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A Complete Admissions Guide for Parents Considering This San Francisco College-Preparatory School.
Quick Answer for Busy Parents
Drew School is a private, college-preparatory high school in San Francisco serving approximately 300 students in Grades 9–12. Drew has been test-free since 2020, so the ISEE, SSAT, and HSPT are neither required nor considered. Instead, admission centers on a Parent/Guardian Questionnaire, teacher recommendations, transcripts, a personal statement, and a required interview (live Zoom or a five-minute self-recorded video). Applications typically open in September and are due in early January, with decisions following in the months after.
Why Families Choose Drew School
Drew School was founded in 1908 in San Francisco by John Sheehan Drew, originally as a tutoring center for boys needing additional academic support. It gradually evolved into a full college-preparatory high school, later becoming co-educational. Drew is currently led by Head of School Saya McKenna.
Families choose Drew for its personalized learning environment, built around an 8:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for individualized attention. The school offers a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum focused on critical thinking, project-based learning, and real-world application, organized in large part around The Leadership Lab, Drew’s framework for experiential and leadership-focused education. Drew fosters an inclusive, diverse community, and its college counseling program and emphasis on student wellness make it an appealing choice for families seeking a holistic, student-centered education.
Drew School at a Glance
| Category | Detail |
| Total Enrollment | Approximately 300 students, Grades 9–12 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 8:1 |
| Niche Overall Rating | A+ (#390 Best Private High Schools in America; #76 in California) |
| Niche Diversity Grade | A+ (#62 Most Diverse Private High Schools in California) |
| Niche College Prep Grade | A+ (#102 Best College Prep Private High Schools in California) |
| Average Graduation Rate | 100% (Niche.com) |
How Hard Is It to Get Into Drew School?
Drew has a selective admissions process that evaluates applicants holistically: academic performance, teacher recommendations, a personal statement, extracurricular involvement, and an interview. While it may not be as test-driven as some other private schools, Drew seeks students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, a strong work ethic, and a good fit with the school’s values and community. The primary entry point is 9th grade, with 10th grade as the main transfer year; 11th and 12th grade admission is possible but less common due to limited space. Given the holistic nature of the process, families may benefit from choosing the right admissions consultant who understands Drew’s specific priorities.
Top Tips for Applying
- Since Drew is test-free, invest your preparation time in the interview and personal statement rather than test prep.
- Begin the process early, since spots fill quickly, especially for the 9th and 10th grade entry points.
- Highlight your child’s intellectual curiosity and genuine extracurricular interests rather than a generic list of activities.
Best Practices for Families
- Attend a campus tour or Open House to experience The Leadership Lab and DEALL firsthand.
- Build strong relationships with your child’s current math and English teachers well before requesting recommendations.
- Choose the interview format, live Zoom or self-recorded video, that lets your child present most authentically.
The Drew School Admissions Process
- Create an account on Ravenna Hub.
- Submit an inquiry form.
- Attend admissions events (optional but recommended).
- Submit required documents and complete the application.
- Schedule and complete an interview.
- Submit supplemental materials.
- Receive enrollment confirmation.
For general guidance on assembling a strong private school application, see our full application walkthrough.
Drew School Admission Requirements
Parent Statement
Parents or guardians answer a Parent/Guardian Questionnaire on Ravenna, sharing information about their child’s personality, achievements, and family goals. Admissions officers use this to assess fit with Drew’s values and community. For tips on writing a strong parent statement, see our full guide.
Teacher Recommendations
Recommendation letters are required from the applicant’s current math and English teachers, along with a principal or counselor. Forms are submitted through Ravenna directly to the admissions committee.
Transcripts
Transcripts from both the previous academic year and the first semester of the current year are required. If grades need strengthening before applying, Cardinal Education’s tutoring and academic coaching programs can help build both grades and the executive function skills behind them.
Personal Statement
Ravenna includes short-answer questions, within a limited character count, covering personality, interests, and expectations of Drew School. For tips on writing a compelling personal statement, see our full guide.
Interviews
An interview is required for every applicant. Families choose between a live one-on-one Zoom interview, conducted conversationally with a member of the Drew community, or a five-minute, unscripted, self-recorded video interview answering provided prompts.
Ready to Build Your Child’s Drew School Application Strategy?
Our consultants help families prepare a compelling personal statement and choose the right interview format.
Campus Tours, Open Houses & Admissions Events
Drew offers campus tours, guided by admissions staff or student ambassadors, covering classrooms, the Cuddeback Wing, science labs, art studios, and common areas, often including a Q&A session. Open Houses feature presentations from school leaders, faculty, current students, and parents, offering a broader overview of Drew’s academic philosophy and community values. Virtual panel sessions are also available for families who cannot visit in person. Admissions events, tours, and registration are managed through Ravenna Hub.
| Event | Date |
| Open House | Sunday, October 4, 2026 |
| Open House | Sunday, October 25, 2026 |
What Is Student Life Like at Drew School?
Student life at Drew is vibrant and centered around community, personal growth, and academic exploration. Students engage in clubs, arts, athletics, and leadership opportunities, alongside service learning that connects them with local communities and social causes. Drew’s advisory program brings small groups of students together with faculty advisors to discuss academic progress and personal growth, and the school’s urban San Francisco location provides access to cultural events, museums, and internship opportunities.
Academic Curriculum
Drew’s curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, project-based assessments, and student-centered instruction. Much of Drew’s distinctive programming runs through The Leadership Lab, a real-world learning framework spanning foundational leadership skills, travel opportunities, and selective senior-year capstone projects, of which DEALL (Drew Education for Active Lifelong Learning) is a central component, integrating experiential learning and service projects directly into the curriculum, reflecting a broader educational philosophy.
Athletics
Drew athletics competes in the Bay Counties League, offering both competitive and recreational opportunities. The program emphasizes participation, skill development, and personal growth over win-loss records, welcoming students at all experience levels.
Arts and Music Programs
Drew’s visual arts curriculum includes drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media, with advanced courses supporting college-level portfolio preparation. The performing arts program spans theater, film, and dance, and the music department offers instrumental and vocal courses including jazz band, rock ensemble, choir, and music production. The school hosts regular exhibitions, concerts, theater productions, and film screenings showcasing student work.
Clubs and Organizations
Drew offers a wide range of student-led clubs and organizations reflecting the diverse interests of its student body, and students are encouraged to start new clubs if an existing one doesn’t match their interests, part of the broader college admissions picture schools look at. See our full guide to Drew’s clubs and organizations for more detail.
Notable Alumni
Drew School’s alumni include actor Ezra Miller (The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Flash), actor and filmmaker Max Minghella (The Social Network, The Handmaid’s Tale), actress and screenwriter Zoe Kazan (Ruby Sparks, The Big Sick), and fashion designer Alexander Wang, former creative director at Balenciaga.
“We believed our daughter had a great chance of getting into Drew, but it was the whole process of actually applying that was really tedious and overwhelming. We did not know how to keep ourselves organized; we were just too busy. With Cardinal, the whole thing stopped feeling so uncertain. She got in as expected, but overall we’re just really grateful for how much lighter that made the process feel.”
— Parent of a 9th Grader
Get Into Drew School with the Best Admissions Consultants in CA
Drew’s test-free, holistic process rewards families who invest in a genuine personal statement, strong recommendations, and a confident interview. Cardinal Education’s private school admissions consulting helps families build results-driven strategies for each stage of that process.
Families specifically interested in how these same fundamentals apply to Asian American applicants can also see our dedicated guide to Drew School for Asian American families.
Considering Drew School?
Our consultants help families navigate Drew’s admissions process with less stress.
Related Articles:
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Drew School Admissions: How Competitive Is It Among San Francisco’s Top Private Schools?
A Closer Look at Drew School’s Post-Graduation Success
Discover Leadership Opportunities at Drew School
The Best Clubs and Organizations to Join at Drew School