Ravenna account to select a date. Please register for only one date. There is a $50 fee for the online writing exercise. Please contact Athenian Admission for a fee waiver if the cost is a hardship for your family. Registration will be available early November.
8. Athenian has waived the entrance examination testing for students applying for fall 2021 entry.
9. Complete Financial Aid Application if you want to be considered for Financial Aid.
Student Visit Experience
We are working to finalize the details of our visit experience for the upcoming application year. Look for more information by October 1. At that time you can use the link provided in the Student Visit step to schedule a required student visit experiences.

We invite you to experience Athenian's classes and campus. A visit experience is required for all applicants. Visit experiences begin in October each year.
An application must be started to schedule a visit experience. Use the Apply Online link above or open an existing Ravenna account. It is not necessary to submit any forms or the application fee to schedule a visit experience.
Open the application. Use the Register for an event link to select a date and time. A confirmation will be sent by help@ravennasolutions.com to the email address used to create the account in Ravenna.
A few days before the virtual visit, you will receive a reminder with instructions, including necessary links.
Your visit experience will include observing an Athenian class, seeing our campus, and meeting a member of the Admission Team.

International Applicants

List of 3 items.

Application Steps
1. Start your application by using "Apply" link or clicking here. Complete the Application Information Form and submit the $150 application fee along with a photograph of yourself. To apply from an existing Ravenna account, log into ravenna-hub.com and choose The Athenian School from the School Directory.
2. Complete the Student Statement, Student Supplement, Parent Questionnaire, and Academic History.
3. Submit the Transcript Request Form to your current school. Transcripts must be officially translated into English.
4. Submit two Teacher Recommendation Forms to your current 2020-2021 teachers. One recommendation must be from your English teacher. The second recommendation can be from a math, history, or science teacher.
5. Submit one Secondary School Report to your current school Administrator (optional).
6. Submit results of test of English (TOEFL, TOEFL Jr, or IELTS.) See Admission Testing Information for details. Contact the Admission Office if a test of English is not available.
7. Complete the Financial Aid Application if you want to be considered for Financial Aid.
8. Campus online visits and interviews are not required but are encouraged. See Optional Visit & Interview below for details. Special instructions for students applying from China apply.
SAO Application
The Athenian School encourages international students to use our online application. However, we will accept the SAO application. Please note if using the SAO application, Athenian requires the supplemental forms included in the SAO application and the requirements to complete the application remain the same as those listed above. Please contact the Admission Office to schedule a campus visit or interview.
Optional Student Campus Experience and Interview

We invite you to visit our campus online and experience Athenian's classes and campus for yourself, however, online campus visits and interviews are not required for international students. International applicants should contact the admission office at admission@athenian.org to arrange a campus visit.

Applicants from China: Due to the high volume of applicants from China, Athenian is not able to interview applicants from China, regardless of citizenship or current country of residence. Applicants living in China and are applying to grades 9, 10, or 11 are strongly encouraged to contact Vericant to complete a preliminary interview in China. After reviewing completed applications, Athenian will contact a small group of finalist candidates for a formal interview. Please complete Vericant interviews between August and January. Before contacting Vericant, please start an application by clicking Apply above and completing the student profile.
Important Information

Applicants who have not attended school in the U.S. for at least the past three years should complete the International Application. Please contact the Admission Office with questions regarding status as a domestic or international applicant.

Athenian's international program prepares students from around the world to succeed in college and in life. International students achieve fluency in English, gain a strong academic background and develop an understanding of American culture. Students who need English support in grades 9 or 10 benefit from Athenian's rigorous ESL curriculum, among the oldest programs of its kind in California.

International students are welcome to apply in grade 9, 10, or 11, where our boarding program, staff, and curriculum support them. The Middle School (grades 6-8) is designed for local students only. International students applying to the Middle School should have attended school in the U.S. for at least 3 years, speak and write English fluently, and live with an appropriate family member near Athenian.

Learn about Athenian's boarding program.