How to Apply

Our admissions process is an opportunity for you to see if CHA is a good fit for your child and your family. By visiting the school we hope you will learn what makes Chestnut Hill Academy stand out from all the other excellent options available to you. To start the application process, just click on the ‘Apply Online’ icon to be taken to Ravenna, where you will be able to schedule a visit or book a spot for our upcoming Open House. Please add these email addresses to your contacts to be sure of receiving communication from us: mstuart-german@chestnuthillacademy.com and kstrachan@chestnuthillacademy.com.

There is a useful Ravenna User Guide for Parents which you can view here. Please be aware the Kindergarten applicants will need to have turned 5 by August 31st in the proposed year of entry.

We will begin welcoming applications for the 2024-25 school year in September of 2023, and applications for the 2024-25 school year that are submitted after the January 12th deadline will be processed after the March 29th decision date. Please email us at admissions@chestnuthillacademy.com or 425.372.2800 with questions.

“We have been a Bright Horizons family for couple years. When my son was in preschool we have toured the school, from then on, we decided we will go there so we moved to the place where is closer to school. My son has been in the school for less than one year, and the school doesn’t disappoint us at all. All kind of activities, from family math night to stem night, from field trip to ski days (one day a week for five days), personalized class for kids, enriched curriculum, my son can’t be happier. Last Christmas, I planned a trip which would miss some school days , my son almost cried and told me 'I don’t want to miss any school day, could you plan the trip in no school days next time'. Last and most important thing I want to say is we love the head of school, Holly so much!”

"We are very content with the quality of the education, friendly staff and teachers, and how much importance is given to qualities like kindness and greatness."

Application process for 2023/24

Explore our website
Tour CHA /attend an Open House
Complete application form
Add our email addresses to your contacts list
Schedule a student assessment (Ravenna)
Schedule a Chipmunk for a Day visit (2nd - 5th grade) (Ravenna)
Submit Kindergarten Recommendation
Submit transcripts (2nd - 5th grade)
Submit Teacher Evaluation (2nd - 5th grade)

Application timeline for the 2023-24 school year
Admissions FAQ's

Application timeline for the 2023-24 school year

September - We begin welcoming applications for the following school year
October 21st  - Open House
January 6th - Open House
January 12th - Recommended deadline to apply.
January 27th - Deadline for all supplemental application materials to be submitted.
March 22nd - Admission decisions are posted for families. Some spaces may still be available after this date. Please email admissions@chestnuthillacademy.com for availability.
March 29th - Deadline for Enrollment Agreements for families

Admissions FAQ's

Q: Is there any flexibility given for the cut-off date for entering kindergarten?

A: Kindergarten applicants will need to have turned five years old by August 31st in the proposed year of entry, in keeping with the WA state norm.

Q: What kind of supplemental forms, beyond the teacher recommendation and transcript, might be provided for my child’s application?

A: If your child has an Individual Education Plan, 504 Plan, testing provided by an Educational Psychologist, or reports from specialists/therapists, you are welcome to share those with us if they would help to provide a more complete picture of your child and their learning needs.

Q: Is IQ testing required as part of my child’s application?

A: IQ testing (WPPSI/WISC) is not required as a part of our application process, but families are welcome to submit educational evaluations if they help to provide a more complete picture of the student and their learning needs. Additionally, students accepted to CHA who have current testing through an Educational Psychologist will be eligible for consultation with the SPARC program administrator to determine if interventions are appropriate.

Q: How are admissions decisions made?

A: Admissions decisions are based on the strength of each applicant’s overall application compared with the overall pool of applicants. The parents or legal guardians of all completed and reviewed student applications will receive one of three admission decision notifications:

Accepted – The student meets CHA’s admission criteria, and an offer of acceptance will be extended.
Wait Pool – The student meets CHA’s admission criteria, but the number of qualified applicants exceeds class capacity. If/when openings in a particular grade level occur, a qualified applicant will be selected from the Wait Pool and offered admission.
Regretfully Declined – The student does not meet CHA’s admission criteria. Please keep in mind that decisions are difficult to make, and we are not able to share the reasons for denials, as admission files contain confidential information that may not be disclosed.

Q: If placed in the Wait Pool, can I find out my ranking in the Wait Pool?

A: No, the wait pool is a group of applicants who have a continued interest in enrolling at CHA, and it is not rank-ordered. When an opening occurs, we look at a variety of factors, including gender balance, diversity, learning styles, and social skills, and we then determine who might be the best fit given the current make-up of the class.

Q: If my child is declined for admissions, will you share the reason why?

A: As admissions files contain confidential information that may not be disclosed, we do not disclose the reasons for denials. We are always sorry to convey disappointing news, and it is also important to note that the admissions process is a complex one. With every child and with every situation, we carefully weigh all of the variables both for that child, and what their academic, social, and emotional needs are, as well as for the group as a whole, looking at gender balance, age distribution, academic ability, personality/temperament, and more.

Q: If my child is declined for admissions, can I re-apply the following year?

A: Absolutely. If you apply the next year, you will still complete the application process and submit the required supporting documents, and your child will participate in the assessment process, but we will waive the application fee. Please contact us for a waiver code for the fee prior to submitting your application.

Q: If my child receives an offer of enrollment, can I make a request for a specific teacher?

A: While we appreciate parents’ insight and consideration of teachers, we do not take parent requests. We spend a lot of time understanding who students are through your application, their file and previous performance, and the observations we make of them through the assessment process. The student placement process is thoughtfully mapped out prior to the start of the school year, factoring in a number of different variables, such as, but not limited to: gender balance, age distribution, prior school history, prior sibling relationship with teacher, peer dynamics, diversity, academic ability, learning needs, and personality/temperament.