Admissions

Apply to Priory Boarding (9-12)

Rostand, Class of 2023, Cameroon

Priory has made me a better person because it made me learn about myself, and I now know who I really am.

Silicon Valley's Only Boarding School

Woodside Priory was founded in 1957 by seven Hungarian monks, and we have hosted a boarding program since the very beginning. Students from all over the country and all over the world have called our campus home. Spending your high school years at Silicon Valley’s only boarding school offers many opportunities to live and study on a tranquil campus in one of the most innovative areas on the planet.

Priory's boarding program is different from most. 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!

Woodside Priory School has entered into an exclusive partnership with Amerigo Education (Amerigo Select) with the purpose of recruiting international students. On behalf of the school, Amerigo Education assists with international students' application and prescreening. 

 

List of 4 items.

  • 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: 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 12, 2023.
  • Step 3: 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.

    Applicants must complete and successfully submit all pieces of their admissions application before an interview can be scheduled. Interviews are typically offered from the beginning of January through mid-February.

    *Applicants from Mainland China should plan to submit a Vericant Interview in lieu of a faculty meeting.
  • Step 4: Prepare for Your Admissions Decision

    Boarding admissions decisions for Woodside Priory will be published in Ravenna on March 10, 2022. Initial offers of admission must be accepted (or declined) by families by March 24, 2022.  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.

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 is 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, specifically within the nine counties of the San Francisco Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Solano, or Sonoma counties).

      Students will be asked to disclose the name and contact information of their local guardian once they enroll at Woodside Priory.
    • Does your program have age requirements?

      For Grade 9:

      A student must not turn 16 years of age before January 1 of grade 9.

      For grade 10: 

      A student must not turn 17 years of age before January 1 of grade 10.

      For grade 11:

      A student must not turn 18 years of age before January 1 of grade 11.

    Important Dates for Boarding Applicants

    For Fall 2023 entry:
    • September 1, 2022 – Applications available for Fall 2022 on Ravenna or SAO
    • January 12, 2023 - Applications Due via SAO or Ravenna
    • January 20, 2023 - TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test results must be received
    • March 10, 2023 - Admissions Decisions are released online through your Ravenna account only
    • March 24, 2023 - Admission Response Deadline

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