Drew School Admissions for Asian American Families
What Asian American Families Should Know Before Applying to This San Francisco Day School
Cardinal Education is an independent educational consulting company. We are not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with any private or public school, including Drew School.
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About the School
Drew School and Asian American Applicants
Drew School is a private, college-preparatory high school in San Francisco, founded in 1908 and currently led by Head of School Saya McKenna. Drew serves approximately 300 students in Grades 9–12, with an 8:1 student-teacher ratio and small, discussion-based classes. Drew has been test-free since 2020, meaning standardized test scores are neither required nor considered in admissions. Drew holds an overall A+ rating on Niche.com, with particularly strong marks for Academics, Diversity, and College Prep, and is a member of NAIS, an accreditation signal worth understanding when comparing schools.
Fast Facts
Location
2901 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94115
Type
Private, Co-Educational, College-Preparatory Day School
Grades
9–12
Total Enrollment
Approximately 300 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
Testing Policy
Test-free since 2020; standardized test scores are not required or considered
Academics at a Glance
Niche Overall Rating
A+ (#390 Best Private High Schools in America; #76 in California)
Niche Diversity Grade
A+ (#62 Most Diverse Private High Schools in California)
Average Graduation Rate
100% (Niche.com)
Average SAT / ACT (Student-Reported)
1300 / 28 (Niche.com)
Athletics & Beyond the Classroom
Drew competes in the Bay Counties League across a range of sports, part of a broader extracurricular program, and organizes much of its distinctive academic programming around The Leadership Lab, a real-world learning framework that includes DEALL (Drew Education for Active Lifelong Learning), travel opportunities, and selective senior-year capstone projects.
Admissions Timeline
Drew’s admissions season generally opens in early September, with applications typically due in early January. Families should confirm exact current-cycle dates directly with the admissions office.
Open House
Sunday, October 4, 2026
Open House
Sunday, October 25, 2026
See our guide to private school open houses and tours for how to make the most of a campus visit.
Why Drew’s Test-Free Process Rewards Different Preparation
Families coming from a standardized-test-driven admissions culture should note that Drew has been test-free since 2020: the ISEE, SSAT, and HSPT are neither required nor considered. Instead, the interview, personal statement, and teacher recommendations carry real weight in the file. Families should invest preparation time accordingly.
Top Tips for Applying
- Since Drew is test-free, invest your preparation time in the interview and personal statement.
- Choose the interview format (live Zoom or self-recorded video) that lets your child present most authentically.
- Request teacher recommendations early, especially from current math and English teachers.
Best Practices for Families
- Attend an Open House to see The Leadership Lab and DEALL firsthand.
- Submit your application well before the January deadline.
- Ask directly about how Drew’s small class sizes and 8:1 ratio shape day-to-day academics.
What the Application Involves
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01Testing Policy
Drew has been test-free since 2020, meaning standardized test scores are not required or considered. You do not need to submit any test scores for your application.
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02Recommendations
Please submit recommendations from your child’s current math teacher, English teacher, and a principal or counselor. These are handled digitally through the school’s Ravenna portal.
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03Interviews
Every applicant must complete an interview, either through a live Zoom session or a self-recorded video. Pick the option that best helps your child share their story.
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04Personal Statement
Applicants must answer short-answer questions in the Ravenna portal about their personality and interests. Use these to show how your child will contribute to the Drew community.
How Cardinal Education Helps Asian Americans Get Into Drew School
Cardinal Education’s private school admissions consulting helps Asian American families choose the right recommenders, craft a compelling personal statement, and prepare confidently for whichever interview format fits their child. For the full picture of Drew’s academics, admissions process, and requirements, see our main Drew School Admissions Consulting page. Families evaluating Drew may also find our results and guidance on what schools look for in applicants useful.
“We believed our daughter had a great chance of getting into Drew, but it was the whole process of actually applying that was really tedious and overwhelming. We did not know how to keep ourselves organized, we were just too busy. With Cardinal, the whole thing stopped feeling so uncertain. She got in as expected, but overall we’re just really grateful for how much lighter that made the process feel.”— Parent of a 9th Grader
Frequently Asked Questions
How diverse is Drew School’s student body?
Does Drew School require the ISEE or SSAT?
Is an interview required to apply to Drew?
What is Drew School’s Niche rating?
What is The Leadership Lab at Drew School?
Considering Drew School?
Our consultants build a preparation plan around your family’s specific priorities.