Hillbrook School Upper School Admissions for Asian American Families
What Asian American Families Should Know Before Applying to Hillbrook’s Upper 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 Hillbrook School.
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About the School
Hillbrook Upper School and Asian American Applicants
Hillbrook School’s Upper School (Grades 9–12) opened in Fall 2023 in downtown San Jose, a distinct campus from Hillbrook’s original Los Gatos site, giving high schoolers a genuinely urban, city-connected learning environment. Hillbrook is currently led by Head of School Mark Silver, with a schoolwide 7:1 student-teacher ratio. Upper School students are guided by the same four core values as the rest of the school, reflecting a distinctive educational philosophy: Be Kind, Be Curious, Take Risks, and Be Your Best. Hillbrook holds accreditation from CAIS and is a member of NAIS.
Fast Facts
Location
227 N First Street, San Jose, CA 95113 (Downtown San Jose Campus)
Type
Private, Co-Educational Upper School (Grades 9–12)
Opened
Fall 2023
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1 (schoolwide)
Accreditation
CAIS; Member, NAIS
Academics at a Glance
Testing Policy
Test-optional; scores may be submitted but are not required
Signature Program
Immersives: 3-week interdisciplinary, transcripted courses bookending the year
Sports Offered
18 across the school
Signature Center
The Scott Center for Social Entrepreneurship (JK–12)
Distinctive Upper School Features
Hillbrook’s Upper School is built around its downtown San Jose location: students regularly learn directly from civic leaders at City Hall, work with local artists, and build connections with community organizations, part of a broader extracurricular identity that treats the city itself as an extension of the classroom. The school’s Immersives program gives students three-week, interdisciplinary, transcripted courses at the start and end of each year, reflecting a personalized learning approach, with some Immersives involving national or international travel.
Admissions Timeline
Hillbrook’s regular application deadline generally falls in mid-to-late January, with rolling admissions afterward as space allows. Decisions are typically announced in March. Families should confirm exact current-cycle dates directly with the admissions office.
See our guide to private school open houses and tours for how to make the most of a campus visit.
Why Hillbrook’s Test-Optional Process Rewards Different Preparation
Families coming from a standardized-test-driven admissions culture should note that Hillbrook does not require test scores at any grade level, including the Upper School. Instead, the school visit, teacher recommendations, and family conversation carry real weight in the file. Families should invest preparation time accordingly.
Top Tips for Applying
- Since Hillbrook is test-optional, only submit scores if they genuinely strengthen your child’s application.
- Highlight genuine interest in an urban, city-connected learning environment, a defining feature of the Upper School experience.
- Request teacher recommendations early, especially from current core-subject teachers.
Best Practices for Families
- Attend a campus tour or admissions event at the San Jose campus to experience the Upper School firsthand.
- Create an account on Ravenna early to register for tour dates and admissions events.
- Submit academic records and recommendations well ahead of the January deadline; families can pair this with Cardinal Education’s academic coaching.
What the Application Involves
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01Testing Policy
Hillbrook’s Upper School admissions process is test-optional: standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted if a family believes they will strengthen the application.
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02Recommendations & Records
Upper School applicants submit current academic records and teacher recommendations as part of a holistic file emphasizing curiosity, work ethic, and community fit.
How Cardinal Education Helps Asian American Families to Hillbrook
Cardinal Education’s private school admissions consulting helps Asian American families decide whether submitting test scores makes sense, choose strong recommenders, and prepare confidently for Hillbrook’s holistic admissions process. For the full picture of Hillbrook’s academics, admissions process, and requirements, see our main Hillbrook Upper School Admissions Consulting page. Families evaluating Hillbrook may also find our results and guidance on what schools look for in applicants useful.
“By the time we got to the upper school app, we were a little burnt out on the whole process. Cardinal kept things simple and focused, cutting out the noise so we could just concentrate on what mattered for Hillbrook. Our daughter got in, and looking back, having that kind of steady guidance helped the most.”— Parent from Hillbrook (Upper) School
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Hillbrook’s Upper School open?
Does Hillbrook require standardized testing for Upper School admission?
What are Immersives at Hillbrook?
What is Hillbrook’s student-teacher ratio?
Where is Hillbrook’s Upper School located?
Considering Hillbrook Upper School?
Our consultants build a preparation plan around your family’s specific priorities.