How to Get Into Brentwood School: Best Tips and Strategies

Overview of Brentwood School

Brentwood School is a private co-ed K-12 school located in Los Angeles, California. It has two campuses, both located in the Brentwood neighborhood. Its lower school is located at its 12001 Sunset Boulevard West campus, while its upper school is located at its 100 S. Barrington Place East campus. Students enjoy a 16-17 class size and a student-teacher ratio that ranges from 3:1, 7:1, and 8:1. Founded in 1972, Brentwood has been providing a rich academic program that encourages students to develop their passion for learning by fostering a positive relationship-building atmosphere between students and teachers. Standing by their mission to inspire students to think critically and creatively, act ethically, and shape a future with meaning, Brentwood emboldens students to learn with the goal of shaping the world for the better.

Is Brentwood School hard to get into? 

Admissions into Brentwood can be quite challenging due to the limited number of slots per grade level and the lack of rolling admissions. Once slots are filled and the deadline for applications has passed, hopeful applicants will have to wait for applications to open again for the following school year. 

There are approximately only 50 openings for students entering Kindergarten. Brentwood’s largest entry points are grades 6, 7, and 9. In 6th grade, Brentwood only admits about 25 students to achieve a total grade level population of 65. For 7th grade, they admit 70 new students for a total of 135. Lastly for 9th grade, they typically only accept 25 to 30 new students. Applications for other grade levels are based on attrition.  

If the competitive admissions process seems disconcerting, we have experienced private school admissions consultants who can help you through the process. Their complete understanding of admissions means that they know what strategies you should be following to make your child stand out from the crowd. 

The Brentwood School Admissions Process

Brentwood’s application process begins on their application portal. There, you can submit application requirements and monitor the status of your application. Admission requirements differ slightly depending on your child’s grade level but here’s what you can expect:  

1. Submit an inquiry form.
2. Register for admissions events.
3. Submit the online application.
4. Schedule a family interview and tour.
5. Submit transcript. 
6. Delegate teacher recommendations.

The Brentwood School Application Requirements 

Admissions Interview

Once your application is processed, admissions officers will contact you to schedule an interview and campus tour. 

The interview and tour are avenues for admissions officers to assess and evaluate both your child and family. To determine if your family will be a good fit for the school community, they look at personality and how your child interacts with those around them. With nearly 20 years of experience in the admissions industry, we know what Brentwood is looking for. If you feel that your family may need help with this process, we suggest interview preparation with our experienced admissions consultants to build up your confidence.   

Transcript

Applicants are required to submit their transcript from the previous two school years as well as their results from the first half of the current school year. The Transcript Request Form may be downloaded from Brentwood School’s website.   

Admissions officers will use your child’s transcript as a way to assess their readiness for Brentwood’s curriculum. If you feel that your child’s current records show them in an unsatisfactory light, we recommend that they start private school admissions consulting as soon as possible! Here at Cardinal Education, we have a team of tutors and academic coaches ready to work with your child to improve grades tremendously. We offer online and in-person tutoring as well as academic coaching to both boost GPA and executive functioning skills. 

Teacher Recommendations

Letters of recommendation are required from an applicant’s current English and math teacher as well as a letter from an administrator. The forms are available on Brentwood’s website 

Recommendation letters are an important aspect of the application process as they provide admissions officers with an unbiased view of your child. The letter covers things such as character, personality, and academic aptitude. For strong recommendations, it’s crucial that your family builds strong relationships with your child’s teachers and administrators.  

Brentwood School Alumni

1. Jon Landau – an American producer known for his work on the two highest-grossing movies of all time, Avatar and Titanic. 
2. Andrew Breitbart – a journalist known for his controversial views. He is the founder of Breitbart News and cofounder of HuffPost. 
3. Adam Levine – a musician known for being the frontman of Maroon5. 
4. Lorraine Nicholson – an actress known for her role as Alana Blanchard in the biographical film Soul Surfer.
5. Jason Rogers – a former member of the U.S. Olympic team who received a silver medal for his participation in the men’s team sabre fencing competition. 
6. Casey Wasserman – a sports and entertainment executive who led the Los Angeles bid to host the 2028 Olympics. He is currently the president of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee. 
7. Katherine Schwarzenegger – an author known for her self-help books and children’s books. She is married to actor Chris Pratt and is also the child of actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. 
8. Katy Tur – a broadcast journalist working for the NBC News. 
9. Peter Vidmar – a gymnast and two-time Olympic gold medalist.
10. Talita von Furstenberg – a socialite and fashion designer.  

Student Life at Brentwood

Students at Brentwood Elementary and Brentwood High School are encouraged to explore their passions through a wide range of opportunities. There are athletics, clubs, events, and a variety of programs for students to pursue as they realize their dreams. With a community of caring, students are emboldened to engage with not just the Brentwood community but the broader Los Angeles and California communities. Students are paired with faculty members to reflect on emotional intelligence, equity and inclusion, ethics, and more during weekly Community Time meetings.  

Brentwood School Academics

Brentwood’s academic program encourages students’ curiosity through an appreciation for students’ capability to achieve great things. Teachers promote practical learning that goes beyond the classroom to set students up for success in life as future leaders. Beyond its core subjects, Brentwood fosters critical thinking to challenge students to validate and understand varied perspectives. Embracing the growing hold of technology, students use a variety of tools such as iPads, Chromebooks, and Laptops to develop learning strategies.    

Brentwood School Athletics

Brentwood’s athletics program offers 17 different sports to 35 teams. Sponsored by Nike, athletes have access to elite equipment and apparel as well as world-class facilities that encourage skill growth and physical health. Brentwood offers baseball, basketball, track & field, softball, golf, tennis, lacrosse, football, volleyball, soccer, swimming & diving, water polo, cheer, cross country, drill, equestrian, and fencing.    

Brentwood School Arts

Brentwood encourages students to pursue their artistic dreams no matter their skill level. They believe in the arts as an avenue for self-exploration and development. Led by a faculty of experienced artists, visual artists can take courses such as Ceramics and Sculpture, Drawing and Composition, Photography & Digital Art, Film, and Stained Glass. Those with a flair for the stage on the other hand may take courses such as Acting, Dance, Choir and Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Stagecraft. 

Activities at Brentwood

To encourage their community-first outlook, students are encouraged to explore their passions and interests offered by the large variety of groups and clubs at Brentwood. To foster equity and inclusion, there are affinity groups that meet regularly to raise awareness and representation. Interested students may join groups such as the Multiracial Student Alliance, Pride Project (LGBTQ+), Neurodiverse Student Alliance, Non-Traditional Families Alliance, and more! For students looking for something more exciting, there are over 75 clubs at Brentwood to choose from!