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Admission

Boarding Student Application Process

Applying to Athenian

We encourage you to explore our website to learn more about The Athenian School. Discover Athenian's approach to serious academics through our engaging and experiential teaching as well as some of our unique programs, including March Term and the Athenian Wilderness Experience (AWE).

Our admission process is designed to give us the opportunity to learn about you while you discover Athenian. We look beyond just the typical qualifications. Strong academic performance is important, and we seek students who embrace Athenian's philosophy and approach to education. The Admission Committee also looks for students who will add to the mix of experiences, talents, backgrounds, and perspectives that create a vibrant learning community.
The Admission Team is here to help you in the application process. Contact us here at any time.




International Boarding Application Steps:

  1. Create an account in Ravenna by clicking here.
  2. Once in Ravenna, find Athenian in the School Directory and hit "apply." 
  3. Familiarize yourself with all application steps, required and optional, listed in Ravenna.
  4. Complete the Upper School Application Form in Ravenna and submit the $150 application fee. This form is the "preliminary application."(Please contact Athenian Admission for a fee waiver if the cost is a hardship for your family.)
  5. Register for fall and winter events in Ravenna.
  6. The full application is due in January (see steps outlined to the right). 

For International Students:

Applicants who have not attended school in the U.S. for at least the past three years, should complete the International Student Application. This applies to both day and boarding student applicants. Please contact the Admission Office with questions regarding status as a domestic or international applicant.

International students achieve fluency in English, and gain a strong overall academic foundation. Students who need English support in grades 9 or 10 benefit from Athenian's rigorous ESL curriculum.

Important information about the application process:
  • SAO Application: Please note if using the SAO application, Athenian requires the supplemental forms included in the SAO and we strongly encourage applicants using the SAO application to create a complete student profile in Ravenna (www.ravenna-hub.com) in order to review their application progress, register for additional required steps and view admission decisions.
  • Middle and Upper School Applicants: 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 family member near Athenian.
  • International Student Interviews (required): This step happens after the application forms are completed. 

Additional Required Steps:

List of 8 items.

  • Visit Campus

    A Campus Visit is part of the application process and should be completed prior to the virtual interview. To register for a Campus Visit and other admission events, sign up or log in to Ravenna.

    *Contact the Admission Office if you are unable to come to campus or if you live out of state or out of the country to schedule a virtual campus visit.

  • Teacher Recommendation Forms

    Each student must have two current (2) teachers complete these forms. 
    • One recommendation must be from a Math teacher, and one from an English teacher. 
    • Be sure to include each teacher's email address so that the forms can be sent to them.
    Please log in to Ravenna to enter the names of the teachers and their email addresses.

  • Transcript Request

    This form must be completed and submitted to the student's current school to authorize the release of documents.

    The Athenian School requires a transcript of grades or report card for the current 2024-2025 school year and a final transcript of grades or report card for the 2023-2024 and 2022-2023 school year. Schools can submit transcripts electronically or in hard copy.

    IMPORTANT: In order to avoid duplicating your school registrar’s efforts, registrars are instructed that records not be sent until first trimester or second quarter or first semester grades are completed. If your school term ends after the application deadline, they will send 2024-2025 grades as soon as possible after the second quarter or semester has ended.

    INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ONLY: Transcripts must be officially translated into English.

  • Student & Family Zoom Interview

    This provides an opportunity to learn more about the student’s interests, educational experiences, and what about The Athenian School appeals to them. It also provides the student an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about Athenian's programs. Interviews will be held online and should be scheduled for after the student visit. 

    To schedule an interview use the Register for an event link  in Ravenna. Please register for only one (1) interview. A confirmation will be sent by help@ravennasolutions.com to the email address used to create the account in Ravenna and include the Zoom link.

    Please note: This event is for the student and parent/guardian(s). Please select a quiet location away from any distractions or interruptions to complete the interview.

  • Student Supplement

    The Student Activity and Interest Form are common forms which provide another opportunity for the Admission Committee to learn more about the student’s interests and activities. Please complete this information in Ravenna.

    Note: If you are applying to other independent schools, the responses to these forms will also be sent to those schools utilizing this option.

  • Principal/Counselor Recommendation (optional)

    If the principal or counselor does not receive an email containing the secure link to the recommendation form, please contact the Admission Office at admission@athenian.org or 925-362-7223. We will assist in providing the recommendation form to the principal or counselor.

  • Admission Assessment

    Please submit standardized testing scores to the admission office. The following are accepted:
    Athenian Code for ISEE: 050724
    Athenian Code for SSAT: 1414

    Note: We will accept tests taken no earlier than Spring 2024 to ensure we have the most current information on our applicants. If you do not have current test results from one of the above, we recommend registering for one soon.

    If you have any questions or require further clarification, please contact our Admissions Office at 925-362-7223 or admission@athenian.org.

  • International Students ONLY

    1. International student applicants are required to submit either:
    • Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) 
      • Athenian Code: 1414
    • Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) 
      • Athenian Code: 050724
    Please complete testing no later than January 24, 2025 and send  test scores directly to Athenian.

    2. International student applicants are also required to submit results of a test of English (TOEFL,
    TOEFL Jr, TOEFL@Home, Duolingo or IELTS). Contact the Admission Office if a test of English is not available.

    Athenian School Code for TOEFL: 9155

    SAO Application:
    Please note if using the SAO application, Athenian requires the supplemental forms included in the SAO.



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