Admissions FAQs

Thank you for your interest in applying to SCDS! You may begin the application process during the early fall one year prior to the anticipated enrollment of your child. For the 2025–26 school year, the process begins in fall 2024. For specific application requirements and forms, see our admissions process.

Kindergarten, 1st, and 6th grade are our most popular entry points. SCDS begins in kindergarten; we receive the bulk of our applications at this grade level. The next most popular entry point is 1st grade where we add another section and enroll 16–18 new students. We do accept applications to all other grades, and enrollment will be offered as spaces become available to qualified applicants. Wait pools are established after the application process is complete; this list is referred to whenever an opening occurs. Wait pool lists do not roll over from year to year.

We admit approximately 60 new students in kindergarten through 8th grade each year.

The goal of our admission process is to find the best fit between the school and the students we enroll. We work hard to ensure that the students we enroll will be successful in our program. All aspects of the student’s admission file and visit are taken into consideration. We review the student’s Wechsler test results, the parent questionnaire, teacher evaluations, transcripts, information from the student visit, and any in-house assessment or other testing. The admissions committee is made up of our division heads and faculty from across the grades, as well as our admissions department.

Applying students should take the Wechsler Intelligence Scale (WPPSI-IV or WISC-V) appropriate for their age. Qualified applicants typically score in the top 3% on the full-scale score or GAI. Tests are reviewed for areas of strength, areas of growth, or significant gaps. This information, along with the narrative provided by the psychologist, are all taken into consideration. We deem testing valid for two years. Students applying to third grade and above should take the WISC-V.

Students must wait 6–12 months before being re-administered the same cognitive test.

Students should not be “prepped” for the IQ test, as it is a test of cognitive ability, rather than an achievement test. If a student has been exposed to test materials, psychologists are bound to report this prior exposure in their full report. Seattle Country Day School may be unable to accept the results as valid. Students must wait 6–12 months before being re-administered the same cognitive test. Test results are valid for two years.

Students applying to kindergarten must be five years old (5) before August 1 of their kindergarten year. Please contact Assistant Director of Admissions Matthew Ropp if you have any questions about this policy.

Sibling kindergarten applicants are offered an early admissions process, which allows families to apply early to SCDS and receive notification of admission in December. While SCDS is often a strong match, admission is not guaranteed. The goal of our admissions process is to ensure that each child has a successful experience at Seattle Country Day School.

SCDS will consider out-of-state or international students for enrollment. A parent and student visit is still required as part of the application process. SCDS cannot provide the I-20 student visa for students who are not U.S. citizens. As such, international students must be covered under their parent or guardian's work visa. SCDS requires that students live with a parent or guardian during the academic year.

The SCDS Open House provides parents the opportunity to speak with teachers, current parents, and students in a relaxed atmosphere. Visitors follow student-guided or self-guided tours, attend master teacher presentations about our inquiry-based learning approach, and meet the head of school.

Reservations to attend an Open House are encouraged. You can sign up to attend the Open House via Ravenna.

The purpose of the Student Visit Day is for us to get to know your child in a school setting and for your child to see the school and meet our teachers. Each student visit includes a meet-and-greet, tour of the school, and observation of school activities. The admissions office schedules student visits for your child after receiving a completed application from qualified applicants.

As with any independent school, parent participation is essential to the success of SCDS. There are several positions available through the Parent Council, which oversees various committees, classroom representatives, and the annual community gathering. Parents can also help financially support the school by participating in the Annual Fund. Although parents do not volunteer directly in the classroom, there are many opportunities to support students and teachers through participation on field trips, special projects, expert days, and more.

Our students go on to attend independent, public, and parochial schools throughout the greater Seattle area. They also attend the University of Washington Early Entrance Program and some boarding schools. Seattle Country Day School graduates have a reputation within the secondary school community for being strongly prepared for and enthusiastic about the academic rigors of high school.

The Class of 2024 is attending the following high schools.

Bishop Blanchet
The Bush School
The Downtown School
Eastside Catholic School
Eastside Preparatory Academy
Holy Names Academy
Lakeside School
The Northwest School
The Overlake School
Phillips Academy (Andover)
Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences (SAAS)
Seattle Preparatory Academy
Seattle Public Schools
University Prep

SCDS families live throughout the Seattle metropolitan area and travel from over 40 different ZIP codes. Most families prefer to carpool, and some report they only have to drive a couple of times a week. SCDS also offers bus service (as long as there is sufficient interest) to South and West Seattle, the Eastside 520 and I-90 corridors, the Madison Park/Capitol Hill neighborhoods, and North Seattle. The cost for the bus program is approximately $1,800 per student, per year, one way (or $3,600 round-trip). Financial aid packages do apply to the school bus routes. A shuttle serving students within Queen Anne is also available; at this time, it is being offered at no cost.