The Most Competitive Schools That Require the ISEE – 2019
Over the past seven years, Test Innovators has helped more than 100,000 students prepare for the SSAT and the ISEE—the admissions tests required by the most competitive independent schools in the country. Every year we review our data from thousands of test-takers to determine the most popular schools.
Below are the 5 most sought-after schools that require the ISEE, based on the number of students who stated their intention to apply in 2019.
Keep in mind that there are many wonderful schools not included on this list that may be perfect for you.
1. Harvard-Westlake School, Los Angeles, California
In 1989, the all-boys Harvard School and the Westlake School for Girls merged, creating Harvard-Westlake, a coeducational school in Los Angeles serving 1,600 students in grades 7-12 across two campuses. Harvard-Westlake’s academic and extracurricular offerings include 28 AP courses, 90 art classes, a variety of concerts and recitals, and a strong community service program. Notable alumni include astronaut Sally Ride, and actors Jessica Capshaw, Lily Collins, Jamie Lee Curtis, Emily Deschanel, Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal, Shirley Temple, Jason Segal, and Billie Lourd.
2. Boston Latin School, Boston, Massachusetts
In 1635, Boston Latin School became the first public school in the United States. Its starting class held fewer than ten students. In the subsequent 383 years, the school has grown to over 2,000 students and has educated many iconic Americans, including five of the signers of the Declaration of Independence: Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, William Hopper, and Robert Paine. Today, Boston Latin School remains one of the most competitive public schools in the country, accepting applicants in Boston who have achieved academic success and excelled on the entrance exam.
3. Horace Mann School, Bronx, New York
Horace Mann School, located in the Bronx, was originally founded as an experimental coeducational school affiliated with the Teachers College at Columbia University. Then, in 1947, it became an all-boys school before readmitting girls in 1975. The school is named in honor of Horace Mann, a Massachusetts lawyer who served as a strong proponent of universal public education, women’s suffrage, the abolition of slavery, and better support systems for mental illness. Horace Mann School fosters a challenging academic environment and rich student life, emphasizing both intellectual curiosity and a robust, respectful community.
4. Brentwood School, Los Angeles, California
Founded in 1972, Brentwood is a K-12 school whose mission is to inspire its students to think critically and creatively, act ethically, and craft a future with meaning. Brentwood has a strong connection with Olympic athletes. Their track and cross-country coaches, Joanna Hayes and Malachi Davis, are Olympic athletes who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Hayes was a U.S. gold medalist in the women’s 100-meter hurdles. Alumni Jason Rodgers and Peter Vidmar were also Olympic medalists. Rodgers won a silver medal in fencing at the Beijing Olympics, and Vidmar won a gold medal in gymnastics at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Visit our Most Competitive Schools of 2019 page to see what schools made the top 50 for 2019.
