Dear Aim High 8th Graders and Families,
This year is a big year for you. This year you decide which high school you are
going to attend for the next 4-years. This is a big decision and Aim High wants to help
you feel more confident when you make your choice. As part of our dedication to you
and your success we have compiled some tools to help you during your exploration of
high school options. There are many options that you can consider when applying.
There are public, private independent, parochial and charter schools. If you are
interested in exploring options other than public school here are a few resources that
will help you to navigate the different high school options open to you.
Included in this packet:
• Admissions Calendar with important events and deadlines for applications and
test registration
• Admissions contact information
• Application requirements
• SSAT Test Calendar
• Application Check-Lists
• School Visit Reflection
• Tips for taking the SSAT
Additional helpful websites:
• Registration page for SF Independent High School Fair,
http://www.lwhs.org/Page/Admissions/SF-High-School-Fair-2014
Saturday, Septem ber 27 th at Lick W ilm erding High School
• SSAT Testing Site, http://www.ssat.org/
• SFUSD Enrollment Fair, http://www.sfusd.edu/en/enroll-in-sfusdschools/enrollment-fair.html
• ISEE Testing Site, http://www.erblearn.org/parents/admissions-testing
Don’t wait to get started submitting those inquiries today so you can start filling out
your applications as soon as possible. Congratulations on entering a very exciting time
in your life! Looking forward to hearing about all the great high schools students are
attending next fall.
See you all next summer at Aim High!
Maya Nieto
Alumni & Student Engagement Manager
Aim High Central Office
Date
Important Events, & Deadlines (2015-2016
Academic Year)
Saturday, September 27
1:00pm-3:30pm
•SF High School Fair 2014 @ Lick Wilmerding
High School, 755 Ocean Ave, San Francisco (You
must register for this event to attend. Visit
https://www.lwhs.org/page/Admissions/SF-HighSchool-Fair-2014 to register.)
Saturday, September 27
Last day to register for October SSAT Test Date
Saturday, October 18
•SSAT October Test Date
Thursday, October 23
6:00pm-7:30pm
Gateway High School Open House (#1)
Saturday, October 25
9:30am-2:30pm
•SFUSD Enrollment Fair @ John O’Connell High
School 2355 Folsom St (There will be a workshop
on the Lowell application process)
Saturday, October 25
•Last day to register for November SSAT Test Date
Saturday, October 25
1:00pm-2:00pm
Sunday, October 26
1:00-4:00pm
Sunday, October 26
•Marin Academy Open House (#1)
•Lick Wilmerding Open House (#1)
•Marin Catholic Open House
2:00pm-4:30pm
Saturday, November 2
Sunday, November 9
1:00pm-3:00pm
Friday, November 14
Saturday, November 15
Saturday, November 15
•Develop Interviewing Skills
•St. Ignatius Open House
•St. Ignatius Application Deadline
•SSAT November Test Date
•Lick Wilmerding Open House (#2)
1:00-4:00pm
Thursday, November 18
6:00pm-7:30pm
Saturday, November 22
Saturday, November 22
1:00pm-2:00pm
•Gateway High School Open House (#2)
•Last day to register for December SSAT test date
•Marin Academy Open House (#2)
Date
Monday, December 1
Friday, December 5
Friday, December 5
3pm
Saturday, December 6
Friday, December 12
Saturday, December 13
Saturday, December 20
Saturday, January 10
Saturday, January 10
January 10 & January 24
January 10 & 17
9:00am
Thursday, January 15
Friday, January 16
Important Events, & Deadlines (2015-2016
Academic Year)
•Soft Deadline to submit Marin Academy
Application
•Deadline to submit Marin Catholic Priority
Application
•Deadline to submit School of the Arts (SOTA)
application for Round One Auditions
•Urban Open House
•Deadline to submit Lowell application
•December SSAT Test Day
•Last day to register for January SSAT test date
•January SSAT TEST DAY
•SOTA Round One Auditions
•Lick Wilmerding Interview Days
•Marin Catholic High School Placement Test
•Application Deadline for MOST Independent
High Schools (SF and Marin)
•Deadline for SF Public High School Applications
(Including Charter Schools lottery applications)
Admissions Contact Information
Archbishop Riordan High School Covenant of the Sacred Heart
Derek Tate
Caitlan Kavanagh
415-586-8200 x233
415-345-5812
Head-Royce School
Catherine Epstein
510-531-1300 ext 2146
dtate@riordanhs.org
caitlin.kavangh@sacredsf.org
cepstein@headroyce.org
www.riordanhs.org
www.sacredsf.org
www.headroyce.org
Athenian School
Christopher Beeson
925-362-7225
admission@athenian.org
www.athenian.org
Cornerstone Academy
Lillian Tam
415-585-5183
Holy Names High School
Kendra Carr
510-450-1110 ext 116
lillian.tam@cornerstoneacademy.net
www.cornerstone-academy.net
www.hnhsoakland.org
Bay School of San Francisco
Kathryn Sullivan
415-684-8949
admission@bayschoolsf.org
www.bayschoolsf.org
Crystal Springs Upland School
Aaron Whitmore
650-342-4175 x1517
The Bentley School
Christie Checovich
925-283-2101 x3228
www.bentleyschool.net
De La Salle High School
Joe Grantham
925-288-8102
granthamj@dlshs.org
www.dlshs.org
International High School
Eric Cronin
Drew School
Marcia Levin
415-430-3774
Marcialevin@drewschool.org
www.drewschool.org
Jewish Community High School
Ida Gruber
415-345-9777 ext 104
Fei Tian Academy of the Arts CA
Michelle Huang
415-431-3161
KIPP SF College Prep
Joel Portillo
415-636-0751
The Branson School
Annie Tsang
415-454-3612
annie_tsang@branson.org
www.branson.org
Bridgemont High School
415-333-3888
admissions@bridgemont.org
www.bridgemont.org
City Arts & Technology
Daniel Allen
415-841-2200
dallen@es-cat.org
www.es-cat.org
admissions@crystal.csus.org
www.csus.org
kcarr@hnhsoakland.org
Immaculate Conception Academy
Gina Espinal-Aguerre
415-824-2052 x13
gespinal@icacademy.org
www.icacademy.org
erinc@internationalsf.org
admissions@internationalsf.org
www.internationalsf.org
igruber@jchsofthebay.org
www.jchsofthebay.org
michelle.huang@feitian-california.org joel.Portillo@kippsfcollegeprep.org
www.feitian-california.org
kippbayarea.org
Galileo Academy of Science and Tech
415-749-3430
www.galileoweb.org
KIPP King Collegiate
Ellie Herrera
510-317-2330
ellie.herrera@kippking.org
Castilleja School
Jill Lee
650-470-7733
admission@castilleja.org
www.castilleja.org
Gateway High School
Iris Smith
415-749-3600
College Preparatory School
Vanessa Ortega
510-652-4364
Vanessa@college-prep.org
www.college-prep.org
Harker School
Nancy Bassoni
408-249-2510
admissionus@harker.org
www.harker.org
enrollment@gatewayhigh.org
gatewaypublicschools.org
Leadership High School
Angela Guzman
415-841-8910
aguzman@leadershiphigh.org
www.leadershiphigh.org
Lick Wilmerding High School
Cristal Ogletree
415-333-4021 x316
cogletree@lwhs.org
www.lwhs.org
Admissions Contact Information
Lowell High School
415-415-241 x6066
lhs-sfusd-ca.schoolloop.com
Mid-Peninsula High School
Andrea Henderson
650-321-1991 ext. 147
admissions@mid-pen.com
SF Waldorf High School
Lisa Barry
415-213-6139
lbarry@sfwaldorf.org
www.sfwaldorfhighschool.org
Lisa Kampner Hebrew Academy www.mid-pen.com
Anna Chalet
415-752-7333
Ruth Asawa SF School of the Arts Santa Catalina School
www.hebrewacademy.com
415-695-5700
Jamie Buffington Browne
admissions@sfsota-ptsa.org
831-655-9356
Marin Academy
www.sfsota.org
admission@santacatalina.org
Connie Goldsmith
www.santacatalina.org
415-482-3270
Notre Dame High School
cgoldsmith@ma.org
Cathy Lewis
Stanford Univ. Online H.S.
www.ma.org
650-595-1913 ext. 320
Kimia Habibi
clewis@ndhsb.org
Marin Catholic High School
Janie Rockett
415-464-3800
www.marincatholic.org
The Marin School
Emily Burns
415-339-9336 ext 104
www.ndhsb.org
Orinda Academy
Laurel Evans
925-254-7553 x305
admission@orindaacademy.org
www.orindaacademy.org
ohsadmissions@stanford.edu
www.oh.stanford.edu
Stevenson School
Bernadette Sotak
831-625-8309
bsotak@stevensonschool.org
www.stevensonschool.org
Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep
sbukowski@themarinschool.org Timothy Burke
Sterne School
Angela Gengras
www.themarinschool.org
415-775-6626 ext. 729
Maybeck High School
Trevor Cralle
510-841-8489 ext. 203
trevor@maybeckhs.org
www.maybeckhs.org
www.shcp.edu
agengras@sterneschool.org
www.sterneschool.org
Saint Ignatius College Prep
John Grealish
415-731-7500 ext. 286
admissions@siprep.org
www.siprep.org
Stuart Hall High School
Shuja Khan
415-345-5812
khan@sacredsh.org
www.sacredsf.org
San Domenico Upper School
Dan Babior
415-258-1990 x1125
The Urban School
Bobby Ramos
415-593-9555
admissions@urbanschool.org
www.urbanschool.org
tburke@shcp.edu
Mercy High School, S.F.
Michelle Ferrari
415-584-5929
admissions@mercyhs.org
www.mercyhs.org
dbabior@sandomenico.org
Mercy High School, Burlingame admissions@sandomenico.org
Francesca Ohanessian
www.sandomenico.org
650-762-1114
San Francisco Flex Academy
fohanessian@mercyhsb.com
415-762-8800
www.mercyhsb.com
877-382-0242
Menlo School
Beth Bishop
650-330-2001 x2607
www.menloschool.org
Envision Academy
info@envisionacademy.org
envisionacademy.org
info@flexst.org
www.k12.com/sfflex/home
SF University High School
Aaron Mieszczanski
415-447-3100
aaron.mieszczanski@sfuhs.org
admission@sfuhs.org
www.sfuhs.org
Woodside Priory School
Al Zappelli
650-851-6101
azappelli@prioryCA.org
www.prioryCA.org
School
Visit
Parent
Visit
Interview
Open
House
Open House
Reservation
Diversit
y Info
Session
On-Site
Writing
Sample
Standardized
Test(s)
Archbishop
Riordan High
School
Optional
Optional
Required
Optional
N/A
N/A
Required
Required HPST
The Bay
School
Optional
N/A
Required
Optional
Required
N/A
Required
Required SSAT
The Bentley
School
Required
Required
Required
Optional
Required
N/A
N/A
Required ISEE
or ERB
The Branson
School
Required
Optional
Required
Optional
N/A
N/A
N/A
Required SSAT,
ISEE, or STAR
Convent of
the Sacred
Heart
Required
Optional
Required
Optional
Required
N/A
N/A
Required SSAT
or ISEE
Cornerstone
Academy
Optional
Optional
Required
Optional
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Crystal
Springs
Upland
School
Required
Optional
Required
Optional
Required
Optional
N/A
Required SSAT
or ISEE
Drew School
Optional
N/A
Required
Optional
Required
N/A
Required
Required SSAT,
HPST or ISEE
CAT
Optional
Optional
N/A
Optional
Optional
N/A
N/A
Required
Administered By
School
Hebrew
Academy
High School
Required
Required
Required
Optional
Optional
N/A
N/A
Required
Administered By
School
Gateway
Optional
N/A
N/A
Optional
N/A
N/A
N/A
Required Most
Tests Accepted
Immaculate
Conception
Academy
Optional
Optional
Required
Optional
Optional
N/A
N/A
Required HPST
International
High School
Optional
Optional
Required
Optional
Optional
N/A
Required
Required Most
Tests Accepted
Jewish
Community
HS of the Bay
Required
Required
Required
Optional
Recommened
N/A
Required
during Visit
Required SSAT
or ISEE
Leadership
High School
Optional
Optional
N/A
Required
Required
N/A
N/A
N/A
LickWilmerding
High School
Optional
Optional
Required
Optional
Required
N/A
Required
during Visit
Required SSAT
or ISEE
School
Name
School
Visit
Parent
Visit
Interview
Open
House
Open House
Reservation
Diversit
y Info
Session
On-Site
Writing
Sample
Standardized
Test(s)
Marin
Academy
Optional
Optional
Required
Optional
Required
N/A
N/A
Required Most
Tests Accepted
Lowell High
School
Optional
N/A
N/A
Optional
Optional
N/A
Marin
Catholic
Optional
Optional
Required
Optional
Optional
Optional
Optional
Required HPST
The Marin
School
Required
Optional
Required
Required
Required
N/A
Sometimes
Required
Required SSAT
Mercy High
School
Optional
Optional
Required
Optional
N/A
N/A
N/A
Required HPST
Sacred Heart
Cathedral
Prep
Optional
Optional
N/A
Optional
Optional
N/A
N/A
Required HPST
Saint Ignatius
College Prep
Optional
Optional
N/A
Optional
Optional
Optional
N/A
Required HPST
San
Domenico
School
Optional
Optional
Required
Optional
Optional
N/A
Required
Required SSAT,
HPST or ISEE
San Francisco
School of the
Arts
Optional
Optional
Required
Optional
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
San Francisco
University
High School
Optional
N/A
Required
Optional
Required
Optional
N/A
Required SSAT
San Francisco
Waldorf
School
Required
Optional
Required
Required
Required
N/A
Required
N/A
Santa
Catalina
School
Required
Optional
Required
Optional
Optional
N/A
Required
Required SSAT
or ISEE
Stevenson
School
Optional
Optional
Required
Optional
N/A
N/A
Required
Required SSAT
Stuart Hall
Required
Optional
Required
Optional
Required
N/A
N/A
Required SSAT
or HSPT
The Urban
School
Optional
Optional
Optional
Optional
Required
Optional
N/A
Required SSAT
Woodside
Priory School
Optional
Optional
Required
Optional
Optional
N/A
N/A
Required SSAT,
HPST or ISEE
School
Name
Required STAR
or CST
2014-15 Test Registration Calendar
Registration for all 2014-15 tests opens August 1, 2014.
Standard Test Date
Regular
Registration
Late Registration Begins Rush Registration Begins Last Day for
($40 additional Fee)
($80 additional Fee)
Test Registration
Begins 12:00 am EST on:
Begins 12:00 am EST on:
Ends 11:59 pm EST on:
Special Accommodations
Deadline*
Ends 11:59 pm EST on:
Saturday,
October 18, 2014
Friday, August 1, 2014 Saturday, September 27, 2014
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Saturday,
November 15, 2014
Friday, August 1, 2014 Saturday, October 25, 2014
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Saturday,
December 13, 2014
Friday, August 1, 2014 Saturday, November 22, 2014
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Wednesday, December 10, 2014 Saturday, November 29, 2014
Saturday,
January 10, 2015
Friday, August 1, 2014 Saturday, December 20, 2014
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Wednesday, January 07, 2015
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Saturday,
February 07, 2015
Friday, August 1, 2014 Saturday, January 17, 2015
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Saturday,
March 07, 2015
Friday, August 1, 2014 Saturday, February 14, 2015
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Saturday,
April 25, 2015
Friday, August 1, 2014 Saturday, April 4, 2015
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Saturday,
June 13, 2015
Friday, August 1, 2014 Saturday, May 23, 2015
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Saturday, May 30, 2015
*Special Accommodations must be approved prior to test registration. Date shown is deadline for completed registration, following special accommodations approval process.
See ssat.org/SA for instructions.
THERE'S MORE TO APPLYING THAN JUST SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION. MAKE SURE THESE THINGS HAPPEN:
SSAT
Register
Take Test
Submit
Request app Part 1
from school
Campus Visit
Open House
Interview
Schedule w/
Schedule w/
Make Visit
Attend
school
school
Letters of Recommendation
Math Teacher
English
Teacher
Principal
Schedule
Complete
w/ school
Submit Student Part 2
Personal
Statement
On-site
writing
sample
(if required)
HPST
(required by some
parochial schools)
Register w/
Take Test
school
If school has a specific
entrance test they administer
Register
w/school
Take Test
APPLICATION CHECK LIST
Letters of Recommendation
Complete Student Part 2
Submit
Part 2 to
school
Request app Submit
from school Part 1
Math
Teacher
English
Teacher
Principal
Personal
Statement
Short answer
Q's
Parent Financial
Parent/Guardian
Financial
Statement Form
Part II Forms
Aid Forms
("SSS")
Application
Fee Waiver
Form
Transcript
Release
Form
Resume
= Student's Responsibility (with assistance)
 = Parent/Guardian's Responsbility
School Reflection for:
Student Body
Teaching and Learning Environment
Classes Offered
Activities/Extra-Curriculars
Campus and Facilities
Wondering, Curious, or Concerned About
Final Comments
Grade This School
A
B
C
D
F
Will I apply:
 Yes
 Probably
 Probably Not
 No
Tips
10 Tips for Doing Your Best on the SSAT
1. Practice, practice, practice - early!
The SSAT just like other standardized tests: if you practice, you will feel more confident that you'll do well. Purchase
the Official Guide to the SSAT a couple of months before you plan to take the test, if possible. Buy one through your
SSAT account.
2. Read – a lot!
The best way to build your vocabulary and to get a better sense for the meanings of unfamiliar words is to see them in
the context of other words.
3. If you know you are weak in a particular subject, get help before you take the test.
If you know that math is your weakest subject, make sure you address it as soon as you can. Begin early and practice
every day if possible until your skills improve.
4. Be prepared.
The night before the test, gather everything you need: your admission ticket, pencils, a snack, etc. This will allow you
time in the morning to eat a healthy breakfast and review, if necessary.
5. Get a good night's rest.
We can't stress enough the importance of trying to relax and get plenty of sleep the night before your exam.
6. Arrive at the test center early on test day.
Make sure you read our rules on what to bring to the test center on test day. Find out exactly when to leave your house
to arrive at the facility at least 30 minutes ahead of start time.
7. Relax!
Your attitude and outlook will be reflected in the outcome of the test. Stay confident and calm throughout your exam.
If you start to feel nervous or anxious, take a few deep breaths to collect yourself.
8. Set a pace.
Don't spend too much time on one question, and don't speed through carelessly. If you get stuck on a question, skip it
and return to it later if you have time (be sure to leave the bubble unmarked on your answer sheet for this question!)
Read each question carefully and answer accurately.
9. Don't even consider cheating.
Think that you can beat the system? Don't try it. Your future is at stake. One test score isn't worth a blot on your file.
10. Don't worry about your score.
Remember that SSAT scores are only one part of the picture the admissions staff sees.
Test Prep – Test-Taking Strategies – Guessing Strategy
Should you guess on the Middle or Upper Level SSAT?
The answer is: It depends. You must first understand how the test is scored.
When your test is scored, you will receive one point for each correct answer. You will lose one quarter of a point for
each incorrect answer. You will not receive or lose points for questions that are not answered. If you guess, try guessing
only when you can eliminate one or more answer choices as wrong.
A few things to keep in mind:
Keep moving.
Do not waste lots of time on a question that is hard for you. If you cannot answer it, flag or make a note of it in your test
book and go on. Go back to it later if there is time.
Earn as many points as you can on easy questions.
You receive one point for each correct answer, no matter how hard or easy the questions are. Do not throw away points
on questions you know how to answer through careless errors.
Check your answer sheet.
Mark your answers in the correct row on the answer sheet. Be especially careful if you skip questions.
Should you guess on the Elementary Level SSAT?
Encourage your child to try to answer every question, making his/her best guesses about the questions of which he/she
is unsure. There are no penalties for wrong answers on the Elementary Level SSAT.
Tips for taking the SSAT…
Before you take the test:
•
•
•
•
•
Make sure to get a good sleep the night before.
Eat breakfast! Don’t eat anything really heavy that will make you sleepy, but eat
something that will give you energy.
Bring #2 pencils and a good eraser.
Get there early to make sure you can start on time.
Bring your Registration Ticket with you!
During the test:
•
•
•
•
•
Remember: You are prepared for this test! You already know how it works. Now all you
have to do is relax, focus, and use the strategies you’ve already practiced.
If you are not sure of the answer, try to eliminate at least two answer choices before you
guess. If you can’t eliminate any, skip the question and go on to the next one. If you skip
the question, it won’t affect your score, but wrong answers give you negative points. (1/4 each)
Mark your current grade level, not the grade you will enter next year, on your answer
sheet.
No books, papers, calculators, beepers, phones, or alarm watches are permitted in the
test room. No visitors are allowed in the test room.
All test materials will be collected at the end of the test and may not be taken from the
room. You may write on your test booklet though, so take notes, underline, circle things,
and draw diagrams as much as you like!
After the test:
•
•
•
•
Congratulations! You’re done! You’re awesome! You’re hecka smart! But you always
knew that, and it has nothing to do with the SSAT…
Your score will be sent to the schools you are applying for about two weeks after you
take the test. You will get your score a few days after that.
Your score report will show your scaled score (1 point for each right answer, -1/4 for
each wrong answer, and 0 points for answers you skipped) and your percentile. The
percentile tells you how your score compared to other students in your grade who have
taken the SSAT in the last 3 years. For example, if your Verbal percentile is 65%, that
means your Verbal section score was higher than 65% of scores from other people in
your grade level.
You don’t get points for the writing sample. Copies of your writing will go to the schools
along with your score report.
Tips for taking the SSAT…
Verbal section:
•
•
•
If you have heard the word before, be careful: some words might have more than one
meaning. Try to think of all the possible meanings, and choose the one you think is the
best.
If you haven’t heard the word before, see if you can dissect it into different pieces. If you
know the root, suffix, or prefix, you might be able to guess the answer. If not, no worries!
Skip it and move on to the next one.
Verbal analogies are all about relationships. Think of a “test sentence“ that describes the
relationship between the first pair of words. Then try plugging in the other words until you
find a pair that works in your test sentence. (for example, test sentence: Turtles are not
speedy. “Elephants are not enormous” doesn’t work, so it can’t be the answer.)
Quantitative sections:
Remember, in multiple-choice math, the answer is always in front of you! (This means you
don’t always have to do all the calculations.)
• Use estimates to eliminate answers and make your calculations easier. Sometimes it helps
to draw simple diagrams or pictures if there isn’t one provided.
• Read word problems carefully, and pay close attention to units! (like inches, feet, meters,
dollars…)
• If the question is asking about a math topic you just don’t know, don’t worry too much. Just
skip it and move on to the next one.
•
Reading comprehension section:
Read the questions first.
Skim the passage to get the main idea. Scan the passage to look for details. Underline key
words and sentences.
• Answer vocabulary questions by substituting the answer choices into the original sentence
in the passage.
•
•
Writing sample:
The main thing is to answer the question!
Take a few minutes before you start writing to organize your thoughts.
Use examples from your own life to support your argument.
• Read over your writing to make sure it makes sense. Check: Did you answer the question?
•
•
•