Thacher Admissions Overview
Thacher admissions, step by step.
Start with the entry grades and the three application platforms. Then see what goes into the file.
Checked against Thacher's published admissions pages on November 5, 2026.
The application
What the application includes.
Thacher accepts the Standard Application Online, Gateway to Prep Schools or Finalsite, with no preference among them.
- Entry grades
- New students enter in Grades 9, 10 or 11. Grade 12 is not listed as an entry grade.
- Inquiry form
- Families submit an inquiry through the school to receive admission updates. The school lists the inquiry form as required.
- Steps
- Apply online with the Standard Application Online (SAO), Gateway to Prep Schools or Finalsite. The school says it has no preference among them.
- Application fee
- $60 for domestic applicants and $120 for international applicants, due by January 15, 2027. Fee waivers are available on request at admission@thacher.org.
- The parts
- Required parts are student and family biographical information, a student questionnaire, a parent questionnaire, and transcripts for the current and previous year.
- Recommendations
- Required: a current-year English teacher recommendation and a current-year mathematics teacher recommendation. Optional: a personal recommendation and a principal or counselor recommendation.
- Math expectation
- Applicants are expected to have completed a comprehensive Algebra 1 course that includes quadratics. Students with only Pre-Algebra or a basic first-year algebra course must cover the material in spring or summer.
- Testing
- Thacher requires all applicants to submit scores from either the SSAT or the ISEE. The PSAT is acceptable for 10th and 11th grade applicants.
- Interview
- An interview is required for fall 2027 applicants. The school gives two completion dates on the same page, January 20 and January 22, 2027, so confirm the date with the admission office.
- Homeschooled applicants
- Homeschooled applicants submit one or two additional recommendation letters from non-parent adults or teachers, a statement of educational philosophy, and a one to two page course description or syllabi for the last two years.
- Deadline
- January 15, 2027
- Decisions
- March 10, 2027
SSAT and ISEE practice
Admissions test practice.
Practice is shared across our private school sites.