Tell us about your childExpert Guidance for The Overlake School Admissions
We help students build a strong case for Grade 5 or Grade 9 entry at this selective Redmond, Washington school.
ABOUT THE OVERLAKE SCHOOL
The Overlake School: A leading 5–12 independent day school in Redmond, Washington
Founded in 1967, The Overlake School is an independent, co-educational, non-sectarian day school on 75 wooded acres in Redmond, Washington. It offers a rigorous college-preparatory program in the liberal arts tradition for students in grades 5 through 12.
Overlake offers 14 Advanced Placement courses alongside honors tracks in science, math, English, and history, plus Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Latin. The student-to-teacher ratio is roughly 7.9 to 1.
Admission is highly selective. Grade 5 and Grade 9 are the school’s two primary entry points, each with its own evaluation process built around teacher recommendations and either a group visit or a paired interview.
Unlike many peer schools, Overlake doesn’t require a specific admissions test – it accepts the SSAT, the ISEE, or even a recent state test like the MAP or SBA.
~575
Total enrollment
Across grades 5–12 on a single 75-acre Redmond campus
1967
Founded
An independent, non-sectarian day school in Redmond
Grade 5
Primary entry point
Group visit and teacher evaluations from 3rd & 4th grade
Grade 9
Primary entry point
Paired interview and current English & math teacher evaluations
ENTRY POINTS
Two Primary Entry Points, Different Strategies.
Whether your child is applying to Grade 5 or Grade 9, the approach — and what Overlake is evaluating — shifts meaningfully between the two. We tailor our strategy accordingly.
Grade 5 — The School’s Primary Entry Point
Overlake Grade 5 Admissions: A Group Visit, Not a Formal Interview
Fifth grade applicants join a group activity led by an Overlake faculty or staff member while parents meet separately with the admissions team, followed by a campus tour. Evaluations from both a 3rd grade and a 4th grade teacher are required. We help students show real readiness and genuine curiosity in that group setting, not just polish.
Standardized test preparation (SSAT, ISEE, or a recent state test)
Group-visit and application coaching
Transcript and teacher-recommendation positioning
Parent-meeting preparation
Application timeline and strategy across independent schools
Grade 9 — The School’s Second Primary Entry Point
Overlake Grade 9 Admissions: A Paired Interview Format
Ninth grade applicants interview in pairs with an Overlake faculty or staff member while parents take a smaller campus tour. Evaluations from a current English teacher and a current math teacher are both required. We help students show they’re ready to hold their own in that paired conversation.
Standardized test preparation (SSAT, ISEE, or a recent state test)
Student essay and interview coaching
Transcript and teacher-recommendation positioning
Paired-interview preparation
Application timeline and strategy across independent schools
WHY CARDINAL EDUCATION
We Know What The Overlake School Is Actually Looking For.
Overlake sees far more qualified applicants than it can admit. Succeeding in private school admissions at this level isn’t only about test scores — both entry points weigh teacher evaluations and a live group visit or interview just as heavily, so a student needs to show genuine curiosity and fit in the room, not just on paper.
Overlake-specific positioning
Essay & interview coaching
Teacher-evaluation & recommendation strategy
Redmond & Eastside-area family support
Ready to Begin?
Start Your Overlake School Admissions Journey Today.
Schedule a consultation with Cardinal Education and learn how our Overlake School admissions experts can help your child put their best foot forward.