Admission FAQs

What does it mean to be nonprofit school?

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, independent school and our strong culture of philanthropy plays an essential role in the overall quality of our academic, extracurricular and character programs. Our board of trustees works closely with the school administration to ensure all funds are reinvested directly to our programs. For more complete information visit www.harker.org/giving.

What is Harker’s student: teacher ratio and what are the average classes sizes?

Our student:teacher ratio is 9:1 and average class sizes are: K-5: 15-22; grades 6-8: 16-18; grades 9-12: 14-15.

Where do Harker students come from, and how do they get to school?

Most students are from San Jose, Saratoga, Los Altos/Los Altos Hills and Los Gatos, but we have students who attend from more than 45 cities, 120 ZIP codes and as far away as Santa Cruz, Hillsborough, Gilroy and Pleasanton. It’s a common misperception that Harker prefers students who attended more structured, heavily academic-oriented schools. Our newly admitted students come from more than 100 different public, charter, for-profit, independent and parochial schools.

We have buses from south San Jose and the Peninsula and continually evaluate the transportation needs of our families. Many families carpool. We have a free intercampus shuttle between our lower, middle and upper school campuses, so families with multiple children may conveniently drop off and pick up at one campus.

We partner with GoKid for car pooling. To learn more please visit our transportation site: http://www.harker.org/transportation

What are your standard entry points and how many are admitted each year?

Our main entry points are kindergarten (about 60 spaces) and grades 3 (about 22), 4 (about 15), 6 (40-45) and 9 (50-55). We also accept applications to every other grade except grade 12, and we'll offer enrollment to qualified applicants as spaces become available. From kindergarten through grade 12, we have a 97% retention rate, with very little attrition along the way.

We receive more applications than we have spaces. If your child isn't admitted this year, please don't take that as the final word — they may be admitted in a future year. We're always balancing the needs of each grade level against that year's applicant pool, and sometimes a child turns out to be a better fit for a different grade level than the one they applied to. If you have questions about your child's specific situation, we're happy to talk it through with you.

Do you accept mid-year transfers?

Harker enrolls new students only at the beginning of the academic year in the fall and does not accept mid-year transfers. We also do not enroll one-year exchange students or short-term students. Applicants are expected to apply with the intention of completing their education and graduating from Harker.

Do you have a boarding program?

No. All students must live with a parent or guardian while attending Harker.

Can international students apply to Harker?

We welcome international applicants who are fluent in written and spoken English and prepared to fully engage in our program. Applicants who are attending a school outside of the United States and/or require the I-20 are considered as “international applicants.”

International families must apply directly to our school and communicate with the admission directors, not through an agent or consultant.

We do not offer an ESL program, boarding or arrange homestays. It is expected that lower and middle school students will reside in the Bay Area with a parent or legal guardian. We prefer that upper school students live with a parent or legal guardian. Upper school students residing in a homestay arrangement must have a designated local legal guardian who serves as the primary contact for day-to-day school matters and emergencies.

International students must meet the same admission standards as domestic students and successfully complete all stages of the highly selective admission process. Unless students have been attending a school where all their courses are taught in English, it is unlikely that they will qualify. We do not accept the TOEFL.

While Harker does not offer ESL curriculum during the regular school year, we do offer a robust English Language Institute (ELI) in the summer. For more information visit https://www.harker.org/summer#bookmark-eli or contact ELI@harker.org.

What does Harker look for when evaluating applicants for admission?

Our selection is based on both academic and non-academic considerations. A strong applicant demonstrates strong character and integrity and has a desire to engage in both the Harker and the greater communities. We look for families who want to partner with us to build a community where students are supported on their own unique journeys, growing at their own pace into the global citizens of tomorrow.

We want our applicants to know that if you are a good fit for Harker, we work with families to help make Harker affordable.

Is there priority consideration in admission?

We value the commitment of our families, alumni and faculty/staff who want to have their children attend the same school and this is considered by the admission committee. Admission is not automatic, and they must be a good match for our program and meet our qualifications.

How are admission decisions made?

Members of the admission committee review applicant files and then make recommendations to the admission office. The committee’s goal is to find the best fit between Harker and the students we enroll, seeking those students and families who represent a range of diverse interests and experiences who will thrive at our school and add to the overall Harker community. We take a holistic view of each applicant’s file, with every component being considered in our admission decision. There is not a single piece that determines whether a student is offered admission.

How do entrance exams and cognitive assessments factor into admission?

We use standardized testing as a common assessment tool because applicants come from a wide variety of academic programs, but results are only one part of an application and are not valued more than other components like interests, character and love of learning. We understand there are benefits and limitations of standardized testing and accept a range of scores. Very high scores will not guarantee admission to Harker. In order to ensure this holistic view, our readers review all applications first without seeing test scores.

We understand the inclination to prepare for the test, but we strongly discourage enrolling in a test prep program or spending excessive time preparing, as test results are only one factor in the admission decision. We recommend becoming familiar with the entrance exam by visiting their website and taking their sample practice test. The best prep you can do is get a good night’s sleep the night before and eat a nutritious breakfast the morning of the exam.

Entrance exam requirements are included in the application checklists:

• TK-K Application Checklist
• Grade 1 Application Checklist
• Grades 2-5 Application Checklist
• Middle School Application Checklist
• Upper School Application Checklist

How will I learn about the admission decision and what are the possible outcomes?

We release decisions through Ravenna, our online application portal in mid-March. Application and decision notification dates are established by the Bay Area Admission Directors (BAAD) consortium of independent school admission directors. The parent/guardian response (signed contract and deposit) is due one week later by 12 p.m. PST.

Acceptance: An offer of admission is extended, and the applicant is invited to enroll.

Wait Pool: When an applicant meets our qualifications, but space is not available, they will be placed in the wait pool. There is not a ranked list within the wait pool. Should space become available between March and late summer, the admission committee will review all wait pool applicants and select one who best fits the composition of that grade. The wait pool does not carry forward into the next admission season, and applicants will need to reapply.

Regrets: Harker may not be the right fit at this time, and the applicant does not meet our qualifications. Some students will be stronger applicants when re-applying for a later grade level.

Deferment: Offers of admission cannot be deferred to the following year. If you decline the offer of admission for this year, you may reapply for admission next year.

Does applying for financial aid affect a student's chance of admission?

No. Harker's admission process is need-blind — the admission committee evaluates applicants without access to financial aid information. Financial aid applications are reviewed separately, after admission decisions have already been made.

Should I apply for financial aid if I think I may need it in the future?

Yes. If you think your family might need financial aid at any point during your child's time at Harker, we encourage you to apply during the admission process. Families can request aid in later years, but assistance may not be available unless there's been a significant change in financial circumstances — so if there's a chance you'll need it, it's best to apply when you first apply for admission.

Does Harker offer financial aid for all grade levels?

We offer need-based financial aid for students in kindergarten through grade 12. At this time, financial aid isn't available for transitional kindergarten (TK).

Does Harker offer merit, athletic or talent-based scholarships?

No. We don't offer academic, athletic, artistic or other merit-based scholarships. All financial aid is based solely on demonstrated financial need.

Do I need to apply for financial aid each year?

Yes. Families receiving financial aid reapply annually and submit updated financial information, including tax returns and supporting documentation. We review each award every year based on your family's current circumstances.

When will I receive my financial aid decision?

For new applicants, financial aid decisions are released at the same time as admission decisions. If your child is admitted and awarded aid, the award information will be included with your enrollment materials.

Who completes the financial aid application if parents are divorced, separated or were never married?

Regardless of custodial arrangements, both legal parents are required to complete a financial aid application and submit all required financial documentation, including tax returns, W-2s and any applicable schedules. Exceptions may be considered only when legal documentation supports a waiver of this requirement.