The Athenian School Boarding community, dorms, residential life Top-tier private school located in Danville, CA.

Welcome from Director of Admission Chris Beeson

Admission Office

The application process for fall 2021 entry has changed to adapt to the realities of current circumstances (COVID-19).

Athenian has waived entrance exams for all applicants except international students. (International students should take the TOEFL, TOEFL Jr, or IELTS if available. Contact us if one of these tests is not available).
Student visit experiences at Athenian will be virtual (online) until further notice. We are working to finalize the details for student visit experiences. Watch our Admission pages for more details by mid-September.

We encourage you to explore our website and provide your name and contact information through the Apply Online button. We will keep you informed about online admission events: Open Houses, student panels, parent information sessions, and more.

We look forward to getting to know you and are happy to answer questions.

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 fit well with Athenian's philosophy and approach to education. Athenian's Admission Committees look for students who will add to the mix of experiences, talents, backgrounds, and perspectives that form the Athenian community.

We invite you to explore our website 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.

To register for events, receive information about The Athenian School, or begin an online application, click on Apply and complete the student profile. If you have an existing Ravenna account, log in to ravenna-hub.com, click Apply, and select The Athenian School from the School Directory and click Apply.

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

Meet the Admission Team

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 mid-September. 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.
Online Campus Visit Experience
We invite students to visit our campus and experience Athenian's classes and campus for yourself. Campus visits are required for applicants and begin in October each year. Campus visit registration will begin by mid-September.
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, you will receive a reminder with instructions, including the necessary links.
Visits are scheduled Monday through Thursday.

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.
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 has waived the entrance examination testing for students applying for fall 2021 entry. We will administer brief math and writing exercise as part of the application process. We will send you information about this later in the process.
8. Complete Financial Aid Application if you want to be considered for Financial Aid.
Online Campus Visit Experience and Interview
We are working to finalize the details of our new online visit experience for 2020-21 application year. Look for more information by mid-September. 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 campus visit experience is required for all applicants. Visit experiences begin in October each year.
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.
Submit the Student Classroom Experience Information Form.
A few days before your student's virtual campus visit, you will receive a reminder with instructions, including the necessary links.
Your online visit experience will include attending an Athenian class, a campus tour, and a brief interview with a member of the Admission Committee.

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 Online Campus Visit 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.