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
- Middle School Process
- Upper School Process
- International Process
- Late Application Process
Important Dates
September 1, 2024 - Application for the 2025-2026 school year is available in Ravenna.
October 2024 - Financial Aid application opens in SSS.
December 12, 2024 - International preliminary application deadline.
January 16, 2025 - Deadline to submit Preliminary Application form and all family-completed PSIS forms.
January 30, 2025 - 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 30. 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. Please note, tests taken on Feb. 1, 2025, at other testing centers, and on Feb. 2, 2025, at Lakeside, will still allow your Middle School application to be considered on time, as long as the scores are sent directly to Lakeside.
February 6, 2025 - Financial Aid deadline
February 21, 2025 - Upper School (grades 9-11) decisions released online in Ravenna at 4:00 p.m.
March 3, 2025 - Enrollment deadline for Upper School
March 21, 2025 - Middle School (grades 5-8) decisions released online in Ravenna at 4:00 p.m.
March 31, 2025 - Enrollment deadline for Middle School
Upcoming SSAT Dates at Lakeside School
Nov. 9, 2024 - For any student taking the Lower Level, Middle Level, or Upper Level SSAT.
Jan. 11, 2025 - For students applying to grades 9, 10, or 11 at Lakeside that have not yet taken the SSAT.
Feb. 2, 2025 - For students applying to grades 5, 6, 7, or 8 at Lakeside that have not yet taken the SSAT. Please note, tests taken on Feb. 1, 2025, at other testing centers, and on Feb. 2, 2025, at Lakeside, will still allow your Middle School application to be considered on time, as long as the scores are sent directly to Lakeside.
To learn more about taking the SSAT at Lakeside, please visit our SSAT at Lakeside webpage.
Middle School Process
The following application materials must be completed or received in Ravenna on or before January 16, 2025:
- 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 30, 2025:
- 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 16, 2025
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 16, 2025
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 16, 2025
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 16, 2025
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 30, 2025
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 2024-2025 academic year
- Entire year transcripts/report card from the 2023-2024 academic year.
Teacher Evaluations
Due on or before January 30, 2025
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 30, 2025
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 30, 2025
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
Test to be taken between September 2024 and February 2025
Lakeside only accepts scores from the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT). Students should submit one set of scores from an SSAT taken between September 2024 and February 2025. No scores from before September 2024 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.
To find out which test level your student should take, please visit SSAT.
Registration to take the SSAT at Lakeside is now open.
Lakeside's SSAT School Code: 4462
Middle School Admissions Activity
To be completed by January 30, 2025
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.
Registration for this event is found in Ravenna. We host in-person admissions activities at the Middle School campus most weeks between October 7, 2024 and January 30, 2025, when school is in session. We release registration for admissions activities on a rolling basis, with new sessions becoming available on Friday mornings at 9:00 a.m.
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. Please email admissions@lakesideschool.org with your desired event date.
12/20/24 Update: Our remaining in-person sessions are scheduled for January 9, 13, 16, 23, 27, and 30. While space for each session is limited and may fill quickly, we guarantee that every applicant who meets our January 16 deadline will have the opportunity to attend an Admissions Activity.
Registration for the January 9 and January 13 sessions is currently open and will remain available while Lakeside is closed for winter break. If no spaces are visible below, it means these sessions are full. However, availability may change if cancellations occur.
We will resume opening new dates on Friday, January 3, at 9:00 AM.
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 16, 2025:
- 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 30, 2025:
- 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 16, 2025
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 16, 2025
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 16, 2025
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 16, 2025
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 30, 2025
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 2024-2025 academic year
- Entire year transcripts/report card from the 2023-2024 academic year.
Teacher Evaluations
Due on or before January 30, 2025
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 30, 2025
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 30, 2025
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 30, 2025
Lakeside only accepts scores from the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT). Students should submit one set of scores from an SSAT taken between September 2024 and January 2025. No scores from before September 2024 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.
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.
Registration to take the SSAT at Lakeside is now open.
Lakeside's SSAT School Code: 4462
Upper School Interview
Due on or before January 30, 2025
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 12, 2024:
- 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 30, 2025:
- 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 12, 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.).
PSIS Student Short Answers
Due by December 12, 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.).
PSIS Student Interests and Activities
PSIS Parent/Guardian Statement
PSIS School Administrator Form
English Language Verification Form
School Records/Transcripts
Due by January 30, 2025
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 2024-2025 academic year
- Entire year transcripts/report card from the 2023-2024 academic year.
Teacher Evaluations
Due by December 12, 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 by December 12, 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 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 30, 2025
Lakeside only accepts scores from the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT). Students should submit one set of scores from an SSAT taken between September 2024 and January 2025. No scores from before September 2024 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 2024 and connect directly with SSAT to ensure their student's test scores will arrive by the January 30 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 30, 2025
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 12 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.
Supplementary Materials
Individual Meetings with the Admissions Team
Late Application Process
Lakeside offers a late application process for admission for families who apply after January 16. Families who apply during the late application process are only considered for a space in the alternate pool.
To be considered during the late application process, please submit the following PSIS family-controlled forms in Ravenna on or before April 24, 2025:
- 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 May 29, 2025:
The following can be received after the April 24 application deadline, but must be received in Ravenna by May 29, 2025.
- School Records/Transcripts
- Teacher Evaluations (2)
- Personal Reference Form
- PSIS School Administrator Form
- Test Scores
- Upper School Interview or Middle School Admissions Activity
Please reference the sections below for more information about each of our Late Application 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/Middle School Admissions Activity
- Supplementary Materials
- Individual Meetings with the Admissions Team
Preliminary Application Form
PSIS Student Essay
Due on or before April 24, 2025
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 April 24, 2025
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 April 24, 2025
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 April 24, 2025
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 May 29, 2025
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 2024-2025 academic year
- Entire year transcripts/report card from the 2023-2024 academic year.
Teacher Evaluations
Due on or before May 29, 2025
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 May 29, 2025
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 May 29, 2025
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 May 29, 2025
Lakeside only accepts scores from the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT). Students should submit one set of scores from an SSAT taken between September 1, 2024 and May, 29 2025. No scores from before September 1, 2024 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.
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/Middle School Admissions Activity
Due on or before May 29, 2025
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.
All Middle School applicants will register to participate in the Middle School admissions activity. 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.
The admissions and financial aid office will contact late applicants in the spring to schedule this application requirement if they have not already attended.