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  • About Us

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Our Mission

The Elementary School Admission Directors (ESAD) and the Consortium of Secondary School Admission Directors (CSSAD) share a common mission, assisting families in their exploration of independent school education.  They do so by following the best practices of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS); by establishing and adhering to ethical, consistent policies and procedures, most notably, their common decision notification and response dates.  These organizations are also committed to sharing resources and expertise in a collegial manner to support the recruitment and enrollment of students. Click here to learn more about the value of an independent school education.

The World of Independent Education:
  • The Center for Early Education: Where Children Are At The Center Of Everything
  • Brentwood School's Parent University: Mindful Parenting in Today's World
  • Westside Waldorf: One Childhood-Live It Well
  • Chadwick Hosts Multinational Young Round Conference
  • St. James' Episcopal School: Engaging Heart, Mind and Spirit
  • Oakwood Middle School Debate On A Roll

ESAD (Elementary School Admission Directors) serves parents of students entering grades Pre-Kindergarten through 6, although many members offer preschool and/or pre-kindergarten programs.

Enter ESAD

  • 20130501 CFEE Discovery
    Learning through exploration and discovery at The Center For Early Education
  • 20130501 Chadwick RoundSquare
    Chadwick School hosts Young Round Square Conference with delegates from four continents.
  • 20130501 CFEE Garden
    The Center For Early Education pre-school students have grown an edible garden to produce their snacks
  • 20130501 Waldorf Beach
    Westside Waldorf second graders enjoy a walk to the beach--just 15 minutes from campus!
  • 20130501 Waldorf Track
    Westside Waldorf 7th and 8th graders compete at the annual Southern California track & field meet.
  • 20130414 Carlthorp-EyeballBoy
    Carlthorp School 5th grade Science student preparing to dissect a bovine eyeball.
  • 20130414 Carlthorp Jazz
    Carlthorp School 1st graders re-enacting a jazz performance at our African American History celebration.
  • 20121220-Brawerman-garden
    Brawerman students enjoy the school garden.
  • 20121220-Brawerman-robot
    Brawerman students work together to build and test their robots in the Technology Lab.
  • 20121214-BerkeleyHall-0001
    Athletics and team sports are a vital part of the whole program at Berkeley Hall School, located on 66 acres.
  • 20121214-BerkeleyHall-0002
    Berkeley Hall School offers a strong pre-k through eighth model of education in which middle schoolers are offered leadership opportunities.
  • 20121012 Heschel 2
    Science at Heschel Day School provides students with interactive, hands-on Experiences.
  • 20121012 Heschel 1
    New drums provide Heschel Day School students musical opportunities to create varied and interesting rhythms and to learn new techniques.
  • 20120928 EchoHorizon 2
    Echo Horizon School integrates arts and technology into a strong academic program.
  • 20120928 EchoHorizon 1
    Echo Horizon School students help to stay "green" by planting sustainable flower and vegetable gardens.
  • WW-Soccer-Middle School
    Wildwood Middle School Students Hustle on the Soccer Field
  • WW-ICI-Bulgaria
    Working With Orphans in Sofia, Bulgaria Through Wildwood School’s International Community Involvement
  • web2
    Los Encinos School: Ambitiously Small
  • WCC 8289
    Milken Students Work On A Group Project
  • Turning Point School (Preschool - Middle School)
    Turning Point School: 40+ Years of Educating the Whole Child from Preschool Through Middle School
  • TP11 0396
    Turning Point School’s Unique SmartLab Brings Innovative Technology to the Classroom
  • soccerchampions
    Crossroads Soccer Team: Southern California Regional State Champions
  • Sierra Canyon School - Upper Campus
    Sierra Canyon School’s Upper School Campus in Chatsworth
  • Sierra Canyon School - Lower Campus
    Students at Sierra Canyon School’s Lower School Campus
  • science
    Character Counts at Laurence School
  • rwb-6
    Experiential Learning Is One Way We Connect at Laurence School
  • recycle
    PS1 continues its commitment to environmental sustainability
  • Marymount Photo 2
    Marymount Girls Won CIF and Sunshine League Titles in 2011-2012 for Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Swimming, and Track & Field
  • Marymount Photo 1
    Marymount Block Schedule Allows For Balance of Academic & Co-Curricular Interests
  • LAIAS Website Photo B
    Village School Kindergarteners Enjoy Butterflies in Text and in the Air During a Read Aloud in the Outdoor Learning Garden
  • LAIAS Website Photo A
    Village School Sixth Graders Evaluate Their Hypotheses as Part of Their Exploration of Life Sciences
  • IMG 6916
    Temple Israel of Hollywood Day School: Ambitious Minds, Illuminated Hearts, Creative Spirits & Compassionate Souls
  • IMG 6889
    Temple Israel of Hollywood Day School: Ambitious Minds, Illuminated Hearts, Creative Spirits & Compassionate Souls
  • IMG 6703
    Westland School: Examining & Making Observations About a Fallen Log Habitat
  • IMG 3942
    Friendship at Children’s Community School Lasts a Lifetime
  • IMG 3487
    Pacific Hills Teacher and Alum Working With Middle School Students in the Science Lab
  • IMG 3309
    Pacific Hills High School Students Engaged In a Lesson In Scientific Method.
  • IMG 0417
    Temple Emanuel Academy Has Multiage Classrooms
  • grad 2012
    Campbell Hall Graduation 2012: Walt Disney Concert Hall
  • GK 12 Blue Block Play003
    Willows Kindergarten Students Play with The Imagination Playground
  • first day bubbles
    PS1 Families Celebrate the Start of a New School Year
  • elem 4th science class with HS
    Campbell Hall Elementary Scientists Visit High School Chemistry Students
  • DSCN1813
    Westland School: Active Collaboration – Comparing and Contrasting
  • DSC 5836
    Bridges Academy Students: A Journey of Exploration
  • DSC 2963
    John Thomas Dye Sixth Grade Advisory Celebrates First Day of School
  • DSC 2590
    Temple Emmanuel Academy’s Edible Green Garden
  • DSC 0090
    Graduation at Viewpoint School
  • DSC 0011
    The Viewpoint School campus in Calabasas
  • dance3
    Children’s Community School ‘s Joyful Dance Program
  • CSI (30)
    CSI Scientific Investigation at Crossroads
  • ChadwickPhoto2
    Chadwick Seniors on Their Three-Week Outdoor Education Trip
  • ChadwickPhoto1
    Chadwick 5th Grade Teacher Works With Student on Math Word Problems
  • Calvary Christian School picture 2
    The Calvary Christian School Campus in Pacific Palisades
  • Calvary Christian School picture 1
    Calvary Christian Head of School Vincent Downey with Students
  • Brentwood students
    Brentwood Students: “Start Curious-Stay Curious-Go Anywhere”
  • Brentwood aerial
    Brentwood School: A Vibrant & Diverse Community
  • basketball
    The Buckley School Boys Varsity Basketball Team Has Eight Consecutive Liberty League Championships and Produced Two All Tournament Players in 2012.
  • 20101214 wcc 2481
    Milken Students Engage In A Science Lab
  • 8B 12 Mousetrap ua  051
    Willows Middle School Students in the Science Lab
  • 5thGradeGirls Science
    Los Encinos School: Ambitiously Small
  • 3rd Pioneer Day 2012 018
    Pioneer Day at Westside Neighborhood School
  •  MG 9249
    The Bridges Academy Campus in Studio City
  •  DSC9665 (2)
    Buckley Lower School Students Proudly Display Their Masterpieces in Art Class
  •  66
    Westside Neighborhood School Unveils Ed Massey's "Syncopation" Mural

CSSAD (Consortium of Secondary School Admission Directors) serves parents of students entering grades 6-12, although many members offer both Elementary and Secondary education.

Enter CSSAD

Save The Date

For Parents Only

Open House Dates

Open Houses are valuable opportunities to visit the school campus and get a comprehensive overview of school culture, curriculum and unique programs.

VIEW DATES

ISEE Test Dates

All CSSAD member schools request ISEE scores as part of the overall admissions process. Each admission committee looks at many items in conjunction with the ISEE scores, including the application, current school records, teacher/administrative recommendations, and the interview. All components of the admissions process help the school and family determine the best school match for each student. Practice tests are available at the ISEE website free of charge. CSSAD does not recommend or endorse private test preparation for this exam.

VIEW DATES