How to Get Into Sand Hill School: Strategies for a Successful Application

Why Families Choose Sand Hill School: Specialized Learning in Palo Alto

Sand Hill School is a specialized independent school located on the campus of Children’s Health Council (CHC) in Palo Alto, California. It serves bright students in elementary and middle school (grades 1–8) who face challenges such as language-based learning differences (like dyslexia), attention issues (like ADHD), or social-emotional vulnerabilities such as anxiety. Sand Hill offers a highly individualized, strengths-based education designed to build academic skills, confidence, self-advocacy, and resilience.

Sand Hill School opened in 2011 as a program of the Children’s Health Council, a nonprofit organization founded in 1953 by Dr. Esther B. Clark. CHC had a long history of supporting children with learning and mental health challenges, but saw a need for a school that specifically blended academic instruction with therapeutic support for students with learning differences and attention issues.

Since its founding, Sand Hill School has remained focused on an evidence-based, supportive, and nurturing educational approach. The school’s philosophy reflects CHC’s broader mission: helping children and families reach their full promise and potential through integrated learning, mental health, and family support services.

Today, Sand Hill is recognized for its success in re-engaging students with learning, boosting their self-esteem, and preparing them for a return to mainstream academic settings or selective private schools when appropriate.

How hard is it to get into Sand Hill School?

Gaining admission to Sand Hill School is a thoughtful and personalized process to support bright students with learning differences. With an average class size of 6 to 8 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of about 1:6, Sand Hill creates a nurturing environment where every child receives individualized academic and social-emotional support.

Sand Hill serves students in grades 1 through 8. Admissions are considered on a rolling basis throughout the year as space allows, rather than through a single application deadline. Standardized testing is not required for admission. Instead, the school uses a holistic admissions process that includes a review of academic records, teacher evaluations, parent input, and a student visit day to assess fit and readiness.

Because of Sand Hill’s small size and specialized approach, spaces are limited, and admissions are selective. The school is particularly well-suited for students with language-based learning differences, attention challenges, or social-emotional needs who would benefit from a highly individualized and strengths-based educational experience.

Given the competitiveness of the process, families may benefit from working with private school admissions consultants who understand the ins and outs of the Sand Hill School 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.

Sand Hill School Admissions Process

Sand Hill School utilizes its own dedicated application portal for admissions. To begin the application process, applicants must create an account on Sand Hill’s application portal. This portal allows families to submit applications, monitor application steps, and receive updates regarding admissions events.

Application Steps:

1. Submit Preliminary Application: Complete the online application form by the specified deadline. 
2. Application Fee: An application fee is required; however, this fee is automatically waived for families applying for financial aid.
3. Schedule Required Appointments: Arrange for student assessments and parent/guardian conversations as outlined in the application checklist.
4. Submit Supporting Documents: Provide necessary materials such as teacher recommendations and school transcripts.
5. Enrollment Decisions: Decisions are made individually and typically occur within a few weeks after the application is complete.

For more details and to begin your application, visit the Sand Hill School Admissions page.

Sand Hill School Admission Requirements

Sand Hill Parent/Guardian Questionnaire: Providing Insights

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 discuss your child and share information about their personality, achievements, and other personal details. Be authentic in sharing your family’s goals and willingness to promote the values and mission of the school. 

Sand Hill Teacher Recommendations: What You Need

Applicants must submit recommendation letters from current math and English teachers and the principal or counselor. The forms can be found on Ravenna and will be sent to the admissions committee online.

How to Get Strong Recommendations for Sand Hill

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.

Sand Hill Transcript: Submitting Academic Records

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.

Improving Grades for Sand Hill Admission 

The transcript will demonstrate your child’s readiness to handle Sand Hill School’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. 

Sand Hill Admissions Interviews: Parent Conversations

As part of Sand Hill School’s admissions process, admissions interviews are required. However, they frame them more as parent/guardian conversations rather than formal interviews. This is not a high-pressure interview—it’s more of a collaborative meeting to discuss the student’s needs, learning profile, and family goals, and to ensure Sand Hill would be a good fit.

Preparing for Your Sand Hill Parent Interview

With nearly 20 years of experience in the industry and helping numerous families get into The Sand Hill School, we know what they are looking for. With informed interview preparation, our admissions consultants will introduce you and your child to common interview questions and teach them how to answer them truthfully while adhering to their values. 

Visiting Sand Hill: Campus Tours & Virtual Options

The Sand Hill School offers a range of opportunities for prospective families to learn more about its programs and community through campus tours and virtual information sessions.

Sand Hill Campus Tours: Explore Our Specialized Environment

Sand Hill School offers private, personalized campus tours by appointment. Families interested in touring the school must first submit an inquiry form through the website. After that, the admissions team will contact them to schedule a tour. Tours give families a chance to see the small class settings, meet staff, and get a feel for the environment.

Sand Hill Virtual Information: Learn Online

Sand Hill occasionally offers virtual information sessions or virtual parent meetings, especially for families who are not local. These are scheduled individually after an inquiry and initial contact with the admissions team.

Note: Sand Hill does not regularly hold large public Open Houses like some traditional private schools. Because their approach is highly personalized and space is limited, they prefer individual family meetings instead of group events.

What is Student Life Like at Sand Hill School?

Student life at Sand Hill School is vibrant, supportive, and designed to nurture the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally.

Students benefit from a warm, close-knit community where small class sizes mean every student is known and supported. Sand Hill’s program integrates daily social-emotional learning (SEL) activities, executive function coaching, and lots of collaboration. Academic classes are hands-on and tailored to each student’s learning profile, making learning feel accessible and empowering.

Outside the classroom, students participate in activities like art, music, movement, social groups, and mindfulness practices. Special events, spirit days, and community-building projects bring a sense of fun and belonging. Importantly, Sand Hill emphasizes building self-confidence and resilience, so students not only grow academically but also develop the social skills and emotional strength they need to thrive in future school settings and beyond.

Sand Hill School Curriculum Overview

Sand Hill School’s curriculum is designed specifically for bright students with language-based learning differences, attention challenges, or social-emotional needs. The academic program is strengths-based, highly individualized, and deeply integrated with social-emotional learning.

The curriculum focuses on:

• Language Arts and Literacy
  Explicit instruction in reading, writing, and spelling using evidence-based programs (such as Orton-Gillingham-based methods and other multisensory approaches) designed for students with dyslexia and other learning differences.
• Mathematics
  A conceptual, hands-on approach to math that meets students at their individual skill level. The focus is on deep understanding rather than rote memorization.
• Science and Social Studies
  Project-based, inquiry-driven learning that builds critical thinking, collaboration, and curiosity. Lessons are designed to be accessible and engaging for a variety of learning profiles.
• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
  SEL is not a separate program at Sand Hill — it’s woven into every part of the day. Students build skills like self-advocacy, resilience, emotional regulation, and teamwork alongside their academic work.
• Executive Function Coaching
  Students receive targeted support to help them develop organization, time management, and study skills, building independence and readiness for traditional school settings.
• Art, Music, Movement, and Mindfulness
  Creative and physical activities are an essential part of the curriculum, helping students express themselves, manage emotions, and develop a balanced school experience.

What Sports does Sand Hill School offer?

Because of the school’s specialized focus (serving students with learning differences and attention challenges) and its small enrollment (around 50–60 students total across grades 1–8), the program instead emphasizes physical education (PE), movement classes, and recreational activities year-round rather than seasonal sports teams.

Here’s what they offer instead, year-round:

• Regular PE classes focused on fitness, coordination, teamwork, and confidence-building.
• Movement activities such as yoga, obstacle courses, cooperative games, and mindfulness-based movement.
• Outdoor play and unstructured recreation time are part of the daily schedule to support physical development and emotional regulation.

Sand Hill School Arts and Music Programs

The arts and music programs at Sand Hill School are designed to give students creative outlets while also supporting their social-emotional growth and self-expression.

Sand Hill School Visual Arts

Students explore a variety of artistic mediums like drawing, painting, collage, and sculpture. Art classes emphasize creativity, experimentation, and building fine motor skills. The program also helps students develop perseverance, attention to detail, and pride in their work.

Sand Hill School Music

Sand Hill’s music program introduces students to rhythm, melody, and basic music theory through singing, instrument exploration, and movement. The focus is on participation, self-confidence, and joy rather than formal performance or competition.

Integration with Academics

Both art and music are integrated into classroom projects when appropriate, encouraging interdisciplinary learning. For example, students might create art connected to social studies topics or use music and movement to enhance literacy activities.

Social-Emotional Focus

Like all parts of Sand Hill’s curriculum, the arts are used as a way to build emotional expression, collaboration, and resilience.

At Sand Hill School, arts and music are woven into the curriculum to encourage creativity, build confidence, and support students’ emotional growth, offering a joyful and expressive complement to academic learning.

Clubs and organizations at Sand Hill School

Because of its small size and specialized mission, Sand Hill School does not offer a wide range of traditional clubs and organizations like larger schools do. Instead, community-building activities and interest-based groups are embedded directly into the school day to meet students’ social, emotional, and leadership needs.

Some examples of student activities and group experiences include:

• Leadership Opportunities. Older students often take on responsibilities like helping plan spirit days, welcoming new students, or leading community-building events.
• Social Skills Groups. Organized by grade level or developmental need, these groups focus on friendship skills, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
• Special Interest Projects. Throughout the year, teachers lead short-term, project-based groups around topics like art, science, mindfulness, or storytelling based on student interests.
• School-Wide Events and Spirit Days. Activities like spirit days, community service projects, and school celebrations foster a sense of belonging and fun.

Sand Hill School emphasizes leadership, collaboration, and student-driven projects through social groups and school-wide activities rather than formal after-school clubs. Every student has opportunities to build connections, take initiative, and contribute to the school community.

Related Articles 

Why Is Sand Hill School a Unique Community for Students with Learning Differences

How Sand Hill School Supports Students with Learning Differences Daily