Frequently Asked Questions

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How competitive is admissions to Brentwood and does it vary by grade? Hide

Admission to Brentwood School is competitive. Last year, approximately 330 students applied to be members of our 7th grade class. We had 73 openings for new students. Thirty-seven students from our Lower Division (West Campus) joined these 73 for a total of 110 students in the 7th Grade. For 9th grade, we usually have between 15-20 spots open (the exact number is based on our target enrollment for the freshman class and any attrition from the 8th grade). Typically, 140 students apply to enter the 9th grade. We do accept applications to Grades 10 through 12, with anywhere from one to seven spots available at those grade levels.

How important is the ISEE? Hide

ISEE results are an important factor yet not the determining one. We have no cutoffs or minimums. We realize that, inherent to any test of this kind, there are certain limitations as any standardized test fails to measure a student's motivation, creativity, research ability, and character. The ISEE does, however, provide us with a common denominator, given that students apply from such a wide variety of schools and thus have somewhat different educational backgrounds. The majority of our applicants fall into what is a wide middle range. In cases where we are familiar with a student's school, where the student has performed well in a solid academic program, and where the recommendations are quite positive and insightful, less importance is placed on the ISEE.

Can the student take the ISEE more than once? Hide

No. The testing company that creates the ISEE does not allow students to test more than once in a six month period. Only under very special circumstances, such as a sudden illness, would a request for an additional sitting be considered.

Do you recommend test preparation courses? Hide

No, we do not. There has been much debate over the value of test preparation courses. The central question remains whether short-term coaching can improve a student’s performance on what is supposed to be a test of a student’s aptitude to learn. The ISEE, in terms of format and concepts tested, should be similar to the tests that students take annually at their current elementary or middle schools. Test preparation courses can lead to increased pressure by making the test appear, in the eyes of an already nervous young student, like the one all-important factor.

In assessing candidates, do you consider more than just quantitative (standardized test results, GPA) factors? Hide

Absolutely. While academic criteria are of significant importance to the Admissions Committee, we look at a variety of information to determine a candidate's intellectual strengths. Beyond the ISEE scores and grades from the current school, we also look very closely at teacher recommendations, the administrator recommendation, the personal reference and the interview. All of those factors combined give the Committee a sense of not only the academic promise of the candidate, but also a sense of the child's personality and extracurricular interests. Rest assured that we spend a lot of time in our deliberations as we try to be as thorough and fair as possible in bringing together a diverse and able student body each year.

Who sits on the Brentwood Admissions Committee? Hide

Actually, there are two Admissions Committees at Brentwood. The Middle Division Admissions Committee (MDAC) reviews applications to 7th Grade. Its members include: the Middle Division Director, the Middle Division Dean of Students, the Associate Director of Admissions, the Admissions Counselor, the Director of Student Life and at least one faculty representative from each department (English, foreign language, history, math, science, fine arts, and athletics). The MDAC is chaired by the Director of Admissions. The Upper Division Admissions Committee (UDAC) reviews applications to Grades 9–12. Its members include: the Upper Division Director, the Associate Director of Admissions, the Admissions Counselor, the School Counselor, and at least one faculty representative from each department (English, foreign language, history, math, science, fine arts, and athletics). The UDAC is chaired by the Director of Admissions.

What types of schools do most of your students come from? Hide

We have a few schools (both public and private) from which we receive many applications each year. Yet, our current 7th graders come from 34 different schools, and our 19 new 9th graders come from 13 different schools. There is no preference given to students from certain schools. What we do consider is how well students have maximized the educational opportunities offered them during their elementary and/or middle school years.

How does having a Lower Division (K-6) affect a student’s chance of admission to 7th grade? Hide

Brentwood is a K-12 school located on two campuses. Our expectation is that the majority of our 6th graders will continue their middle and upper school experience at Brentwood. But this still leaves approximately 70 openings.

Do siblings have preference? Hide

Yes and no. This is an issue that is extensively discussed by any private school. We realize that many current parents have come to have very positive feelings for our school and wish to have their other children share the same educational experience as their brother(s) or sister(s). But, at the same time, what is right for one child is not necessarily the right choice for another sibling, especially one who may not be as academically inclined or in need of more or less structure, etc. Most important is our estimation of whether the sibling would thrive in this learning environment. Therefore, we urge all siblings to test and interview early in the process and to apply to multiple schools. The sibling application deadline is November 30th. Brentwood is committed to current members of our school community. Our Admissions Committee thus gives special consideration to qualified siblings.* The extent of special consideration depends on how engaged each family has been in the life of the school and on the likelihood of continued engagement. As Brentwood School is a true community where parental involvement is welcomed, valued, and encouraged, it is our hope that parents will contribute to the extent that their time and resources permit. *Current and former Brentwood parents please note: In light of the fact that our sibling policy exists as a means to “keep families together,” the Brentwood School Board of Trustees has more clearly defined “sibling status.” In order for an applicant to receive sibling status in the application pool, he/she must have a Brentwood sibling who will be concurrently enrolled with him/her during the 2008-2009 school year. This clarification has become necessary due to the growing number of siblings and legacies applying to the School and also due to the increasingly competitive nature of the overall applicant pool. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please do not hesitate to call Keith Sarkisian.

How important is the interview? Hide

The parent(s) and student will be interviewed separately by one of the members of our Admissions Staff. We constantly remind ourselves of the limitations of an interview, and we understand how nervous some students (and parents) might be. Yet the interview does provide you with an opportunity to meet a representative of the school and to see the school in progress. It allows us a chance to get acquainted with you and to gain some feeling for the applicant, his or her personality, interests, and sense of humor. We have been pleasantly surprised as to how relaxed and spontaneous most of the students we meet with really are. In many cases, the parents prove to be more nervous than the student. We feel the interview should be fun and informative for both you and us. Each interview is followed by a tour of the campus given by one of our current parents.