The main points of entry to Milken Community High School are in Grades 7 and 9. Positions in our Grade 12 are not available unless there are extenuating circumstances such as family relocation. In all other grades spaces are available based on attrition. Therefore, openings do not always available in all grade levels.

The first step in applying to Milken is to return the completed Parent and Student Applications with the application fee of $150 to the Office of Admission. The Office of Admission will then schedule an interview and private campus tour for applicants and their parents. Families will be notified of the interview date and time via mail and are asked to confirm that date and time with the Office of Admission upon receipt.

Prospective applicants and their parents are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible. The application deadline is Monday, December 15, 2008. This is not a postmark deadline, but the date that all applications must be received by the Office of Admission.

Yes. We encourage students and families to return their applications prior to the deadline of December 15, 2008, so that we can schedule the required interview as early as possible.

Although we consider late applications, most spaces will be filled by students who apply before the deadline of December 15, 2008. Applicants who submit their applications after the deadline will only be considered if there is space available in the grade to which they are applying.

Consideration for admission is based upon the application for admission, student application, the interview, transcripts, teacher and administrator recommendations, ISEE scores and ERB scores (where applicable). Students should deliver the authorization for release of transcripts as well as teacher and administrator recommendation forms to the appropriate individuals at their school as early as possible. Transcripts and recommendations are mailed to Milken by your child’s school and are due by January 15, 2009.

Since admission is never guaranteed, we recommend that your child apply to more than one school. However, we do encourage you to let us know that Milken is your family’s first choice.

Since some grade levels have fewer openings than others, the competition for admission varies at each level. At our two major points of entry, Grades 7 and 9, we have approximately 2-3 applicants for each available space. Approximately 50-60 new students are admitted to both grades 7 and 9. Spaces are available in other grades based on attrition. We do not accept applications to Grade 12 except under very special circumstances such as family relocation.

Milken seeks to admit bright, motivated, creative, and involved students who, along with their families, are committed to the values of our School's mission and who have the ability to contribute to the School community throughout their time here.

Interviews allow both the applicant and their parents to meet one-on-one with a member of the admission team. This is an opportunity for the admission representative to learn more about your child’s interests, talents, and skills as well as an opportunity for you to learn more about our School and have your questions answered. We encourage your child to bring any writing samples, works of art or items that will help us to get a sense of who he or she is. Each interview is followed by a tour of our campus given by one of our Parent Docents. Please allot a total of 60 – 90 minutes for your visit to Milken.

 

Mondays @ Milken
There are several opportunities for prospective students and their parents to visit Milken. Prospective parents are encouraged to attend one of our Mondays @ Milken events – information sessions where parents have the opportunity to learn about our academics and programs from key administrators and department chairs as well as have their questions answered.

Open Houses
We strongly encourage all families considering applying to Milken to attend one of our Open Houses.  These events are open to both parents and students. Open Houses provide applicants and their families a wonderful opportunity to visit our campus, meet key administrators, members of the faculty, current parents and students. Applicants and their families will learn about elective opportunities, attend sample classes, talk with our coaches and arts specialists, and have the opportunity to ask questions about our extra-curricular activities. Open House invitation and registration forms are available in our application packet.

Campus Tours
In addition to our Admission events and Open Houses, each family is offered a private campus tour at the time of the interview. That tour is led by one of our Parent Docents – parents of both former and current Milken students.

Day Visits for Upper School Students
A limited number of spaces are available to visit classes at Milken. These visits are not required for admission and are non-evaluative. Prospective students will attend classes with their student host during the school day and be given an insider’s view of the life of a Milken student. Day visits can only be scheduled for those students who have submitted an application and who have completed their interview.

Milken events
Prospective parents and students are invited to attend special events, athletic games, student performances or programs of interest at Milken. Please call the Office of Admission for more information or visit us online at www.MilkenSchool.org and view our calendar of events.

Milken offers financial aid based on need. If you would like to be considered for financial aid, please complete and return the financial aid request card found in the application packet to the Registrar’s office by December 5, 2008. For more information, please call the Registrar’s office at 310.889.2227.

Admission decisions will be mailed on Friday, March 6, 2009, for Upper School applicants (Grades 9-11) and on Friday, March 20, 2009 for Middle School applicants (Grades 7 & 8). Contracts are due on Friday, March 27, 2009 for Upper School and on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 for Middle School.

The size of the wait pool varies from year to year. Our wait pool is non-prioritized and a decision to fill a space with a student from the wait pool may not necessarily be made on a first-come, first-served basis. We make every effort to notify candidates placed in our wait pool of space availability by the end of April. However, there is no guarantee that a space will become available.

While admission is not guaranteed for any applicant, we welcome applications from siblings of current Milken students and alumni. Milken strives to create a relationship of continuity and tradition with our families and every effort is made to keep siblings together when the applicant is qualified. In reviewing sibling applicants, the Admission Committee also considers how involved the family has been in our school community. Parent involvement is encouraged at Milken and parents are expected to contribute their time and resources to the extent that they are able.

Yes. If a current Middle School student’s academic and behavioral record is acceptable, he/she will be offered a contract to enroll in the Upper School.

Yes. We welcome applications from students who have previously applied to Milken but who were not admitted. The Office of Admission wishes to have the most current and up-to-date information on applicants and therefore applications from the previous year cannot be automatically reactivated. Any student who was not previously offered admission, but who wishes to be considered for the following academic year must submit a new application.

Test scores are one aspect of a student’s file. These scores are used to illuminate a child’s academic record and provide a standardized measure of evaluation for the Admission Committee.

No. Only under very special circumstances, such as sudden illness, would a request for an additional sitting be considered. Milken does not accept more than one set of test scores per year.

There has been much debate over the value of test preparation courses. We believe that test preparation is a personal decision that you should come to in conjunction with your child. While some feel this type of course may reduce anxiety, it can also lead to increased pressure by making the test appear like the one all-important factor in the admission process. 

We offer an incredibly broad and rich curriculum that accommodates the varied interests and talents of our students. Our academic and non-academic programs enhance our students’ intellectual, creative and spiritual growth. We currently offer 20 Advanced Placement courses ranging from every academic discipline to the applied and performing arts. Extra-curricular activities abound here as well, offering students a varied spectrum of opportunities through our athletic programs, drama productions and student clubs and organizations.

Approximately 800 students attend Milken Community High School. There are approximately 200 students in the Middle School (Grades 7 and 8) and 600 students (Grades 9 – 12) in the Upper School.

Our three college counselors begin to guide our students and their parents through the college application process in Grade 10. College counseling occurs more frequently as students progress to Grade 12. Our college counselors strive to direct students to schools that will meet their needs. Each year, Milken students are accepted to a multitude of colleges and universities.

Milken does issue the I-20 form for foreign student study. It is strongly recommended that students enroll in our upper school with the intention to complete their secondary education at Milken through Grade 12. We do not offer a program in English as a Second Language (ESL), so all students need to be completely fluent in English for reading, speaking and composition. In addition, Milken is unable to arrange housing for foreign students.

Our student to teacher ratio is 7:1. The average class size in the Middle School is 17 and the average class size in the Upper School ranges from 17 - 20.

Milken does not require its students to wear a uniform; however, specific dress standards are enforced. The dress standards are sent home at the beginning of each school year. Students are expected to be appropriately and neatly attired according to the established guidelines.