How to Get Into Archer School for Girls: Your Complete Guide to Getting In

Best All-Girls High School in Los Angeles: Why Archer Excels

Founded in 1995, The Archer School for Girls was established by three women—Megan Callaway, Victoria Shorr, and Diana Meehan—who envisioned a contemporary school grounded in research on how girls learn best. Their goal was to create a forward-thinking academic environment that would balance scholarly excellence with a strong sense of community and purpose.

Located in Los Angeles, California, Archer is an independent school for grades 6–12 that is committed to empowering girls through a progressive, inquiry-based curriculum. The school is situated on a historic, ivy-covered campus—formerly the Eastern Star Home for Women—a 1930s architectural gem that’s been updated to meet the needs of modern learners while retaining its charm.

With small class sizes and a tight-knit community, Archer offers a dynamic, girl-centered environment that prepares students to lead with confidence, intellect, and integrity in college and beyond.

How hard is it to get into Archer School for Girls?

Gaining admission to The Archer School for Girls is a thoughtful and personalized process, reflecting the school’s mission to nurture independent thinkers and confident leaders. With an average class size of 14–16 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 8:1, Archer offers a collaborative and engaging academic environment where girls are known, challenged, and supported.

The admissions process includes several important steps: submitting an online application form, paying a non-refundable application fee of $75 for domestic applicants, completing both student and parent/guardian questionnaires, and scheduling interviews. Applicants must also submit teacher recommendations—from current English and math teachers—as well as a school administrator recommendation and transcripts from the current and previous two years. Archer also requires a writing sample and a math assessment, both completed at home.

Archer is test-blind, which means it does not review ISEE or SSAT scores. However, international applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through TOEFL, Duolingo, or IELTS. Archer uses a holistic admissions process that places significant weight on student essays, recommendations, interviews, and academic records.

The priority application deadline is December 16, and all supporting materials, including recommendations and transcripts, must be submitted by January 10. Admissions decisions are released in mid-March, with enrollment contracts typically due one week later. Applications received after the deadline are considered on a space-available basis.

Given the competitiveness of the process, families may benefit from working with private school admissions consultants who understand the ins and outs of the Archer School for Girls admissions process. Consultants can provide valuable guidance in presenting a compelling application and ensuring prospective students stand out in a highly selective pool of candidates.

Archer School for Girls Admissions Process: Step-by-Step Guide for Applicants

​Creating an account on Finalsite Enrollment is the first step in the Archer School for Girls application process. You may apply, register for admission events, receive notifications, and monitor your application progress all through your account. The admission steps you should take are as follows:

1. Apply via the Finalsite Enrollment platform.
2. Complete the Online Application Form (Parent/Student Questionnaire)
3. Attend Admissions Events (Optional but Recommended)
4. Submit Required Documents and Complete the Application
5. Schedule and Complete an Interview
6. Await Decision/Enrollment Confirmation

For more details and to begin your application, visit the Archer School for Girls Admissions page.

Archer School for Girls Admission Requirements

Crafting a Compelling Parent Statement for Your Archer School for Girls Application

Parents or guardians of applicants are required to answer a parent/guardian questionnaire that is found on  Finalsite Enrollment. You will be asked to talk about your child and share information about their personality, achievements, and other personal information.

Tips for Writing a Strong and Effective Archer School for Girls Parent Statement

The parent statement is an integral part of the application process as it will help admissions officers better understand your child’s background and potential to become successful at Archer School for Girls. It will also demonstrate your family’s commitment to your child’s education. When choosing what to write about, remember that you have to be honest and authentic. Focus on your child’s strengths and unique characteristics, and provide anecdotes to support your statements. For some tips on how to write a powerful parent statement from experienced educational consultants, click here. 

Securing Powerful Teacher Recommendations for Archer School for Girls

Applicants must submit recommendation letters from current math and English teachers and the principal or counselor. The forms can be found on  Finalsite Enrollment and must be submitted online via the same platform.

How to get strong recommendation letters for Archer School for Girls

Teacher recommendations are crucial for admission since they give a more thorough evaluation of your child’s character, personality, and academic aptitude. Because they deal with your child on a daily basis and can confirm your child’s academic success, they can make professional and unbiased observations. Building strong relationships with teachers is crucial if you want them to be able to provide strong recommendations that support other application materials when the time comes for them to do so.

Grades and Transcripts: Submission Guidelines 

Applicants must submit transcripts from both the previous academic year and the first semester of the current one. Once submitted, the school will handle the process directly.

How to Improve Grades for Archer School for Girls Application 

The transcript will demonstrate your child’s readiness to handle Archer School for Girls’s rigorous curriculum. But what if your child’s grades aren’t all that outstanding? Start private school admissions consulting early! Our tutors and academic coaches will work with your child to improve grades and achieve scores that meet the requirements. We provide online or in-person tutoring for a variety of courses as well as diagnostic testing. However, because we are aware that boosting GPA won’t guarantee success, we provide academic coaching that teaches executive function skills as a more holistic strategy.

Writing a Standout Personal Statement for Archer School for Girls

There are questions that an applicant has to answer within a limited character count. The questions delve into your child’s personality, skills, and interests, as well as their expectations of Archer School for Girls. The questions might seem simple and easy to answer, but admissions officers are looking at certain characteristics and values in your child that will determine if they are a good fit at Archer School for Girls. 

How to Create a Winning Personal Statement

Our private school admissions consultants can guide your child and give advice on how to best answer the questions truthfully. Our years of experience working with families applying to Archer School for Girls have allowed us to understand what they are looking for in applicants. From your child’s personal circumstances, we can identify what traits and characteristics will interest the admissions team and be considered for admission. Here are some useful tips on how to write a compelling personal statement.

Preparing for Your Archer School for Girls School Admissions Interview: Tips and Advice

Admissions interviews are a required part of the application process at The Archer School for Girls. Here are the key details:

• Student interviews are required for all applicants.
• Parent/guardian conversations are also part of the admissions process.
• These meetings help the admissions team better understand the applicant’s personality, interests, and alignment with Archer’s mission and values.
• Interviews are scheduled through Archer’s admissions portal on Finalsite Enrollment (SchoolAdmin).

To guarantee an interview slot, applicants must complete their initial application steps by a priority deadline, usually in mid-November.

Mastering the Admissions Interview: What to Expect and How to Shine

Your child will be assessed and evaluated based on how they conduct themselves on those occasions. With nearly 20 years of experience in the industry and helping numerous families get into Archer School for Girls, we know what they are looking for. With informed interview preparation, our admissions consultants will introduce your child to common interview questions and teach them how to answer them truthfully while adhering to their values. 

Visiting Archer School for Girls: Campus Tours, Open Houses, and Virtual Events

Archer School for Girls offers a range of opportunities for prospective families to learn more about its programs and community through campus tours, open houses, and virtual information sessions.

In-Person Campus Tour Information

Archer offers in-person campus tours for prospective students and their families. These tours provide a firsthand look at the learning spaces, arts and athletic facilities, and daily life on campus. Tours are typically hosted by student ambassadors and members of the admissions team.

Open House Events for Middle & Upper School

The school holds an annual Open House event in the fall. This program includes presentations from the Head of School, faculty, students, and parents. Attendees can explore academics, extracurriculars, and Archer’s mission through interactive sessions and panels.

Virtual Events: Online Information Sessions

For families unable to attend in person, Archer offers a range of virtual experiences, including:

• Online information sessions
• Virtual student panels
• Parent webinars
• Q&A sessions with the admissions team

These programs help families understand Archer’s curriculum, culture, and admissions process, no matter where they are.

All events can be registered for through Archer’s Admissions Events page.

What is Student Life Like at Archer School for Girls?

Student life at Archer isn’t your average yawn-fest. Think of it as a high-octane laboratory for girl geniuses with a flair for the dramatic (and the digitally savvy). They’ve got these seriously cool hubs – the IdeaLab, where coding robots and hatching inventions is apparently a regular Tuesday, and the MediaSpace, which sounds like a breeding ground for the next generation of podcast queens and digital storytellers. Forget passive learning; they’re all about getting your hands dirty, whether that’s directing a student-led production (talk about real-world experience!), spearheading service projects that actually make a difference, or snagging leadership gigs in the multitude of clubs.

Now, the all-girls energy? It’s not just about avoiding cooties. It’s a deliberate strategy to create a space where your voice isn’t just tolerated, it’s amplified. Imagine a classroom where raising your hand doesn’t feel like auditioning for a bravery award. Plus, they’ve baked in support like advisory groups (your personal school sherpas) and wellness programs (keeping those teenage anxieties at bay). And because they know learning should be fun, they’ve got traditions like Spirit Week and Class Colors Day – think organized chaos with a healthy dose of friendly rivalry. So, while it’s definitely a joyful and empowering experience, it’s also one packed with concrete opportunities for hands-on learning, leadership development, robust support systems, and a strong sense of community.

Archer School for Girls Curriculum: College Preparatory Academics

Archer’s curriculum isn’t just about cramming for college; it’s like a secret training academy for world domination (the nice kind, of course!). They’ve actually thought about how girls’ brains work best, so expect a whole lot of “doing” and “thinking” instead of just nodding off while someone drones on about dates. Classes are apparently more like lively debates than lectures, whether you’re dissecting Shakespeare, cracking the code of calculus, or figuring out why the world is the way it is in history and languages. And the electives? Hello, choose-your-own-adventure in awesomeness! Media literacy? Coding? Unleashing your inner Picasso? Launching your own mini-empire? Yes, please!

Then comes Upper School, where things go from “cool” to “mind-blowing.” Honors and AP? Naturally. But hold the phone – they’ve got this super-secret “Independent Research and Study” gig where you get to be a total academic ninja, diving deep into whatever nerdy passion tickles your fancy, all with your own Yoda-like faculty mentor. These Archer grads don’t just walk out; they stride, ready to conquer, lead, and generally be all-around amazing.

What Sports does Archer School for Girls offer?

At Archer, sports are more about spirit, strength, and showing up for yourself and your team. Competing in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), Archer’s athletics program brings out both the fire and the fun in every athlete. Whether you’ve been training since kindergarten or you’re lacing up cleats for the first time, there’s a spot for you. Experienced coaches, a supportive team culture, and a whole lot of school pride make Archer’s fields, courts, and tracks come alive with energy.

Here’s how the sports line up by season:

From spike to sprint, Archer girls compete hard, cheer louder, and grow stronger—on and off the field.

What Kind of Arts and Music Programs are at Archer School for Girls?

At Archer, they’re cranking up the creative volume! The arts scene is practically a spotlight-stealing superstar of student life. They’ve got a whole buffet of ways to unleash your inner artist, from the classic pens and paint to the techy world of film and digital design. And the best part? You actually get to show off your masterpieces in real-deal exhibitions and arts showcases – time to practice your humble brag!

Now, if you’re more of a stage animal, Archer’s got you covered there, too. Whether you’re a seasoned drama llama or just curious about treading the boards, their theater program welcomes all levels. Think belting out tunes in musicals, getting dramatic in plays, and even learning the wizardry behind the scenes.

Dance more your thing? They’ve got everything from graceful choreography to getting down with contemporary moves. And for the musically inclined, there are vocal groups, orchestras, and instrumental ensembles galore – plenty of chances to make some beautiful noise.

Whether you’re penning your own power ballad, directing your cinematic masterpiece, or dreaming up dazzling set designs, Archer’s all about encouraging you to go big and create with serious confidence. It’s like they’re saying, “Go ahead, be bold, be brilliant, and maybe bring some glitter!”

What Clubs and Organizations Can Students Join at Archer School for Girls?

At The Archer School for Girls, students have the opportunity to engage in a diverse array of clubs and organizations that foster leadership, creativity, advocacy, and community involvement. These student-led groups are integral to Archer’s commitment to empowering young women to explore their passions and make meaningful contributions to their school and beyond.

Below is a categorized list of some of the clubs and organizations available at Archer:

These clubs and organizations are subject to change and may vary each academic year. For the most current information on student clubs and how to get involved, please visit Archer’s official website or contact the school’s Student Life office.

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