At JCHS, we think that the admissions process should be a positive and satisfying experience that encourages students to consider the many ways in which they will grow, and not produce anxiety. It should be about the excitement of looking forward to and imagining your high school years.

What is the JCHS Kavanah Program?

Kavanah in Hebrew means literally “intention,” or “direction of the heart,” and this program is designed especially for families who feel certain that JCHS is their top or only high school choice for the Class of 2031. For the 2026-2027 admission season, we will offer JCHS siblings / children of JCHS professional community members / students who are enrolled in a Jewish Day School and students who are members of a Bay Area Synagogue the opportunity to apply to JCHS by November 2 and receive an enrollment decision by mid-December instead of having to wait until March 2027.

The goal of this student-centered process is to reduce stress for families and give them a more direct path through the admissions process. Participating eighth grade applicants would commit to applying to no other independent schools other than JCHS. The December release date will mean that you will have an admission decision, tuition assistance award information (if applicable), and your enrollment agreements all together.

For a family who is certain that JCHS is their top or only independent school choice for the Class of 2031, there are several benefits:

  • Families who have also applied for Tuition Assistance for their returning student will receive a JCHS Enrollment Agreement with tuition assistance award for their eighth grader at the same time in December. 
  • By completing the application to JCHS on or before November 2, you will reduce stress by reducing the time spent waiting for a decision.

Families participating in the Kavanah Program can save the time and expense of submitting multiple applications.

This program is open to veteran JCHS families, current Jewish Day School students and students who are current members of a Bay Area synagogue applying for admission for the Class of 2031. The program is best suited for an eighth grade applicant who:

  • identifies as Jewish;
  • has researched their high school options and is absolutely sure that JCHS is their first choice;
  • has an academic record that has been consistently solid over time.
  1. Read through the information, and let us know if your student is interested in the JCHS Kavanah Program.
  2. Have a conversation with our Admissions team to get your questions answered. Simultaneously, create an account on our online application portal, Ravenna, by following these instructions.
  3. Before October, let your student’s counselor and teachers know that you will be applying to JCHS by November 2, so they are aware of the earlier deadline to submit required recommendations. 
  4. Schedule a JCHS interview with our Admissions Team for your student during October or November.
  5. Complete your JCHS application by November 2, 2026. This includes the Parent Guardian form and signed Kavanah Agreement, as well as the Student Application, Student Activity form, and Student Essay. We must also receive teacher and counselor recommendations as well as a seventh grade transcript by that date.
  6. If applying for tuition assistance, make sure that your eighth grade student is included on the application for your family. Re-enrollment applications for returning JCHS families are also due November 2, 2026.
  7. Families will receive an admissions decision and, if applicable, Tuition Assistance Award by mid December, 2026. This is the same time the re-enrollment contract is received if you have a returning JCHS student.

Signed enrollment agreements are due by December 17, 2026.

We understand that grade information may not yet be available your first semester of eighth grade. Please DO send us your report card for the 2025-26 year (seventh grade). If a mid-semester progress report for 2026-27 is available, that would be helpful to send to us as well, but is not required.

The choice to participate in the JCHS Kavanah Program is entirely up to a family. Whether or not a student chooses to participate will not have any bearing on an admission decision.

This program is for families who are certain that JCHS is their top choice. If you wish to keep applications in the pool for other schools, then simply apply to JCHS within the regular time frame.

You are admitted to JCHS. As part of the Kavanah Program, you are committed to accepting our offer of admission. Mazel tov!   

–OR–

Your application is deferred for consideration during the regular admissions cycle. Your application will be considered among the larger pool of eighth grade students submitting an application on January 5, 2027 and you will no longer be bound by the Kavanah agreement. You will receive final notification of our admission decision on March 12, 2027. If an applicant is deferred in the Kavanah round in December, they will still have time to submit applications for other high schools.

Kavanah timeline

  • June-August, 2026: Research your options to decide if JCHS is your top choice for high school.
  • August, 2026: Schedule a conversation with our Admissions team and create an account on our online application portal, Ravenna (instructions).
  • September-October, 2026: Inform your counselor and teachers that you will be applying to JCHS by November 2, so they are aware of the earlier deadline to submit required recommendations. 
  • October, 2026: Schedule a JCHS interview with our Admissions Team
  • November 2, 2026: Complete your JCHS application. If applying for tuition assistance, make sure that your eighth grade student is included on the application for your family.
  • Mid December, 2026: Families will receive an admissions decision and, if applicable, Tuition Assistance Award
  • December 17, 2026: Signed enrollment agreements due.

If you have questions, please reach out to the JCHS Director of Enrollment Management, Mary Ellen Hunt, at mehunt@jchsofthebay.org or (415) 345-9851. To create an account on our online application portal, Ravenna, please see the “How to Apply” page on the JCHS website.