Expert Stratford Preparatory School Admissions Consulting
Guidance for Families Applying to Stratford Preparatory Blackford, San Jose’s Grades 6–12 Campus in Silicon Valley
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 Stratford Preparatory School.
As Seen On
About the School
About Stratford Preparatory School
Stratford Preparatory School on Blackford Avenue in San Jose opened in Fall 2022 as Stratford School’s first combined Middle School (Grades 6–8) and High School (Grades 9–12) campus, building on Stratford’s 25-plus years of running preschool-through-8th-grade programs across the Bay Area. In May 2026, Stratford Preparatory Blackford celebrated its first-ever graduating class, 65 seniors, a genuine milestone for a campus that has grown to more than 900 students in just a few years. The school is known for a distinguished Computer Science program with at least 8 advanced, college-level courses, alongside more than 25 AP courses and Stratford Advanced Studies (SAS), a set of courses the school designed to go beyond AP-level rigor.
Fast Facts
Location
3800 Blackford Avenue, San Jose, CA 95117
Type
Private, co-ed, day school, college preparatory, Grades 6–12
Enrollment
900+ students
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
Academic & Admissions Snapshot
AP Courses Offered
25+
Stratford Advanced Studies (SAS) Courses
8+ (post-AP level)
Advanced Computer Science Courses
8+
Average AP Exam Score (recent)
4.2, with 101 students earning AP Scholar awards
Testing Required (non-Stratford applicants)
ISEE or SSAT
Athletics
CIF Central Coast Section (CCS) member
Want a Full Picture?
For a deeper look at Stratford Preparatory’s admissions process and student life, explore How to Get Into Stratford Preparatory School: Expert Admissions Guide for Elite Families.
What Makes Stratford Prep’s Admissions Process Unique?
Stratford Preparatory treats continuing Stratford Middle School students differently from new applicants. Current Grade 8 students who re-enroll on time need no application, interview, or entrance test at all; if they wait past the priority window, they follow the new-student process but still skip the interview and test scores, submitting only transcripts and recommendations. New applicants from outside the Stratford system face the fuller process: ISEE or SSAT scores, two recommendation letters, and a required family interview. Current Stratford Middle School students applying to Grade 9 through the regular process can also submit CTP scores from the end of Grade 7 in place of the ISEE or SSAT.
Key Admissions Dates & Events
Application Portal Open
September 1, 2026
Shadow Visit (Beginning Sched)
October 1, 2026
Open House
November 14, 2026 (1:00–4:00 pm)
Priority Re-enrollment (Currently Enrolled Stratford Students)
Dec. 9, 2026–Jan. 11, 2027
Application Deadline
January 15, 2027
Tour Day
January 23, 2027 (9:00 am–1:00 pm)
Admissions Decisions Release
March 12, 2027
Admitted Students Day
March 20, 2027 (3:00–5:00 pm)
Enrollment Contract & Deposit Due
March 26, 2027
Stratford Preparatory School Application Requirements
To apply to Stratford Preparatory School, you will need to submit the following:
-
01Parent Questionnaire
The parent questionnaire allows you to advocate for your child by highlighting their character and personal growth, providing the admissions committee with essential context on how your family’s values align with Stratford Preparatory’s mission and educational philosophy.
-
02Student Questionnaire
The student questionnaire is a primary writing requirement for Stratford Preparatory applicants. This component provides the admissions committee with a direct sense of your voice, allowing you to share unique interests and your approach to problem-solving within the context of the school’s community.
-
03Admissions Interview
The interview is a vital opportunity for the admissions committee to understand the student’s unique personality and interests. These conversations ensure your family’s values align with the Stratford Preparatory community, helping the school get to know the student beyond their application files.
-
04Standardized Testing & Assessment
Standardized testing requirements at Stratford Preparatory vary by grade level and applicant status. New students entering high school (Grades 9–12) must submit ISEE or SSAT scores, while new students entering middle school (Grades 6–8) must complete the Academic Admissions Assessment. For students currently enrolled in Stratford Middle School applying for regular admission, the school will accept CTP scores from the end of Grade 7 in place of the ISEE or SSAT; however, these students are still welcome to submit additional test scores to enhance their application.
-
05Transcripts
Middle school applicants must submit transcripts for half of the current year plus two previous school years. Grade 9 applicants require complete middle school transcripts plus their 1st semester transcript, while Grades 10–11 applicants must submit complete middle and high school transcripts plus their 1st semester transcript.
-
06Recommendation Letters
For applicants to Grades 6–8, Stratford Preparatory requires a letter of recommendation from the student’s current math and English teachers. For applicants to Grades 9–12, please provide a letter of recommendation from the student’s current math and English teachers; an optional letter of recommendation from a science teacher is also welcome.
Maximize Admissions Success with Stratford Preparatory School Consulting
Navigating the complex admissions landscape at Stratford Prep requires a strategic approach tailored to your child’s specific track. Whether your family is managing the priority re-enrollment window for continuing students or facing the competitive new-applicant process, Cardinal Education provides the expert guidance necessary to stand out.
Our consultants specialize in comprehensive preparation for the ISEE and SSAT, alongside rigorous interview coaching and application development. We ensure families never miss a critical deadline and help articulate a compelling narrative that aligns with Stratford’s high standards.
For support specifically tailored to Asian American families, explore our Stratford Preparatory School Admissions Consulting: Asian American Families.
“Stratford Prep’s computer science program gave our son opportunities we never expected from a high school. Cardinal Education helped us understand exactly which admissions track applied to our family and made the process far less confusing.”— Stratford Preparatory Parent
Frequently Asked Questions
Do current Stratford Middle School students need to apply for high school?
Does Stratford Prep require the ISEE or SSAT?
Is Stratford Prep the same as Stratford Preparatory in Milpitas?
How big is the Asian American population at Stratford Preparatory?
What makes Stratford Prep’s Computer Science program distinctive?
Considering Stratford Preparatory School?
Our consultants help families navigate private school admissions with clarity and confidence.