Are you ready to become a Cavalier?
We’re delighted that you’re considering Carden Conejo School for your family! Our Admissions Team is here to guide and support you throughout the process as we get to know your child and you get to know our school. Please take a few moments to review the steps and requirements below to begin your application for Kindergarten through 7th Grade. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing what makes the Carden experience so special.
K-7th
Application Process
Our admissions process is designed to give families an opportunity to learn about our school while allowing our team to get to know each student as an individual.
Visit Carden
We encourage families to begin by scheduling a campus tour or attending an admissions event. During your visit, you will see our classrooms and campus, learn more about the Carden educational approach, and have an opportunity to ask questions about our academic and student life programs.
Submit an Application
Families who wish to be considered for admission should complete an online application for each student. The application provides our Admissions Team with important information about your child, their educational experience, and your family's goals for their education. As part of the application process, families will be asked to provide recent report cards, a writing sample, and a teacher recommendations.
Schedule A Shadow Day
Once your child's online application is complete, a Shadow Day will scheduled. A Shadow Day is a wonderful opportunity for your child to experience a day as a Carden student, to meet their potential classmates and teachers, and get a true feel for life on campus.
Student Assessment & Student/Family Interview
When needed, applicants may be asked to participate in an age-appropriate assessment. This allows our team to better understand each student's academic readiness, learning needs, and potential for success within Carden's program. Applicants to our Middle School also require in a Student/Family interview.
Admissions Review
Once the application and required components are complete, the Admissions Committee carefully reviews each student's file. Admission decisions consider academic readiness, developmental and social-emotional readiness, the student's ability to benefit from Carden's program, and available space within the grade. Families who receive an offer of admission will be provided with enrollment information and a deadline to accept their child's place.
Admissions Philosophy
Carden Conejo School seeks students and families who will contribute positively to our school community and who value strong academics, respect, responsibility, kindness, and character. Admission is based on the overall fit between the student, family, and Carden's educational program.
We encourage families to apply early, as space is limited and some grade levels may reach capacity.
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Priority Admission
For families who are ready to make Carden Conejo their school of choice for the 2027-2028 school year, Priority Admission offers the opportunity to complete the admissions process and receive an admission decision earlier in the year.
Priority applicants receive priority consideration for available spaces before the General Admission cycle. Because we intentionally maintain small class sizes and enrollment may be limited in certain grades, families who feel Carden Conejo School is the right fit for their child are encouraged to apply during this period. Priority Admission follows the same thoughtful admissions process and standards as General Admission.
Priority Admission Dates
Application Deadline: December 4, 2026
Admission Decisions Released: December 11, 2026
Enrollment Acceptance Deadline: December 18, 2026
General Admission
Our General Admission cycle provides families with the opportunity to apply to Carden Conejo School following the Priority Admission period.
Applications are thoughtfully reviewed based on each student’s individual readiness and fit with our program. Admission offers are extended based on remaining availability by grade following Priority Admission. Families considering Carden are encouraged to begin the application process early, as some grades may reach capacity.
Applications received after the General Admission deadline may continue to be considered on a space-available basis.
General Admission Dates
Application Deadline: February 12, 2027
Admission Decisions Released: March 12, 2027
Enrollment Acceptance Deadline: March 19, 2027
What is Priority Admission at Carden Conejo School?Priority Admission is an earlier application cycle for families who are ready to make Carden their school of choice. Families who complete the admissions process during Priority Admission receive an earlier admission decision and priority consideration for available spaces before the General Admission cycle begins.
What is the difference between Priority Admission and General Admission?Both admission cycles follow the same thoughtful review process and admissions standards. The primary difference is timing. Priority Admission takes place earlier and gives applicants priority consideration for available spaces. General Admission follows and offers are made based on remaining availability in each grade.
Does applying through Priority Admission guarantee acceptance?No. Priority Admission does not guarantee acceptance. Every application is thoughtfully reviewed to ensure that Carden is an appropriate fit for the student and family. Priority applicants are considered for available spaces before applicants in the General Admission cycle.
What is required to apply to Carden Conejo School?Application requirements vary somewhat by age and grade. Kindergarten to 7th Grade families begin by creating an account in our online Admissions Portal and completing the application. Required materials for submission include school records or progress reports, a student writing sample, teacher recommendation, and a student shadow day. Applicants for Middle School will also require a Student/Family Interview.
What is a Shadow Day at Carden Conejo?A Shadow Day gives a prospective student the opportunity to experience life as a Carden student. Students join their prospective classmates, participate in classes and activities, meet teachers, and experience the rhythm of a typical school day. It is an opportunity for both the student and the school to determine whether Carden feels like the right fit.
Do we need to tour Carden Conejo before applying?A tour is strongly encouraged. Visiting campus gives families the opportunity to see our classrooms and learning spaces, meet members of our community, learn about the Carden Method, and ask questions about the student experience. Families may begin the application process before or after their tour.
What does Carden Conejo look for in an applicant?Our admissions process is about more than academic ability. We are looking for students who are curious, eager to learn, and ready to be active participants in their education. Students thrive at Carden when they are willing to ask questions, engage in classroom discussions, persevere when learning becomes challenging, contribute positively to their classroom community, and take increasing responsibility for their work as they progress to each grade level. We seek students who demonstrate, or are developing, the qualities that are central to a Carden education: kindness, respect, integrity, responsibility, curiosity, resilience, and consideration for others. Academic readiness is certainly part of our consideration, but we do not believe a child can be understood through grades or test scores alone. Our admissions team considers the whole child, including academic and developmental readiness, previous school experience, character, and interests.
We also believe that a successful school experience is built upon a strong partnership between school and home. Carden Conejo School is especially well-suited for families who value a traditional, character-centered approach to education and who share our commitment to kindness, respect, personal responsibility, integrity, gratitude, service, and consideration for others. We look for families who want to partner with teachers, encourage independence and growth, and participate positively in the life of our community.
What makes Carden different from other private schools in the Conejo Valley?What makes Carden distinctive begins with the Carden Method. Our approach is built on the belief that strong academic foundations give children the confidence and freedom to become independent thinkers. Skills are taught explicitly and sequentially, with each new concept building purposefully upon what came before it. Rather than rushing students from one concept to the next, teachers emphasize understanding, accuracy, mastery, and thoughtful application. Over time, students develop the habits of attention, persistence, organization, and intellectual independence that allow them to tackle increasingly complex work with confidence.
A Carden education is about much more than academics. Our school is grounded in traditional Judeo-Christian values, including kindness, respect, integrity, responsibility, gratitude, compassion, service, forgiveness, and love for others. These values are not simply words displayed on a wall or lessons reserved for a particular time of day. They are woven into the expectations of everyday school life, how students speak to one another, how they treat their teachers, how they respond to mistakes, and how they care for their community.
Perhaps one of the greatest differences at Carden is something families feel almost immediately: this is a deeply personal school. We believe that knowing a child well is essential to educating a child well. Our teachers know their students strengths, personalities, interests, friendships, challenges, and potential. They notice when something is different. They celebrate growth. They know when to offer encouragement and when to raise the bar.
And that sense of connection extends beyond the classroom. We know our families, too.
When you call Carden, you won't get an automated selection of extensions to choose from. Rather, a friendly member of our front office team answers the phone. When you walk onto campus, you are greeted by people who know who you are and know your children. Our teachers, administrators, and school leaders are accessible, present, and actively involved in the daily life of the school. We pride ourselves in being true partners in your child's education.
Priority Admission is an earlier application cycle for families who are ready to make Carden their school of choice. Families who complete the admissions process during Priority Admission receive an earlier admission decision and priority consideration for available spaces before the General Admission cycle begins.
Both admission cycles follow the same thoughtful review process and admissions standards. The primary difference is timing. Priority Admission takes place earlier and gives applicants priority consideration for available spaces. General Admission follows and offers are made based on remaining availability in each grade.
No. Priority Admission does not guarantee acceptance. Every application is thoughtfully reviewed to ensure that Carden is an appropriate fit for the student and family. Priority applicants are considered for available spaces before applicants in the General Admission cycle.
Application requirements vary somewhat by age and grade. Kindergarten to 7th Grade families begin by creating an account in our online Admissions Portal and completing the application. Required materials for submission include school records or progress reports, a student writing sample, teacher recommendation, and a student shadow day. Applicants for Middle School will also require a Student/Family Interview.
A Shadow Day gives a prospective student the opportunity to experience life as a Carden student. Students join their prospective classmates, participate in classes and activities, meet teachers, and experience the rhythm of a typical school day. It is an opportunity for both the student and the school to determine whether Carden feels like the right fit.
A tour is strongly encouraged. Visiting campus gives families the opportunity to see our classrooms and learning spaces, meet members of our community, learn about the Carden Method, and ask questions about the student experience. Families may begin the application process before or after their tour.
Our admissions process is about more than academic ability. We are looking for students who are curious, eager to learn, and ready to be active participants in their education. Students thrive at Carden when they are willing to ask questions, engage in classroom discussions, persevere when learning becomes challenging, contribute positively to their classroom community, and take increasing responsibility for their work as they progress to each grade level. We seek students who demonstrate, or are developing, the qualities that are central to a Carden education: kindness, respect, integrity, responsibility, curiosity, resilience, and consideration for others. Academic readiness is certainly part of our consideration, but we do not believe a child can be understood through grades or test scores alone. Our admissions team considers the whole child, including academic and developmental readiness, previous school experience, character, and interests.
We also believe that a successful school experience is built upon a strong partnership between school and home. Carden Conejo School is especially well-suited for families who value a traditional, character-centered approach to education and who share our commitment to kindness, respect, personal responsibility, integrity, gratitude, service, and consideration for others. We look for families who want to partner with teachers, encourage independence and growth, and participate positively in the life of our community.
What makes Carden distinctive begins with the Carden Method. Our approach is built on the belief that strong academic foundations give children the confidence and freedom to become independent thinkers. Skills are taught explicitly and sequentially, with each new concept building purposefully upon what came before it. Rather than rushing students from one concept to the next, teachers emphasize understanding, accuracy, mastery, and thoughtful application. Over time, students develop the habits of attention, persistence, organization, and intellectual independence that allow them to tackle increasingly complex work with confidence.
A Carden education is about much more than academics. Our school is grounded in traditional Judeo-Christian values, including kindness, respect, integrity, responsibility, gratitude, compassion, service, forgiveness, and love for others. These values are not simply words displayed on a wall or lessons reserved for a particular time of day. They are woven into the expectations of everyday school life, how students speak to one another, how they treat their teachers, how they respond to mistakes, and how they care for their community.
Perhaps one of the greatest differences at Carden is something families feel almost immediately: this is a deeply personal school. We believe that knowing a child well is essential to educating a child well. Our teachers know their students strengths, personalities, interests, friendships, challenges, and potential. They notice when something is different. They celebrate growth. They know when to offer encouragement and when to raise the bar.
And that sense of connection extends beyond the classroom. We know our families, too.
When you call Carden, you won't get an automated selection of extensions to choose from. Rather, a friendly member of our front office team answers the phone. When you walk onto campus, you are greeted by people who know who you are and know your children. Our teachers, administrators, and school leaders are accessible, present, and actively involved in the daily life of the school. We pride ourselves in being true partners in your child's education.
Meet the Admissions Team
We would love to hear from you (805) 497-7005.
