The Northwest School Application & Admissions Consulting
Guidance for families applying to this Seattle day and boarding school, Grades 6–12
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, including The Northwest School.
As Seen On
About the School
About The Northwest School
Founded in 1980 as The Northwest School of the Arts, Humanities, and Environment, The Northwest School is an independent, coeducational day and boarding school serving Grades 6–12 on Seattle’s First Hill, housed primarily in the historic 1905 Summit School building, a Seattle landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Northwest enrolls approximately 450-500 students and is the only independent school in Seattle offering a boarding program with both 5-day and 7-day options. Niche ranked Northwest #1 for Best High Schools for the Arts in Washington State in 2026.
Fast Facts
Location
1415 Summit Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122
Type
Private, co-ed, day and boarding school, nonsectarian, Grades 6–12
Enrollment
450-500 students; approximately 14-16% international
Student-Teacher Ratio
Approximately 7:1
Academic & Admissions Snapshot
Arts Ranking
#1 Best High Schools for the Arts in Washington (Niche, 2026)
Boarding Options
5-day and 7-day, the only such program in Seattle
Accreditation
Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS), NAIS
Application Platforms
Aryval or Standard Application Online (SAO)
Core Values
Environmental sustainability, social justice, global perspective
Want a Full Picture?
For a deeper look at Northwest’s admissions process and student life, see our full Northwest School Admissions Guide.
What to Expect from The Northwest School Admissions Process
Northwest describes its process as purposeful and holistic, weighing every part of the application as the school gets to know each student. Interview requirements vary by grade level, and international applicants follow a distinct timeline, with decisions typically released within two weeks of when a complete application is submitted, ahead of the January 14 priority deadline. Families applying after January 14 are considered on a rolling basis as space allows.
Key Admissions Dates & Events
Application Portal Opens
Late Summer / Early Fall 2026
Application Deadline
January 14, 2027
Student Visit Days
October 2026 to Mid-January 2027
In-Person Campus Tours
October 7 & 13, 2026 (more dates coming soon)
Early Community Deadline
November 5, 2026
Middle School Open House
November 15, 2026 & December 13, 2026
Upper School Open House
November 15, 2026 & December 13, 2026
Upper School Decisions Release
February 19, 2027
Middle School Decisions Release
March 19, 2027
What You Need to Apply to The Northwest School
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01Student Essay and Student Interest & Activities
Submitted via Aryval or SAO for Grades 6–12. Requires a student essay and an interests/activities form showcasing personal hobbies, writing ability, creative pursuits, and alignment with Northwest’s core values of environmental sustainability, social justice, and global perspective.
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02Parent/Guardian Statement
Completed via Aryval or SAO for Grades 6–12. Parents share context about their child’s growth, learning style, strengths, and alignment with Northwest through the parent/guardian statement.
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03Recommendation Letters
Submitted via Aryval or SAO for Grades 6–12. Requires two teacher evaluations, a school report from an administrator or counselor, and optional math and English recommendations.
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04Transcript
Requested via Aryval or SAO for Grades 6–12. Requires official current-year grade reports and complete transcripts from the prior two school years.
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05Admissions Interview
Scheduled via Aryval or SAO (October–mid-January). Required for non-traditional entry applicants (Grades 7, 8, 10, 11, 12) and international students; optional for Grade 9. Optional parent/guardian interviews are available for Grades 6–8. Virtual options available.
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06Standardized Testing
Test-optional for domestic applicants in Grades 6–12 (SSAT or ISEE). Non-native English-speaking international applicants must submit English proficiency test results (Duolingo, TOEFL, or IELTS) and a graded English writing sample.
Expert Admissions Consulting for The Northwest School
Because Northwest’s process weighs the student essay, interests and activities form, and parent statement heavily alongside the interview, families benefit from an application that speaks genuinely to the school’s core values around the arts, sustainability, and global perspective. Cardinal Education’s consultants help families build that complete, authentic application.
Families interested in support tailored to Asian American applicants can also explore our Navigating The Northwest School Admissions: Support for Asian American Families.
“Northwest’s arts program and the historic Summit building gave our daughter a genuinely creative home for her high school years. Cardinal Education helped us put together an application that reflected her real interests and voice.”— Northwest School Parent
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an interview required at Northwest?
What are the 5-day and 7-day boarding options?
How big is the Asian American population at Northwest?
Is Northwest known for its arts program?
Does Northwest have a religious affiliation?
Considering The Northwest School?
Our consultants help families build a complete, authentic Northwest School application and navigate the interview process.