by Sil Sohn, admissions officer
April 2021
Thank you for your interest in Lakeside. We are currently fully enrolled for the 2021-2022 school year. At this time, late applications will be considered only for a place in the alternate pool in the event space becomes available. All application requirements apply. Find out more information about the late application process, and contact our office at admissions@lakesideschool.org with any questions.
Welcome!
you learn about Lakeside and assist you
throughout the application process.
Welcome to Lakeside! Our 5th-12th grade program offers students a dynamic experience designed to support their educational growth and social-emotional needs. Academic excellence is a foundational part of what we do here, and also just the beginning. Alongside a committed and talented faculty, our students grow as people, always refining and developing their own beliefs and values. We encourage exploration. We teach students how to apply a critical lens to the world around them. We affirm that Lakeside is a place where every student can bring their full self. And we know the strength in this community is found in the friendships that extend far beyond this campus.
We invite you to learn more.
Lakeside students have a demonstrated joy for learning and a record of academic success within the context of their own experience; a willingness to be open-minded and positively engaged in a diverse community; and the skills, potential, and desire to progress within our program.
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. We look forward to discovering the ways in which you will contribute to Lakeside.
Learn about applying
- Find your application type
- Application dates
- Middle School application steps
- Upper School application steps
- International Applicants
Find your application type
Ravenna Application Type | Description |
Middle School |
For students applying to grades 5-8, who are US citizens or permanent residents attending school in the United States or abroad. |
Upper School |
For students applying to grades 9-12, who are US citizens or permanent residents attending school in the United States or abroad. |
Rainier Scholars MS | For students currently in the Rainier Scholars program, applying to grades 6-8. (Rainier Scholars will work directly with families to complete the application.) |
Rainier Scholars US | For students current in the Rainier Scholars program, applying to grade 9. (Rainier Scholars will work directly with families to complete the application.) |
International (grades 5-12) |
For students who attend school internationally AND are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States. If you have any questions, please contact our office at international@lakesideschool.org. |
Application dates
September 1, 2020 - Application for the 2021-2022 school year is "live" in Ravenna.
January 14, 2021 - Application deadline
February 19, 2021 - Upper School (grades 9-12) decisions released online in Ravenna at noon.
March 19, 2021 - Middle School (grades 5-8) decisions released online in Ravenna at noon.
March 23, 2021 - Upper School new enrollment deadline
March 29, 2021 - Middle School new enrollment deadline
April 30, 2021 - Last day to submit preliminary application to start late application process
June 4, 2021 - Deadline to complete late application
Middle School application steps
- Preliminary application and fee
- Admissions Activity (Middle School only)
- Testing
- Student essay & short answer questions
- Student interests and activities
- Parent/Guardian statement
- School administrator form
- Teacher evaluations and Personal reference
- Records request
Preliminary application and fee
This form is used to gather general information about an applicant and their family. Upon completion of the online form, payment of the non-refundable application fee $25 is due. Lakeside will provide fee waivers to qualifying families (domestic only), which can be obtained by contacting Doug Moon, assistant director of admissions and financial aid, at financialaid@lakesideschool.org.
Admissions Activity (Middle School only)
The virtual, student-only, admissions visit is required for all Middle School applicants.
During the visit, applicants will complete a group activity and have the opportunity to ask questions about life at Lakeside Middle School. Examples of frequently asked questions are geared toward lunch, sports, clubs, friends, classes and homework.
The admissions visit lasts approximately 45 minutes. We encourage applicants to register early.
Registration details in Ravenna.
Testing
IMPORTANT UPDATE ON REQUIRED TESTING
Updated December 18, 2020
We recognize testing during COVID-19 has been less than ideal. To address the continuing hurdles with testing during these challenging times, we have worked with other Seattle schools and ERB/ISEE to create more options with dedicated testing dates specifically for our schools’ applicants. Due to faster turn-around time for test results from ISEE At Home, Seattle, Middle School applicants can take their ISEE test as late as February 6 for their application to be considered on-time.
- Please follow this link to view the available test dates for Seattle and schedule your date.
- It is essential to pay close attention to the ISEE’s “Critical Testing Instructions” on this website:
- Downloading and thoroughly reviewing the posted ISEE At Home Family Guide
- Downloading the ISEE Secure Browser and running a practice session before your student's test day.
While we very strongly prefer applicants to submit current year ISEE/SSAT scores, if this is not possible for your student, we will accept ISEE or SSAT scores from the 2019-2020 admissions season. Please consider this as a last resort. Additionally, we will not accept an old score in lieu of a current score that has already been submitted.
Updated November 9, 2020
For the 2020-2021 admission season Lakeside will accept either the SSAT or ISEE. Due to the limited testing at physical locations we encourage families to register for an at-home test.
Admissions testing is required and must occur between Sept. 2020 and Jan. 2021. Scores from summer or prior years will not be accepted. Lakeside encourages students to take their required standardized test only once. Additionally, we will only accept and consider one set of admission test scores per applicant.
SSAT offers at-home testing for grades 6-12. Note: SSAT has suspended at-home testing until December 5, 2020 in order to ensure a quality testing experience for students. In earlier administrations of the SSAT at Home, some students experienced technical issues that impacted the testing experience. SSAT is working to resolve those issues, but does not want to offer the SSAT at Home until the testing experience meets their standards. For more information or to register you can visit their website https://www.ssat.org/
ISEE offers at-home testing for grades 5-12. For more information or to register you can visit their website https://www.erblearn.org/parents/isee-overview
Jan. 31, 2021 is the last date for Middle School applicants to take the SSAT or ISEE and applications will be considered on-time.
The Character Skills Snapshot is no longer an application requirement and will not be reviewed if received.
Student essay & short answer questions
Student interests and activities
Parent/Guardian statement
School administrator form
Teacher evaluations and Personal reference
Teacher Evaluations
Two teacher evaluations are required. One evaluation must be from a humanities teacher (English, history/social studies) and one from a math or science teacher.
At least one evaluation must be from a current teacher. It is highly recommended to request the current teacher evaluation after Nov. 1, 2020 to ensure sufficient time in the classroom. An evaluation from a prior teacher (within one year) can be requested at any time.
For 5th or 6th grade applicants, it is understood that some teacher evaluations may not be subject specific.
Personal Reference
The required Personal Reference form will help us understand your student more holistically as Lakeside is committed to fostering personal and intellectual growth in our students. The form will be delegated to one person of your choice who knows your student in a group-oriented setting. Any teacher, school administrator, coach, or any adult (not a relative) who observed them in a classroom, team, or group-oriented setting is an appropriate choice.
Both forms are delegated within Ravenna. It is highly encouraged to delegate forms by December 15, 2020 to ensure the recipient has ample time to complete it.
Due January 29, 2021
Records request
We request that all records come directly from your student's school. Please use Ravenna to submit the records request to your school/s.
- First complete report card from the current 2020-21 academic year (first quarter or first semester grades).
- Entire year transcripts from previous 2019-20 academic year.
Please allow our office time to process incoming materials. Due to high volume, transcripts received in January may not be reflected as received for up to two weeks. Your student’s application will not be considered late due to this processing time.
Due mid-February, 2021
Upper School application steps
- Preliminary application and fee
- Interview (Upper School)
- Testing
- Student essay & short answer questions
- Student interests and activities
- Parent/Guardian statement
- School administrator form
- Teacher evaluations and Personal reference
- Records request
Preliminary application and fee
This form is used to gather general information about an applicant and their family. Upon completion of the online form, payment of the non-refundable application fee $25 is due. Lakeside will provide fee waivers to qualifying families (domestic only), which can be obtained by contacting Doug Moon, assistant director of admissions and financial aid, at financialaid@lakesideschool.org.
Interview (Upper School)
A student interview is required for all Upper School applicants to Lakeside School. We highly recommend scheduling it as soon as you know you will be applying to the Upper School. Applicants do not need to attend a campus tour or open house prior to the interview.
Upper School interviews will be held over Zoom and are a relaxed one-on-one conversation with a faculty or staff member. Our goal is to get to know the applicant beyond what is included in the application. Topics discussed are based on students’ interests, and have included: black holes; favorite books or school projects; babysitting; bird watching; playing video games; sports wins and losses; baking cupcakes; community service, and more. Applicants will have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have about Lakeside School. Lakeside’s Upper School Interviews typically last 20-30 minutes.
To schedule an interview, first submit the Preliminary Application and application fee in Ravenna.
Testing
IMPORTANT UPDATE ON REQUIRED TESTING
Updated December 18, 2020
We recognize testing during COVID-19 has been less than ideal. To address the continuing hurdles with testing during these challenging times, we have worked with other Seattle schools and ERB/ISEE to create more options with dedicated testing dates specifically for our schools’ applicants. Due to faster turn-around time for test results from ISEE At Home, Seattle, Upper School applicants can now take their ISEE test as late as January 27th for their application to be considered on-time.
- Please follow this link to view the available test dates for Seattle and schedule your date.
- It is essential to pay close attention to the ISEE’s “Critical Testing Instructions” on this website:
- Downloading and thoroughly reviewing the posted ISEE At Home Family Guide
- Downloading the ISEE Secure Browser and running a practice session before your student's test day.
While we very strongly prefer applicants to submit current year ISEE/SSAT scores, if this is not possible for your student, we will accept ISEE or SSAT scores from the 2019-2020 admissions season. Please consider this as a last resort. Additionally, we will not accept an old score in lieu of a current score that has already been submitted.
Updated November 9, 2020
For the 2020-2021 admission season Lakeside will accept either the SSAT or ISEE. Due to the limited testing at physical locations we encourage families to register for an at-home test.
Admissions testing is required and must occur between Sept. 2020 and Jan. 2021. Scores from summer or prior years will not be accepted. Lakeside encourages students to take their required standardized test only once. Additionally, we will only accept and consider one set of admission test scores per applicant.
SSAT offers at-home testing for grades 6-12. Note: SSAT has suspended at-home testing until December 5, 2020 in order to ensure a quality testing experience for students. In earlier administrations of the SSAT at Home, some students experienced technical issues that impacted the testing experience. SSAT is working to resolve those issues, but does not want to offer the SSAT at Home until the testing experience meets their standards. For more information or to register you can visit their website https://www.ssat.org/
ISEE offers at-home testing for grades 5-12. For more information or to register you can visit their website https://www.erblearn.org/parents/isee-overview
Applicants to grades 11-12 may submit results from the SSAT, ISEE, ACT, PSAT, or SAT test.
Jan. 14, 2021 is the last date for Upper School applicants to take an admissions test.
The Character Skills Snapshot is no longer an application requirement and will not be reviewed if received.
Student essay & short answer questions
Student interests and activities
Parent/Guardian statement
School administrator form
Teacher evaluations and Personal reference
Teacher Evaluations
Two teacher evaluations are required. One evaluation must be from a humanities teacher (English, history/social studies) and one from a math or science teacher.
At least one evaluation must be from a current teacher. It is highly recommended to request the current teacher evaluation after Nov. 1, 2020 to ensure sufficient time in the classroom. An evaluation from a prior teacher (within one year) can be requested at any time.
Personal Reference
The new (required) Personal Reference form will help us understand your student more holistically as Lakeside is committed to fostering personal and intellectual growth in our students. The form will be delegated to one person of your choice who knows your student in a group-oriented setting. Any teacher, school administrator, coach, or any adult (not a relative) who observed them in a classroom, team, or group-oriented setting is an appropriate choice.
Both forms are delegated within Ravenna. It is highly encouraged to delegate forms by December 15, 2020 to ensure the recipient has ample time to complete it.
Due January 31, 2021
Records request
We request that all records come directly from your student's school. Please use Ravenna to submit the records request to your school/s.
- First complete report card from the current 2020-20 academic year.
- Entire year transcripts from previous 2019-20 academic year.
Please allow our office time to process incoming materials. Due to high volume, transcripts received after the deadline may not be reflected as received for up to two weeks. Your student’s application will not be considered late due to this processing time.
Due January 31, 2021
International Applicants
Please visit and review the International Applicants page.