The Sage Hill School application page shows that the 2027-28 application for grades 7 through 12 opened September 1, 2026, that applicants must take the ISEE or SSAT, and that scores must reach the school by the January 31, 2027 application deadline. The events page lists campus tours on October 19 and December 7, a parent coffee panel on October 26, and Shadow Days from October through February. The school sits in Newport Coast, next to Irvine, and is among the schools Irvine families compare most often when applying to private high schools.
Who Is Affected by the Sage Hill School 2027-28 Admission Season
Students entering grades 7 through 12 in fall 2027, particularly 8th-grade families applying for 9th grade. The key points on applications, testing, and events:
| Item | Sage Hill School policy |
|---|---|
| Testing | ISEE or SSAT, at a test site or at home; scores must arrive by January 31 (ISEE code 054282, SSAT code 7039); students without three full years of U.S. schooling in the past three school years must also take an approved English proficiency test |
| Interview | Scheduled first come, first served; applicants to grades 7 through 12 interview without parents, for about an hour |
| Campus tours | October 19 and December 7, 9:00 to 10:00 AM, with limited spaces per date |
| Parent coffee panel | October 26, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM; pre-registration required, with an optional tour afterward |
| Arts rehearsals and tours | Fall play on November 4, fall dance show on November 18, and instrumental concert on December 10, each preceded by a student-ambassador tour |
| Shadow Days | For applicants only and optional; seven fall dates from October 21 to December 2 and four winter dates from January 7 to February 3, some mornings only or middle school only |
| 2027 events | Academic Information Night on January 12 (grades 5-11); Winter Athletic Showcase on January 22 |
| Tuition and aid | 2026-27 tuition is $58,100 for the Upper School and $49,500 for the Middle School; Flexible Tuition grants range from about $5,000 to $58,100, with about 17% of students participating; new families must complete the Clarity aid application by January 31, with a $65 fee; aid webinars on October 27 at 7:00 PM, October 28 at 3:00 PM, and December 8 at 5:30 PM |
What to Do Now About the Sage Hill School Application
Settle the test first. The ISEE may be taken once per testing season while the SSAT may be taken several times a year; the rules are in ISEE Once per Season, SSAT Several Times a Year. Scores must arrive by January 31, so fall or winter registrations need to be made early. ISEE levels and preparation are covered at ISEE Prep.
Register early for the October 19 tour and the October 26 panel. Both have limited seating; families who want the student to experience a school day should submit the application and then select a Shadow Day from the checklist.
Families applying for aid should align the two deadlines. Both the application and the Clarity aid application close January 31, and aid applications completed after that date go to the wait pool. The school’s curriculum and college outcomes are covered in the Sage Hill School Admissions and College Guide; the comparison across Orange County private high schools is in the EDUBUS Orange County Private High School Guide.
Sources
- Sage Hill School: How to Apply (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Sage Hill School: Attend an Event (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Sage Hill School: Affording Sage Hill (accessed October 12, 2026)
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- Notre Dame REA Nov. 1; Tests Required Fall 2028Notre Dame Restrictive Early Action closes November 1, 2026. Scores stay optional this cycle; SAT or ACT is required for fall 2028 entry. Dates, essays, and rules.
