Applying to Harker

Thank you for considering Harker. We review every application holistically, getting to know each applicant as a learner, a person and a future member of our community.

Families are part of that picture too. We're looking for students and families who are excited to partner with us in fostering a community where every student is encouraged to grow at their own pace and develop into a global citizen of tomorrow.

That's why we look at the application as a whole. Activities, interests and a parent or guardian's perspective all help us build the fullest picture of who you are.

GET STARTED

Create your account on Ravenna, our application and event registration system, then choose how you'd like to begin:

Explore
Let us know you're interested. You'll receive admission event details, deadlines and other updates by email.

Apply to School
Get started on your application. Available starting Sept. 1, and there's no commitment yet.

Key Dates for All Divisions

Sept. 1 — Application and admission event registration open
Sept. 1–Jan. 5 — Get to know us and attend events
Jan. 5, 2027 — Application deadline
March 12, 2027, 4 p.m. — Decision notification released in Ravenna
March 19, 2027, noon — Contract and deposit due
June 15, 2027 — Tuition balance due

Application Process

Every applicant completes a preliminary application — basic demographic and educational information — and submits the $100 nonrefundable application fee. If you're applying for financial aid, a fee waiver is available. Supplemental components by division are listed below.

LOWER SCHOOL (TK-5)

Some grades have more openings than others. Here's how many spots typically open at each: TK (24), kindergarten (57), grade 2 (7), grade 3 (22), grade 4 (15), grade 5 (6). Grade 1 openings depend entirely on attrition, so spots there are limited.

The Ravenna application walks you through every step in detail. You can also check out our printable application checklists:

Student Visits

Parent/guardian contribution

Recommendations

Cognitive assessments (for TK through grade 2)

All applicants for TK through grade 2 are required to submit results from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale (the WISC-V or WPPSI-IV, depending on your child's age). We know one test can't offer a complete picture of any child, but the assessment gives us a snapshot of cognitive ability and is a good indicator of potential and success at our school. IQ tests don't measure academic achievement.

Guidelines, a list of suggested psychologists and score qualifications are available in Ravenna.

A cognitive assessment is optional for applicants to grades 3-5.

Entrance exam scores (for grades 2-5)

ISEE scores are required for applicants to grades 2-5. Please take the exam after Aug. 1, 2026, and have scores submitted by the Jan. 5, 2027, application deadline. We recommend registering well ahead of the deadline, both to secure a spot and in case illness requires rescheduling — we'll consider only the first set of scores you submit.

Register directly through ISEE and enter our school code so scores come to us directly: ISEE — Harker school code: 571061

Transcripts/report cards (grades 1-5)

MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-8)

The main entry point to Harker's middle school is grade 6, with 45-50 spaces available. Openings in grades 7 and 8 are limited and depend on attrition.

The Ravenna application walks you through every step in detail. You can also check out our printable application checklist.

Student contributions

Parent/guardian contribution

Recommendations

Entrance exam scores

We read every application first without looking at test scores, so our evaluation stays holistic, and we welcome a range of scores. We do read your writing sample as part of that first read.

We accept scores from the ISEE or SSAT. Please take your exam after Aug. 1, 2026, and have scores submitted by the Jan. 5, 2027, application deadline.

We recommend registering well ahead of the deadline to secure a spot and allow time to reschedule if illness comes up. Please note: We only consider the first set of scores you submit.

ISEE — Harker school code: 054148
SSAT — Harker school code: 3711

Transcripts/school records

UPPER SCHOOL (9-12)

The main entry point in the upper school is grade 9 with 50-55 spaces available. We accept inquiries for grades 10 and 11, and if a space opens in the spring, invite application submission, though this is rare. We don't admit students into grade 12.

The Ravenna application walks you through every step in detail. You can also check out our printable application checklist.

Student contributions

Parent/guardian contribution

Recommendations

Entrance exam scores

We read every application first without looking at test scores, so our evaluation stays holistic, and we welcome a range of scores. We do read your writing sample as part of that first read.

We accept scores from the ISEE or SSAT. Please take your exam after Aug. 1, 2026, and have scores submitted by the Jan. 5, 2027, application deadline.

We recommend registering well ahead of the deadline to secure a spot and allow time to reschedule if illness comes up. Please note: We only consider the first set of scores you submit.

ISEE — Harker school code: 054148
SSAT — Harker school code: 3711

Transcripts/school records

International APPLICANTS

We welcome international applicants who are fluent in written and spoken English and ready to fully engage in our academic program. If your child attends a school outside the United States and/or will need an I-20, they're considered an international applicant.

International students meet the same admission standards as domestic applicants and complete every stage of our highly selective admission process — there's no separate pool for international applicants. We don't accept midyear transfers, one-year exchange students or short-term students; we expect every applicant to intend to graduate from Harker.

We work directly with applying families, not through educational consultants or agents, so international families should apply directly to the school and stay in touch with our admission office throughout the process.

More details for international applicants can be found on our FAQ page.

HOMESCHOOL APPLICANTS

We welcome applications from students who are homeschooled. Because homeschool programs vary so widely, please contact us — we're glad to help you understand what you'll need for your application.