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How to Get Into The Harker School – San Jose’s Elite K–12 Prep
- Sapneil Parikh
- Oct 23
- 2 min read
Why The Harker School Is Among California’s Top Private Schools
Located in San Jose, The Harker School is a prestigious independent day school serving Pre‑K through Grade 12, with about 2,050 students and a 9:1 student-teacher ratio, offering Tier‑1 academics, research-driven STEM, fine arts, and leadership programs. Approximately 25% of seniors are National Merit semifinalists, and the school boasts strong financial aid commitments.
Admissions Timeline & Key Steps (2025–26 Cycle)
August 28, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. PST: Ravenna portal opens, inquiry submission, and event registration begin.
September 2025 – January 2026: Admissions events and student activity sessions offered
January 8, 2026 by 5 p.m. PST: Application deadline; includes fee, student/parent questionnaires, family photo, and preliminary forms.
January 29, 2026: Final deadline for transcripts, recommendations, essays, and SSAT/ISEE exam scores for grades 6–11
February 5, 2026: Financial aid (SSS) application must be submitted.
March 20, 2026 after 4:00 p.m. PST: Decisions released via Ravenna portal.
March 27, 2026 by 12:00 p.m. PST: Enrollment contract and deposit deadline
June 15, 2026: Tuition balance due
What Harker Looks For in Applicants
Harker has a holistic admissions process, reviewing:
ISEE or SSAT results from tests taken after August 1
Academic transcripts and grade-level performance
Student and parent questionnaires, essays, and photos
Teacher recommendations (English, math, and school head)
Student & parent interviews or campus visits/activity sessions
Traits like creativity, intellectual curiosity, leadership, and community fit
Main entry points include grades K, 3, 4, 6, and 9; other grades are accepted depending on space from attrition. Mid‑year admissions are not accepted
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