Admissions: How to Apply

Orinda Academy Application Information

To assist you in determining if Orinda Academy is the best independent school for your child, we welcome you to tour our school in Orinda, California, see our classrooms, meet our faculty and find out about our diverse community of students. See how we are succeeding at creating a structured and supportive environment for middle school and high school students.  

Admissions Process

We welcome applications for admission to grades 6 through 12. The first step in the application for admission process is to explore our website and become familiar with our application information, academic programs and the community environment. Those seeking admission must submit all application forms.  A complete application includes the following:

Schedule a Shadow Visit

Shadow visits for students are available throughout most of the year. You may schedule this visit before completing or submitting an application. Visits are designed for you to learn more about our school, and to provide you with the opportunity to assess the benefits of our school.

To schedule a visit, contact the Admissions Office at (925) 254-7553 ext 305, or email admission@orindaacademy.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter or go to our Facebook page to be kept up to date on the latest news and upcoming Orinda Academy events.  

Open Houses

We invite you to attend one of our Open Houses, held during the fall and spring. You will learn more about the school and meet students, parents and teachers. Check our Calendar for upcoming dates.  

Application for Admission 

Complete and return the 2013-14 Application Form, along with an application fee of $75.00 to Orinda Academy. International students, who wish to pay the fee by wire transfer, please contact the Admissions Office at 925-254-7553 ext. 305.

Student Application

Complete and return the 2013-14 Student Application. Be sure to send along your Student Personal Statement. You’ll find the instructions at the bottom of the Student Application.

Required Testing 

To register for the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE), visit www.iseetest.org. Testing dates and locations are available at a number of East Bay schools.  Our school code is 054316.  International students should submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). You can find out more information at www.toefl.org.  Our school code is 3250.

Transcript

Complete the Applicant and Parent/Guardian portions of the Transcript Release and Confidentiality Form. Submit this form to your school's office or registrar. This form must accompany the student’s official transcript, and must be sent in a sealed envelope to Orinda Academy’s Admissions Office. Transcripts should include grades from the student's last school year, and the first semester of the current year. 

Principal/Counselor and Teacher Recommendation Forms

For grades 9-12, complete the Applicant and Parent/Guardian portions of the Principal/Counselor Recommendation Form, the English Teacher Recommendation Form, and the Math Teacher Recommendation Form. Submit forms to your current Math and English teachers, and your current Principal/Counselor. For grades 6-8, fill out two of the Confidential Teacher Recommendations/Transcript Request forms and submit to your current teachers to fill out.  The orms must be emailed, mailed or faxed directly to Orinda Academy's Admissions Office. (Fax: 925-254-4768). Click here for forms. 

Student Interview

 We often do the interview during the students shadow visit, but if you need to schedule an interview once your application has been received, you can contact the Admissions Office at:

(925) 254-7553 x305 to schedule an interview for your student.  

Contact

Please send all admission materials to:

Orinda Academy
Attn: Admissions Office
19 Altarinda Road
Orinda, CA 94563

Admissions Contact:

Laurel Evans 
Admissions Director
Phone: (925) 254-7553 ext. 305
laurel@orindaacademy.org