Getting into Harvard-Westlake means completing every part of the application well and early, and presenting a student who is, in the school's words, kind, curious, and engaged, with a strong record of academic achievement. The school does not publish a formula, a minimum score, or an acceptance rate, and it says no single factor determines a decision. What you control is the quality and timing of each piece.
This guide is for parents of students applying for fall 2027 entry, most often to grade 7 or grade 9. It lists the parts of the file in order of how much work they take, with what the school actually says about each and what it leaves unsaid. It makes no promises, because the school makes none.
Start with the facts the school gives
- Harvard-Westlake is an independent, co-educational college preparatory day school for grades 7 to 12. The Middle School serves grades 7, 8, and 9, and the Upper School serves grades 10, 11, and 12.
- The main entry points are grades 7 and 9. About 215 spaces are available in grade 7, and about 90 new students enroll in grade 9. See the acceptance rate guide for how to read those numbers.
- The school says it regularly receives more applications from qualified students than it has spaces, and that families should apply to other schools as well.
- It aims to enroll students from a variety of schools and backgrounds, and describes a student body drawn from 247 different schools.
What the school looks for
The FAQ says the school seeks "kind, curious, and engaged students who are eager to contribute" to the community. It also says competitive applicants have a strong track record of academic achievement, and that it uses a holistic process collecting varied information, including standardized testing, to assess academic preparedness and potential.
Translate that into the file you can build. The parts are the application and fee, the Student Questionnaire, the interview for grades 7 and 9, ISEE results, recommendations from the current English teacher, current math teacher, and a current administrator, and the transcript. Each is described in the application guide.
The steps, in a sensible order
1. Confirm eligibility and fit
For grade 7, the school says applicants for the 2027-28 school year must be age 11 by June 30, 2027. Grade 10 admits approximately 5 to 10 students depending on total enrollment. Grade 8 is considered based on rare attrition, and grades 11 and 12 only in special circumstances. If your child is outside grades 7 and 9, check the FAQ first.
2. Make the application form early
Submitting the application form by November 13, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PT is what the school ties to an invitation to interview for 7th and 9th grade applicants. The full application deadline is January 15, 2027, and the school says applicants who begin after that date are only considered for the waitlist. The application is at hw.com/apply, and the fee is waived if you apply for financial aid.
3. Choose one ISEE date
Every applicant must take the ISEE, with results from a single test taken between August 1, 2026 and January 15, 2027. The school does not recommend taking it more than once, and does not recommend tutoring or other special preparation. List school code 052135 to share scores. The ISEE guide covers the sections and timing.
4. Write the Student Questionnaire
The school asks for short-answer responses that help it learn about the student and their interests, due at least two days before the interview. The prompts appear in the online application. The questionnaire and writing guide explains how to help a child write in their own voice.
5. Prepare for the interview
Interviews for 7th and 9th grade applicants are on weekdays during school hours, in person or on Zoom. The school asks you to accept your appointed time and says it cannot promise an interview if you decline or reschedule. In-person interview families get a personal Middle School tour. See the interview and visit guide.
6. Line up recommendations and the transcript release
Enter the email addresses of your child's current English teacher, current math teacher, and a current administrator on the online application, and the forms are emailed to them. The school asks that recommendations be completed between November 1 and the application deadline. It also accepts the Los Angeles Independent Schools (LAIS) recommendation forms. For transcripts, submit the Authorization for Release of Applicant's Record and Transcript form to the registrar or an administrator at your current school through the online application.
7. Decide on optional extras
The school accepts media showing abilities in the arts or athletics (video limited to 5 minutes) and one supplemental letter of recommendation. Optional events, information sessions, and tours are open to families. The Upper School tours page says participation has no bearing on admission.
8. Apply for financial aid at the same time, if you need it
The aid application runs alongside the admission application, is due January 15, 2027, and cannot be added after admission except in rare unforeseen reversals. See the tuition and financial aid guide.
The dates that matter
- August 1, 2026: ISEE window opens
- August 24, 2026: financial aid applications open
- November 1, 2026: recommendations should be completed between this date and the deadline
- November 13, 2026, 11:59 p.m. PT: application form deadline tied to the interview invitation
- January 15, 2027, 11:59 p.m. PT: admission and financial aid application deadline
- March 12, 2027, 5:00 p.m. PT: decisions released, online
The school says decisions are available through the online portal and that it does not mail or email decision notifications. The full timeline lays these out month by month.
What not to do
- Do not chase a secret formula. The school says no single factor determines a decision, and it publishes no cutoffs.
- Do not make the ISEE the whole plan. It is one of several kinds of information.
- Do not coach an interview into a script. The school is looking for curiosity and engagement.
- Do not let a recommender be last-minute. Ask the current English teacher, math teacher, and an administrator early.
- Do not assume a sibling or family tie decides it. The school says siblings are admitted only if they have demonstrated qualities likely to lead to success.
- Do not apply to only one school. The school asks families to apply to others too.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is it to get into Harvard-Westlake?
The school does not publish an acceptance rate. It says it regularly receives more applications from qualified students than it has spaces, so apply to other schools as well.
What does Harvard-Westlake look for in a student?
The school's FAQ says it seeks kind, curious, and engaged students, and that competitive applicants will have a strong track record of academic achievement. It adds that no single factor determines a decision.
Which grades can you apply to?
The main entry points are grades 7 and 9. The school also admits approximately 5 to 10 students to grade 10 depending on enrollment, considers grade 8 only based on rare attrition, and considers grades 11 and 12 only in special circumstances.
What is the Harvard-Westlake application deadline?
The 2026-27 deadline for the admission application is January 15, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The school says applicants who begin after that date are only considered for the waitlist.
Does the school require a test?
Yes. All applicants for entry in fall 2027 must take the ISEE, using one test taken between August 1, 2026 and January 15, 2027. Details are in the admissions overview.
Next step
If you want help organizing these steps around your child's schedule, the programs page describes what HarvardWestlakePrep by EduAvenues offers, and the diagnostic is a free starting point.
Sources
- Harvard-Westlake Frequently Asked Questions
- Harvard-Westlake How to Apply
- Harvard-Westlake Visit page
- Harvard-Westlake Tuition and Financial Aid
HarvardWestlakePrep by EduAvenues is an independent service, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Harvard-Westlake School.