How to Get Into Stratford Preparatory School: Expert Admissions Guide for Elite Families

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Everything Silicon Valley families need to know about applying to this San Jose Grades 6–12 campus.

Quick Answer for Busy Parents

Stratford Preparatory School (often called Stratford Prep Blackford) is a coeducational private day school on Blackford Avenue in San Jose, serving Grades 6–12. Opened in Fall 2022, it graduated its first class of 65 seniors in May 2026 and has grown to more than 900 students. Standard application requirements for new families include standardized test scores, recommendation letters, transcripts, and a family interview, while current Stratford students follow a streamlined re-enrollment track. The application deadline for the upcoming cycle is January 15, 2027, with decisions released in mid-March.

Why Do Families Choose Stratford Preparatory?

Stratford Preparatory extends a Stratford School tradition that goes back to 1999, adding a Grades 6–12 campus to a network long known for its preschool-through-8th-grade programs. Families are drawn most to its Computer Science program, described by the school as one of the most distinguished in California, alongside more than 25 AP courses and Stratford Advanced Studies (SAS), a set of college-level courses the school designed to exceed AP rigor in disciplines like biomedical engineering, cybersecurity, and full-stack development.

Recent students posted an average AP exam score of 4.2, with 101 students earning AP Scholar awards. Campus facilities include a gymnasium, golf simulator, fitness studio, innovation lab, science labs, a counseling center, a student lounge, and a theater.

Did You Know? Stratford Preparatory Blackford’s May 2026 commencement marked the first graduating class in Stratford School’s 27-year history, since the network’s earlier campuses served preschool through 8th grade only.

How Hard Is It to Get Into Stratford Preparatory?

Stratford Preparatory does not publish an official acceptance rate. Third-party estimates for the average San Jose private school acceptance rate run around 82%, though actual selectivity for non-Stratford applicants is much tighter. Because a significant portion of incoming classes is filled by continuing middle schoolers, open seats for external applicants are highly competitive.

Top Tips for a Strong Application

• New applicants should register for the ISEE or SSAT well ahead of the January deadline.
• Prepare thoughtful, genuine responses to the Ravenna Short Answer Questions.
• Schedule the required family interview as soon as your application is submitted.

Best Practices for Prospective Families

• Attend an Open House or schedule a tour to see the labs, innovation lab, and CS facilities in person.
• Request two recommendation letters through Ravenna with plenty of lead time.
• Confirm current tuition figures directly with the school, since published rates vary by year and source.

The Stratford Preparatory Admission Process

Creating an account in Ravenna is the first step in Stratford Prep’s admission process. There, you will be able to sign up for events and submit the required documents for your application.

1. Create a Ravenna account.
2. Attend an admissions event.
   • Open House
   • Campus Tour
3. Submit the application.
   • Application Form
   • Parent Questionnaire
   • Student Questionnaire
4. Delegate letters of recommendation.
   • Grades 6–8 (Middle School): Current math & English teacher
   • Grades 9–12 (High School): Current math & English teacher + optional science teacher
5. Submit transcripts.
   • Middle School: Half of the current year + two previous school years
   • Grade 9 Applicant: Complete middle school + 1st semester transcript
   • Grades 10–11 Applicants: Complete middle & high school + 1st semester transcript
6. Submit test scores.
   • ISEE or SSAT (new students entering high school)
   • Academic Admissions Assessment (new students entering Grades 6–8)
7. Schedule the family interview.
8. Await the admissions decision.

What Are the Application Requirements for Stratford High School?

Continuing Stratford Students vs. New Applicants

Parent 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.

How to write a compelling parent questionnaire: Share anecdotes that demonstrate your child’s maturity and values rather than repeating their resume. Keep your tone authentic and collaborative. Learn how to write a compelling private school parent statement.

Student 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.

How to write an effective student questionnaire: Focus on highlighting specific moments of discovery or reflection rather than summarizing your entire resume, and prioritize an authentic writing voice that reflects your true personality. For Stratford Preparatory, it is vital to demonstrate how your personal experiences align with their mission of academic excellence and leadership. Use specific, narrow examples to help the committee visualize your potential impact on campus.

Admissions 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.

How to prepare for the admissions interview: Approach the interview as a natural conversation. Students should be prepared to discuss their interests, achievements, and reasons for applying to Stratford Preparatory. Comprehensive interview preparation helps students communicate with confidence and authenticity, making a strong impression.

Standardized 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.

How to prepare for the SSAT or ISEE: Effective test preparation involves more than just content review; it builds a deep understanding of exam-specific question formats, pacing strategies, and underlying academic skills. Personalized coaching helps students master these exams with confidence. Learn more about private school test prep.

Transcripts

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.

How to support academic performance: If grades have been a genuine struggle, improving them before applying requires targeted, consistent support—not last-minute cramming. This is where tutoring and academic coaching help strengthen the student’s key skills months before applications are due, allowing students to demonstrate meaningful, sustained academic growth.

Recommendation 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.

How to get the best recommendation letter: To secure a strong recommendation letter, ensure your child builds genuine relationships with teachers and mentors. Recommenders should highlight your child’s leadership, behavior, and academic impact on the community.

Have Questions About Your Child’s Application?

Cardinal Education’s consultants help families determine which admissions track applies and prepare accordingly.

Schedule a Consultation

What Is Student Life Like at Stratford Preparatory?

Student life at Stratford Preparatory is a well-rounded experience that encourages exploration and personal growth. The school culture intentionally balances rigorous academics with a vibrant array of extracurricular activities, ensuring that students have the support and opportunities they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

Academics

The academic program at Stratford Preparatory is structured around core developmental milestones, guiding students from foundational critical thinking in middle school to university-level preparation in high school.

• Middle School: Focuses on educating the whole child to develop skilled communicators, generous collaborators, and creative problem solvers.
• High School: Provides a future-focused curriculum delivered by expert faculty, backed by key strategic partnerships and co-curricular opportunities.
• Learning Spaces: Designed to foster a warm, welcoming environment where students thrive academically and personally.
• Computer Science: The program is anchored by at least 8 advanced, college-level courses, positioned as one of the most distinguished CS programs in California and reflecting the school’s Silicon Valley location.

These interconnected academic pathways ensure that students gain both subject-matter mastery and the self-advocacy skills needed to excel in higher education and beyond.

Athletics

Stratford Preparatory’s athletics program operates with a focus on building fundamental skills, teamwork, and healthy habits. Competing in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), Central Coast Section (CCS), and the Private School Athletic League (PSAL), students participate across middle school and high school team rosters.

Supported by modern facilities, including a gymnasium, six tennis courts, a track and field, an expansive soccer pitch, an athletic training room, and a student wellness center, Stratford student-athletes develop resilience and school pride across every level of play.

Arts

At Stratford Preparatory, the arts are integrated as an essential pathway for creative expression, personal discovery, and global perspective. Operating through dedicated studios modeled after a classical approach to artistic study, the curriculum supports aspiring and practicing student artists alike.

• Digital Media & Film: Hands-on training in video production, narrative editing, storytelling, and digital film creation.
• Visual Arts: Studio-based exploration of classical techniques, design fundamentals, and fine arts.
• Digital Music & Composition: Focuses on digital composition, audio arrangement, and music theory.
• Graphic Design: Covers visual communication, typography, branding, and modern digital art tools.

From public productions and gallery shows to film festivals and ensemble concerts, Stratford Preparatory provides frequent opportunities for student artists to share their work with the community.

Student Clubs & Extracurriculars

Tailored to student interests not otherwise covered in the standard curriculum, student-initiated clubs at Stratford Preparatory offer dynamic opportunities for intellectual exploration, leadership, and skill development across middle and upper school grade levels.

These diverse student organizations empower middle and high school students to explore individual passions, build peer camaraderie, and make a meaningful impact beyond the classroom.

Secure Your Student’s Spot at Stratford Prep

Navigating the Stratford Prep admissions landscape requires a clear strategy tailored to your child’s entry point, especially for external applicants competing for limited open seats.

Cardinal Education provides tailored coaching—from targeted ISEE and SSAT preparation to high-impact family interview strategies that ensure your child stands out in a highly selective applicant pool.

Schedule a Consultation

Related Articles:
Inside Stratford Preparatory’s Distinguished Computer Science Program
Stratford Preparatory Blackford’s Historic First Graduating Class

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

— Parent of a 9th Grader