How to Get Into Woodside Priory: Ace the Admissions Process

Quick Answer for Busy Parents

Getting into Woodside Priory requires a combination of strong academics, authentic character, and a genuine alignment with the school’s Benedictine values. The school is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate that rewards students who are curious, community-minded, and ready to engage in a rigorous yet humane learning environment. 

To be competitive, a student needs a clear, authentic story: one that shows who your child is, what drives them, and how they’ll add something real to the community. 

Why Do Families Choose Woodside Priory?

The Woodside Priory School, founded in 1957 by seven Hungarian Benedictine monks, is an independent Catholic Benedictine college preparatory school. Originally founded as an all-male boarding school, the school later began admitting women. 

Known for being the only coeducational Benedictine college prep school in the state, Priory is currently ranked 7th among California’s best boarding high schools. The school strives to foster a community of kindness where students are empowered to explore interests that are beyond their comfort zone. 

At Priory, students are encouraged to take intellectual and creative risks to help them develop into lifelong learners and stewards. The curriculum and community are founded upon a strong commitment to Benedictine values, seeking to bring depth and meaning to students’ lives as they gear up to productively serve a world in need of their gifts.

How Hard Is It to Get Into Woodside Priory School?

The Woodside Priory School is among the highly regarded private schools. It currently holds 1st rank in the San Francisco Bay Area’s best Catholic high schools, 7th among California’s best boarding high schools, and 10th best Catholic high school in America.

Due to Priory’s outstanding reputation, admissions can be highly competitive. The competition might be tougher than you think! As of late, the Woodside Priory School acceptance rate has remained remarkably low at only 30%, comparable to top private schools like  Menlo, Nueva, and Castilleja.  

We are incredibly familiar with succeeding in the face of such challenges here at Cardinal Education. To ensure your success, we have experienced and dedicated admissions consultants, tutors, and academic coaches to provide you with the best admissions strategies. Our educational consultants not only help you craft strong admissions requirements but also guide you in setting yourself apart from others in admissions events. We have been the most sought-after educational consulting firm for a reason. Contact us today!

Top Tips For Families Who Want to Get Into Woodside Priory

• Apply to the right entry point. 
• Build the strongest possible academic foundation now. 
• Engage in meaningful extracurricular activities way before the start of any applications. 

Best Practices for Students Applying to Priory

• Visit the campus before submitting the application. 
• Start the standardized testing process early. 
• Talk to current Woodside Priory families if possible. 

Common Questions Parents Ask About Getting Into Woodside Priory 

Q: What GPA do I need to get into Woodside Priory?
A: There is no published minimum GPA, but competitive applicants typically maintain a 3.3 or higher on an unweighted scale. 

Q: Does Woodside Priory require standardized tests?
A: The school accepts ISEE and SSAT scores and considers them as one data point among many. No minimum score is published, and the school takes a holistic view of academic potential. 

Q: Is Woodside Priory hard to get into?
A: The school is moderately selective. Families who engage thoughtfully with the process, present authentic applications, and demonstrate genuine alignment with the school’s mission have a strong chance of admission. 

Woodside Priory’s Admission Process

Creating an account in Ravenna is the first step in Woodside Priory’s admission process. There, you will be able to sign up for events and submit the required documents for your application.

Application Process for Day Students

1. Create your Ravenna account. 
2. Participate in the following admissions events:
   1. Priory Open Houses 
   2. Parent Tours
   3. Campus Visit
   4. International Visitors
   5. Virtual Campus Visit
3. Complete the admission application in Ravenna
   1. Application Form & Fee
   2. Parent Supplement
   3. Student Supplement
   4. Teacher Recommendations (English, Math, Counselor/Principal, Clergy)
   5. Transcript (current and previous school year)
   6. STAR Test
4. Sign up for an interview 

Application Process for Boarding Students

1. Create your Ravenna account. 
2. Submit your application through Ravenna or SAO
   1. Application Form & Fee
   2. Parent Supplement
   3. Student Supplement
   4. Teacher Recommendations (English, Math, Counselor/Principal, Clergy)
   5. Transcript (current and previous school year)
3. Submit Testing Information
   1. Duolingo English Test/IELTS/TOEFL (International Applicants)
   2. STAR Test
   3. SSAT/ISEE
4. Schedule your interview

Woodside Priory School Application Requirements

Parent Supplement/Parent Statement

The parent supplement requirement involves completing short essay questions designed for parents or guardians. This component is essential to provide insights into the family’s values, support system, and perspective on the applicant’s educational journey. Admissions committees often consider this essay to understand the context in which a student is being raised and how parental involvement aligns with the school’s mission. 

If you are not sure how to answer the questions, our educational consultants can help you understand specific prompts and expectations, ensuring that your responses reflect your family’s values and insights effectively. Additionally, Cardinal Education offers the Program in Writing and Reading (PWR) to enhance writing skills, allowing you to articulate your thoughts clearly and compellingly. 

Student Supplement

Woodside Priory requires all applicants to complete a student supplement. This supplement allows students to showcase their individuality, interests, and motivations, providing the admissions committee with a deeper understanding of their character and potential fit within the school community. 

Our Program in Writing and Reading (PWR) can help your child write compelling essays that highlight their uniqueness and fit for the school. Our educational consultants offer tailored guidance and provide insights on how to effectively respond to essay prompts. 

STAR Assessment

The STAR assessment is a standardized, computer-adaptive tool designed to evaluate a student’s skills in reading, math, and early literacy. It adjusts questions based on student responses, providing accurate insights into academic abilities and progress while helping educators tailor instruction to meet individual learning needs. 

Our expert tutors provide tailored tutoring and test preparation services for applicants preparing for the STAR assessment. We help students strengthen their foundational skills in reading and math, develop effective test-taking strategies and build confidence. Additionally, we assist families in interpreting STAR results to better understand academic performance and identify areas for improvement, ensuring students are well-prepared for future academic challenges. 

Recommendation Letters

Priory requires all applicants to submit recommendation letters. Take this as a chance to emphasize your child’s strongest suits! These letters will come from your child’s current English and math teachers, principal or counselor, and a clergy member who may be your pastor, minister, or spiritual advisor. 

Recommendation letters are some of the most crucial aspects of your application. A strong recommendation letter will set your child apart from countless other students applying to Woodside Priory. Many students falsely believe they can get into their dream school through outstanding grades alone. As your trusted advisors, we will make sure you avoid committing the same colossal mistake. We recommend establishing a more personal connection with teachers, counselors, and the school principal to allow them to write strong recommendation letters. Let our admissions consultants guide you through the process!

Transcript

Transcripts showcase your child’s academic intellect and preparedness for Priory’s coursework. What if the transcript isn’t that remarkable? We recommend that you start early with your preparation. We can provide comprehensive services that can help your child get higher grades, but it might take longer than expected. We offer online or in-person diagnostic testing for the assessment of current skills, as well as tutoring and academic coaching for different subjects. However, since boosting your child’s GPA won’t guarantee success, our academic coaches and tutors utilize a holistic approach to help students learn executive function and overcome challenges that might hinder them from succeeding.

Student and Parent Interviews

The final steps of the application consist of two different interviews: the student interview and the parent interview. 

It is important to note that the student interview will be a group interview. For 30 minutes, kids will be doing group activities facilitated by a Priory faculty member. This is for Priory to know if your child fits in well with their culture and values. During the interview, there will be a lot of questions regarding a student’s background, passions and interests, experiences, and vision of success; some could be extremely tricky! 

As for the parent interview, this is completely separate from the students’ and will consist of a one-on-one interview between the parents and the Admissions Director. Keep in mind that as you share more information about your family, Priory wants to gauge how well your values and goals align with the institution. The school values community not just on the student level but also in terms of how you, as parents, will contribute to the growth of Priory.

For both interviews, responses should be sincere, compelling, and backed by personal anecdotes. As your dedicated allies, we can provide an interview preparation program to help you practice answering common interview questions. Start your preparation with our experts!

Top Tips for Admissions Interviews and Events 

• Treat every campus interaction as part of the application. 
• Review the school’s mission, recent news, and academic programs before attending school events.
• After every campus visit or interview, sit down together and talk about what resonated.  

Best Practices for the Interview and Visiting Campus 

• Ensure that all requirements are submitted before the deadline. 
• Choose a letter of recommendation writer who knows your child well and can speak positively about your child for better admission chances. 
• Thoughtfully prepare for interviews by reviewing unique offerings by the school and getting a great understanding of the school’s core values and how it matches your family’s. 

What is Student Life Like at Woodside Priory

Life at Priory is guided by the five Benedictine values: community, spirituality, hospitality, individuality, and integrity. Every year, the school strengthens its community ties through the values that its members uphold. 

With members supporting one another, Priory has a lively campus atmosphere and a comprehensive co-curricular program that sets students up for a balanced educational adventure.

Academic Culture

Woodside Priory has a community of educators that continually reflects on its practices, seeks innovative educational thinking, and cultivates better ways to meet the necessities and demands of its students. 

As of today, Priory caters to over 400 students in grades 6 through 12 and around 40 boarding students in grades 9 through 12. With an average class size of 13 and a student-to-teacher ratio of 7:1, Priory teachers are able to promote a rigorous and robust curriculum that engages students in substantive intellectual discussion and critical thinking, all while maintaining a balanced life. Among the school’s faculty members, 80% hold advanced degrees.

Athletic Culture

At the core of Priory’s competitive interscholastic athletic program is the school’s mission to develop athletic skills and a healthy, active lifestyle. The school strongly believes that interscholastic athletics are vital components of its mission to develop every student as a whole person. At Woodside Priory School, dedication, sportsmanship, hard work, and commitment are rewarded. Many of the coaches are faculty members, giving students the opportunity to bond with their teachers outside of an academic setting! 

Priory offers sports according to the season, such as basketball, cross country, water polo, lacrosse, football, track and field, tennis, swimming, and volleyball, to name a few. Every team gets an equal opportunity to compete in league playoffs, while the best ones get to the regional and state levels.

Creative Culture

Woodside Priory places a high value on the arts as a means to express oneself and better understand others. In the visual and performing arts, every student is empowered to delve into their creative and expressive capabilities. There is a vast range of vocal, visual arts, orchestral, and theater classes where students can learn to produce finished works of art. 

Priory takes pride in its new Performing Arts Center, which includes The Rothrock Performance Hall and The Marquart Family Set Shop, among many others. In terms of Visual Arts, Priory organizes an open, multimedia presentation of students’ AP Art portfolios and an indoor/outdoor gallery-style presentation during spring to highlight the Visual Arts year.

Priory also founded the Kriewall-Haehl Gallery in 2007 to inspire the school community and truly bring art to life. This is not a commercial gallery, as the artworks showcased are created by students, staff, and alumni. The gallery also frequently collaborates with artists around the San Francisco Bay Area to showcase independent and local talent.

Clubs & Activities

Woodside Priory School offers a wide variety of clubs and activities designed to help students explore their interests, build leadership skills, and apply classroom learning in meaningful ways. Through its flexible H Block schedule and diverse co-curricular offerings, students can engage in both academic support and passion-based exploration. 

Woodside Priory School Famous Alumni

Woodside Priory is a young school by independent school standards, but its alumni community already includes individuals making meaningful contributions across a range of fields. Among the school’s most notable graduates are figures who have gone on to careers in medicine, law, environmental advocacy, and the technology sector—reflecting the school’s dual emphasis on intellectual rigor and ethical responsibility. Some of Priory’s notable alumni include:

1. Taylor Eigsti. Grammy-nominated jazz pianist, composer, and recording artist. Recognized as one of the leading contemporary jazz musicians of his generation, Eigsti began performing professionally at a young age and has released multiple acclaimed albums. His work has earned widespread recognition within the jazz community and beyond. 
2. Marc Fiore. Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist and digital journalist. Fiore received the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning, becoming the first recipient recognized primarily for online political cartoons. His work has been widely praised for its insightful commentary on politics, public affairs, and current events. 
3. Matt O’Sullivan. Former professional soccer player and member of the 1976 United States Olympic Soccer Team. O’Sullivan represented the United States at the international level and later played professionally with the Memphis Americans. His athletic achievements reflect a distinguished career in competitive soccer. 
4. Neil Gorsuch. Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Appointed to the nation’s highest court in 2017, Gorsuch is known for his influential judicial opinions and contributions to constitutional and legal scholarship. His career has included service on the United States Court of Appeals before joining the Supreme Court. 
5. Brett Kavanaugh. Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Before his appointment to the Supreme Court in 2018, Kavanaugh served on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He has played a significant role in shaping American jurisprudence through his work on the nation’s highest court. 

These alumni reflect Woodside Priory’s enduring commitment to developing accomplished leaders, creative thinkers, and dedicated professionals. Their achievements across law, athletics, journalism, music, and public service demonstrate the lasting impact of a Woodside Priory education and the school’s mission to prepare students to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the broader world. 

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