Admissions FAQ

Berkeley Preparatory School’s admissions process is a holistic analysis of an applicant’s developmental, social-emotional, and academic ability and potential. Families often have questions about deadlines, testing, interviews, tuition assistance, and what to expect throughout the admissions process. Below are answers to the questions we hear most frequently from prospective families.

What is your application deadline?

Lower Division (Pre-Kindergarten to Fifth Grade): The Berkeley application deadline is January 15 or until assessment slots fill

Middle (Sixth to Eighth Grade) and Upper (Ninth to Twelfth Grade) Division: The Berkeley application deadline is February 1

Do you accept applications after the deadline?

Yes, however, applications received after the deadline may be considered for a waiting pool position based on availability.

Do I need to tour the campus prior to submitting my application?

No, a campus tour is not required prior to submitting an application. In addition, the teacher recommendation form(s) and Student Record Release Form do not need to be completed prior to the submission of the application.

To schedule a campus tour, please contact the Admissions Office by calling (813) 885-1673 or emailing admissions@berkeleyprep.org.

When should we start the admissions process?

The application process starts one year in advance of anticipated entry. Applications are available on Berkeley’s website starting September 1 for the following school year.

What are your entry years?

Our entry grades are pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, sixth grade, and ninth grade. Space in all other grade levels can be limited, and we encourage you to reach out to the Admissions Office to learn more.

When are decisions communicated?

Pre-Kindergarten to Fifth Grade: early March

Sixth to Twelfth Grade: end of February

What can my child expect during their Berkeley testing/interview? (Lower, Middle, and Upper Division)

Pre-Kindergarten to Fifth Grade Applicants:

Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten applicants will have two visits (Individual and Group). Each visit is approximately one hour. The individual visit will be a one-on-one session to determine where the applicant is performing relative to their age in Cognitive, Language, Early Literacy, Early Math, Fine Motor, and Gross Motor areas. The group visit will be a play date with other applicants to help determine social, emotional, and cooperative skills, along with overall school readiness.

First through fifth grade applicants will come for one individual visit (approximately one hour). First grade applicants will do a reading assessment, as well as one-on-one work in Cognitive, Language, Early Literacy, Early Math, Fine Motor, and Gross Motor areas. Second through fifth grade applicants will do a reading, math, and writing assessment.

Sixth to Twelfth Grade Applicants:

Applicants for sixth through tenth grade will need to register for the SSAT (Secondary School Admissions Test). Every student has varying levels of familiarity with standardized tests. Please contact the Admissions representative in your child’s respective division to discuss. In addition, all Middle and Upper Division applicants (sixth to twelfth grade) will schedule an on-campus test (Otis-Lennon School Ability Test), a writing sample, and an interview. These visits take place October through early February.

These assessments offer a consistent look at how students engage with new challenges and are one part of Berkeley’s holistic admissions process. Test scores do not define a child. Instead, they are reviewed alongside three years of report cards, teacher recommendations, interviews, and our broader understanding of a student’s readiness and alignment with our community.

Does Berkeley accept international students?

Berkeley does not issue Form I-20 documents to students and, therefore, cannot accept students who are seeking multi-year enrollment and/or a high school diploma from Berkeley under F-1 student visa status. However, international families who relocate to the area are welcome to apply if the student will be living permanently with his or her parent or guardian in the Tampa Bay area as a dependent on the parent’s visa, or if the child is otherwise eligible to study in the United States.

What age does my child need to be to apply to pre-kindergarten or kindergarten?

Pre-kindergarten applicants must be four years old on or before September 1 of the year of anticipated entry. Kindergarten applicants must be five years old on or before September 1 of the year of anticipated entry.

Are there any requirements for applying to ninth grade at Berkeley? (Algebra I requirement.)

In order to be eligible for consideration for admission to Berkeley’s ninth grade, students must successfully complete a full year of Algebra I or higher and must be able to demonstrate a strong foundational understanding of Algebra I concepts. The Upper Division math curriculum begins with Geometry and Honors Geometry; Algebra I is not offered in Upper Division.

Does Berkeley accept the Step-up Scholarship/School Voucher?

No, Berkeley does not accept the Step-up Scholarship or any other governmental subsidy. However, we encourage families with demonstrated financial need to apply for tuition assistance. Please click here to learn more about our tuition assistance program.

Still have questions? Our Admissions Team is happy to help.

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