Your essential resource for understanding the Hillbrook admissions process.
TALK TO OUR EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT TODAY! Call Us Toll Free: (888) 521-5243Cardinal Education is an independent educational consulting company. We are not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with any public or private school.
Hillbrook School was founded in 1935 in Los Gatos, California, as The Children’s Country School. It was originally established as a progressive learning community focused on experiential education, aiming to provide children with hands-on learning opportunities in a natural setting. Over the decades, Hillbrook evolved into a highly respected independent JK-8 school that fosters curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.
Today, Hillbrook School is recognized for its student-centered curriculum, which emphasizes project-based learning, technology integration, and social-emotional development. With a 1:6 teacher-student ratio and an enrollment of around 360 students, Hillbrook ensures a personalized and engaging learning experience.
Hillbrook also prioritizes outdoor education, diversity, equity, and inclusion. To extend its educational impact beyond middle school, the school has expanded its offerings with the Hillbrook High School program. The school’s Los Gatos campus provides a dynamic environment with state-of-the-art facilities, open learning spaces, and strong arts, athletics, and STEM programs.
Hillbrook remains a pioneering institution in progressive education. It trains kids for academic success, leadership, creativity, and lifelong learning.
Hillbrook has a selective admissions process that evaluates applicants based on academic performance, teacher recommendations, personal essays, extracurricular involvement, and interviews. While it may not be as competitive as some of the most elite private schools in the area, Hillbrook seeks students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, a strong work ethic, and a good fit with the school’s values and community.
The main entry points for Hillbrook School are typically in Junior Kindergarten (JK) and Kindergarten, which are the primary entry years, and 6th grade for middle school expansion. While admissions for 1st through 8th grade are possible, they are less common and more competitive due to limited available spaces. Families interested in applying should begin the admissions process early, as spots fill quickly, especially for the key entry points in JK, Kindergarten, and 6th grade.
While standardized test scores are not listed as a requirement, applicants may choose to submit them if they believe it will enhance their application. Additionally, a parent or guardian statement is required to provide insights into the student’s character, strengths, and educational goals.
Given the competitiveness of the process, families may benefit from working with private school admissions consultants who understand the ins and outs of the Hillbrook School admissions process. Consultants can provide valuable guidance in presenting a compelling application and ensuring that prospective students stand out in a highly selective pool of candidates.
Creating an account on Ravenna is the first step in the Hillbrook School application process. You may apply, register for admission events, receive notifications from Hillbrook School, and monitor your application progress. The steps you should take are as follows:
For more details and to begin your application, visit Hillbrook School Admissions.
Parents or guardians of applicants are required to answer a parent/guardian questionnaire that is found on Ravenna. You will be asked to talk about your child and share information about their personality, achievements, and other personal information. The last question asks about your family’s goals and willingness to participate in activities that promote the values and mission of Hillbrook School.
The parent statement is an integral part of the application process as it will help admissions officers better understand your child’s background and potential to become successful at Hillbrook School. It will also demonstrate your family’s commitment to your child’s education. When choosing what to write about, remember that you have to be honest and authentic. Focus on your child’s strengths and unique characteristics, and provide anecdotes to support your statements. For some tips on how to write a powerful parent statement from experienced educational consultants, click here.
Recommendation letters from current math and English teachers and the principal or counselor are necessary for applicants. The forms can be found on Ravenna and will be sent to the admissions committee online.
Teacher recommendations are crucial for admission since they give a more thorough evaluation of your child’s character, personality, and academic aptitude. Because they deal with your child on a daily basis and can confirm your child’s academic success, they can make professional and unbiased observations. Building strong relationships with teachers is essential if you want them to be able to provide strong recommendations that support other application materials when the time comes for them to do so.
Transcripts from both the previous academic year and the first semester of the current one must be submitted by applicants. You can download the confidentiality and release forms from Ravenna and send them to your child’s present school.
The transcript will demonstrate your child’s readiness to handle Hillbrook School’s rigorous curriculum. But what if your child’s grades aren’t all that outstanding? Start private school admissions consulting early! Our tutors and academic coaches will work with your child to improve grades and achieve scores that meet the requirements. We provide online or in-person tutoring for a variety of courses as well as diagnostic testing. However, because we are aware that boosting GPA won’t guarantee success, we provide academic coaching that teaches executive function skills as a more holistic strategy.
There are questions on Ravenna that the applicant has to answer within a limited character count. The questions delve into your child’s personality, skills, interests, and expectations of Hillbrook School. The questions might seem simple and easy to answer, but admissions officers are looking at certain characteristics and values in your child that will determine if they are a good fit at Hillbrook School.
Our private school admissions consultants can guide your child and give advice on how to best answer the questions truthfully. Our years of experience working with families applying to Hillbrook School have allowed us to understand what they are looking for in applicants. From your child’s personal circumstances, we can identify what traits and characteristics will interest the admissions team and be considered for admission. Here are some useful tips on how to write a compelling personal statement.
While the school remains test-optional, standardized test scores can be beneficial as admissions personnel can better assess each applicant’s academic preparedness and likelihood of succeeding in Hillbrook School’s demanding environment using these exams.
How to prepare for standardized tests
We are aware that getting ready for standardized tests can be somewhat stressful, but we can be of assistance. We will help your child via a customized test preparation strategy, from recognizing their strengths to addressing areas they find challenging, based on our years of expertise working with families applying to Hillbrook School. Our objective is to alleviate the burden of test preparation and ensure your child is prepared to present their best self on test day. View our services for test prep here.
As part of Hillbrook School’s admissions process, a school visit is a required component. This visit provides an opportunity for prospective students to experience the campus environment and for the admissions team to engage with the applicant. Additionally, a parent conversation is scheduled to discuss the family’s educational goals and assess the alignment with Hillbrook’s mission and values. These interactions are integral to the school’s holistic approach to admissions, ensuring a mutual fit between the student, family, and the Hillbrook community.
Hillbrook School also offers several opportunities for prospective families to explore its campuses and learn more about its programs:
Open Houses: These events provide an in-depth look at Hillbrook’s educational offerings and community.
Campus Tours: Hillbrook encourages families to experience the campus firsthand through guided tours. Tours are available by appointment and can be scheduled by contacting the Enrollment Team. These visits offer a chance to observe classes, meet faculty and students, and gain a sense of the school’s environment.
Virtual Tour: For those unable to visit in person, Hillbrook provides a virtual campus tour video, showcasing the facilities and vibrant school life.
Families are encouraged to reach out to the Enrollment Team with any questions or to schedule a visit. Participating in these events is an excellent way to determine if Hillbrook School aligns with your educational goals and expectations.
To register for Hillbrook School’s Campus Tours or Open Houses, follow these steps:
By registering through Ravenna and attending the events, you can get an in-depth look at the school and make an informed decision about the application process.
Hillbrook School provides virtual panel meetings to give prospective families with information about the school’s activities and community. These events include discussions with staff, current students, and parents, providing a thorough overview of the Hillbrook experience.
Upcoming Virtual Panel Sessions:
Accessing Virtual Panel Sessions
To participate in these virtual panel sessions, please visit Hillbrook School’s official website and navigate to the admissions section. There, you can find information on upcoming events, including virtual panel sessions, and register accordingly.
Hillbrook School’s student life is designed to provide a balanced and enjoyable experience. The school emphasizes academic performance, personal growth, and community engagement. Its rigorous and innovative curriculum promotes intellectual curiosity and hands-on learning. The school emphasizes project-based learning, so students are encouraged to investigate real-world challenges and work with classmates on a variety of topics, including STEM, humanities, and the arts.
Hillbrook also offers extracurricular programs that help students flourish outside of the classroom. Through various programs, students are encouraged to pursue their passions and develop vital skills such as teamwork, creativity, and resilience. These include drama, music, and visual arts, as well as athletics and leadership. The school also encourages community service and character development, which helps kids develop into sympathetic, responsible individuals who value collaboration and making a big difference.
Overall, Hillbrook’s student life focuses on providing a welcoming atmosphere in which students can develop intellectually, socially, and emotionally, preparing them for success in both school and life.
Hillbrook School’s curriculum is designed to provide a well-rounded, progressive education that prepares students for future academic challenges to cultivate creativity, critical thinking, and a love of learning. Core academic programs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), the literature, the arts, and physical education form the basis of the curriculum. There is a strong emphasis on hands-on, project-based learning. The method tries to get students interested by having them solve problems in the real world, work together to learn, and explore ideas based on their own questions.
At the elementary and middle school levels, Hillbrook provides a rigorous academic foundation in subjects like math, language arts, social studies, and science. The curriculum encourages students to make connections across disciplines and use what they’ve learned in real-life situations. Hillbrook uses technology in all grade levels. Tools like coding, robots, and digital art help students learn how to use technology and are creative and problem-solving. Social and emotional learning and character development are also very important at this school. They help students learn important life skills like how to be resilient, show understanding, and communicate.
For high school students, Hillbrook offers a more specialized curriculum that builds on foundational skills while offering greater opportunities for academic depth and exploration. The high school program includes advanced courses in mathematics, science, English, history, and the arts, along with a strong emphasis on college readiness. Elective courses provide opportunities for students to explore their specific interests, including subjects like foreign languages, visual and performing arts, and technology. Throughout all grade levels, Hillbrook promotes a growth mindset where students are encouraged to be curious, take risks in their learning, and develop a strong sense of intellectual confidence and self-motivation.
Hillbrook School’s athletics program plays an important role in the overall student experience, promoting physical fitness, teamwork, and leadership. The school offers a variety of sports for students at different grade levels, including both competitive and recreational options. Athletics are not only about competition but also about fostering a love for movement, building confidence, and helping students develop skills that can be applied in many areas of life.
These sports provide students with opportunities to engage in team activities, build athletic skills, and foster school spirit through both competitive and recreational options.
The arts and music classes at Hillbrook School are an important part of the school’s all-around approach to education. They give students a chance to explore their creativity, learn new skills, and feel more comfortable expressing themselves. The goal of these activities is to encourage a love of the arts, help people grow as individuals, and build community through shared artistic experiences.
Hillbrook’s visual arts program encourages students to engage in creative expression through various mediums such as drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, and digital arts. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of art while also being encouraged to experiment with new techniques and concepts. The program emphasizes creativity, problem-solving, and artistic development, giving students opportunities to create individual projects and collaborate with others on group artwork.
The performing arts program at Hillbrook includes opportunities for students to participate in drama, dance, and musical theater. Students learn about the performing arts through both structured classes and extracurricular activities, which help them build confidence, teamwork, and communication skills. The school offers annual performances where students can showcase their talents in front of peers and families. Whether acting, dancing, or participating in behind-the-scenes roles such as lighting and set design, students gain hands-on experience in producing and performing.
Hillbrook’s music program provides students with opportunities to explore various instruments and music genres. The program includes choir, band, and orchestra, allowing students to develop their musical skills in both group and individual settings. Students learn music theory, participate in group performances, and have the chance to perform in concerts and school events. The music program encourages creativity, discipline, and collaboration, offering students a platform to express themselves through music while learning important technical and performance skills.
Overall, the arts and music programs at Hillbrook School provide students with a rich, well-rounded educational experience that fosters creativity, self-expression, and teamwork while contributing to the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Hillbrook School has many clubs and groups that allow students to explore their hobbies, learn to be leaders, and bring the school community together. In addition to their schoolwork, these recreational activities give students the chance to do things that help them grow as people and as individuals. Clubs and organizations at Hillbrook School may change from year to year based on what students want, but here are some examples of clubs and groups that are common there.
Hillbrook encourages students to become involved in leadership and community service through various clubs. These include student government, where students can participate in decision-making processes and represent their peers. Additionally, there are clubs focused on community service, where students contribute to local and global causes, learning the importance of empathy, responsibility, and teamwork.
For students interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), Hillbrook offers clubs like robotics, coding, and engineering. These clubs allow students to work on hands-on projects, solve real-world problems, and learn new skills related to technology and innovation. They are designed to foster creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration among students.
Students passionate about the arts can join clubs related to visual arts, photography, filmmaking, or theater. These clubs allow students to explore their creative talents, showcase their work, and collaborate on projects. There are also opportunities for students to engage in literary and writing clubs, where they can share their passion for writing, storytelling, and poetry.
Hillbrook offers a variety of clubs centered around students’ diverse interests. These may include clubs focused on environmental sustainability, debate, chess, music, dance, cooking, and more. These clubs allow students to connect with peers who share similar passions and discover new interests.
Hillbrook fosters an inclusive environment where students can explore and celebrate their differences through clubs focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. These clubs promote open dialogue, cultural awareness, and social justice initiatives, helping students develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Overall, Hillbrook School clubs and organizations enrich students’ experiences by offering avenues for personal exploration, skill development, and community building. These extracurricular activities are crucial in shaping well-rounded, engaged students who are prepared to contribute meaningfully to the school and beyond.
Hillbrook School, known for its strong academic and arts programs, has a number of notable alumni who have excelled in various fields. Some of the school’s distinguished alumni include:
In the task-based language program Global Passport from Avenues, students have the choice between learning Spanish or Chinese.
DISCLAIMER
Cardinal Education is an independent educational consulting company. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any private school, including those mentioned on this website. All school names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used here for descriptive purposes only.
