Admission Process

Before You Begin

Requirements by September 1

Preschool – 3 years old
Pre-Kindergarten – 4 years old
Kindergarten – 5 years old
Children must be potty-trained

Application Checklist Put this on your fridge!

Step 1: Inquire and Schedule an Open House Tour

1	Inquire and schedule a virtual Open House tour. This will create your Application Portal login credentials but is not a commitment to apply.

This step is essential to get you started, but it is not a commitment to apply to PBS.

Complete and submit an online inquiry through Ravenna™. This will create an account for you in our Application Portal (operated by Ravenna Solutions), through which you can schedule tours and playgroups, complete and submit all other application documents, and check the status of your application.

Once you’ve submitted your inquiry, schedule a Virtual Information Session. After you have attended a Virtual Information Session, we encourage you to sign-up for a Campus Tour. We like to start the application process with an information session and a tour so that you’ll be well acquainted with the school.

Step 2: Start the Application

2	Complete the application. There are forms for parents, teachers, and school administrators to complete.

A complete application will include

the Preliminary Application form and the $100 application fee (contact us if a fee waiver is needed)
the Parent/Guardian Statement
Teacher Recommendations
complete transcripts (as applicable)
report cards and standardized testing results (as applicable)
a financial aid application through the C larity (as applicable)

Step 3: Set up a Parent Interview

3	Set up a virtual parent interview. This exchange of information is a vital part of the application process.

This is an opportunity for the Admission team to learn more about your family and for you to learn more about PBS and get your questions answered.

We strongly recommend that you submit your preliminary application and parent/guardian statement and complete a campus tour before your scheduled visit.

To set up a visit, please contact Vanessa Ortega in the Admission Office at 650-854-4545 x137 or email us any time at admission@phillipsbrooks.org.

Step 4: Set up Applicant Visits

4	Set up applicant visits. Depending on the age of the applicant, a campus visit or playgroup may be required.

Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten Applicants

The Preliminary Application must be completed online prior to your sign-up for the following.

Sign up online for one of our playgroup sessions. The students will gather for a faculty-guided playgroup experience in the ELC or Kindergarten classroom. Playgroups are offered for sibling applicants in December (K and ELC) and for all other applicants in January and February.

1st- through 5th-grade Applicants

The Preliminary Application must be completed online prior to your sign-up for the following.

Schedule a student visit for your child by contacting Vanessa Ortega in the Admission Office at 650-854-4545 x137 or email at admission@phillipsbrooks.org . They will spend a half a day in mini-lessons with our PBS faculty.

Step 5: Learn About Financial Aid

5	Learn about financial aid. We offer need-based aid to families who qualify – up to 100% of tuition.

If you are applying for financial aid, complete the online financial aid application and submit it to Clarity by January 23, 2024.
Your completed tax forms for the 2022 tax year are due to Clarity by February 14, 2023.
You may contact the FAST customer service call center directly any time by calling 877-326-FAST (3278) if you have any questions about your application.
If you have questions about financial aid at PBS, check the Affording PBS page or contact Director of Finance Kim Normington at knormington@phillipsbrooks.org.

Dates and Deadlines 2023‑2024

November 28
Sibling Applications and Parent Statements Due

January 9
Applications Due

January 23
Supplemental Forms Due
Teacher Recommendations Due

January 25
Sibling Decisions Sent Out/Re-enrollment

January 23
Financial Aid Applications Due

February 15
Financial Aid Tax Documentation Due

March 14
Decisions Emails Sent

March 21
Enrollment Contracts Due