How to Get Into Head-Royce School: What You Need To Know About Admissions

A Complete Admissions Guide for Families Applying to This K-12 Independent Day School in Oakland, CA.

Quick Answer for Busy Parents

Head-Royce School is a selective K-12 independent day school in the Oakland hills, serving 946 students with a 100% college matriculation rate. Most new students enter in Kindergarten, Grade 6, or Grade 9. Applicants in Grades 2-12 submit ISEE scores; Kindergarten and Grade 1 applicants complete an Assessment Day instead. There is no admissions interview in the current process. Applications for the 2027-28 school year open September 1, 2026, with preliminary applications due December 4, 2026, and completed applications due January 8, 2027.

Why Do Families Choose Head-Royce School?

Founded in 1887, Head-Royce develops students of character, intellect, and creativity, with a stated vision that education should unlock the promise and purpose of every student to better the world. The school is currently led by Ricky Lapidus, Interim Head of School, who previously served as Head of Upper School since 2021. Families are drawn to the K-12 continuity, small classes (16-17 students on average), and a 100% college matriculation rate, alongside genuine diversity: 72% of students identify as students of color. For 2026, Niche ranks Head-Royce #2 of 8 Best Private K-12 Schools and #3 of 16 Best College Prep Private High Schools in Alameda County, and #11 among Best Private High Schools in California.

Head-Royce School At a Glance

Head-Royce sits in the Oakland hills, within the wider Bay Area private school admissions market:

• Location: 4315 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland, CA 94602
• Type: Private, Independent, Coed, Day School (K-12)
• Grades: K-12
• Total Enrollment: 946 students
• College Outcomes: 100% college matriculation rate

Academic Snapshot

Academic departments include English, History, Math, Science, World Languages (French, Spanish, Latin, Mandarin Chinese), Physical Education/Life Skills, and Visual & Performing Arts (Filmmaking, Songwriting, Studio Art, Band, Chorus), with a Humanities Core and Senior Capstone in the Upper School.

How Hard Is It to Get Into Head-Royce School?

Admission is highly selective at every entry point. Enrollment is capped by division: roughly 245 students from Kindergarten through Grade 5, 270 in Grades 6-8, and 385 in Grades 9-12, with only a small number of openings available in any given year. Families researching other selective Oakland-area schools often also look at The College Preparatory School, Head-Royce’s longtime academic and athletic rival.

Top Tips for Applying

• Confirm your child’s entry point (K, 6, or 9) early, since testing requirements differ by grade band.
• Register for ISEE testing as soon as the window opens if applying to Grades 2-12.
• If applying as a current sibling or employee family for Kindergarten or Grade 6, note the earlier deadlines.

Best Practices for Families

• Attend the Open House for your child’s specific division.
• Treat the parent statement and student interest form as seriously as test scores.
• Apply as early in the window as possible; slots at every entry point are limited.

Head-Royce School Admission Process

1. Submit the preliminary application and fee in Ravenna.
2. Complete all required supplemental forms.
3. Attend an Assessment Day (Grades K-1) or submit ISEE scores (Grades 2-12).
4. Complete the parent statement and student interest form.
5. Await admissions decisions, released by division in March.

Admissions Calendar & Key Dates for Head-Royce Applicants

General timeline (Grades K-12):

Current sibling and employee families applying for Kindergarten or Grade 6 receive early consideration on a separate, earlier timeline; for Grade 6, preliminary applications are due December 4, 2026, completed applications by January 8, 2027, a required Middle School Assessment Day on January 9, 2027, with decisions potentially available by January 29, 2027.

Admissions events differ by division:

Head-Royce School Application Requirements

ISEE Testing (Grades 2-12)

All applicants in Grades 2 through 12 must submit ISEE scores; there is no writing sample or SSAT alternative in the current process. If you are concerned that your child’s grades might not fully reflect their potential or could impact their admission results, we recommend seeking private school test prep.

Assessment Day (Grades K-1)

Kindergarten and Grade 1 applicants participate in an Assessment Day instead of taking standardized tests. This gives the school a chance to get to know your child in a more interactive, classroom-like environment. It’s a great opportunity for your child to show their personality and readiness for the program.

Parent Statement & Student Interest Form

Families will need to submit a parent statement along with a student interest form as part of the application. These materials are required and can be completed directly through the Ravenna portal. Make sure to give yourself enough time to thoughtfully share your family’s perspective and your child’s unique interests.

Grades and Transcripts for Head-Royce School

Applicants are required to submit their transcripts from the previous school year as well as from the first semester of the current one. The release forms may be found on Ravenna to submit to your child’s current school. The transcript will demonstrate your child’s readiness to handle Head-Royce’s rigorous curriculum. If you worry that your child’s grades aren’t all that outstanding and may impact their admissions results, we recommend that you start private school admissions consulting. Our team of tutors and academic coaches will provide online or in-person tutoring for a variety of courses as well as diagnostic testing.

Ready to Build Your Child’s Head-Royce Application Strategy?

Our consultants help families prepare for ISEE testing, Assessment Day, and every other stage of the process.

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Student Life at Head-Royce

Academics

Head-Royce’s Lower School builds a strong foundation in reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, and technology over a six-year plan. The Middle and Upper School programs build on these foundations in math, English, history, and science, with room to explore specialized classes like computer science and debate.

Athletics

Head-Royce’s athletics program, the Jayhawks, has won 36 league championships and earned 28 scholastic team awards over the last 5 years. 75% of Middle School students participate in athletics, competing across these sports:

• Cross country
• Soccer
• Tennis
• Volleyball
• Basketball
• Baseball
• Golf
• Lacrosse
• Softball
• Track
• Swimming
• Flag football

Arts

Head-Royce’s Visual and Performing Arts program spans dance, theatre, music, and visual arts. Students may take drama electives and perform in two staged plays each year. Music options range from the Lower School’s Orff-Schulwerk-based program to Middle School choir, concert band, jazz band, and songwriting, up through Upper School introductory and advanced theory classes. Colla Voice and Caravan, the school’s award-winning ensembles, perform year-round.

Activities

Through the Center for Community Engagement, students connect with the local and global community, including annual Study-Travel Experiences. Student-run clubs and interest groups include Democracy Matters, the Asia Club, and the Fine Arts Dance Ensemble (FADE).

Campus

Head-Royce’s Oakland hills campus now spans 22 acres following the completion of its South Campus expansion, adding renovated Spanish-style buildings and a new Performing Arts and Community Center alongside existing facilities that include a gym, turf field, outdoor courts, and a swimming pool.

Notable Head-Royce Alumni

1. Peter Alexander: journalist and television presenter with NBC, formerly NBC News White House correspondent.
2. Libby Schaaf: former mayor of Oakland from 2015 to 2023.
3. Suki Schorer: American ballet dancer who has taught at the School of American Ballet for over 50 years.
4. Adam Duritz: singer and frontman of the rock band Counting Crows.
5. Nico Hoerner: professional baseball player and infielder for the Chicago Cubs.
6. Claire Falkenstein: sculptor, jewelry designer, and painter known for her metal and glass sculptures.
7. Cynthia Holcomb Hall: former United States Circuit judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
8. Helen Jacobs: tennis player who won nine Grand Slam titles.
9. Malika Andrews: host of NBA Today and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree.
10. Rebecca Alexander: author, psychotherapist, and disability rights advocate.

“Cardinal Education’s personalized approach helped my daughter find her motivation. Their complete understanding of what it takes is what ultimately led to her admission into Head-Royce.”

— Father of an 8th Grader

Apply to Head-Royce with Cardinal Education!

Head-Royce’s K-12 structure means the right admissions strategy depends heavily on where your child enters, Assessment Day for Kindergarten and Grade 1, ISEE for everyone else, with no admissions interview in the current process. Cardinal Education helps families build results-driven strategies for whichever entry point fits their child.

Considering Head-Royce School?

Our consultants help families navigate Head-Royce’s admissions process with clarity and confidence.

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Related Articles:
Decoding the Head-Royce Interview: Your Guide to Making a Great Impression
Head-Royce’s Multiple Entry Points: Applying in Kindergarten, Grade 6, or Grade 9
Beyond the Grades: Understanding What Head-Royce Looks for in Applicants

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