San Diego Private K–8 Admissions for Fall 2027: Parker and LJCDS
Short answer: Families considering a San Diego private elementary or middle school for fall 2027 can start now. Francis Parker School's 2027–28 application is open and its grade-specific checklist is due February 1, 2027. La Jolla Country Day School (LJCDS) says applications open September 1 and families completing its process by February 1 receive a mid-March decision. Teacher evaluations, school records, tests, and campus experiences need more lead time than the initial form. Parker Lower · Parker Middle · LJCDS Lower · LJCDS Middle, checked September 30, 2026.
The February date can be misleading. An application is a coordinated process: teachers and current schools supply evaluations and records; families book tests and visits; the child completes grade-specific steps. The useful question in October is which part of your child's checklist needs someone else's time. This article compares Parker and LJCDS by entry grade; it is not a directory of all San Diego private K–8 schools.
Start with the entry grade
The schools divide grades differently. Parker Lower School covers JK–grade 5 and its Middle School grades 6–8. LJCDS Lower School covers kindergarten–grade 4, while its Middle School covers grades 5–8. A fifth-grade applicant therefore enters different divisions at the two schools.
| Entry grade | Francis Parker | LJCDS |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-kindergarten and grade 1 | Parker lists a family meeting and student assessment for JK, SK, and grade 1 | LJCDS kindergarten and grade 1 follow the Lower School checklist; its public page does not list ISEE or SSAT |
| Grade 2 | Parker lists an Applicant Visit Day and ISEE | LJCDS follows its Lower School checklist; its public page does not list ISEE or SSAT |
| Grades 3–4 | Parker lists an Applicant Visit Day and ISEE | ISEE or SSAT must be completed by February 1 |
| Grade 5 | Parker Lower School lists an Applicant Visit Day and ISEE | LJCDS Middle School requires ISEE or SSAT by February 1 |
| Grades 6–8 | Middle School records, evaluations, ISEE, and on-campus experience/interview steps | Middle School ISEE or SSAT by February 1 |
This table summarizes public pages, not a substitute for the personalized requirements shown in each application portal.
Four actions for this fall
Visit and narrow the list. Compare the child's learning needs and English readiness with each school's program. Include the real commute: Parker's Lower and Middle Schools are on different campuses; LJCDS is in La Jolla.
Open the application portal. Parker says a personalized checklist appears after the initial Parker Profile. LJCDS also distinguishes its sample checklist from the final portal list. Record each task, its owner, and its due date.
Ask the current school early. Parker lists teacher and administrator evaluations and school records, with details varying by grade. If records originate outside the United States, ask the receiving school what format it accepts before arranging translations or sending documents.
Book testing and campus steps. Parker Middle School lists ISEE and an on-campus connection or interview. LJCDS requires ISEE or SSAT for grades 3–4 and 5–8. Families seeking financial assistance should check that separate application as well. Our ISEE, SSAT, and TOEFL guide explains the tests, while each school's current checklist remains the source for requirements.
What changes for U.S.-born and international applicants?
A U.S. passport does not waive a private school's assessment and admission review. If a noncitizen student plans to study on F-1 status, confirm each school's enrollment and I-20 policy, plus any local-parent or guardian requirement. Admission and visa processing are separate decisions.
Common questions
Is the initial form enough by February 1?
Do not assume so. Parker lists evaluations, records, assessments, and campus activities by grade; LJCDS refers to completion of the application process. Check the portal's completion status, not just the first form's submission receipt.
Is grade 5 elementary or middle school?
It depends on the school: Lower School at Parker, Middle School at LJCDS. Build your application sheet around the entry grade at each school.
Can we keep a public-school option open?
Yes, while following the separate public-school rules. Residence and district boundaries come first; SDUSD Choice has its own 2027–28 window. Our public versus private guide helps frame that decision.
EdCommGlobal can organize each school's grade, document owners, tests, and campus steps into one family application tracker. Contact us.
Official sources, checked September 30, 2026: Parker Lower, Parker Middle, LJCDS Lower, and LJCDS Middle. Verify grade-specific portal requirements before submitting.
Related reading
San Diego Private School Application Deadlines 2027–28
Compare application deadlines, decision dates and open houses for 10 San Diego private schools entering in fall 2027, with links to each school's official admissions page.
How San Diego Private Schools Use ISEE, SSAT, and TOEFL
San Diego private-school applications cannot be reduced to 'TOEFL required' or 'ISEE decides everything.' This guide explains how ISEE, SSAT, TOEFL, school assessments, and interviews are used for US-born and China-educated students.
San Diego Unified School Choice 2027–28: Four Checks Before Applying
San Diego Unified's 2027–28 Choice priority window runs October 5–November 15, 2026. Check residence school, program, ranking, and transportation first.