Applying to Lick-Wilmerding: A Guide to Admissions

Lick-Wilmerding High School Overview 

Lick-Wilmerding School is a top private school in America. Located in San Fransico, California, its campus sits right across from the City College of San Francisco and is easily accessible through the BART and MUNI. It has a total school population of 550 students and 145 faculty and staff. With an average class size of 17, students enjoy a low student-to-teacher ratio of 8:1. 

Originally founded as a variety of independent schools all the way back to 1874, Lick-Wilmerding, as it exists now, started in 1955 when the school moved to its current campus along Ocean Avenue. Initially a boys-only school, LWHS was made co-ed in 1972 and began charging tuition for the first time in its history soon thereafter. With a mission to inspire its students to become lifelong learners who lead positive change, Lick-Wilmerding prides itself on being a private school with a public purpose. Students learn through a rigorous curriculum that also gives them the confidence to be proud stewards of change.   

How hard is it to get into Lick-Wilmerding High School? 

Because of its ideal location in the heart of San Francisco and its reputation for top-tier education, admission to Lick-Wilmerding is highly competitive. Every school year, they receive almost 1000 applications for the incoming 9th grade. Of those 1000, only 140 slots are open. Those who are not offered enrollment but have an exceptional application are placed in a waiting pool and are notified by March or early April if a slot becomes available. 

For transfer students, acceptance is dependent on attrition. Lick-Wilmerding accepts only 10th and 11th-grade transfers and not 12th-grade transfers due to the curriculum and graduation requirements. 

With the help of expert private school admissions consultants, your child can increase their chances of getting accepted into LWHS. Through careful planning and strategizing, we can make your child stand out from the rest. 

Lick-Wilmerding School Application 

The Lick-Wilmerding application process begins by creating your account on Ravenna, where you can sign up for events, fill out and submit application requirements, and monitor your application status. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Submit the application.
2. Sign up for an admissions interview. 
3. Delegate teacher recommendations.
4. Request a transcript. 

The Lick-Wilmerding School Admissions 

Admissions Interview

Formally called the Cub Conversation, applicants are required to schedule an admissions interview. Offered in the afternoon, interviews are held with a member of the Lick-Wilmerding faculty or staff and take approximately 30 minutes to complete.  

The interview is an opportunity for your students to exhibit their character and drive to attend LWHS. Likewise, the interviewer will also be observing your child to assess and evaluate whether they will be a good fit for the school community. If you worry that your child may not be ready to take on an admissions interview, we suggest undergoing informed interview preparation. We have a team of experienced educational consultants and over twenty years of experience navigating private school admissions. Interview prep will introduce your child to common interview questions and guide them on how to answer them honestly.

Teacher Recommendations/Recommendation Letters

Letters of recommendation from the current teachers in English and math, as well as from the principal or counselor, are required from applicants. The forms are available on Ravenna, and will also be submitted through the website. 

Teacher recommendations are crucial for admission since they give a more thorough evaluation of your child’s character, personality, and academic aptitude. Because these teachers work with your child on a regular basis, they can make professional and unbiased observations. This is why we strongly suggest building up a good relationship with your child’s current school in order to receive an exceptional recommendation.   

Transcript

Applicants are required to submit their transcripts from the previous school year as well as from the first semester of the current one. The release and confidentiality forms may be downloaded from Ravenna and submitted to your child’s current school. 

The transcript will demonstrate your child’s readiness to handle a rigorous curriculum. What if your child’s grades aren’t all that outstanding? We recommend tutoring and academic coaching. With a team of tutors and academic coaches, we provide both online and in-person tutoring for a variety of courses. Beyond boosting GPA, we also believe in a holistic strategy to work with students and develop life skills.     

Lick-Wilmerding School Alumni

1. mxmtoon – a popular American singer-songwriter
2. Gerek Meinhardt – a fencer known for being the youngest Olympic fencer when he participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games
3. Rafael Mandelman – an American politician currently representing District 8 on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors 
4. Ned Segal – an American businessman most known for serving as the Cheif Financial Officer of X (formerly Twitter) from 2017 to 2022 
5. Benjamin Wildman-Tobriner  – an American Olympic swimmer and former world-record holder of the fastest 4×100 freestyle relay
6. Teresa Strasser – an American television personality best known for hosting the first season of  While You Were Out
7. Nathan Chan – an American cellist currently playing as the Assistant Principal Cello for the Seattle Symphony
8. Jonathon Keats– a conceptual artist and philosopher 
9. Laura Sullivan – an investigative reporter for the NPR who has won three Peabody Awards for her work 
10. Francis Tapon – an author and nomad. Francis has walked across America 4 times and has been to over 120 countries. 

Student Life at Lick-Wilmerding

Students at LWHS have a wide range of opportunities available to them that encourage them to explore their interests and passions. In athletics, over 85% of students participate in sports. Likewise in performing arts, over half of students participate in the available programs. Owing to its mantra of ‘private school with a public purpose,’ Lick-Wilmerding has a variety of community engagement offerings for students; The Center for Civic Engagement partners with a variety of non-profits and local organizations. 

Lick-Wilmerding High School Academics

Lick-Wilmerding High School approaches academics through rigor and vigor. Beyond core subjects, students are encouraged to explore through a variety of electives to develop their love of learning and to foster curiosity. The Pedagogy that drives both teachers and students involves Understanding, Personalizing, Designing, Assessing, Teaching, and Valuing. Students at LWHS are challenged and learn how to challenge themselves through authentic engagement, thoughtful inquiry, and in-depth analysis. Students are required to take up a minimum of six 5-unit classes per semester.   

Lick-Wilmerding High School Athletics

LWHS offers a variety of sports across three seasons. With a mission to develop character alongside athletic prowess, Lick-Wilmerding is dedicated to supporting its student-athletes through an inclusive and equitable environment. They offer cross country, field hockey, flag football, sailing, tennis, volleyball, water polo, basketball, soccer, badminton, lacrosse, softball, swimming, and track & field. 

Lick-Wilmerding High School Arts

Under the Performing Arts department, students can take classes in dance, music, and theatre. Students are encouraged to explore their passions and express themselves both on stage and in the classroom. Performance under LWHS is developed through an academic practice that supports artistic expression whilst also giving structure to grow students’ skills. Likewise, under the Visual Arts Department, students can take classes in architecture, drawing, painting, photography, and video. Its staff pushes students to take risks and push their artistic skills to the limits. Students are taught to embrace their unique vision while learning from the theories of art. 

Activities at Lick-Wilmerding High School

To connect with peers, further interests, and develop new ones, students at Lick-Wilmerding have a variety of programs available to them. Through student clubs, students are encouraged to develop as leaders outside of the classroom. Some clubs include Amnesty International, Crafty Cats!, Food Justice Club, Global Pen Friends, LitMag, and more. Those looking to make a difference in the lives of underclassmen may join the Peer Connect program which pairs 10th-12th grade student mentors with incoming freshmen. Similarly, the Public Purpose program allows students to meaningfully interact with their local community through projects such as clean-ups, farming, teaching, and more.