Three levels
- Lower (G4–G5)
- Middle (G6–G7): for students testing before the end of November
- Upper (G8–G10): private high school applicants
Each level has verbal reasoning, reading comprehension, and quantitative/math modules; enroll in one or all three. 17-week fall term.
Add-ons
- ISEE 1-on-1 + online system
- Private school application + ISEE bundle: three school applications plus the matching ISEE level; see private school planning.
Summer boot camps
Small-group intensives: Lower Level three weeks (for fall applicants to private elementary and middle schools), Middle Level three weeks, Upper Level four weeks (for fall applicants to private high schools). Morning and afternoon sections cover the same content and lead into the fall sprint.
The 7th-grade entry window
Sage Hill School and Harvard-Westlake School admit the largest cohorts at grade 7. ISEE Middle Level prep pairs with private school planning to maximize the chance of admission.
How to start
Start with a placement assessment. We use it to set the level and class, then confirm the year plan with the family. For schedules, tuition, and bundle offers, request the 2026-27 program guide through the form below.
Want to talk to a course advisor now?
Contact a course advisorFrequently Asked Questions
When should Irvine students start preparing for the ISEE?
About a year ahead of the application deadline works for most families. The ISEE is a private school entrance exam given at three levels that follow the applicant's current grade: Lower (G4-G5), Middle (G6-G7), and Upper (G8-G10). Families applying in the fall usually begin structured work the previous summer, then move into the 17-week fall sprint.
ISEE or SSAT, which test should we take?
Check which test the target schools accept before choosing. Both are private school entrance exams; most Southern California day schools accept the ISEE, while boarding schools generally require the SSAT. Some schools accept either, in which case pick by how the student handles each question format. See ISEE and SSAT.
Do we have to enroll in all three modules?
No. Each level splits into verbal reasoning, reading comprehension, and quantitative/math, and a student may take one module or all three. The placement assessment decides both the level and whether a single module is enough, so start there rather than guessing from school grades.
Why do Irvine families focus on grade 7?
Grade 7 is where private middle schools admit their largest cohorts. Sage Hill School and Harvard-Westlake School both take in the most students at that grade. The matching preparation is ISEE Middle Level, and we recommend running it alongside private school planning so the two timelines stay aligned.
Does the summer boot camp repeat the fall sprint?
No, the two build on each other. The boot camp is a small-group intensive, three weeks at Lower and Middle Level and four weeks at Upper Level, covering tested content in concentrated form. The 17-week fall sprint then adds full-length practice and gap-filling. Morning and afternoon sections cover the same material and both meet in person in Irvine.
Can Irvine families run prep and the application together?
Yes, through the bundle. Three school applications and the matching ISEE level are handled by one team, so the application timeline and the study plan stay in step. See private school planning; for scheduling on demand and the practice-test system, see ISEE 1-on-1.
