Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the most common questions Lakeside receives during the admissions process broken up into four categories.
Middle School
- How many spaces are available for new students?
- What is the most important part of the application for admission?
- How do you make admissions decisions?
- What is Lakeside's acceptance rate?
- Can I schedule a meeting with the Admissions Team?
- Which test should my student take?
- What score do students need to receive on the SSAT to be admitted?
- What is Lakeside's SSAT School Code?
- When should I start my application?
- Do you accept additional teacher evaluations or letters of recommendation?
- Can I submit additional or supplementary materials for my application?
- Our current year grade report comes out after the application deadline. What do we do?
- What is the Admissions Activity?
- Is there a sibling/legacy admissions process?
- How many students are in each grade?
- What types of schools do students come from?
- Are there shadow days available for prospective students?
- What is the average class size?
- Who is successful at Lakeside School?
- How can I learn more about financial aid?
- How's the food?
- How do students get to campus?
- Are admissions events truly optional?
- Can Middle School students take Upper School courses?
- Does Lakeside offer an IB or AP program?
How many spaces are available for new students?
What is the most important part of the application for admission?
All parts of the application carry equal weight in the review process; no one required part of the application is more important than another. Lakeside's approach to evaluating applications is holistic. This means we look closely at all submitted materials to gain a comprehensive understanding of each student.
How do you make admissions decisions?
The admissions committee first builds a profile of the grade to identify how we might need to balance the class across gender identity, sending school type, race/ethnicity, zip code, students’ co-curricular interests, and personality. The admissions committee then reviews the applicant pool to identify which students demonstrate the ability to be academically successful in Lakeside’s program and meet the needs of the class. Director of Admission and Financial Aid Wellesley Wilson reviews this process in detail in the Admissions at Lakeside webinar.
What is Lakeside's acceptance rate?
We do not share our acceptance rate. Knowing any school's acceptance rate adds to anxiety for students and families in an admission process, and it does not give any information about who Lakeside admits. Lakeside's admission and financial aid team responds to the needs of the school (see: the response to how we make admissions decisions), and this means we look for different things each year based on what we need to balance the grade. We encourage you to register for an Admissions at Lakeside webinar with Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Wellesley Wilson to hear more about how Lakeside makes admissions decisions each year.
Can I schedule a meeting with the Admissions Team?
Which test should my student take?
What score do students need to receive on the SSAT to be admitted?
Lakeside has no minimum score for admission and we enroll students who score across a wide spectrum. A perfect score on the SSAT does not guarantee admission. Admissions testing is one part of the application process and is not more important than any other piece. As educators, we know what a standardized test can and cannot tell us about an applicant, therefore we consider all aspects of the application through our review process.
We recommend testing only once.
What is Lakeside's SSAT School Code?
When should I start my application?
Do you accept additional teacher evaluations or letters of recommendation?
Can I submit additional or supplementary materials for my application?
Our current year grade report comes out after the application deadline. What do we do?
We are aware that many schools do not release current year report cards until near or after our application deadline. Your application will not be penalized or considered late due to this delay. Please ensure that you have delegated the Digital Request form to the registrar your student's school through your application in Ravenna before January 30, 2025. Once we receive the records from the school, we will mark the application step completed.
What is the Admissions Activity?
All Middle School applicants will register to participate in the Middle School admissions activity once the preliminary application form is submitted in Ravenna. 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; please email admissions@lakesideschool.org with your desired event date.
Is there a sibling/legacy admissions process?
How many students are in each grade?
What types of schools do students come from?
Are there shadow days available for prospective students?
What is the average class size?
Who is successful at Lakeside School?
How can I learn more about financial aid?
Lakeside has a generous and extensive need-based financial-aid program that supports qualifying families with incomes from $10,000 to over $250,000. Financial assistance for recipients extends beyond tuition and covers additional school-related costs including, but not limited to, food, books, bus, laptop, and field trips. For additional information, including average awards by income, click here and select the Policies and Income Commitments tab. We encourage families to attend the virtual Financial Aid at Lakeside webinar.
How's the food?
It's delicious! Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, Lakeside has partnered with SAGE Dining Services. SAGE is the leading food service provider for independent schools and private colleges throughout North America. Financial aid, at a student's tuition aid percentage, automatically applies to lunch. The annual lunch fee is $1,600. When school is on campus, faculty, staff, and students all eat on campus in either the Middle or Upper School cafeteria. Vegetarian alternatives are always available, and food is labeled to help students manage food allergies. Learn more here!
How do students get to campus?
Students walk, bike, drive, carpool, or take the bus! To learn more about our transportation options, please visit our dedicated transportation page.
Are admissions events truly optional?
Yes, attendance at all admissions event is optional. Although there are many ways for prospective students and families to get to know Lakeside, families do not have to participate in every event. We very strongly encourage families to attend only the events that give them the information they need to help them in their search process. We do not consider event attendance in the admissions process.
Can Middle School students take Upper School courses?
For the vast majority of Middle School students, the Middle School program is appropriately academically challenging and offers the necessary opportunities for students to develop socially and emotionally with their peers. Only in the rarest of cases, and with approval from both the Middle and the Upper School teams, are Middle School students able to take classes at the Upper School.
Does Lakeside offer an IB or AP program?
No, Lakeside does not offer an Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Lakeside’s curriculum is carefully designed with the knowledge of the skills, competencies, and mindsets our students will need to thrive in the world beyond our campus. All Lakeside faculty apply best practices in teaching to engage students in the work and support their learning. Although Lakeside does not teach to any particular test, students are well prepared to take AP exams.
Upper School
- How many spaces are available for new students?
- What is the most important part of the application for admission?
- How do you make admissions decisions?
- What is Lakeside's acceptance rate?
- Can I schedule a meeting with the Admissions Team?
- Which test should my student take?
- What is Lakeside's SSAT School Code?
- What score do students need to receive on the entrance exam to be admitted?
- When should I start my application?
- Do you accept additional teacher evaluations or letters of recommendation?
- Can I submit additional or supplementary materials for my application?
- Our current year grade report comes out after the application deadline. What do we do?
- What can students expect in the interview?
- Is there a difference between the in-person interview and the virtual interview?
- Is there a sibling/legacy admissions process?
- How many students are in each grade?
- What types of schools do students come from?
- Are there shadow days available for prospective students?
- What is the average class size?
- Who is successful at Lakeside School?
- How can I learn more about financial aid?
- How's the food?
- How can I learn more about college counseling?
- How do students get to campus?
- Are admissions events truly optional?
- Does Lakeside offer an IB or AP Program?
How many spaces are available for new students?
What is the most important part of the application for admission?
All parts of the application carry equal weight in the review process; no one required part of the application is more important than another. Lakeside's approach to evaluating applications is holistic. This means we look closely at all submitted materials to gain a comprehensive understanding of each student.
How do you make admissions decisions?
The admissions committee first builds a profile of the grade to identify how we might need to balance the class across gender identity, sending school type, race/ethnicity, zip code, students’ co-curricular interests, and personality. The admissions committee then reviews the applicant pool to identify which students demonstrate the ability to be academically successful in Lakeside’s program and meet the needs of the class. Director of Admission and Financial Aid Wellesley Wilson reviews this process in detail in the Admissions at Lakeside webinar.
What is Lakeside's acceptance rate?
We do not share our acceptance rate. Knowing any school's acceptance rate adds to anxiety for students and families in an admission process, and it does not give any information about who Lakeside admits. Lakeside's admission and financial aid team responds to the needs of the school (see: the response to how we make admissions decisions), and this means we look for different things each year based on what we need to balance the grade. We encourage you to register for an Admissions at Lakeside webinar with Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Wellesley Wilson to hear more about how Lakeside makes admissions decisions each year.
Can I schedule a meeting with the Admissions Team?
Which test should my student take?
What is Lakeside's SSAT School Code?
What score do students need to receive on the entrance exam to be admitted?
Lakeside has no minimum score for admission and we enroll students who score across a wide spectrum. A perfect score on a test does not guarantee admission. Admissions testing is one part of the application process and is not more important than any other piece. As educators, we know what a standardized test can and cannot tell us about an applicant, therefore we consider all aspects of the application through our review process.
We recommend testing only once.
When should I start my application?
Do you accept additional teacher evaluations or letters of recommendation?
Can I submit additional or supplementary materials for my application?
Our current year grade report comes out after the application deadline. What do we do?
We are aware that many schools do not release current year report cards until near or after our application deadline. Your application will not be penalized or considered late due to this delay. Please ensure that you have delegated the Digital Request form to the registrar your student's school through your application in Ravenna before January 30, 2025. Once we receive the records from the school, we will mark the application step completed.
What can students expect in the interview?
The interview is a required part of the application for students applying to the Upper School (grades 9 through 11). Students meet one-on-one with a faculty member or member of the admissions team to discuss their school experience, interests, aspirations, and opportunities for growth. Students will also have time to ask questions about Lakeside. Authenticity is essential, and we encourage students to be themselves during the conversation. The interview is for students only and is being offered in-person or virtually.
Is there a difference between the in-person interview and the virtual interview?
Is there a sibling/legacy admissions process?
How many students are in each grade?
What types of schools do students come from?
Are there shadow days available for prospective students?
What is the average class size?
Who is successful at Lakeside School?
How can I learn more about financial aid?
Lakeside has a generous and extensive need-based financial-aid program that supports qualifying families with incomes from $10,000 to over $250,000. Financial assistance for recipients extends beyond tuition and covers additional school-related costs including, but not limited to, food, books, bus, laptop, and field trips. For additional information, including average awards by income, click here and select the Policies and Income Commitments tab. We encourage families to attend the virtual Financial Aid at Lakeside webinar.
How's the food?
It's delicious! Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, Lakeside has partnered with SAGE Dining Services. SAGE is the leading food service provider for independent schools and private colleges throughout North America. Financial aid, at a student's tuition aid percentage, automatically applies to lunch. The annual lunch fee is $1,600. When school is on campus, faculty, staff, and students all eat on campus in either the Middle or Upper School cafeteria. Vegetarian alternatives are always available, and food is labeled to help students manage food allergies. Learn more here!
How can I learn more about college counseling?
Lakeside has an extensive and personalized college counseling process that begins, in earnest, spring of a student's junior year. Our goal is for students to enroll at a school where they will thrive. Visit our college counseling page to learn more. Click here to view our college profile which includes our graduation requirements and five-year college matriculation details.
How do students get to campus?
Students walk, bike, drive, carpool, or take the bus! To learn more about our transportation options, please visit our dedicated transportation page.
Are admissions events truly optional?
Yes, attendance at all admissions event is optional. Although there are many ways for prospective students and families to get to know Lakeside, families do not have to participate in every event. We very strongly encourage families to attend only the events that give them the information they need to help them in their search process. We do not consider event attendance in the admissions process.
Does Lakeside offer an IB or AP Program?
No, Lakeside does not offer an Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Lakeside’s curriculum is carefully designed with the knowledge of the skills, competencies, and mindsets our students will need to thrive in the world beyond our campus. All Lakeside faculty apply best practices in teaching to engage students in the work and support their learning. Although Lakeside does not teach to any particular test, students are well prepared to take AP exams.
International
- How many international students attend Lakeside?
- How can I visit campus?
- Can I schedule a meeting with the Admissions Team?
- Does Lakeside provide boarding arrangements or can students live with a host family?
- Does Lakeside offer any specific courses or programs to support international students?
- How do I schedule an interview?
- What tests are required for international applicants?
- What are the minimum TOEFL scores that Lakeside will accept?
- Will Lakeside work with a placement company or educational consultant that works with international families?
- Is Lakeside registered with SEVIS to issue a Form I-20?
- Does Lakeside accept students for one semester or one year?
- Can an international student receive financial aid?
- Are there fees in addition to tuition for an international student?
How many international students attend Lakeside?
How can I visit campus?
Students seeking entry to Lakeside for the 2025-2026 school year can attend an in-person campus tour or open house. Please visit the Admissions Event page for more information on tours, open houses, and other admissions events. Unless otherwise noted, registration can be found in Ravenna.
We are unable to accommodate tour requests from families looking beyond the current admission season or tours outside of these months.
Can I schedule a meeting with the Admissions Team?
Does Lakeside provide boarding arrangements or can students live with a host family?
Does Lakeside offer any specific courses or programs to support international students?
How do I schedule an interview?
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.
What tests are required for international applicants?
The SSAT and TOEFL are required. Find more information on these tests at www.ssat.org and www.toefl.org.
What are the minimum TOEFL scores that Lakeside will accept?
International applicants, to all grade levels, must take the TOEFL iBT if the primary language of instruction at the applicant’s current academic institution is not English. We do not accept the TOEFL Jr. Lakeside looks closely at the score for each section rather than the total. The internet-based TOEFL exam (iBT) has four subsections, with a grading scale for each section from 1 to 30 (30 being the best possible score).
The minimum for each section are as follows:
- Reading: 24
- Listening: 22
- Speaking: 25
- Writing: 24
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.
Will Lakeside work with a placement company or educational consultant that works with international families?
Is Lakeside registered with SEVIS to issue a Form I-20?
Yes, Lakeside is registered with SEVIS. If needed, an I-20 form is provided to obtain an F1 visa only if the student enrolls at Lakeside and not prior. Please find more information at www.ice.gov/sevis.
Does Lakeside accept students for one semester or one year?
No. The Lakeside academic program is full year and students are unable to enroll for one semester. It is the expectation that a student would remain enrolled through grade 12 and graduate from Lakeside unless the family were to move out of the area or the school was not a suitable match. All applicants must intend to graduate from Lakeside.
Can an international student receive financial aid?
Are there fees in addition to tuition for an international student?
Tuition & Financial Aid
- When can I apply for Financial Aid?
- What does financial aid cover?
- Does Lakeside offer academic or athletic scholarships?
- Is there an income threshold for financial aid?
- How are families with multiple households considered?
- Are there loans?
- Does applying for FA negatively affect the admissions application?
- When do we learn whether or not we qualify?
- What documents are required to apply for Financial Aid?
When can I apply for Financial Aid?
What does financial aid cover?
Does Lakeside offer academic or athletic scholarships?
Is there an income threshold for financial aid?
Please refer to our Policies and Income Commitments located in the Tuition & Financial Aid section of the website.