How to Get Into Eastside Preparatory School: Tips From the Experts

Why Families Choose Eastside Prep

Eastside Preparatory School (EPS) in Kirkland, Washington, is a private, independent school known for its rigorous academics and innovative approach to education. The school was founded in 2003 with the goal of providing an intellectually challenging and student-centered learning environment.

EPS was established by a group of educators and parents who sought to create an independent school that emphasized critical thinking, collaboration, and interdisciplinary learning. Since its inception, EPS has expanded significantly, growing from a small initial cohort to a well-respected institution serving grades 5-12. The school focuses on integrating technology into education and fostering an environment where students are encouraged to think independently and engage in meaningful discussions.

Today, Eastside Preparatory School continues to be one of the leading independent schools in the Pacific Northwest. It remains dedicated to academic excellence and creating a community of curious and engaged learners. The school’s commitment to continuous improvement and adaptability ensures that it stays at the forefront of private school education.

How Hard is it To Get Into Eastside Preparatory School?

Getting into Eastside Preparatory School is competitive due to the school’s rigorous academic standards and emphasis on finding students who will thrive in a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment.

Prospective students must submit their applications via the Ravenna Hub, which includes a student and household profile, an application fee, and several written components such as a student essay, parent statements, and an interests and activities form. Academic records from the past three years, along with standardized test results (if available), are also required.

For students applying to grades 5 and 6, two teacher evaluations are required. For applicants to grades 7 through 11, three teacher evaluations must be submitted. These evaluations offer valuable insight into the student’s academic and personal qualities.

Eastside Prep has a test-flexible admissions policy, meaning that standardized test scores such as the SSAT or ISEE are optional, though they can still be submitted for consideration. This allows the school to evaluate applicants holistically without making test scores a mandatory requirement for admission.

All applicants are expected to participate in a half-day school visit, where they will attend classes and engage in group activities. Upper School applicants will also have a brief interview during their visit, providing an additional opportunity for the admissions team to learn about the student beyond their application. Additionally, parents must complete a 30-minute interview to discuss their child’s strengths and to ask any questions about EPS.

The main entry points for Eastside Preparatory School are 5th grade, with 36 new students; 6th grade, with 18 new students joining 36 returning students; and 9th grade, with approximately 35-40 new students joining 50 returning students. While the school accepts applications for 7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th grades, these entry points are less common, and admission largely depends on the attrition of currently enrolled students.

EPS values small class sizes to foster personalized attention and a close-knit learning environment. Although specific numbers are not listed, the school typically admits a limited number of new students each year to maintain its dynamic academic community.

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

The Eastside Preparatory School Admissions Process

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

1. Create an Account on Ravenna Hub
2. Submit an Inquiry Form
3. Attend Admissions Events (Optional but Recommended)
4. Submit Required Documents and Complete the Application
5. Schedule and Complete an Interview
6. Submit Supplemental Materials
7. Enrollment Confirmation

Eastside Preparatory School Admissions Requirements

Parent Statement

Parents or guardians of middle and upper school applicants are required to answer a parent/guardian questionnaire that is found on Ravenna. You will be asked to talk about your child and share information about their personality, achievements, and other personal information. The last question asks about your family’s goals and willingness to be involved in activities that promote the values and mission of Eastside Preparatory School.

How to write a 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 Eastside. 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. 

Teacher Recommendations/Recommendation Letters

Teacher recommendation letters are required for all applicants. Recommendation letters from current math and English teachers, as well as from the principal or counselor, must be submitted. The forms can be found on Ravenna and will be sent to the admissions committee online.

How to get strong recommendation letters

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.

Transcript

Report cards or transcripts from grades one through five must be turned in by all students. Transcripts from both the previous academic year and the first semester of the current one must be submitted by applicants from middle and upper schools. You can download the confidentiality and release forms from Ravenna and send them to your child’s present school. 

How to improve grades 

The transcript will demonstrate your child’s readiness to handle Eastside’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. 

Online Writing Sample

The Writing Sample is an online test in which upper-school students are expected to write an essay responding to a prompt within 30 minutes. Due to the limited time, applicants often have difficulty composing their thoughts and are not able to produce well-written essays. 

Writing Sample tips

To help your child with this challenging admissions requirement, we offer Proctored Writing Sample (PWS) preparation. Our admissions consultants have a list of common essay prompts that your child can practice on and get trained to organize their ideas and put them into writing. 

To take your child’s writing skills to the next level, enroll in our Program in Writing and Reading (PWR), where our writing tutors will help your child develop reading comprehension skills and eventually unlock writing skills. 

Personal Statement

There are questions on Ravenna that an applicant has to answer within a limited character count. The questions look into your child’s personality, skills, interests, and expectations of Eastside. 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 Eastside. 

Crafting a compelling 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 Eastside 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.

Standardized Test Scores

Although EPS is test-optional, we recommend aspiring EPS students to submit their ISEE or SSAT results. Admissions personnel can better assess each applicant’s academic preparedness and likelihood of succeeding in Eastside’s demanding environment with the use of these exams.

How to prepare for standardized tests

We are aware that getting ready for standardized tests can be somewhat stressful, but we can be of assistance. We will help your child via a customized test preparation strategy, from recognizing their strengths to addressing areas they find challenging, based on our years of expertise working with families applying to Eastside. Our objective is to alleviate the burden of test preparation and ensure that your child is prepared to present their best self on test day. View our services for test prep here.

Admissions Interviews

A virtual student interview is required of applicants to EPS and will be scheduled appropriately. Virtual interviews will take place and usually run between 15 and 20 minutes. You have the opportunity to speak with the Eastside admissions team directly during the interview and explain why you are applying. Preparation is essential to maximize your limited interview time.

All applicants’ parents or guardians are invited to participate in a 30-minute virtual discussion. You will have the opportunity to learn more about Eastside and meet faculty and admissions staff. Additionally, you will get the opportunity to ask questions in order to learn more about the academic framework and school culture.

How to prepare for admissions interviews

Both of these activities are indirect and non-formal interviews where you and your child will be assessed and evaluated based on how you carry yourselves during those occasions. They will determine if your family will be a good fit for the school community. With nearly 20 years of experience in the industry and helping numerous families get into The Eastside Preparatory School, we know what they are looking for. With informed interview preparation, our admissions consultants will introduce you to common interview questions and how to answer them truthfully while adhering to their values. 

Campus Tours and Open Houses

Eastside Preparatory School (EPS) offers several opportunities for prospective families to explore its campus and community:

1. Preview Events: These in-person sessions, held on Saturdays, allow applying students to participate in sample classes while parents and guardians engage in Q&A panels. Families can choose between guided campus tours or independent exploration. Each event lasts approximately two hours. Registration is required through the Ravenna Hub. 
2. Virtual “Get to Know EPS” Events: Designed for those unable to visit in person, these one-hour Zoom sessions feature EPS admissions staff, current students, and community members. They provide insights into the school’s programs and admissions process, followed by a Q&A segment. Registration is available via the Ravenna Hub. 
3. Guided Campus Tours: Held after school on weekdays, these in-person tours are led by admissions staff and other community members, offering a comprehensive overview of the campus. Each tour lasts about an hour. Registration is required through the Ravenna Hub
4. Self-Guided Campus Tours: For a more flexible option, EPS provides an exterior-only, self-guided tour with informational signs featuring QR codes linking to videos and highlights of each area. The campus is open for these tours Monday through Friday after 4:00 pm and all day on Saturdays and Sundays. During school breaks, tours are available throughout the day and evening. Detailed schedules and additional information can be found on the EPS website.

How to register

Students register for Eastside Preparatory School (EPS) admissions through the Ravenna Hub, the school’s online application and event management portal. Here’s how the process works:

1. Visit Ravenna Hub and create a parent/guardian account. Add the prospective student’s information and select Eastside Preparatory School as a school of interest.
2. Submit application components, including student essays, parent statements, teacher recommendations, and transcripts. Pay the application fee.
3. Schedule a campus tour, preview event, or virtual session via Ravenna. Select an available school visit day (required for applicants). Book the parent interview, a required step in the admissions process.
4. Track Application Status. Ravenna Hub allows families to monitor deadlines and receive admissions updates.

Virtual Panel Sessions

Yes, Eastside Preparatory School (EPS) offers Virtual “Get to Know EPS” Events, which are one-hour sessions held via Zoom. These events feature EPS Admissions staff, current students, and other community members who share information about the school and its admissions process, followed by a Q&A session. These virtual events are particularly beneficial for families who are unable to visit the campus in person.

Additionally, EPS hosts Admissions Office Hours, which are drop-in virtual sessions where prospective families can ask questions to an Admissions Team member or listen to others’ inquiries. These sessions are held at various times to accommodate different schedules, and registration is not required. 

What is Student Life Like at Eastside

Student life at Eastside Preparatory School (EPS) in Kirkland, Washington, is dynamic and well-rounded, offering students opportunities to engage in academics and extracurricular activities and a close-knit school community. The school fosters an environment where students are encouraged to think critically, collaborate, and explore their interests beyond the classroom.

Eastside Prep Curriculum and Core Academic Programs

Eastside Preparatory School (EPS) in Kirkland, Washington, offers a comprehensive and dynamic curriculum designed to foster critical thinking, creativity, and interdisciplinary learning among students in grades 5 through 12. The academic program is structured to encourage students to construct their own knowledge and become self-directed learners.

Core Academic Disciplines:

• English: Focuses on developing strong reading, writing, and analytical skills through the study of diverse literary works.

• Social Science: Emphasizes historical, cultural, ideological, and geographical literacy, encouraging active citizenship in a global society. Coursework includes critical analysis, effective communication, and research skills.

• Mathematics: Aims to equip students with number sense and problem-solving abilities necessary for advanced work in math and other disciplines. The curriculum combines direct instruction with hands-on investigation, stressing process, and context as much as solution.

• Science: Encourages experiential learning and integrated coursework to develop a broad understanding of scientific principles and methodologies.

• Spanish Language: EPS offers world language coursework exclusively in Spanish, providing opportunities for advanced literacy and cultural experiences. Students may petition to study an alternative language through external coursework.

• Fine and Performing Arts: Includes visual arts, music, and theater, with requirements varying by grade level to ensure exposure to multiple disciplines.

Independent Curriculum:

EPS offers unique opportunities for students to pursue individualized learning paths:

• Seminars: Available to students in grades 10 through 12, these six-week, ungraded courses meet once a week and cover multidisciplinary topics beyond the core curriculum. Seminars are designed to prepare students for the collegiate experience by fostering multidisciplinary thinking.

• Independent Study and Independent Projects: Eligible for 11th and 12th graders, these options allow students to design and propose a ten-week course of study on a topic of interest, culminating in a final presentation. Independent Study focuses on research, while Independent Projects emphasize production.

• Senior Thesis: The most rigorous research option, the Senior Thesis, enables 12th-grade students to conduct extensive research, building upon previous independent studies or exploring new domains. This two-trimester project prepares students for intensive undergraduate research.

Pedagogical Principles:

Three core principles guide EPS’s curriculum:

1. Inquiry: Engaging students and teachers in exploring relevant and meaningful questions within each academic discipline.

2. Experience: Actively participating in the essential habits of mind and methods specific to each discipline.

3. Integration: Identifying and making connections between different disciplines, the world inside and outside of school, and students’ personal interests

This comprehensive approach ensures that EPS students are well-prepared for college and beyond, equipped with the skills and knowledge to think critically, act responsibly, lead compassionately, and innovate wisely.

What Sports does Eastside Preparatory School Offer?

Eastside students are able to participate in the following sports teams:

• EPS does not have a football team, but it offers a range of competitive and recreational sports.
• The school is a member of the Emerald Sound Conference, competing against other private schools in the region.
• Most sports are no-cut, meaning students of all experience levels can participate.

For more details on schedules and tryouts, visit the EPS Athletics website.

Eastside Preparatory School Arts and Music Programs

EPS offers a comprehensive Fine and Performing Arts program encompassing Music, Visual Arts, and Theatre. These programs are designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and artistic expression among students of all grade levels.

Music Program

EPS provides a variety of music courses catering to different skill levels and interests. Performance classes culminate in concerts for the EPS community, and students have opportunities to extend their learning through assemblies, school events, and participation in the WMEA Solo & Ensemble contests. The music curriculum includes:

Visual Arts Program

The visual arts curriculum at EPS embraces both 2D and 3D media, reflecting contemporary art-making practices. Students have access to a media production studio equipped with professional cameras, a green screen, portrait backdrops, a lighting grid, and state-of-the-art film and music production software. Course offerings include:

• Grades 5-6: The Magic of Art, Mixed Media, Art Meets Tech
• Grades 7-8: Drawing and Painting, Digital Storytelling, Mixed Media
• Grades 9-12: Mixed Media, Paper Engineering, Printmaking, Drawing and Painting 1 & 2, Graphic Design 1 & 2, Digital Photography, Digital Filmmaking, Digital Illustration

Theatre Program

EPS’s theatre program offers a progression of courses from introductory to advanced levels, culminating in directing opportunities for students to realize their artistic visions. The after-school theatre productions are audition-based and provide opportunities for students to deepen their experience in the performing arts through acting, set and lighting design, and backstage crew. The production calendar typically features a Middle School show in the fall, an Upper School show in the winter, and an All-School Musical in the spring (grades 5-12). Course offerings include:

• Grades 5-6: Introduction to Theatre, Acting (5-6), Playing Shakespeare
• Grades 7-8: Acting (7-8), Acting: One Acts, Stagecraft (7-8)
• Grades 9-12: Acting 1, Acting 2, Directing, Upper School Stagecraft

Through these diverse offerings, EPS ensures that all students have the opportunity to engage deeply with the arts, fostering skills that extend beyond the classroom and into their broader lives.

Clubs and organizations at Eastside

Eastside Preparatory School (EPS) in Kirkland, Washington, offers a diverse array of student-led clubs and organizations that cater to a wide range of interests. These clubs provide students with opportunities to explore new activities, develop skills, and build community. Many of the clubs at EPS are initiated by students who are passionate about specific topics and wish to share their interests with peers. This student-driven approach leads to a dynamic and ever-evolving selection of clubs each trimester. 

Examples of Student-Initiated Clubs:

• Service Club: Designed to give students opportunities to address issues they see in their community.
• Harry Potter Club: Students engage in activities such as trivia, charades, and discussions related to the Harry Potter series.
• Sewing Club: Provides a space for students interested in sewing to collaborate and work on projects.
• Origami Club: Focuses on the art of paper folding, allowing students to learn and create various origami designs.
• Electronics Club: Offers hands-on experiences with electronic projects and learning about circuitry.

The variety of clubs at EPS reflects the diverse interests of its student body. New clubs are continually being added, ensuring that there are numerous opportunities for students to get involved, try new things, and develop new skills and interests. 

For the most current list of available clubs and information on how to join or start a new club, students are encouraged to contact the school’s administration or visit the EPS website.

Who are some famous alumni from The Eastside Preparatory School?

Eastside Preparatory School has a growing community of alumni who have pursued diverse and impactful careers. While the school is relatively young, having graduated its first class in 2009, several alumni have distinguished themselves in various fields:

• Julia Wilke (’16): After graduating from EPS, Julia has been involved in endeavors that highlight her commitment to community and professional development.

• Kirsten Vyhmeister (’12): Kirsten has pursued a path that underscores the academic foundation provided by EPS, contributing to her professional achievements.

• Peter Lewis (’12): Peter’s post-EPS journey reflects the school’s emphasis on critical thinking and leadership, leading to notable accomplishments in his chosen field.

These examples illustrate the diverse paths EPS alumni have taken, contributing positively to their communities and professions. As the alumni network continues to grow, EPS anticipates more graduates making significant impacts across various sectors.

Related Articles 

Exploring Eastside Preparatory School’s Arts and Music Programs

Sports and Athletics at Eastside Preparatory School: Teams, Competitions, and Fitness