Kavanah Program

For families who are certain that JCHS is their first choice, Kavanah offers:

• An earlier admissions decision: Receive your decision by mid-December rather than waiting until March.

• Earlier tuition assistance information: Families applying for tuition assistance will receive their award information at the same time as their admissions decision.

• A simpler process: Families can avoid the time and expense of submitting applications to multiple independent schools.

The program is open to Class of 2031 applicants who are:

• Current JCHS siblings or children of JCHS professional community members

• Students currently enrolled in a Jewish day school

• Students who are current members of a Bay Area synagogue

The program is best suited for students who:

• Identify as Jewish

• Have researched their high school options and are certain JCHS is their first choice

• Have demonstrated a consistently solid academic record

1. Explore Kavanah
Review the program information and let us know if your student is interested.

2. Connect with Admissions
Have a conversation with our Admissions team and create an account on Ravenna using these instructions.

3. Notify your school
By October, let your student's counselor and teachers know you are applying by the November 2 deadline so they are aware of the earlier recommendation deadline.

4. Schedule an interview
Schedule your student's JCHS interview during October or November.

5. Submit your application
Complete the JCHS application by November 2, 2026, including the Parent/Guardian form, signed Kavanah Agreement, Student Application, Student Activity form, and Student Essay. Teacher and counselor recommendations and a seventh-grade transcript must also be received by this date.

6. Apply for tuition assistance, if applicable
Make sure your eighth-grade student is included on your family's tuition assistance application. Re-enrollment applications for returning JCHS families are also due November 2, 2026.

7. Receive your decision
Families will receive an admissions decision and, if applicable, a Tuition Assistance Award by mid-December 2026. Returning JCHS families will also receive their re-enrollment contract at this time.

Enrollment agreements are due December 17, 2026.

We understand that eighth-grade grades may not yet be available. Please submit your student's 2025–26 seventh-grade report card. If a 2026–27 mid-semester progress report is available, you may submit it as well, but it is not required.

Participation is completely optional and will not affect an admission decision. Families who prefer the regular admissions timeline may simply apply through the standard process.

Kavanah is designed for families who are certain that JCHS is their top choice. If you wish to keep applications active at other schools, you should apply to JCHS through the regular admissions timeline instead.

Admitted to JCHS
Mazel tov! As a Kavanah applicant, you commit to accepting JCHS's offer of admission.

Deferred to the Regular Admissions Cycle
Your application will move into the regular admissions pool, and you will no longer be bound by the Kavanah Agreement. You may then apply to other high schools. Your final admissions decision will be provided on March 12, 2027.