We are fortunate in Los Angeles to have many options available to our eighth grade students for high school. Naturally, parents want to send their children to the best school for them but this abundance of choice can also make the decision-making process overwhelming.

At Berkeley Hall, we support our families during the entire high school application process. We take the approach that finding the right high school is a match to be made and not a prize to be won. With this in mind, we begin high school placement in seventh grade and continue through eighth grade. This thorough process includes:
Parent teacher conferences and meetings
Individual family meetings with the BHS Head of School and other key administrators, starting in seventh grade
A high school fair on our campus in the fall for BHS students to meet high school representatives
A High School Readiness Course which begins at the start of eight grade and continues through the winter. Topics covered include: interviews, school tours, essays, and more
Conference calls with receiving high school representatives
While some private schools are currently not requiring the Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) and some are test-optional, we also provide resources and guidance for applicants who decide to take this exam.
Trusting the Process
The process of applying to high school is often a journey of self-discovery for the student and an opportunity for families to be open and trusting. Each year, more than 90% of our BHS students are accepted to their first or second choice high school and all our graduates go on to an excellent high school that is right for them and never look back. In the ninth grade, we invite our graduates and their parents to a dinner on campus where they come together with old friends and meet their former teachers and our Head of School and administrators. We enjoy hearing about their successes and positive experiences as they transition to their new schools.
What to Consider
There are many factors to consider when choosing between private day schools, boarding schools, charter and public schools. Here are a few points parents should look at before making a commitment.
Size of the School
Large schools are great for some children, but not ideal for many. Individual class sizes can range from twelve students in private schools to well over thirty in public or charter schools. While there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, it’s important to consider how your child does in larger class environments academically.
Extracurricular
Certain schools have a focus on sports, while others may have a strong emphasis on visual and performing arts and offer other exciting enrichment opportunities. Throughout their time at BHS, students are able to explore and develop their interests, with a range of enrichment opportunities including seasonal team sports, mock trial, math olympiad, performing arts, coding, and more. You and your child come into the process knowing their interests which helps determine if a school is right for them. In our high school readiness course with our eighth graders, we then give students the tools to make decisions. We encourage families to connect with ambassadors in their target schools and also take opportunities to attend sports games and performances with their child to experience these programs first hand.
Shadow Visits
Our goal in working with families is to ensure that the process is student-centered and that the high-schoolers-to-be are the ones who explore their options and take the lead in making this important decision. Many high schools offer in-person shadow visits in which 8th graders can come and experience a half-day on their campus.These visits also allow students to ask questions to both faculty and current students. It’s important for students to take advantage of these opportunities to learn about the different styles of teaching and the environment at their future schools.
We are proud of all our graduates who are respectful, honest, compassionate students with a sense of responsibility and academic integrity that they uphold after they leave BHS. We love to watch them have a meaningful impact in their communities in high school, college and beyond, as fearless scholars and conscientious citizens.
To learn more about Berkeley Hall and what our school can do for your child, visit our website or schedule an in-person tour. Click here to register for an upcoming admissions event.
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