Apply to Boarding | Study and Live in Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley's Only Boarding School

Woodside Priory's tradition for its boarding program is rooted in its founding in 1957. Students from all over the world have called our campus home. Studying at Silicon Valley’s only boarding school offers many opportunities to live and study with students and faculty in one of the most beautiful and tranquil settings in the United States.

Priory's boarding program is different from most boarding schools. Our boarding program is integrated into the daily life of our day program and maintains distinctive social and emotional programming that only a program of our size can accommodate. We invite you to read more about the philosophy and curriculum of Priory’s boarding program.

Are you applying from outside the United States? If so, do not forget to visit our international students' page for more information!

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Step 1: Create Ravenna Account

From its founding in 1957, the boarding program has been an indelible part of the Woodside Priory School community. Today around 50 students choose to be active, contributing members of Priory's boarding community, guided by dedicated Residential Faculty.

All applicants must create a Ravenna account in order to navigate through the application season. This requirement includes applicants who apply to our boarding program through the SAO. To get started, visit Ravenna Hub and add Woodside Priory School to your Dashboard.
Step 2: Get to Know Us

* Please check here often throughout the fall for information on additional events. Do not forget to follow us on Instagram @prioryadmissions

We encourage prospective families to attend events that will help them understand whether Priory is a fit for their child. Except where explicitly noted, attendance at admission events is optional.

Priory Welcome: An Introduction to the Priory Admissions Process
Given the changes in admissions for private schools in our region, Priory Welcome is an introduction to Priory's admissions process for prospective families. Parents will hear from a member of the admissions team as we explain Priory school's admissions requirements and application. We will also provide insight for families to consider as they research different schools in the area. (45 minutes)

Priory Preview: Formerly known as Open House, Priory Preview is an opportunity for families to learn about the academic offerings and how Priory approaches teaching and learning. Families will hear from the Head of School and other key administrators and faculty members. (90 minutes)

Affording Priory: For some families, enrolling their child in an independent school represents a significant investment. In this first of a two-part financial aid series, we explore some of the myths that surround the financial aid process. We will also discuss Priory's financial aid program in more detail. In part two of this series, we will delve into the financial aid application and learn about what pieces of information are required for families to complete this detailed application.

All events require advance registration through Ravenna.
Step 3: Submit Your Application

Applicants can apply to Priory's boarding program in two ways by either completing and submitting the boarding application through Ravenna or submitting the SAO.

For applicants applying through the SAO, please remember that all applicants are required to set-up a Ravenna account and add Woodside Priory School to their Ravenna Dashboards. Admissions decisions are only released through Ravenna.

The priority deadline for boarding admissions is January 7, 2021.
Step 4: Interview

Given the intimate size of our boarding program, boarding applicants will be given an opportunity to meet with a member of the residential faculty and/or admissions team and speak about why Priory's boarding program may be a good fit. Information and invitations will be given to applicants once they have completed and successfully submitted all pieces of their admissions application. Interviews are typically offered in beginning in December through mid-February.
Step 5: Prepare for Your Admissions Decision

Boarding admissions decisions for Woodside Priory will be published in Ravenna on March 10, 2021. Initial offers of admission must be accepted (or declined) by families by March 26, 2021. During this period, admitted students should contact the Admissions Office should they have any questions about the Priory.

Students offered a place in the Wait Pool may be considered for admission throughout the spring and summer months. Information for applicants in the wait pool will be provided on March 10.
Optional: SSAT Admission Exam Results
In order to ease the burden of sitting an entrance exam during the COVID-19 pandemic, Woodside Priory School will not require any applicant to submit ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT results for the Fall 2021 admissions cycle. Please note that the ISEE and SSAT may have options to take either exam from the comfort of one’s home. If a student chooses to sit the SSAT or ISEE home versions, they are welcome–but not required–to submit their results to us. However, should a family decide to forego sending scores to Woodside Priory, their child’s application will not be disadvantaged in the admissions process.

Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT)
- Should an applicant take the upper version of the SSAT and would like to share their results with Woodside Priory, please arrange for official results to be sent by the SSAT directly. Woodside Priory’s testing code is 8296.

Common Questions about Boarding at Priory

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Where is Woodside Priory located?

Woodside Priory sits in the very heart of the world's technology industry. Our campus is less than 30 minutes from the headquarters of companies like Apple, Facebook, Google, and Oracle. Many families of our day students work in the tech industry.

Stanford University is a short 10-minute drive away from the Priory and 40 miles (64 kilometers) away from the beautiful city of San Francisco. Our boarding program includes activities for students every weekend away from campus which allows our students to visit world-class museums, attend shows and sports events, try new restaurants, and experience the many regions of the Bay Area.
Which airport is closest to Priory?
Our 50-acre (20-hectare) campus is located an equidistant short 30 minutes away from both San Francisco International Airport and Mineta San José International Airport, connecting the Bay Area to many parts of the world with non-stop flights.
What are different about Priory's Residential Faculty?

At Woodside Priory, our residential faculty are unique as their primary responsibility is to our boarding students. For most faculty, this understanding means they begin their workday at 3:00 pm and end by midnight after ensuring all students are in their rooms. With a focus on wellness and health, we require all 9th and 10th-grade boarders to be in bed by 11:00 pm. Upper-level students are strongly encouraged to follow similar schedules.

Some residential faculty may also serve as coaches and teach a class or two during the school day. However, these additional responsibilities are allowed only after years of service to our boarding program and are only granted when the other duties do not interfere with their residential responsibilities.
What activities are there to do on the weekends?

Surrounded by many nature preserves, our campus is nestled among mountains where there are plentiful horse farms, trails, and nearby beaches. Not surprisingly, there are many opportunities to participate in outdoor activities all around including hiking, climbing, surfing, and riding.

Our boarding program organizes regular outings for its students, taking full advantage of the opportunities in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California region.
Are local guardians required for boarding applicants?

Yes. Local guardians serve as an essential link between the residential faculty and the student's family. Applicants are strongly encouraged to seek out family contacts in the San Francisco Bay Area early.

International students sometimes have a network of relatives, and close friends across the United States, and these individuals can be helpful. However, all guardians for Priory international boarding students must reside in the State of California with a strong preference for individuals based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Students will be asked to disclose the names and contact information for their local guardians once they enroll at Woodside Priory.
Does your program have age requirements?

Students applying for entry into grade 9 must not turn 16 years of age before January 1 of grade 9. (In grade 10, the student must not turn 17 years of age before January 1 of grade 10, and in grade 11, the student must not turn 18 years of age before January 1 of grade 11).