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Admissions

Our Joyful Learning Community Awaits You

Amy Sullivan
Director of Middle School Admissions (5-8)
Renée Thompson
Director of Enrollment and Outreach (TK-8)
Beth Lewis
Associate Director of Elementary Admissions (TK-4)
The Admissions Team
admissions@prospectsierra.org

Welcome to Prospect Sierra! We know how important it is to you to provide your child with an education they will always cherish, and we’re excited to embark on this admissions journey together.

Prospect Sierra is home to passionate, innovative teachers who help our students:

  • Practice deep intellectual engagement
  • Develop nuanced self-knowledge
  • Recognize the importance of caring for others

The future holds many unknowns. But one thing we’re certain of is that these three critical skills will prepare our students to collaborate with others to tackle complex challenges and help make the world a better place. We are incredibly proud of Prospect Sierra’s independent thinkers, creative problem solvers, and thoughtful citizens.

We invite you to lean into this process and explore Prospect Sierra more in the coming days. You’ll discover the many reasons why we chose Prospect Sierra—and hope you will too!

We can’t wait to meet you, get to know your family, and introduce you to our innovative program and incredible school community.

Admission Resources Virtual Campus Tour

Why Prospect Sierra?

Choosing the best fit for your child’s education is a big decision. We are honored that you’re here. To give you a more insightful look at who we are, we’ve asked our students, parents, and alums to share with you what being a part of Prospect Sierra means to them.

From the close student/teacher relationships and academic challenges to inclusivity and bonded friendships, our students love being a part of the Prospect Sierra community.

Alum Experience
Student Experience
Family Experience

Get Started on the Admissions Process

How to Apply (TK)

All the steps you need to apply to the Transitional Kindergarten program

Apply to TK

How to Apply (K-8)

Our streamlined process for K-8 admissions helps you apply for the upcoming school year

Apply to K-8

Flexible Tuition

We provide the tools to help with affordability. Flexible Tuition makes all the difference!

Learn More

TESTIMONIALS

“I’ve been an educator for 23 years and I’ve spent a lot of time studying schools and working to try to improve educational equality in the Bay Area and for kids across our country and I’ve not ever seen a school like this before. Prospect Sierra delivers on what it says it’s going to do, it’s not just rhetoric.”

- Amanda Klein | Alum parent

Flexible Tuition FAQs

Please contact Soo Zee Park, Chief Financial Officer, at spark@prospectsierra.org or 510.809.9004, or the admissions team at admissions@prospectsierra.org.

We’re happy to help!

Flexible Tuition allows families to commit to an education they can afford for their tenure at Prospect Sierra. Current families pay tuition ranging from $1,500 to $36,665 for the 2023–24 school year. The school encourages families to apply for flexible tuition if they think they may qualify.

Prospect Sierra is committed to keeping the school accessible to families from a wide range of economic backgrounds, and our belief is that cost should not prevent anyone from sending their child to the school.

Tuition at the school includes:

  • Books and materials,
  • Study trips and overnights,
  • Technology for students,
  • and yearbooks.

Additional costs beyond school tuition include:

  • Extended program (optional),
  • School transportation (optional),
  • Prospect Sierra Parents Association dues ($60 per family),
  • Pizza day fee ($70 per child),
  • Site assessment fee (Required; $1,200 per family paid over two years and pro-rated for families paying flexible tuition)

Flexible tuition is determined separately from the admissions process. A family’s financial background does not factor into a student’s admissions decision by the school.

Admission and flexible tuition decisions will be released on February 16, 2024 for TK applicants, and on March 14, 2024 for K-8 applicants.

We believe in stability! The School will continue to partner with families who utilize the flexible tuition program during their students’ tenure at Prospect Sierra.

Please note, enrolled families must reapply each year in the winter before re-enrollment agreements are released.

Yes, within reason. Enrolled families are welcome to re-apply (or apply for the first time) if there has been a major financial change (job loss, incoming sibling, household changes, etc.)

We also welcome emails and phone calls to discuss your confidential situation.

If you are currently not in need of flexible tuition, and do not anticipate an immediate financial change, you should not apply for it at this time.

If there is a significant change in your family’s financial circumstances after enrolling at Prospect Sierra (job loss, incoming sibling, household changes, etc), please contact the Business Office as soon as possible.

Yes, each parent/guardian household must submit a Clarity application, along with all 2022 and 2023 tax documents (1040, W-2, and any relevant schedules) to be considered for Flexible Tuition.

Prospect Sierra determines ability to pay by factoring in all available resources from both parents and step-parents, regardless of custody or other legal issues.

Please send us a supplemental letter if there is additional information that addresses your financial situation not taken into account by Clarity. We also welcome emails and phone calls to discuss your confidential situation.

Enrollment Deposit

  • Upon acceptance or re-enrollment of your child, an enrollment deposit of ten percent (10%) of the annual tuition is required which, while non-refundable, is credited toward tuition charges invoiced later in the academic year.

Two payments

  • Families can select to pay their school tuition in two installments; in May 2024 (60%) and the remaining balance in January 2025 (30%).

OR

Monthly payments (11 months)

  • Families can select to pay their school tuition in monthly installments; beginning in May 2024 through April 2025.
  • Please note there is one month in which families do not make a tuition payment during this cycle. In February, all returning Prospect Sierra families submit their re-enrollment deposit in lieu of making a tuition payment for the current academic school year. Tuition payments do resume the following two months.

For questions, please contact admissions@prospectsierra.org.

Families can choose to purchase Tuition Refund Plan (TRP) offered to Prospect Sierra families through Dewar, Inc. If your child is unable to complete the school year because of absence, withdrawal, or dismissal, this insurance may entitle you to a refund of the unused portion of your tuition according to the terms of the policy.

Your cost for the Tuition Refund Plan is billed separately, and represents 3.25% of your tuition amount.

Please contact Soo Zee Park, Chief Financial Officer, at spark@prospectsierra.org or 510.809.9004, or the admissions team at admissions@prospectsierra.org.

We welcome emails and phone calls to confidentially discuss your family’s ability to afford a Prospect Sierra education.