How to Get Into Silicon Valley International School: Tips for Each Application Stage

Why Families Choose Silicon Valley International School

Silicon Valley International School (INTL) traces its roots back to 1979, when it was founded as the International School of the Peninsula (ISTP) in Palo Alto, California, offering French-English bilingual education. In 1996, the school expanded by adding a Mandarin Chinese immersion program, becoming one of the first in the Bay Area to do so. In 2020, ISTP merged with Alto International School, which offered a German-English bilingual program along with the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. Following the merger, the school was renamed Silicon Valley International School (INTL) in 2021, reflecting its expanded global mission and its home in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Located in Palo Alto, California, Silicon Valley International School operates across two campuses: one on Coyote Hill and another on Willow Road. INTL serves students from Preschool through Grade 12, offering a comprehensive educational experience rooted in bilingualism and international education. Students can choose from bilingual immersion programs in French-English, Mandarin-English, German-English, and Spanish-English. The school is an authorized IB World School, delivering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). INTL’s philosophy emphasizes global citizenship, bilingual fluency, critical thinking, and cultural understanding. The student body is diverse and multicultural, drawing families from across the Bay Area and around the world. 

How hard is it to get into Silicon Valley International School?

Gaining admission to Silicon Valley International School (INTL) is highly competitive, reflecting its strong international reputation and academic excellence. The school maintains an average class size of around 16 to 18 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 7:1, ensuring personalized attention and a supportive, multilingual learning environment.

INTL primarily welcomes new students at key entry points: Preschool (age 3), Kindergarten, Grade 6, and Grade 9. Applications for other grades are considered based on space availability. 

Standardized testing is not required. The school follows a holistic admissions approach, placing greater emphasis on teacher recommendations, academic records, writing samples, language assessments, parent/guardian questionnaires, and student interviews to understand each applicant’s fit and potential contributions to the INTL 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 Silicon Valley International 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.

Silicon Valley International School Admissions Process

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

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

For more details and to begin your application, visit the Silicon Valley International School page.

The Silicon Valley International School Admission Requirements

INTL Parent Statement

Parents or guardians of applicants are required to answer a parent/guardian questionnaire that is found on Ravennal. 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 Parent Statement for INTL

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 Silicon Valley International School. 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.   

INTL Teacher Recommendations/Recommendation Letters

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

Tips for Writing a Strong Parent Statement for INTL

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 Requirement for INTL

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 INTL Admission

The transcript will demonstrate your child’s readiness to handle Silicon Valley International 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. 

INTL Personal Statement

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 Silicon Valley International School. 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 Silicon Valley International School. 

Expert Advice for Your INTL 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 Silicon Valley International School 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.

Proctored Writing Sample

The Writing Sample is an online test by Test Innovators, in which applicants are expected to write an essay in response 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: Preparing for Success

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. 

INTL Admissions Interviews

As part of the admissions process at Silicon Valley International School (INTL), students and families participate in admissions interviews to help the school get to know applicants beyond their paperwork. These interviews are scheduled after the application and supplemental materials have been submitted.

• Preschool and Kindergarten applicants engage in a play-based observation and informal conversation with admissions staff.

• Applicants to Grades 1–12 complete a student interview that may include a casual conversation, a writing sample, and, if applicable, a language proficiency assessment in French, Mandarin, German, or Spanish.

• Parent/guardian conversations are also an important part of the process. INTL invites parents to meet with admissions team members to discuss their child’s educational background, learning style, and family goals.

These interviews are conducted 1:1, providing a personal experience that allows the admissions team to assess each applicant’s academic readiness, language skills, social development, and fit within INTL’s bilingual and international community.

Ace Your INTL Interview: Preparation Strategies

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 The Silicon Valley International School, 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. 

Campus Tours, Open Houses, and Virtual Information Sessions

The Silicon Valley International School 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.

INTL Campus Tours: Explore Our Palo Alto Campuses

Families can schedule small-group tours of either the Cohn Campus (Willow Road, Preschool–Grade 5) or the Coyote Hill Campus (Grades 6–12). Tours are normally led by admissions team members and offer a firsthand look at classrooms, student life, and the bilingual learning environment.

INTL Open Houses: Meet Faculty & Students

INTL hosts Open House events where families can meet faculty members, administrators, and current students. Open Houses provide a deeper dive into academic programs, bilingual immersion tracks, and the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.

INTL Virtual Information Sessions: Learn Online

For families who cannot visit in person, INTL offers virtual information sessions throughout the admissions season. These sessions include an overview of the school’s philosophy, bilingual programs, and admissions process, with opportunities to ask questions live.

Participation in a tour or information session is highly encouraged as part of the admissions journey. Registration for all events is available through Ravenna Hub.

What is Student Life Like at Silicon Valley International School?

Student life at Silicon Valley International School (INTL) is vibrant, multicultural, and community-driven. With students coming from a wide variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds, the school fosters an environment where global perspectives are celebrated every day.

Beyond academics, students are encouraged to explore their interests through arts, athletics, service learning, and leadership opportunities. Clubs, after-school activities, and community events like International Day and Spirit Week help build a strong sense of belonging. At every grade level, INTL students learn the importance of curiosity, collaboration, and compassion, all while developing fluency in multiple languages. INTL students experience a school life that is both joyful and deeply connected to the world around them.

Silicon Valley International School Curriculum Overview

Silicon Valley International School (INTL) hosts a unique curriculum that combines bilingual immersion education with the globally recognized International Baccalaureate (IB) framework. From Preschool through Grade 5, students build strong foundations through full or partial immersion in French, Mandarin, German, or Spanish alongside English. As students move into Middle School and High School, they continue to develop bilingual fluency while engaging with the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP).

Across all grades, the curriculum emphasizes inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, global citizenship, and intercultural understanding. Math, science, humanities, arts, and technology are integrated across disciplines, encouraging students to make real-world connections. INTL’s curriculum is designed not just to prepare students for academic success, but to equip them with the skills and perspectives needed to thrive in an interconnected world.

What Sports does Silicon Valley International School offer?

Silicon Valley International School (INTL) offers a variety of team sports for Middle School and High School students (Grades 5–12) through its athletics program. Sports are divided by season to give students opportunities to participate year-round.

INTL’s athletics program focuses on skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship, and school spirit. Student-athletes of all experience levels are encouraged to participate, and the school emphasizes inclusive participation and personal growth through competitive play.

Silicon Valley International School Arts and Music Programs

The arts are an essential part of student life at Silicon Valley International School (INTL), providing students creative outlets to express themselves across multiple languages and cultures. Starting in Preschool, students engage in visual arts, music, and performing arts integrated into the curriculum. 

As they progress through the grades, they can explore a wide range of disciplines, from painting and sculpture to instrumental music, choir, and theater. Music instruction emphasizes both theory and performance, with opportunities to participate in concerts and recitals.

Theater productions, many of which incorporate multiple languages, allow students to showcase their bilingual skills and creativity on stage. INTL’s arts and music programs are designed to nurture confidence, imagination, and cross-cultural understanding, helping students develop not just as scholars, but as well-rounded, expressive individuals.

Notes:

• Students across divisions have chances to perform and exhibit their work at events like concerts, showcases, and art exhibitions throughout the year.
• Arts and music classes also often reflect the bilingual and multicultural nature of the school, incorporating songs, plays, and artistic traditions from around the world.

Clubs and organizations at Silicon Valley International School

Silicon Valley International School (INTL) offers a variety of clubs and organizations that give students the chance to explore their interests, build leadership skills, and strengthen the school’s community spirit. Clubs are available primarily for Middle and High School students, though some activities also start in Lower School.

Students are also encouraged to propose new clubs based on their passions, and faculty members often sponsor these initiatives, helping create a dynamic and evolving student life experience.

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