Application Process
Learn about applying to Lakeside!
Thank you for your interest in Lakeside School. Below you will find tabs for important dates, information about the Middle School application process, the Upper School application process, and the international application process. Students and families interested in Lakeside begin the admission process by first creating an account in Ravenna, our online application management system. There you will be able to submit an application, register for required and optional events, and track your application status.
Applying to Lakeside
Important Dates
September 1, 2023 - Application for the 2024-2025 school year is available in Ravenna.
October 2023 - Financial Aid application opens in SSS.
December 14, 2023 - International preliminary application deadline.
January 11, 2024 - Deadline to submit Preliminary Application form and all family-completed PSIS forms.
January 26, 2024 - Completed application deadline for both Middle and Upper School applicants. All application items, including receipt of SSAT results, must be received by midnight on January 26. Ravenna may not immediately reflect as completed as we review each items received. Applications completed after this deadline will be considered late and we cannot guarantee an on-time decision.
February 1, 2024 - Financial Aid deadline
February 23, 2024 - Upper School (grades 9-11) decisions released online in Ravenna at 4:00 p.m.
March 4, 2024 - Enrollment deadline for Upper School
March 22, 2024 - Middle School (grades 5-8) decisions released online in Ravenna at 4:00 p.m.
April 4, 2024 - Enrollment deadline for Middle School
April 24, 2024 - Late Application closes
June 12, 2024 - Admission decisions for late applicants released online in Ravenna at 4:00 p.m.
Middle School Process
The following application materials must be completed or received in Ravenna on or before January 11, 2024:
- Preliminary Application Form and Fee
- PSIS Student Essay
- PSIS Short Answers
- PSIS Interests and Activities
- PSIS Parent/Guardian Statement
The following materials should be received by our office on or before January 26, 2024:
- School Records/Transcripts
- Teacher Evaluations (2)
- Personal Reference Form
- PSIS School Administrator Form
- SSAT Test Scores
- Middle School Admissions Activity
Please reference the sections below for more information about each of our Middle School application requirements. Click the + symbol below to learn more.
- Preliminary Application Form
- PSIS Student Essay
- PSIS Student Short Answers
- PSIS Student Interests and Activities
- PSIS Parent/Guardian Statement
- School Records/Transcripts
- Teacher Evaluations
- Personal Reference Form
- PSIS School Administrator Form
- SSAT Test Scores
- Middle School Admissions Activity
- Supplementary Materials
- Individual Meetings with the Admissions Team
Preliminary Application Form
PSIS Student Essay
Due on or before January 11, 2024
This form is your opportunity to share more about who you are. Students can choose from various prompts and should stay within the stated word limit. Please complete this form within Ravenna without help from anyone (e.g. parents, guardians, teachers, etc.).
Please note: All PSIS forms are shared forms, and any PSIS school to which you are applying will receive them in Ravenna.
PSIS Student Short Answers
Due on or before January 11, 2024
This form is your opportunity to share more about who you are. Students only need to complete the sentence prompt. Please complete this form within Ravenna without help from anyone (e.g. parents, guardians, teachers, etc.).
Please note: All PSIS forms are shared forms, and any PSIS school to which you are applying will receive them in Ravenna.
PSIS Student Interests and Activities
Due on or before January 11, 2024
This form gives us information about how you spend your time outside the classroom. Students should share any information about extracurricular activities, interests, jobs, and/or responsibilities.
Please note: All PSIS forms are shared forms, and any PSIS school to which you are applying will receive them in Ravenna.
PSIS Parent/Guardian Statement
Due on or before January 11, 2024
This form gives information about the applicant's strengths and opportunities for growth from the parent/guardian perspective. Please stay within the stated word limit.
Please note: All PSIS forms are shared forms, and any PSIS school to which you are applying will receive them in Ravenna.
School Records/Transcripts
Due on or before January 26, 2024
All records must come directly from your student's school. Use Ravenna to submit a records request to your school/s.
Requirements:
- First complete report card from the current 2023-2024 academic year
- Entire year transcripts/report card from the 2022-2023 academic year.
Teacher Evaluations
Due on or before January 26, 2024
Lakeside requires all applicants to submit two teacher evaluations. One evaluation must be from a humanities teacher (English, history, or social studies) and one from a math or science teacher. At least one teacher evaluation must be from a current teacher.
For students who have the same teacher for humanities, math and science, please submit a current year math teacher evaluation, and the prior year evaluation should come from a humanities teacher.
Please note: We will not accept any additional teacher evaluations beyond what is required.
Personal Reference Form
Due on or before January 26, 2024
The personal reference form provides information about a student's ability to work with others in a group setting. This form should be completed by a teacher, school administrator, or coach who regularly observes or observed (within two years) the student in a classroom, team, or group-oriented setting.
Please note: We will not accept any additional personal reference forms beyond what is required.
PSIS School Administrator Form
Due on or before January 26, 2024
This form is completed by a school administrator (e.g. registrar, principal, division head) at the applicant's current school and provides information about the student's attendance.
Please note: All PSIS forms are shared forms, and any PSIS school to which you are applying will receive them in Ravenna.
SSAT Test Scores
Due on or before January 26, 2024
Lakeside only accepts scores from the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT). Students should submit one set of scores from an SSAT taken between September 2023 and January 2024. No scores from before September 2023 will be accepted. Additionally, we will only accept and consider one set of admission test scores per applicant. If we receive more than one set of test scores, we will only review the test scores from the chronologically earliest test date, as Lakeside encourages students to take the SSAT once.
Lakeside very strongly encourages families to schedule their student to take the SSAT no later than December 2023 and connect directly with SSAT to ensure their student's test scores will arrive by the January 26 deadline.
To find out which test level your student should take, please visit SSAT.
Lakeside's SSAT School Code: 4462
Middle School Admissions Activity
To be completed by January 26, 2024
All Middle School applicants will register to participate in the Middle School admissions activity once the preliminary application form is complete. The activity gives information about a student's ability to work with others in a group setting, and there is no need to prepare ahead of time.
Families whose primary residence is outside of Island, King, Kitsap, Pierce, or Snohomish Counties are welcome to attend an activity virtually via Zoom. Specific dates are available in Ravenna and please email admissions@lakesideschool.org with your desired event date.
Supplementary Materials
Individual Meetings with the Admissions Team
Upper School Process
The following application materials must be completed or received in Ravenna on or before January 11, 2024:
- Preliminary Application Form and Fee
- PSIS Student Essay
- PSIS Short Answers
- PSIS Interests and Activities
- PSIS Parent/Guardian Statement
The following materials should be received by our office on or before January 26, 2024:
- School Records/Transcripts
- Teacher Evaluations (2)
- Personal Reference Form
- PSIS School Administrator Form
- Test Scores
- Upper School Interview
Please reference the sections below for more information about each of our Upper School application requirements. Click the + symbol below to learn more.
- Preliminary Application Form
- PSIS Student Essay
- PSIS Student Short Answers
- PSIS Student Interests and Activities
- PSIS Parent/Guardian Statement
- School Records/Transcripts
- Teacher Evaluations
- Personal Reference Form
- PSIS School Administrator Form
- Test Scores
- Upper School Interview
- Supplementary Materials
- Individual Meetings with the Admissions Team
Preliminary Application Form
PSIS Student Essay
Due on or before January 11, 2024
This form is your opportunity to share more about who you are. Students can choose from various prompts and should stay within the stated word limit. Please complete this form within Ravenna without help from anyone (e.g. parents, guardians, teachers, etc.).
Please note: All PSIS forms are shared forms, and any PSIS school to which you are applying will receive them in Ravenna.
PSIS Student Short Answers
Due on or before January 11, 2024
This form is your opportunity to share more about who you are. Students only need to complete the sentence prompt. Please complete this form within Ravenna without help from anyone (e.g. parents, guardians, teachers, etc.).
Please note: All PSIS forms are shared forms, and any PSIS school to which you are applying will receive them in Ravenna.
PSIS Student Interests and Activities
Due on or before January 11, 2024
This form gives us information about how you spend your time outside the classroom. Students should share any information about extracurricular activities, interests, jobs, and/or responsibilities.
Please note: All PSIS forms are shared forms, and any PSIS school to which you are applying will receive them in Ravenna.
PSIS Parent/Guardian Statement
Due on or before January 11, 2024
This form gives information about the applicant's strengths and opportunities for growth from the parent/guardian perspective. Please stay within the stated word limit.
Please note: All PSIS forms are shared forms, and any PSIS school to which you are applying will receive them in Ravenna.
School Records/Transcripts
Due on or before January 26, 2024
All records must come directly from your student's school. Use Ravenna to submit a records request to your school/s.
Requirements:
- First complete report card from the current 2023-2024 academic year
- Entire year transcripts/report card from the 2022-2023 academic year.
Teacher Evaluations
Due on or before January 26, 2024
Lakeside requires all applicants to submit two teacher evaluations. One evaluation must be from a humanities teacher (English, history, or social studies) and one from a math or science teacher. At least one teacher evaluation must be from a current teacher.
For students who have the same teacher for humanities, math and science, please submit a current year math teacher evaluation, and the prior year evaluation should come from a humanities teacher.
Please note: We will not accept any additional teacher evaluations beyond what is required.
Personal Reference Form
Due on or before January 26, 2024
The personal reference form provides information about a student's ability to work with others in a group setting. This form should be completed by a teacher, school administrator, or coach who regularly observes or observed (within two years) the student in a classroom, team, or group-oriented setting.
Please note: We will not accept any additional personal reference forms beyond what is required.
PSIS School Administrator Form
Due on or before January 26, 2024
This form is completed by a school administrator (e.g. registrar, principal, division head) at the applicant's current school and provides information about the student's attendance.
Please note: All PSIS forms are shared forms, and any PSIS school to which you are applying will receive them in Ravenna.
Test Scores
Due on or before January 26, 2024
Lakeside only accepts scores from the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT). Students should submit one set of scores from an SSAT taken between September 2023 and January 2024. No scores from before September 2023 will be accepted. Additionally, we will only accept and consider one set of admission test scores per applicant. If we receive more than one set of test scores, we will only review the test scores from the chronologically earliest test date, as Lakeside encourages students to take the SSAT once.
Lakeside very strongly encourages families to schedule their student to take the SSAT no later than December 2023 and connect directly with SSAT to ensure their student's test scores will arrive by the January 26 deadline.
Applicants to grade 10 and 11 may submit results from the SSAT, ACT, PSAT, or SAT test.
To find out which test level your student should take, please visit SSAT.
Lakeside's SSAT School Code: 4462
Upper School Interview
Due on or before January 26, 2024
All Upper School applicants will register to interview with a member of the Lakeside faculty once the preliminary application is complete. The interview is an opportunity for the student to share more about how they navigate the experiences and challenges they encounter in a school setting. There is also time for the student to ask their questions about Lakeside. Applicants have the option of interviewing virtually or in-person, and there is no need to prepare ahead of time.
Supplementary Materials
Individual Meetings with the Admissions Team
International Process
The international application is for students who attend school outside of the United States, are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States, have native or near-native fluency in written and spoken English, and are relocating to the Seattle area with at least one parent or legal guardian. All parts of this criteria must be met in order to be considered for admission to Lakeside School as an international student. Lakeside does not accept mid-year transfers or one-year exchange students, and applicants must intend to graduate from Lakeside School.
The following application materials must be completed or received in Ravenna on or before December 14, 2023:
- Preliminary Application Form and Fee
- PSIS Student Essay
- PSIS Student Short Answers
- PSIS Interests and Activities
- PSIS Parent/Guardian Statement
- PSIS School Administrator Form
- English Language Verification Form
- Teacher Evaluations (2)
- Personal Reference Form
The following materials should be received by our office on or before January 26, 2024:
- Test Scores
- TOEFL Scores (if applicable)
- School Records/Transcripts
Please reference the sections below for more information about each of our international application requirements. Click the + symbol below to learn more.
For answers to some of the most common questions we receive about the international admissions process, please visit the International tab of our Frequently Asked Questions page.
- Preliminary Application Form
- PSIS Student Essay
- PSIS Student Short Answers
- PSIS Student Interests and Activities
- PSIS Parent/Guardian Statement
- PSIS School Administrator Form
- English Language Verification Form
- School Records/Transcripts
- Teacher Evaluations
- Personal Reference Form
- Test Scores
- TOEFL
- Upper School Interview/Middle School Admissions Activity
- Supplementary Materials
- Individual Meetings with the Admissions Team
Preliminary Application Form
PSIS Student Essay
Due by December 14, 2023
This form is your opportunity to share more about who you are. Students can choose from various prompts and should stay within the stated word limit. Please complete this form within Ravenna without help from anyone (e.g. parents, guardians, teachers, etc.).
PSIS Student Short Answers
Due by December 14, 2023
This form is your opportunity to share more about who you are. Students only need to complete the sentence prompt. Please complete this form within Ravenna without help from anyone (e.g. parents, guardians, teachers, etc.).
PSIS Student Interests and Activities
PSIS Parent/Guardian Statement
PSIS School Administrator Form
English Language Verification Form
School Records/Transcripts
Due by January 26, 2024
All records must come directly from your student's school. Use Ravenna to submit a records request to your school/s. All documents must be in English and certified English translations should accompany all documents written in languages other than English.
Requirements:
- First complete report card from the current 2023-2024 academic year
- Entire year transcripts/report card from the 2022-2023 academic year.
Teacher Evaluations
Due by December 14, 2023
Lakeside requires all applicants to submit two teacher evaluations. One evaluation must be from a humanities teacher (English, history, or social studies) and one from a math or science teacher. At least one teacher evaluation must be from a current teacher.
For students who have the same teacher for humanities, math and science, please submit a current year math teacher evaluation, and the prior year evaluation should come from a humanities teacher.
Please note: We will not accept any additional teacher evaluations beyond what is required.
Personal Reference Form
Due by December 14, 2023
The personal reference form provides information about a student's ability to work with others in a group setting. This form should be completed by a teacher, school administrator, or coach who regularly observes or observed (within two ears) the student in a classroom, team, or group-oriented setting.
Please note: We will not accept any additional personal reference forms beyond what is required.
Test Scores
Due by January 26, 2024
Lakeside only accepts scores from the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT). Students should submit one set of scores from an SSAT taken between September 2023 and January 2024. No scores from before September 2023 will be accepted. Additionally, we will only accept and consider one set of admission test scores per applicant. If we receive more than one set of test scores, we will only review the test scores from the chronologically earliest test date, as Lakeside encourages students to take the SSAT once.
Lakeside very strongly encourages families to schedule their student to take the SSAT no later than December 2023 and connect directly with SSAT to ensure their student's test scores will arrive by the January 26 deadline.
Applicants to grade 10 and 11 may submit results from the SSAT, ACT, PSAT, or SAT test.
To find out which test level your student should take, please visit SSAT.
Lakeside's SSAT School Code: 4462
TOEFL
Due by January 26, 2024
International applicants must take the TOEFL iBT if the primary language of instruction at the student’s current academic institution is not English. Please designate Lakeside School as an official score report recipient on the TOEFL registration form. Lakeside School code is B621. More information about the TOEFL can be found at www.toefl.org.
While Lakeside School does not require a minimum total score, students must earn at least the following in each section:
- Reading: 24
- Listening: 22
- Speaking: 25
- Writing: 24
Applicants should be registered for the TOEFL iBT test no later than the end of December to ensure an on-time delivery of results. International applicants should not register for a January TOEFL test. Lakeside School will accept results from the TOEFL iBT Home Edition.
Upper School Interview/Middle School Admissions Activity
After the December 14 deadline, applicants who have submitted the required forms due by this date and meet minimum TOEFL scores (if applicable) will be contacted to schedule an interview (Upper School applicants) or admissions activity (Middle School applicants). All interviews and admissions activities are conducted virtually and via Zoom.