Bay School FAQs
Q: What is the basis for selection of Bay School students?
A: Offers of admission to the Bay School are based not only upon academic records, but also upon a student’s commitment to the school's mission, and a desire to become an active and engaged member of the school community. The Admission Committee selects students based on both the contents of the application (student essays, transcript, and teacher recommendations) as well as the interview.
Q: What standardized tests are accepted?
A: To ensure consistency among our applicants, the Bay School requires official SSAT scores for all applicants For more information about registration, procedures, and test dates, please visit the official SSAT website: www.ssat.org
Q: What is the December 1st Part I: Parent/Guardian Preliminary Filing Date?
A: The preliminary filing date indicates your interest in pursuing an application to the Bay School. While the absolute deadline is January 14, 2010, we will accept your application materials at any time before then.
Q: When will I receive my decision letter?
A: On Thursday, March 18, 2010, Bay will mail all admission decisions via 1st Class Postage Mail. Generally, most decisions are received within two business days for those students who reside in the Bay Area. Rarely, there are problems with the United States Post Office that are beyond our control.
Q: Does Bay accept transfer applications?
A: Based on space availability in individual classes, Bay will consider transfer applications. The application process is the same for transfers as it is for ninth grade admission.
Q: Where is the Bay School located?
A: The Bay School is located in a beautifully renovated, industrial-chic army barracks in the Presidio of San Francisco, the nation’s largest urban National Park. We’re surrounded by beaches, a bay, expansive green space, forests, athletic facilities, and miles of running and biking trails.
Q: What makes the Bay School different?
A: The Bay School shares attributes common to those of other regional independent high schools. We have a deep commitment to diversity, an intellectually challenging curriculum, and a compassionate and responsible community. However, our mission and philosophy also prioritize the importance of studying science, technology, ethics and world religions. We believe that these issues are not only timely but crucial aspects of a 21st-century education.
Q: How does the Bay School support its students?
A: Bay School students are supported by a network of faculty and staff advisors, a learning specialist, a school counselor, and a chaplain. Students meet weekly with their advisor in small groups of between 6-8 students and they are encouraged to schedule private meetings with their advisors as needed. Advisors also serve as an important link between home and school. Parents are invited to speak with their student's advisor about any questions or concerns they may have.
Q: Where do Bay School students go after graduation?
A: We are very pleased that the inaugural classes of 2008 and 2009 received acceptances at more than 150 outstanding colleges and universities throughout the country. Some of the acceptances include: MIT, Stanford, Wellesley, UC Berkeley, Amherst, Bowdoin, Reed, Tufts, Duke, Carleton and the U.S. Naval Academy. Bay’s college counseling office begins to work with students in their junior year, guiding them through a thoughtful process focused on best fit.
Q: What is Bay’s homework policy?
A: The amount of homework increases steadily each year at Bay. A typical 9th grader is assigned two hours of homework per class per week, and a typical 10th grader is assigned three hours per class per week. 11th and 12th graders should expect an increased workload of four hours of homework per class per week, as they position themselves for college. These courses are reading-intensive and demand sustained time investment.
Q: How does Bay serve students with learning differences?
A: We have a part-time learning specialist, Dr. Charles Roth, who works with students and their teachers to facilitate success in the classroom along different types of learning patterns. In addition, three times per week, there is built-in tutorial time in our academic schedule so that students and teachers may work one-on-one together outside of class time.
Q: Does Bay have a dress code?
A: Bay students do not wear uniforms, and we celebrate everyone's individual style. We expect students to avoid clothes that are too revealing or that contain offensive graphics, but students can be comfortable here expressing themselves. Casual and informal are in, but you can be formal, too, if you want.
Q: What is the daily schedule?
A: The school year at Bay is divided into 12-week trimesters, and students take four classes per term. Each class is 80 minutes in length and meets four times per week. Over the course of a year, each student completes twelve trimester-long courses.
Q: How does Bay’s laptop program work?
A: Computing technology is an integral part of the academic experience at Bay. Every student at Bay is issued a laptop supported by a wireless campus-wide network. Both in-class work and homework are done primarily on laptops, and the use of technology is integrated with more traditional educational methodologies to enhance instruction.