Admission FAQ

List of 11 frequently asked questions.

• Does Poly accept applications from international or foreign students?

  At this time, Polytechnic School does not accept applications from international students and is not able to offer, process, or assist in the procurement of student visas (Form I-20). Please visit www.pasadenaareaschools.org for information about other schools in the area, which may accept international students.

• How do I apply to Poly?

  The application for Polytechnic School is processed online and will be available through our admission portal in October. Lower School applications are due in December, Middle and Upper School applications are due in January. Supporting documents (teacher recommendations, transcripts etc.) are due in January. For a complete list of supporting documents, please check out the How To Apply page of our site.

• Can interested families visit the school?

  Visiting Poly's campus is a great way to learn about the school and its community. During the fall season, open houses and other visiting opportunities (tours, curriculum overviews, athletic nights, etc.) specific to each division are offered. Reservations to these events are required and can be made through the online inquiry once event dates have been posted in late summer. These optional events have no bearing on the final admission decision.
  
  To view our virtual campus tour, click here.

• How many new students enter the school each year?

  Each year, we expect approximately 45 openings in kindergarten, 20-25 in sixth grade, 10-12 in seventh grade, and 25-30 in ninth grade. These numbers may vary slightly year-to-year due to enrollment and attrition. Spaces in non-entry grades (grades 1-5, 8, and 10-12) are available only through attrition.

• How old should my child be to apply to kindergarten?

  All applicants must be five years old by Aug. 31 of the year they wish to enter kindergarten, so they should apply during the fall of the year before. There are no exceptions to the birthday deadline.

• Must I take the ISEE at Poly?

  Independent School Entrance Exam (Official Statement Here)

  Because of extraordinary circumstances impacting applicant families due to COVID-19, for entrance into the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school year, Poly has waived the standardized testing requirement in our admission process for entrance into the 2022-2023 school year. 
  
  For more information about ISEE requirements for the 2023-24 school year, please visit our How to Apply page.

• Where do I find the supporting application forms (such as the Parent Statement, Teacher Recommendations Forms, etc.)?

  Supporting documents will be available on the admission portal, when the online application is available beginning in early October. These forms include Student Statements, Parent Statements, Teacher Recommendations, Transcript Release Forms, and others.

• When will we receive notification of admission decisions?

  Notification letters for admission and financial aid decisions for the 2025-2026 school year will be announced on Friday, March 14, 2025. Decisions are released by email at 5 p.m.

• What does it mean to be in the wait pool?

  Unfortunately, Poly has more qualified applicants than open spots in each class. The wait pool consists of a small group of students for each grade who would be appropriate for Poly but cannot be initially accepted. The wait pool for each grade is unranked; should a space become available, all applicants at all grade levels in the pool will be considered. Spaces vacated in one grade may be filled at a different level or within a different division. The wait pool remains active until the first day of the school year, as vacancies can sometimes develop unexpectedly. Students are not admitted during the school year. The Admission Team will reach out to wait pool families directly and promptly with an offer of admission should a space become available.

• As an NAIS school, in what ways does Poly follow the Principles of Good Practice in its admissions and enrollment process?

  Polytechnic School is committed to adhering to the NAIS Principles of Good Practice as they relate to the school's admission and enrollment process. These guidelines promote high standards and ethical behavior to uphold the mission, vision, and values of the school. We firmly expect all K-12 applicants and their families to abide by the guiding principles espoused in the Principles of Good Practice at all times during the admissions and enrollment process.

• What is the new California Immunization Law (SB 277)?

  New California immunization law (SB 277):
  
  

  Effective January 1, 2016, parents of incoming kindergarten and seventh grade students will no longer be allowed to submit personal beliefs exemptions for any currently required school vaccine. All other students with personal belief exemptions, filed prior to 2016 and on file in the Health Office, may attend school.  For a list of required vaccinations for entry to kindergarten and seventh grade, please visit Shots for School at http://www.shotsforschool.org/.