Admissions
Join Our Community

Liz Pulido, Admissions & Outreach Coordinator (right)
Thank you for your interest in Black Pine Circle School.
We look forward to getting to know your family and introducing you to our community. The best way to learn more about our school is to visit us on campus. We host weekend admissions events and weekday morning school tours, and encourage you to attend to learn more about our dynamic curriculum.
If you have any questions about the admissions process, please feel free to get in touch with us. We look forward to partnering with your family as we get to know your child.
Warmly,
Greta and Liz
admissions@blackpinecircle.org
510-529-2719
Visit Black Pine Circle School
Admissions Events
for Families
These information-rich events for families are held on the weekends and include an opportunity to observe and participate in hands-on mini-lessons.
- LEARN about Black Pine Circle’s rich academic and arts curriculum.
- MEET our classroom teachers and specialists.
If there are no events listed, please contact admissions.
Our application deadline for the 2019-20 school year was January 18th. Please check back after March 25th, when we have completed our first round of admissions, to see if there is any additional space available.
School Tours
for Parents & Guardians
Tours are held during regular morning school hours so you can:
- OBSERVE our teachers and students in action.
- MEET with one of our heads of school after your tour to discuss our educational philosophy and answer your questions.
Tours are for adults only. They are led by BPC community members and offered November through mid-January.
If there are no events listed, please contact admissions.
Our application deadline for the 2019-20 school year was January 18th. Please check back after March 25th, when we have completed our first round of admissions, to see if there is any additional space available.
Admissions Timeline
APPLY
by January 18
All Applications are due no later than Friday, January 18, 2019. Use the Application Checklist for your grade (below) to help you organize your application process.
Transcripts and recommendations are due no later than Thursday, February 28, 2019.
After you submit your application, you will be contacted by admissions to schedule a student visit in January-February.
DECISION
by March 15
Decision letters will be emailed, and a separate email with enrollment agreements and financial assistance awards will be sent, on Friday, March 15, 2019 at 12:00 pm.
We mail additional information via USPS to accepted students only.
ENROLL
by March 22
Families who choose to enroll must complete and submit the enrollment agreement and tuition deposit by 9:00 am on Friday, March 22, 2019.
You can check your application status in your application portal account.

Tuition
2018 - 2019 School Year
$24,925 Grades K–5
$28,525 Grades 6–8
Sibling Discount
Families with more than one child attending Black Pine Circle School receive a 5% discount on the total tuition for the younger sibling.
Tuition Payment Plans
Pay annual tuition in full by May 15 (2% discount) - or - nine monthly payments (July-April) with mandatory tuition insurance fee (1% of tuition, invoiced in October)
Financial Assistance
Our admissions decisions remain separate from financial assistance decisions.
Need-Based Assistance
We offer need-based financial assistance to families at a variety of income levels. Our financial assistance program annually awards more than $1,000,000.
In past years, awards ranged from 5% to 70% of the annual tuition. Our need-based assistance covers tuition costs. School fees for extracurricular activities, field trips, and extended daycare will be subsidized at approximately the same level as the awarded scholarship.
Assistance Application Requirements
As with many other independent schools in the area, we utilize the service of the School and Student Services (SSS) by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). SSS by NAIS provides an objective and consistent method of determining a family’s ability to contribute to educational expenses.
All families must complete the application form called the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS). You can apply online at the NAIS website (Black Pine Circle School code is 1710).
For all financial assistance-related questions, please contact Bill Shea, director of finance and operations: (510) 529-2713 or by email.
Application Checklist
Select your the grade in the tabs below:
Kindergarten
Kindergarten Application Checklist
By January 18
or by December 3 for reduced application fee
Online Application
Minimum Age
We accept kindergarten applications for children who will be turning five years of age by October 1, 2019.
Application Fee
Submit your application no later than Friday, January 18, 2019 with non-refundable application fee of $95. Submit before Monday, December 3, 2018 (for reduced application fee of $75).
By February 28
Recommendations
One preschool teacher recommendation form
Use the online admissions portal to send requests to the teachers (preferred) or download form and submit by mail or email.
Kindergarten Recommendation FormWe need to receive the teacher recommendation no later than February 28, 2019 (and ideally before your student visit).
January-February
Student Visit
Visit/assessment sessions occur in a small group format on a Saturday. After you submit your application you will be contacted by admissions to schedule the student visit.
Grades 1-5
Grades 1-5 Application Checklist
By January 18
or by December 3 for reduced application fee
Online Application
Application Fee
Submit your application no later than Friday, January 18, 2019 with non-refundable application fee of $95. Submit before Monday, December 3, 2018 (for reduced application fee of $75).
By February 28
Recommendations
Two teacher recommendations are required.
Use the online admissions portal to send requests to the teacher (preferred) or download forms and submit by mail or email.
Grades 1-8 Recommendation FormTranscripts/Report Cards
Current school year AND previous two school years.
Transcript Release FormWe need to receive all teacher recommendations and report cards/transcripts no later than February 28, 2019 (and ideally before your student visit).
January-February
Student Visit
Student will visit a class of their current grade level for the morning, which includes an individual meeting with the teacher.
Grade 6
Grade 6 Application Checklist
By January 18
or by December 3 for reduced application fee
Online Application
Student Questionnaire
This portion of the application must be completed by the student.
Application Fee
Submit your application no later than Friday, January 18, 2019 with non-refundable application fee of $95. Submit before Monday, December 3, 2018 (for reduced application fee of $75).
By February 28
Recommendations
Two teacher recommendations are required.
Use the online admissions portal to send requests to the teachers (preferred) or download forms and submit by mail or email.
Grades 1-8 Recommendation FormTranscripts/Report Cards
Current school year AND previous two school years.
Transcript Release FormWe need to receive all teacher recommendations and report cards/transcripts no later than February 28, 2019 (and ideally before your student visit).
January-February
Student Visit
Visit sessions occur in small group format on Thursday mornings and include a math, reading, and writing assessment. After you submit your application you will be contacted by admissions to schedule the student visit.
Grades 7-8
Grades 7 & 8 Application Checklist
By January 18
or by December 3 for reduced application fee
Online Application
Student Questionnaire
This portion of the application must be completed by the student.
Application Fee
Submit your application no later than Friday, January 18, 2019 with non-refundable application fee of $95. Submit before Monday, December 3, 2018 (for reduced application fee of $75).
By February 28
Recommendations
Two teacher recommendations are required.
Use the online admissions portal to send requests to the teachers (preferred) or download forms and submit by mail or email.
Grades 1-8 Recommendation FormTranscripts/Report Cards
Current school year AND previous two school years.
Transcript Release FormWe need to receive all teacher recommendations and report cards/transcripts no later than February 28, 2019 (and ideally before your student visit).
January-February
Student Visit
Student will visit a class of their current grade level for the morning, and meet with admissions staff for a math and writing assessment after lunch. After you submit your application you will be contacted by admissions to schedule the student visit.