Hillbrook School Upper School Admissions Consulting
Expert Guidance for Families Applying to Hillbrook’s Upper School in Downtown San Jose, CA
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.
As Seen On
About the School
About Hillbrook Upper School
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)
Mascot
Bear
Accreditation
CAIS; Member, NAIS
Upper School students take part in a full athletics program alongside their academics, and families can pair strong grades with Cardinal Education’s tutoring support.
Academic Snapshot
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.
For a full picture of Hillbrook Upper School’s admissions process for Asian Americans, see our dedicated guide to Hillbrook for Asian American families.
Admissions Timeline
Hillbrook’s regular application deadline generally falls in mid-to-late January, with rolling admissions afterward as space allows. Admissions and Flexible Tuition Award decisions are typically announced in March, with enrollment decisions due the following week. Families should confirm exact current-cycle dates directly with the admissions office, since deadlines can shift from year to year.
See our guide to private school open houses and tours for how to make the most of a campus visit.
What Makes Hillbrook’s Upper School Admissions Process Unique?
Hillbrook is test-optional at every grade level, including the Upper School: standardized test scores are not required, though families may submit them if they believe scores will strengthen an application. As a newer division that has been growing one grade at a time since 2023, the Upper School’s admissions process centers on a school visit, teacher recommendations, academic records, and a student and family conversation.
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 Hillbrook Upper School Application Requires
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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 Families to Hillbrook School
Because Hillbrook’s Upper School process is test-optional and holistic, the school visit, recommendations, and family conversation all carry real weight. Cardinal Education’s private school admissions consulting helps families decide whether submitting test scores makes sense, choose strong recommenders, and prepare confidently for the admissions process at this newer, growing division. 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?
Where is Hillbrook’s Upper School located?
Who is the current Head of School at Hillbrook?
Considering Hillbrook Upper School?
Our consultants help families navigate Hillbrook’s admissions process with clarity and confidence.