Admissions
When we put music in the center of an inspiring collaborative education, we empower curious, creative, and confident young learners.
Welcome! I am looking forward to meeting you and your family, sharing our amazing school and community with you, and supporting your family and your child through the admissions process.
Our students begin every day playing music with their classmates - watching, listening, and honing their communication and collaboration skills. They carry the resonance they find together into their academic classrooms, excited and ready to learn.
The best way to experience the Crowden School is to visit in person during the school day, so that you can see our music and academic classes “in action.” Please join me on a school tour, or to come to an open house or a school concert!
Start by filling out our inquiry form, and I will contact you right away. I am here to help you at every step of the process, and to answer all of your questions. I am also more than happy to chat with you on the phone any time during the school day.
There's so much to learn about The Crowden School, especially now that we're expanding our program to serve even more children, starting with Kindergarten in Fall 2025. I'm excited to join you on your journey!
Kirsten Shallenberg, Director of Admissions
510.559.6910 x122
admissions@crowden.org
”To the families considering Crowden, I would say, go for it! On so many levels, Crowden is an amazing place. Here, music can open other intellectual and artistic possibilities. Music helps Crowden students see the world in a new light. And, most importantly Crowden fosters a real sense of community where students and families can connect with each other on a whole different level.”
Miriam Chion
Crowden Alumni parent (Class of 2014)
“Absolutely send your kid to Crowden. It’s 100% worth it, even if your kid isn’t the most musical there’s a space for them here. Everyone is welcome, and everyone succeeds here - whether it’s in the classroom, on the soccer field, or playing music. Crowden is truly a special place - there is nothing like it — you’ll have memories of this place for the rest of your life.”
Grant Konkel
Analyst - Class of 2015
Ari Goldberg
UC Berkeley Student Researcher Crowden School Class of 2018
Carolyn Doelling
Crowden Alumni Parent (Class of 2003)
Discover how music can change everything for your child:
The Application Timeline
Apply by January 24
Applications are due by Friday, January 24, 2025. After you have submitted your application, you will be able to schedule your student day visit. Apply by our early-bird deadline of December 16 for a reduced application fee ($50) and more time to schedule your student's day visit.
Decisions by March 13
Your acceptance decision will be posted in Ravenna. We will follow-up with your enrollment agreement and tuition assistance award, if applicable.
Enroll by March 20
Families who choose to enroll in the Crowden School should complete and submit the enrollment agreement and tuition deposit by Thursday, March 20.
The Application Process
Schedule a phone call with the admissions director, visit us for a tour, or attend an Open House event to learn more about our unique collaborative learning philosophy.
Visit our profile page on Ravenna to get started, create an account, register for events, and stay informed!
Create an account in Ravenna to apply for any grade level.
Our early application deadline is December 14, 2024. If you apply by the early deadline, you have a lower application fee and more time to schedule your student visit day. Our regular application deadline is January 24, 2025.
If you would like to apply for tuition assistance, you may apply through Clarity. Each year, the Crowden School budgets a significant fraction of revenue for tuition assistance. We are deeply committed to equity and diversity across all lines, and we encourage qualified students to apply for admission regardless of ability to pay full tuition.Please visit our Tuition Assistance webpage for more information.
- Teacher recommendation forms due by February 15
Kindergarten applicants: one teacher recommendation form is required
All other grades: Two teacher recommendation forms are required. - Progress Reports / Report Cards due by February 15
Kindergarten applicants: if your child goes to a TK or PreK program that gives written feedback, please submit feedback from the current year OR from the end of last year. If your child does not attend a program that gives written feedback, this step is not required.
All other grade applicants: Please submit progress reports / report cards from the previous year, as well as progress reports / report cards from the first semester of the current year.
Applicants for every grade will attend an in-person visit to the Crowden School that includes age-appropriate assessments. The type of visit and the assessment activities vary by grade; please contact admissions for more information.
You will be able to select the type of visit that is right for your child and register for a visit date through Ravenna after you complete your written application.
At the Crowden School, we partner with parents and guardians to provide the best possible education for our students. We conduct a Parent/Guardian interview for each applicant, so that we can learn more about your child, your priorities, and your expectations of a Crowden School experience.
Interviews take place in person at the Crowden School, or over Zoom. You will be able to register for an interview time through Ravenna after you complete your written application.
All applying families will receive notification of Crowden’s admissions decision at noon on Thursday, March 13, 2025. Decisions will be sent both via email and through Ravenna’s massage portal.
If your child is accepted to the Crowden School, you will receive an enrollment contract shortly after you receive your decision. If you choose to enroll, the enrollment deadline is one week after receiving your contract (Friday, March 21, 2025).
The Crowden School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Crowden is committed to creating a diverse environment, and we value our inclusive community of students, parents, and faculty and staff of all backgrounds. Together, we celebrate our many differences and unite in our shared love of music of all kinds and origins.