Seattle Country Day School (SCDS) Top Admissions Consulting
Guidance for Families Applying to This Queen Anne Hill K–8 School for Gifted Learners
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 Seattle Country Day School.
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About the School
Seattle Country Day School: An Overview for Prospective Families
Founded in 1964, Seattle Country Day School (SCDS) is a private, independent K–8 school on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, dedicated exclusively to gifted learners through an inquiry-based approach. SCDS enrolls approximately 420 students at a 7:1 student-teacher ratio, drawing families from 44 different zip codes across the region. The school is known for the Synapse Program, a nine-year social-emotional and identity curriculum, and for sending graduates on to some of the strongest high schools in the Puget Sound area, including Lakeside School.
Fast Facts
Location
2619 4th Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98109
Type
Private, co-ed, day school, nonsectarian, K–8, exclusively for gifted learners
Enrollment
420 students; average class size 18
Student-Teacher Ratio
Approximately 7:1
Primary Entry Points
Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 6th Grade, with additional openings elsewhere based on space
Academic & Admissions Snapshot
Middle School Electives Offered (2026–27)
90+
Service Learning Hours (2025–26)
1,100+
Students in Athletics Programs (2025–26)
277
National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists Since 2010
96 alumni
Application Fee
$70 (non-refundable)
Qualifying IQ Test Percentile
Near the 97th percentile (FSIQ or GAI)
Want a Full Picture?
For a deeper look at SCDS’s admissions process and student life, see our full How to Get Into Seattle Country Day School: Tips From The Experts.
What Makes SCDS’s Admissions Process Unique?
Unlike most K–8 independent schools, SCDS does not use the SSAT or ISEE as its primary evaluation tool. Instead, every applicant takes the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV) or Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V), depending on age, administered by a licensed psychologist.
Students for whom SCDS is a good fit typically score near the 97th percentile on the Full-Scale IQ or General Abilities Index, though the school also considers scores close to that threshold alongside other gifted characteristics like intellectual curiosity, creativity, and social-emotional maturity.
Key Admissions Dates & Events
Applications Open
Early September 2026
Application Due
January 14, 2027
In-Person Tours
Oct. 14, Dec. 9, and Jan. 20 (9:00–11:30 am)
Virtual K–8 Tours
Dec. 16 & Jan. 13 (7:00–8:15 pm)
Student Visit & Virtual Family Meeting
Jan.–Feb. 2027 (scheduled once application is complete)
Admission Decision Release
Early March 2027 (refer to Ravenna for the updated dates)
Application Requirements for SCDS Admissions
To apply to Seattle Country Day School, you will need to submit the following:
- 01Intelligence Testing
SCDS requires the WPPSI-IV (Kindergarten and 1st Grade) or WISC-V (Grade 2 and above), a cognitive ability assessment administered by a licensed psychologist, with results sent directly to the school. This replaces the SSAT or ISEE as the school’s primary testing requirement.
- 02PSIS Student Interest & Activities Form
The student interests & activities form allows the admissions committee to gain a deeper understanding of your child’s unique passions, extracurricular engagements, and how they spend their time outside of the classroom, providing key insights into how they might contribute to the Seattle Country Day School community.
- 03PSIS Student Essay
The student essay provides the admissions committee with a direct sense of your child’s personal voice, critical thinking, and intellectual curiosity, offering insight into how they will contribute to the Seattle Country Day School community.
- 04Transcripts
Applicants must request and upload official academic transcripts covering the prior two academic years and the current fall term directly through the Ravenna portal.
- 05Teacher Recommendations
Request two teacher evaluations: one from a current math teacher and one from a current language arts teacher. Note that teachers writing recommendations should not be sports coaches or extracurricular teachers. The teacher can upload the evaluation via Ravenna.
- 06Administrator Form
Request one administrator form through Ravenna, to be completed by a principal, division head, school counselor, or site manager/owner who knows your child. The person completing this form should be different from the individual(s) filling out the teacher evaluation(s).
Expert SCDS Admissions Consulting & Application Support
Because SCDS evaluates giftedness through a cognitive assessment rather than the SSAT or ISEE, families need a fundamentally different kind of preparation, one focused on understanding what the WPPSI or WISC actually measures and how SCDS interprets scores near, but not always at, the 97th percentile. Cardinal Education’s consultants help families navigate this distinctive testing process and put together a complete, well-supported application.
Families interested in support tailored to Asian American applicants can also see our Seattle Country Day School Admissions Consulting for Asian American Families.
“Our child stood out in the application process with the help of Cardinal Education and was accepted into this outstanding school. We are beyond grateful!”— Parent of a 6th Grader
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SCDS require the SSAT or ISEE?
What is the primary entry point at SCDS?
What is the Synapse Program?
How big is the Asian American population at SCDS?
What high schools do SCDS graduates typically attend?
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