How to Get Into The Harker School
Key Dates and Information
- Location: San Jose, CA
- Grades: K-12
- Application deadline: January 9, 2024
- Admissions tests:
- Grades K-2: cognitive assessment and readiness/skills assessment
- Grades 3-4: ISEE (taken in person at Harker)
- Grade 5: ISEE
- Grades 6-11: SSAT or ISEE
- Admissions decision: March 15, 2024
Introduction
The Harker School (Harker) is a top college prep school in the Bay Area for students in grades K-12. Harker has an established history of academic achievement, and opportunities for student growth in and out of the classroom.
Applying to Harker is a big undertaking, so we have created this guide to help you navigate the application process. We outline important deadlines and application requirements, along with opportunities offered at Harker that you may consider mentioning in your application essay and interview.
In addition, we offer Admissions Assist courses, where you will learn what schools like Harker look for in applicants, strategies to ace the admissions interview, and tips for standing out in your application essays.
Application
Harker’s entry point grades are kindergarten and grades 3, 4, 6, and 9. The number of openings to non-entry point grades depends on current student attrition, but interested students are encouraged to apply. Applicants to grades 10 and 11 can submit an interest form, and will be invited to apply if there are any openings.
The following steps are required to apply to Harker:
- Submit an inquiry through Ravenna
- Complete an in-person or virtual parent visit
- Submit the preliminary application
- Application fee: $100
- Deadline: January 9, 2024
- Components:
- Student activities form
- Parent statement
- Student and family photos
- Request and submit teacher recommendations
- Required: current classroom teacher
- Optional: classroom teacher from previous year
- Request and submit transcript/report card (grades 1-5)
- Schedule assessments and exams
- Grades K-2: cognitive assessment and readiness/skills assessment required
- Grades 3-4: ISEE in person at Harker required
- Grade 5: ISEE required
- Deadline: Scores must be received by February 1, 2024
- Schedule a student visit (grade 5 only)
- Complete the financial aid application (if applicable)
- Submit an inquiry through Ravenna
- Submit the preliminary application
- Application fee: $100
- Deadline: January 9, 2024
- Components:
- Student activity session (grade 6 only)
- Student activity and interest form
- Parent/guardian statement
- Student and family photos
- Request and submit transcript/report card from current and previous year
- Request and submit recommendations
- Required: Current English teacher, current math teacher, and principal or counselor
- Take an admissions test
- SSAT or ISEE required
- Deadline: Scores must be received by February 1, 2024
- SSAT or ISEE required
- Complete the financial aid application (if applicable)
- Submit an inquiry through Ravenna
- Submit the preliminary application
- Application fee: $100
- Deadline: January 9, 2024
- Components:
- Student activity session
- Student activity and interest form
- Student essay
- Parent/guardian statement
- Student and family photos
- Schedule the student interview by February 1, 2024
- Request and submit transcript/report card from current and previous year
- Request and submit recommendations
- Required: Current English teacher, current math teacher, and principal or counselor
- Take an admissions test
- SSAT or ISEE required
- Deadline: Scores must be received by February 1, 2024
- SSAT or ISEE required
- Complete the financial aid application (if applicable)
For more information about applying to Harker, please refer to their admissions page.
Admissions Interview
Applicants to Harker’s Upper School participate in a virtual student interview, which must be scheduled no later than February 1, 2024. Interviews will be held virtually and typically last approximately 15-20 minutes.
The interview is your chance to connect directly with the admissions team at Harker, and share your reasons for applying. It is important to prepare so you can make the most of your limited time in the interview. Test Innovators’ Interview Prep course will help you approach the interview strategically, so you can focus your time and energy on the most important areas. Through our course, you’ll practice common interview questions, determine what to highlight in your interview, and gain confidence.
It is also a good idea to research Harker before your interview, so you can mention your specific reasons for applying. Read about Harker’s philosophy and mission, and consider what resonates with you. Take a look at their Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School academics and see if certain aspects of the curriculum stand out. Check out extracurricular opportunities like arts and athletics for Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School, and share how you would like to get involved. Learn about unique opportunities for Upper School students at Harker, such as their global education program and their business and entrepreneurship program. Let your interests shine through in your interview and application materials!
Admissions Tests
Applicants to Harker are required to take the following tests and assessments:
- Grades K-2: cognitive assessment and readiness/skills assessment
- Grades 3-4: ISEE (taken in person at Harker)
- Grade 5: ISEE
- Grades 6-11: SSAT or ISEE
Admissions tests provide an opportunity for you to showcase your strengths. It is important to prepare before test day, and Test Innovators can help. We are an official practice partner of the SSAT and the only official practice partner of the ISEE. We offer full-length practice tests, which give you familiarity with the format and content. After each practice test, you will receive a detailed score analysis, and a personalized plan to target areas that need improvement. You can also compare your practice scores to target scores for Harker and other schools, to give you a better idea of what you are aiming for.
When you are ready to start preparing for the admissions tests, check out our SSAT Prep Guide and ISEE Prep Guide.
Financial Aid Application
Harker strives to make education accessible to all families who are a good fit for Harker, and encourages families with need to apply for financial aid. Families applying for financial aid must complete the following steps:
- Email fainfo@harker.org to request an assistance application packet
- Submit an application through Clarity
Award decisions are communicated along with admissions decisions in March. For more information about financial aid at Harker, please refer to their website.
Extracurricular Opportunities
Athletics
Harker students are able to participate in the following sports teams:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Cross country
- Flag football
- Football
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and field
- Volleyball
- Water polo
To learn more about athletics opportunities at Harker, check out their Lower School, Middle School or Upper School athletics pages.
Arts
Harker students are introduced to performing arts and visual arts in Lower School, through both the Harker curriculum and the after-school programs. Students build upon their arts foundation in Middle School, with performing arts courses and activities including acting, orchestra, and theater, as well as visual arts opportunities such as ceramics, photography, and video design. In Upper School, students can elect to take a variety of performing arts courses (such as directing, musical theater, and vocal music) and visual arts courses (such as architecture, filmmaking, and graphic arts).
Clubs and Organizations
Harker clubs and organizations allow students to further explore additional interests. Middle School clubs include Badminton Club, Creative Writing Club, and Improv Club. Middle Schoolers are also able to participate in a speech and debate program. Upper School student clubs include Clean Technology Club, Quiz Bowl Club, and Red Cross Club. Other Upper School extracurricular opportunities include speech and debate, business and entrepreneurship, and STEM.
Global Education
Harker has a robust global education program for students of all grade levels. Beginning in Lower School, students engage in global learning and exchange. Middle School students have global learning opportunities and educational travel opportunities, including trips to Japan, Costa Rica, and China. Global education continues in Upper School, where students continue to build global awareness and can participate in travel opportunities to the Galapagos, Switzerland, India, Australia, and Japan.
Conclusion
Harker is a top school with great opportunities for students in the Bay Area. Test Innovators is here to ensure you are prepared for each step of the application process.
Preparation Resources:
- Enroll in our Admissions Assist courses for Middle School or Upper School
- Learn more about preparing for the SSAT
- Learn more about preparing for the ISEE
- Learn more about The Harker School
Originally published on September 30, 2022. Updated on November 10, 2023.
