FAQ

List of 9 frequently asked questions.

• Am I able to visit your school this year in person?

  We continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in the Bay Area. Our number one priority is keeping our students and our community safe. While we are planning on offering on-campus events this admission season, we may be requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test from within 72 hours of the start of the event in order to attend. We may also move some in-person events to virtual events. Registered participants will receive more details prior to our events.

• Does Crystal accept international students?

  Unfortunately, we cannot offer an I-20 Visa. We do not have any ESL classes. If these specifics are not the case, we would be happy to review an international application. International applicants follow the same timeline as local applicants and must complete the required application steps.

• How many students are admitted to each grade?

  For the 2024-25 school year, we will be bringing approximately 72 students into our 6th grade class. We will add roughly 20-25 students to our rising 9th grade class in order to create a 9th grade class of approximately 90 students. We will accept applications for grades 7, 8, 10, and 11; however, any openings for these off-year entry points will be based on attrition, so we will not know whether spaces will be available in these grades until February at the earliest. If you are interested in applying for one of these grades, feel free to contact the Admission Office to learn more. 

• How many applications do you receive?

  The number varies from year to year, but we usually anticipate five to six applicants for each opening.

• How are students selected?

  Crystal Springs Uplands School takes the admission process very seriously and invests countless hours in the process. A committee considers the following criteria in making selections for admission: information provided on the parent/guardian and student applications, the student’s academic records, the teachers’ and principal’s recommendations, the proctored writing sample, the student’s talents, character, and leadership qualities, and information gathered during the interview. Each candidate’s application is given careful consideration. Please note that Crystal will not be accepting admission testing (ISEE or SSAT) for students applying for the 2024-2025 school year.

• Are siblings, children of alumni, or employee applicants given special consideration?

  Crystal Springs Uplands School recognizes the association that many families have with the school and so too recognizes the desirability of enrolling siblings, children of alumni, and children of employees; however, siblings, children of alumni, and children of employees are not guaranteed admission on association alone. They must demonstrate qualities likely to lead to their social and academic success at Crystal.

• When will we be notified of the admission decision?

  Admission acceptance letters and Financial Aid decision letters will be mailed on March 14, 2024 and will also be made available on Ravenna on Friday, March 15, 2024.

• What are your testing requirements this year?

  Crystal will not be accepting any standardized tests (ISEE or SSAT) for the 20 23-2024 admission season.

• What happens to applications filed after the January deadline?

  We discourage late applications. However, we recognize that circumstances sometimes do not enable families to plan their lives around our deadlines. Therefore, late applications will be considered at the discretion of the Director of Admission and only if there are spaces available in the particular grade.