Admissions & Financial Aid FAQ

The Overlake School is a liberal arts, co-ed, grade 5-12, college preparatory independent institution that provides a balance between a rigorous academic curriculum and a vibrant co-curricular program. Overlake seeks to enroll students with promising academic capability and the potential to contribute to campus life in a unique and meaningful way. Well-rounded students who have a love of learning as well as a variety of interests, skills, talents and backgrounds in academic and non-academic areas contribute to the school’s community of learners.

We consider the way a family's identities, life experiences, and values would add to our community at Overlake. 

We believe that engagement with diverse experiences and backgrounds in curriculum, and the community at large, enhances the learning for all of our community members. We also believe that an excellent education means teaching our students the skills to thrive in a diverse and changing global community. The Admission Committee conducts the admission process to craft a class composition that is balanced and diverse in many respects.

More information on Overlake's diversity initiatives.

We receive applications from all types of schools from various locations, including out-of-state and international schools. We receive many applicants from public, independent, parochial, and international schools - homeschool as well. The greatest number of applicants live in Redmond, Bellevue, Woodinville, Kirkland, Sammamish, Issaquah, and Seattle, with over a dozen other communities represented. 

In the 2024-25 admission cycle, approximately 45% of accepted applicants attended independent schools, 42% attended public schools, and 11% attended parochial schools. 

At Overlake, we have three entry points, which are: 5th grade, 6th grade, and 9th grade. All other grades are determined by re-enrollment rates. 

The entry point openings are:

5th grade: 32 new students

6th grade: 32 new students

9th grade: 20-25 new students

In addition to reviewing all required documentation, Admission Committee members consider the following: academic ability, attitude, emotional maturity and sociability, character, activities and interests, outstanding talent, diversity, and any relationship to the school. Other factors taken into consideration include the number of openings available per grade level, gender balance, the composition of the current class which means the chemistry, personality and interaction of classmates at a given grade level. 

In essence, the "match" or "fit" between the school and the applicant is an extremely important one. Careful consideration is given to each and every applicant.

The Overlake School uses standardized test scores as only a small part of a holistic review of the mission match of an applicant. We do not have a minimum or threshold score, and do not recommend multiple attempts to complete the SSAT or ISEE.

Overlake welcomes applications from students with a variety of learning profiles and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations, in accordance with applicable laws, to support student success. Our admissions process includes an individualized review of each applicant's ability to thrive academically and socially in our rigorous and engaging learning environment.

To ensure we can make well-informed decisions and plan for appropriate support, we ask families to share all relevant information and documentation about a student's learning needs in the application. This information is reviewed by our Learning Specialists and other appropriate team members as part of an interactive process with the family. 

While we are able to provide many types of academic accommodations, some needs may require services or modifications beyond what Oerlake can reasonably offer in our setting. In those cases, we work in partnership with families to determine if Overlake is the right fit for the student's success and well-being. 

Each year we receive applications from more qualified candidates than we have openings. Decisions to admit, wait pool, or deny candidates are influenced by the pool of students applying. In addition to the academic and social profile of each applicant, we consider the right balance of skills and interests that each student would contribute to the group. 

Wait pooled candidates are re-evaluated if space becomes available in the grade to which they applied, up until the end of summer. Once the new school year starts, those candidates are then considered denied.

Yes, both wait pooled and, in some cases, denied applicants may submit a new application in subsequent years. It is processed just as if it were the first application, including submitting new test scores, current teacher recommendations, and new essays. The previous year's file is available to the current Admission Committee for review.

The Admissions Committees recognizes that related families may want their child(ren) to attend The Overlake School. Related applicants are defined as siblings of current students, and the child(ren) or relatives of our alumni, faculty, and staff. Related applicants are given extra consideration in the admission process, meaning that the Admissions Committee is aware of the related status, but this does not guarantee acceptance. 

The Overlake School welcomes applications from International students. Students are responsible for finding their own housing and visas. We do not have dormitories, nor do we arrange home stays. All applicants, regardless of citizenship, submit the same application materials. 

Parents/guardians play a vital role in the success of the Overlake community and are encouraged to get to know their child's teachers and support the child's academic and co-curricular activities. 

The Parent Guardian Association (PGA) supports the school and its programs by sponsoring monthly meetings, parent education seminars, social events, teacher/staff appreciation, an annual auction, a grants program for special projects, athletic booster club, Overlake Friends of the Arts, ParentNet, and the ski bus program.

Yes. There is an additional fee if your student decides to take the bus. Routes are subject to revision each school year as needed. For more information on routes and cost, please check out Overlake's Transportation offerings.

Driving directions are available on the Directions page.

*Please use the directions on our website if you are visiting the school for the first time; many GPS systems provide incorrect directions to our locked back gate.

Please visit the contact page for a complete listing of the Admissions and Financial Aid staff.

No. There are no separate requirements for financial aid recipients. They are expected to maintain the same standards of behavior and academic performance expected of all students. 

Overlake endorses the belief that parents have an obligation to pay for the educational expenses of their children to the extent they are able and that takes precedence over the school’s responsibility to provide financial assistance. While the remarriage of either parent creates a new family unit with new relationships, the natural (or adoptive) parents still have responsibility for educational expenses despite any legal agreements to the contrary. Therefore, the resources of the entire new family unit are considered pertinent.

Each parent submits a Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) and follows the procedures listed above. We will waive the requirement for financial information from a non-custodial parent if the location of the non-custodial parent is unknown or we have documented information that the non-custodial parent provides no support and has not been in contact with the student for two years. If there are other extenuating circumstances that might warrant waiving this requirement, written requests should be sent to the Overlake financial aid office.

Yes. All financial information, including application materials, financial documents, and award amounts, is kept in strict confidence. 

In the case of separated and/or divorced parents, no information will be given by the school to either parent regarding the other parent's financial disclosures.

The decision to enroll your child in a tuition-based elementary or secondary school is a highly nuanced, deeply personal choice to make. We strongly believe that a school that educates the whole child, that emphasizes character development, and fosters deep and long-lasting connections to peers and adults takes a lot of resources from the school to successfully provide. 

Things such as small classrooms, the best teachers, a beautiful 73-acre campus, and the unique educational experiences - which are hallmarks for the Overlake experience - are necessary to provide opportunities for students to find themselves and their passions. 

Tuition is the main way we offset the costs of the experience we've curated at Overlake, but we believe the sacrifices families make to be at Overlake are well worth the cost.

We believe that families from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds provide perspectives that enrich our greater community. We urge you to explore financial aid if our mission and values resonate with your family and give us a chance to make the experience affordable for your child.

Yes, applications can be submitted after the deadline. However, we do not reserve funds beyond the initial round of awards allocated in February and March. While we do our best to accommodate late applications, we cannot guarantee that there will be remaining funds. 

For application and award decision questions: Contact Min Yoo, the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at myoo@overlake.org

For technical support: Contact the Clarity in-app support available through the "Help" button in the bottom left of the screen, as well as email and phone support at support@clarityapp.com or 206-210-3752, in both English and Spanish.