Frequently Asked Questions

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How competitive is admissions to Brentwood and does it vary by grade? Hide

Admission to Brentwood School is competitive. Last year, approximately 360 students applied to be members of our 7th grade class. We had 74 openings for new students. Forty-one students from our Lower Division (West Campus) joined these 74 for a total of 115 students in the 7th Grade. For 9th grade, we usually have between 15-20 spots open (the exact number is based on our target enrollment for the freshman class and any attrition from the 8th grade). Typically, 140 students apply to enter the 9th grade. We do accept applications to Grades 10 through 12, with anywhere from one to seven spots available at those grade levels.

How important is the ISEE? Hide

ISEE results are an important factor yet not the determining one. We have no cutoffs or minimums. We realize that, inherent to any test of this kind, there are certain limitations as any standardized test fails to measure a student's motivation, creativity, research ability, and character. The ISEE does, however, provide us with a common denominator, given that students apply from such a wide variety of schools and thus have somewhat different educational backgrounds. The majority of our applicants fall into what is a wide middle range. In cases where we are familiar with a student's school, where the student has performed well in a solid academic program, and where the recommendations are quite positive and insightful, less importance is placed on the ISEE.

Can the student take the ISEE more than once? Hide

No. The testing company that creates the ISEE does not allow students to test more than once in a six month period. Only under very special circumstances, such as a sudden illness, would a request for an additional sitting be considered.

Do you recommend test preparation courses? Hide

No, we do not. There has been much debate over the value of test preparation courses. The central question remains whether short-term coaching can improve a student’s performance on what is supposed to be a test of a student’s aptitude to learn. The ISEE, in terms of format and concepts tested, should be similar to the tests that students take annually at their current elementary or middle schools. Test preparation courses can lead to increased pressure by making the test appear, in the eyes of an already nervous young student, like the one all-important factor.

In assessing candidates, do you consider more than just quantitative (standardized test results, GPA) factors? Hide

Absolutely. While academic criteria are of significant importance to the Admissions Committee, we look at a variety of information to determine a candidate's intellectual strengths. Beyond the ISEE scores and grades from the current school, we also look very closely at teacher recommendations, the administrator recommendation, the personal reference and the interview. All of those factors combined give the Committee a sense of not only the academic promise of the candidate, but also a sense of the child's personality and extracurricular interests. Rest assured that we spend a lot of time in our deliberations as we try to be as thorough and fair as possible in bringing together a diverse and able student body each year.

Who sits on the Brentwood Admissions Committee? Hide

Actually, there are two Admissions Committees at Brentwood. The Middle Division Admissions Committee (MDAC) reviews applications to 7th Grade. Its members include: the Middle Division Director, the Middle Division Dean of Students, the Associate Director of Admissions, the Admissions Counselor, and at least one faculty representative from each department (English, foreign language, history, math, science, fine arts, and athletics). The MDAC is chaired by the Director of Admissions. The Upper Division Admissions Committee (UDAC) reviews applications to Grades 9–12. Its members include: the Upper Division Director, the Associate Director of Admissions, the Admissions Counselor, the School Counselor, and at least one faculty representative from each department (English, foreign language, history, math, science, fine arts, and athletics). The UDAC is chaired by the Director of Admissions.

What types of schools do most of your students come from? Hide

We have a few schools (both public and private) from which we receive many applications each year. Yet, our current 7th graders come from approximately 30 different schools, and our 22 new 9th graders come from 16 different schools. There is no preference given to students from certain schools. What we do consider is how well students have maximized the educational opportunities offered them during their elementary and/or middle school years.

How does having a Lower Division (K-6) affect a student’s chance of admission to 7th grade? Hide

Brentwood is a K-12 school located on two campuses. Our expectation is that the majority of our 6th graders will continue their middle and upper school experience at Brentwood. But this still leaves approximately 70 openings.

Do siblings have preference? Hide

Yes and no. This is an issue that is extensively discussed by any private school. We realize that many current parents have come to have very positive feelings for our school and wish to have their other children share the same educational experience as their brother(s) or sister(s). But, at the same time, what is right for one child is not necessarily the right choice for another sibling, especially one who may not be as academically inclined or in need of more or less structure, etc. Most important is our estimation of whether the sibling would thrive in this learning environment. Therefore, we urge all siblings to test and interview early in the process and to apply to multiple schools. The sibling application deadline is November 25th. Brentwood is committed to current members of our school community. Our Admissions Committee thus gives special consideration to qualified siblings.* The extent of special consideration depends on how engaged each family has been in the life of the school and on the likelihood of continued engagement. As Brentwood School is a true community where parental involvement is welcomed, valued, and encouraged, it is our hope that parents will contribute to the extent that their time and resources permit. *Current and former Brentwood parents please note: In light of the fact that our sibling policy exists as a means to “keep families together,” the Brentwood School Board of Trustees has more clearly defined “sibling status.” In order for an applicant to receive sibling status in the application pool, he/she must have a Brentwood sibling who will be concurrently enrolled with him/her during the 2009-2010 school year. This clarification has become necessary due to the growing number of siblings and legacies applying to the School and also due to the increasingly competitive nature of the overall applicant pool. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please do not hesitate to call Keith Sarkisian.

How important is the interview? Hide

The parent(s) and student will be interviewed separately by one of the members of our Admissions Team. We constantly remind ourselves of the limitations of an interview, and we understand how nervous some students (and parents) might be. Yet the interview does provide you with an opportunity to meet a representative of the school and to see the school in progress. It allows us a chance to get acquainted with you and to gain some feeling for the applicant, his or her personality, interests, and sense of humor. We have been pleasantly surprised as to how relaxed and spontaneous most of the students we meet with really are. In many cases, the parents prove to be more nervous than the student. We feel the interview should be fun and informative for both you and us. Each interview is followed by a tour of the campus given by one of our current parents.

Is it important when a family interviews or with whom? Hide

Not at all. Due to the large number of applicants, our staff is busy interviewing from mid-October to late February. Many parents like to have the entire process completed prior to the winter holidays, while others, due to a whole array of reasons, begin and complete the process a bit later. We hope to see interviews evenly spread out over this four-and-a-half month period, so the timing of the interview is not a factor in our admissions decisions. We just look forward to seeing you on campus sometime in the fall or winter. Each of us (Keith, Priya, and Lauren) interviews approximately one-third of our applicant pool. At the conclusion of an interview, we each complete a report which becomes part of the applicant’s file. All completed files are subsequently reviewed by our Admissions Committee. Interviews are assigned to Keith, Priya and Lauren depending on their available times and which elementary or middle school the student attends, as each has primary responsibility for a group of schools.

How do we set up a tour? Hide

Families automatically receive a private tour of our campus immediately after their interview. We also offer Parent Open Houses and Student Open Houses during the fall and winter. Please see our online Open House RSVP form inside the Application Process section of this web site.

Why a co-ed school? Hide

Most of our students come to Brentwood from co-ed elementary schools—learning environments where they have shared experiences and developed friendships with students of the opposite sex. At Brentwood, these types of friendships continue and deepen. During the very important adolescent years, our students come to respect their fellow classmates for their intellectual abilities, talents, and personalities, irrespective of gender and stereotypes. Student leadership positions are usually held equally by boys and girls, and both female and male students tend to be active participants in the extracurricular opportunities at the school—art, athletics, clubs, drama, journalism, and music. A parent recently stated: “The world is now more co-ed than ever and Brentwood students, by being in a co-ed environment, develop the interpersonal skills that allow them to deal easily and effectively with both men and women.” Day in and day out, our students get to know each other as individuals, study with one another, compete, share joyous and difficult times, and, along the way, grow together. School spirit also seems to be heightened in a co-ed school as athletic and other school events offer opportunities for socialization and an outpouring of shared pride in fellow classmates’ accomplishments.

How large are classes? Hide

With a student-to-teacher ratio of 8:1 and an average class size of 17, our classes range from independent study courses of only one or two students to a maximum class size of 20. As a student moves into upper level language classes or gets involved in electives, Honors, or Advanced Placement classes, class size may decrease.

How would you characterize your faculty? Hide

Highly qualified, enthusiastic, and caring say it best. Most of our faculty members view their jobs as more than just 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. shifts. Many of them also coach and sponsor activities while remaining available to tutor or counsel any student who comes for help or who they sense is in need of it.

Do you provide transportation? Hide

We offer morning and after-school bus service from Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Cheviot Hills, Crenshaw, Culver City, Hancock Park, Inglewood, Mid-City area, Pacific Palisades, Rancho Park, and Westwood. The after-school routes have two departure times: 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm. Also, many students travel to and from school in carpools. We will aid families in this process by providing names and addresses (organized by zip code) of the students who will be attending Brentwood each year. Students who drive their own cars and wish to park on campus are required to carpool.

What types of support systems does the school provide for new students? Hide

Students receive support on many fronts. A very thorough New Student Orientation and New Family Picnic serve to introduce our new students to the school and help in making the students’ transitions easier. Every student at Brentwood has an advocate (7th and 8th grade) or an advisor (9th-12th grade), either a faculty member or administrator. New students are assigned an advisor while returning 9th-12th grade students are allowed to pick their advisor for the following year. In the Upper Division, students meet formally with their advisor in small groups of 8 to 10 once (sometimes twice) per week for 25 minutes, as well as informally at other times, often during lunch. In addition, Class Deans oversee the activities of each class (Grades 9–12). The Middle Division Advocacy Program allows for students to develop stronger connections to faculty members who are available to support them throughout their 7th and 8th grade experience. Students meet in Advocacy several times per week for a half-hour session. A Counseling Office, located in our Student Life Center, is staffed by two professionally-trained school counselors. It is open to students who may be experiencing academic or personal problems. Given the nature of a small private school, students get to know faculty members quite well and close relationships develop. The school also employs two licensed psychologists/learning specialists (one in each Division) who act as educational resources for students, teachers, and parents. The Directors of both the Upper and Middle Divisions are always available to meet with students as well.

What opportunities are available for parental involvement? Hide

Brentwood School is a true community with parents being integral and active members of the "Brentwood Family." Two formal parent organizations exist—the Parents' Association and the Eagles Association—and all parents are encouraged to join. Both groups are active in sponsoring and hosting many school events. In addition, approximately 80 parents, both fathers and mothers, serve as tour guides for prospective families each year, and many parents volunteer to join one of several committees at the school. These committees include: Social Awareness (addresses current issues affecting students); Arts Committee (both visual and performing); Library; School Safety (earthquake preparedness and CPR classes); Pep and Spirit; Community Service; Foreign Exchange Program; and Annual Benefit.

As parents, we hear about how much pressure exists at private secondary schools like Brentwood. Is this true? Hide

In our view, there is a difference between a stimulating learning environment where pressure does exist and a school being a real "pressure cooker." Our students work very hard as the curriculum is quite challenging. Yet what keeps it from being a highly pressured situation stems from the warm, informal, and friendly nature of the campus, the small class size, and the support each student readily finds available from administrators, faculty members, and fellow students. There is always someone to go to with any kind of problem, be it academic or personal in nature.

What foreign languages do you offer? Hide

Starting in 7th grade, students are given a choice of taking Spanish, French, Latin, or Mandarin Chinese. There is also an Independent Study in Ancient Greek offered in the Upper Division. A few students opt to take two languages beginning in the 9th grade.

Are there “cuts” in your 7th and 8th Grade sports program? Hide

No. Middle Division boys and girls are guaranteed to play whatever Brentwood sport they choose. We stress participation, fun, and the development of skills and self-confidence over high-powered competition, though our teams are typically quite successful. Tryouts are required but no cuts are made as students are divided into Red and Blue teams, which participate in two different leagues.

Do you have organized school clubs and activities? Hide

In the Middle and Upper Divisions, clubs and activities are incorporated into the regular school day during a special period each week. There are over 40 from which to choose. Many faculty members are also available during this period to meet with students in need of extra help.

Do you have a dress code? Hide

Yes. While our students are not required to wear uniforms, and while dress is viewed as a means of individual expression, students are asked to adhere to certain standards of dress. The guidelines with regard to personal appearance and dress are neat, appropriate, and in good taste.

What is the school’s grading policy? Hide

Letter grades are used in all required courses, Honors courses, Advanced Placement courses, and electives. Effort and citizenship grades are also utilized on our report cards to indicate a student's academic effort in, general attitude toward, and contribution to each course. Both quarter and semester grades, along with written comments, are utilized. When necessary, periodic progress reports are sent home. These reports can detail a decline in performance or attitude, a marked improvement, or an especially noteworthy assignment, and can serve to generate parent conferences, which faculty members welcome.

When are the Open House Dates? Hide

We conduct separate Open Houses for parents and students. Parent Open Houses are November 20, 2008 (for 7th Grade applicants only) and January 22, 2009 (for all grade levels). Student Open Houses are November 8, 2008 (for 7th Grade applicants only) and January 10, 2009 (for all grade levels). You must RSVP on-line through our Application Process page.