Parent FAQ
Start with the questions that change the plan
Check the entry grades, the dates and the cost before investing in preparation work.
Checked against Lakeside's published admissions pages on November 5, 2026.
Before you enroll
Questions from parents.
Which grades can my student enter?
Lakeside lists these spaces for 2027-28: Middle School grade 6, 60; grade 7, 5; grade 8, 2. Upper School grade 9, 70 to 75; grade 10, 6; grade 11, 2. Grades 5 to 12. New students apply to the Middle School (grades 6 to 8) or the Upper School (grades 9 to 11).
Are test scores required?
Grade 9 applicants submit SSAT or ISEE scores. Lakeside accepts only one set of admissions test scores per applicant. Applicants to grades 10 and 11 may submit scores from the SSAT, ISEE, ACT, PSAT or SAT. Lakeside has no minimum score for admission and enrolls students who score across a wide spectrum. It recommends testing only once.
Is there an interview?
All Upper School applicants interview with a member of the Lakeside faculty after the preliminary application is complete. Middle School applicants register for and attend an admissions activity after submitting the preliminary form. It takes the place of an interview, with no one-on-one or parent interview.
What does it cost?
Tuition for 2026-27 is $52,000 for grades 5 to 12. Costs beyond tuition include a Lenovo laptop at $1,705.79, an annual pass at $3,750, private lessons at $50 per lesson and dances at $8 to $35 per event.
Does Lakeside offer financial aid?
All financial assistance is need-based, and awards do not have to be paid back. Lakeside commits to providing 100 percent of calculated need and does not offer loans as part of an aid package.
Does applying for aid change the admission decision?
Aid applications and admission applications are considered separately, and the admission and aid committees decide independently.
Can international students apply?
Lakeside does not issue I-20 forms and cannot sponsor or support F-1 student visa applications. It does not provide housing or help find homestays. Financial aid is not available for non-U.S. citizens.
When do families hear back?
Upper School decisions (grades 9 to 11) are released in Aryval at 4:00 p.m. on February 19, 2027. Middle School decisions (grades 6 to 8) are released in Aryval at 4:00 p.m. on March 19, 2027.
Is LakesidePrep affiliated with Lakeside?
No. LakesidePrep by EduAvenues is an independent service, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Lakeside School. Check every requirement and date on the school's own website before you apply.
How current is the admissions information on this site?
The admissions facts on this site were last checked against the school's published pages on November 5, 2026. Schools can change requirements and dates at any time.