Apply - Pacific Ridge School

2026 - 2027 Application Process

Applications for the 2026-2027 school year are now open and are due on February 1, 2026. See Step 1 below to get started.

HOW TO APPLY

Step 1: Create your Finalsite account (required to become an applicant)

Step 2: Family Form & $110 Application Fee (required to begin the application)

Request & Upload Report Cards

Upload copies of your student’s report cards directly to the Finalsite applicant portal. Final grades from each semester, trimester, or quarter must be present on all report cards.

Below is a list of required grade reports for the 2026-2027 application:

2023 - 2024 Report Cards (all terms)
2024 - 2025 Report Cards (all terms)
2025 - 2026 Report Card (1st term ONLY)

The Student & Parent/Guardian Statements are short-answer opportunities for the Admissions Committee to hear from applicants and their families. Some questions are based on personal experiences, and some are best answered after your family has had a chance to learn about the Pacific Ridge community.

Some notes about Student & Parent Statements:

HAVE FUN! We want to get to know your student and your family through your responses. There are no right or wrong answers.
The content of your statements is much more important than the length of your response. Answer thoughtfully, and please do not feel the need to exhaust your written responses.
The Student Statement should be completed by the applicant without help from adults.
Write your responses in a separate program such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word before pasting them into the form in your checklist. Please proofread your responses before submission.

Schedule Candidate Conversation

Often referred to as an “interview”, the Candidate Conversation is an opportunity for our team to connect with your student and family. Your student is required to attend along with at least one parent or legal guardian.

Candidate Conversations can be held on campus or virtually via Zoom. You can schedule your student’s appointment via the applicant checklist in Finalsite.

Request Recommendations

Each applicant is required to submit three completed recommendation forms from their current teacher (s) and school administrator. Recommendation forms are available to families in the Finalsite applicant portal and can be sent electronically to the recipient.

To ensure your student receives an informed recommendation, we encourage waiting to submit recommendation requests until early December at the earliest. Completed recommendations must be submitted by the February 1 application deadline.

NOTE: The following San Diego county school districts do not provide recommendations for independent school applicants: Del Mar Union School District, Poway Unified School District, San Dieguito Union High School District, and Solana Beach School District. If your student’s school district does not provide recommendations, the Admissions Office will provide you with alternative options.

Standardized Testing

All applicants are required to submit some form of recent test scores in Math & Language. Families can choose to fulfill this requirement in one of two ways:

Option 1: Submit math and language standardized test scores your student has taken in school by the February 1, 2026 application deadline. Scores can be from any standardized test taken during the 2025 calendar year. This includes tests like STAR, iReady, CAASPP, HSPT, MAP or CTP, Iowa Assessments, etc. There is no preference given to any particular test. Please submit the scores you feel best represent your student.

Option 2: Submit ISEE scores by the February 1, 2026 application deadline. We will accept ISEE scores from any time during the 2025 calendar year. Contact ERB to request that your student's test scores be sent to Pacific Ridge School. We will not accept score reports directly from parents.

To register for the ISEE on the ERB website, click here.

Writing Sample

All applicants are required to submit a recent writing sample. Families can choose to fulfill this requirement in one of two ways:

Option 1: Schedule an appointment with Test Innovators for your student to complete a writing sample with a live proctor online.

All Test Innovators exams are $60. If this fee presents a financial hardship for your family, contact the Admissions Office to discuss your options.

To learn more about the Test Innovators written exam and to register your student, click here.

Option 2: Submit ISEE scores, which include a writing sample. We will accept ISEE scores from any time during the 2025 calendar year. Contact ERB to request that your student's test scores be sent to Pacific Ridge School. We will not accept score reports directly from parents since they do not contain the writing portion.

To register for the ISEE on the ERB website, click here.

Apply for Tuition Assistance

Apply for Tuition Assistance, if Applicable

Apply for Tuition Assistance, if Applicable

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INQUIRE

Questions? Contact Us!

Pacific Ridge School

6269 Fuerte Street

Carlsbad, CA 92009

Dave Weiner, Ed.D. - Director of Admissions and Enrollment – d weiner@pacificridge.org

Katie Mark - Assistant Director of Admissions and Enrollment – kmark@pacificridge.org

Samuel Canseco '17 - Admissions Officer – scanseco@pacificridge.org

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