Pinewood Upper Campus Admissions Consulting
Guidance for families applying to Pinewood School’s Upper Campus, Grades 7–12
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.
As Seen On
About the School
About the Pinewood Upper Campus
Pinewood School’s Upper Campus, at 26800 Fremont Road in Los Altos Hills, serves Grades 7–12 (Junior High and High School) and represents the most academically intensive stage of Pinewood’s program: 9 Honors and 16 Advanced Placement courses, and a 100% college matriculation rate among graduates. Grade 9 is one of Pinewood’s primary entry points, drawing a meaningful share of new families alongside students continuing from the Middle Campus. Students here also see the most demanding admissions requirements in the Pinewood system, including a proctored writing sample for applicants in grades 7-12.
Fast Facts
Location
Upper Campus, 26800 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
Type
Private, co-ed, day school, nondenominational, college preparatory
Grades Served
7–12 (Junior High and High School)
Parent School Enrollment
~600 students (K–12, across three campuses); ~300 in Grades 7–12
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1 school-wide
Application Window
Opens September 1, 2026; closes January 5, 2027
What Makes Upper Campus Admissions Unique?
Applicants to Grades 7-12 complete a Proctored Writing Sample through Test Innovators in addition to a Student Interview and a half-day Student Experience Visit, a heavier evaluation load than anywhere else in the Pinewood system. Because grades 7 and 9 are major entry points, the Upper Campus draws a substantial number of new families each year, not just students continuing from the Middle Campus. Pinewood also requires that at least one parent live in the Los Altos area throughout enrollment, since the school does not offer boarding, and international applicants additionally complete the Avant Secondary School English Fluency Test.
Admissions Calendar
Application Windows Open
September 1, 2026
Application Windows Close
January 5, 2027
Open House
November 7, 2026 (9:45 am – 12:00 pm)
Campus Tour
Oct. 13 & 29, Dec. 4, Jan. 8 & 21, and Feb. 23
Admissions Decisions
March 12, 2027
Enrollment Response Deadline
March 18, 2027
Video
What the Upper Campus Application Requires
- 01Transcripts
Applicants must provide transcripts from both the current semester and last year. This is where tutoring and academic coaching help strengthen key skills, allowing students to demonstrate meaningful, sustained growth.
- 02Recommendation Letter
Pinewood School requires confidential recommendations from the student’s current math and English teachers, as well as a report from their school principal or counselor, all of which are submitted via Ravenna.
- 03Proctored Writing Sample & International Fluency Testing
Applicants across all grades (7–12) complete a timed writing sample through Test Innovators. International applicants also complete the Avant fluency test, which requires a Chrome browser, microphone, and headphones. Help your child craft compelling narratives with our Program in Writing and Reading (PWR).
Academic & Admissions Snapshot
Honors Courses
9
AP Courses
16
College Matriculation
100% of graduates attend college
Estimated Acceptance Rate
~30% school-wide (third-party estimate)
Athletics
39 teams across 11 sports, including Boys 8-Man Football and Girls Flag Football
Want a Full Picture?
For the full Pinewood admissions picture across all three campuses, see our How to Get Into Pinewood School: A Complete Admissions Guide for Parents. Families applying to Grades 3–6 should also see our Pinewood Middle Campus Admissions Consulting.
How Cardinal Education Helps
Upper Campus admissions carries real added weight compared to the rest of Pinewood, between the Proctored Writing Sample, the Student Experience Visit, and a curriculum families need to show genuine readiness for.
“Pinewood School has changed me into the person I am today. This community has helped me open up more and be successful. Thank you, Cardinal Education, for helping me get into Pinewood!”— Pinewood Alumnus
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grade 9 a good entry point for new families?
Does the Upper Campus require standardized testing?
How many AP courses does Pinewood offer?
Can international students apply to the Upper Campus?
How big is the Asian American population at Pinewood?
Considering Pinewood (Upper) School?
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