Star Assessments reflect California math and literacy standards. Menlo uses Star because it assesses concepts familiar to students from both public and private schools. Our research has shown that Star’s results are predictive of math and reading proficiency at Menlo. Like many Bay Area schools, we also use Star to measure readiness and growth annually for enrolled students. Additionally, Menlo can cover the cost of administering Star without passing that cost on to families. Therefore, you will not need to spend additional money on test registration or request fee waivers.

For more information about the Star Assessment, please visit their website here. They have comprehensive information about the math and reading assessments through Star. 

Students take the assessments on Menlo computers. The assessments consist of 34 multiple-choice math questions and 34 multiple-choice reading questions. Most students finish each Star test section in 20-25 minutes (40 -50 minutes total).

All assessments will take place on Menlo’s campus on the following dates:

• Saturday, October 19, 2024
• Sunday, November 3, 2024
• Saturday, November 16, 2024
• Sunday, December 8, 2024
• Saturday, December 14, 2024
• Sunday, January 26, 2025 

Please note: if your child is applying as a middle school transfer student, they must sign up for the January 26, 2025, assessment date. Middle School transfer applicants will also complete their assessment for World Language placement on the same day.

Yes, we are eager to support students with learning differences. Accommodations such as extra time must be verified with official documentation (such as an IEP, 504 plan, or a complete Psychological-Educational Evaluation report). All students who qualify receive double time on the Star Assessment, and accommodations such as additional time are built into the interface. Please send your request and your child’s documentation to admissions@menloschool.org no later than 10 business days before your scheduled test date. Please look for confirmation of receipt from our office. To discuss the availability of specific accommodations, please contact that division’s Associate Director of Admissions.

No. We sincerely hope families will not pursue expensive and time-consuming preparation. Simply put, it is not necessary. Our selection of these assessments is rooted in our commitment to equity, balance, and student well-being. 

For Upper School applicants, Star Math tests problem-solving skills typical of high school Algebra and Geometry, foundational middle school math concepts, and basic data analysis skills.

For Middle School applicants, Star Math assesses students’ mastery of foundational math concepts commonly taught in 3rd-6th grade; students with sufficient exposure to such concepts may encounter algebra and geometry.

Star Reading assesses students’ vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. Since Star adapts to a user’s responses, every child takes a unique test.

No, students will complete a writing sample during the student’s interview, not during their Star Assessment day. We wanted to separate these experiences to support all students in doing their best and facilitate a manageable assessment day experience for students. 

One of the reasons we chose Star was that the format would be familiar to many students from private and public schools; however, we will not accept scores from your sending school in lieu and require all local applicants to sit for these short assessments at Menlo or another school to which they are applying. We want all applicants to test within the same window this fall/winter. 

We can share your scores with another school, but only by request. If you would like us to send your scores from a Menlo test date to another school, please send your request to admissions@menloschool.org so we can assist you. Please allow up to 10 business days for your request to be processed. 

No, we will not accept scores from these exams from applicants living in the Bay Area. Only international applicants and out-of-area applicants who are not visiting Menlo’s campus may submit scores from other exams, and these families should contact the Admissions Office for guidance. An out-of-area applicant is anyone living outside the nine Bay Area counties.

The dates listed above are the only dates we will offer. Additional dates/times will not be added. Please carefully review all options in Ravenna before contacting the office for assistance. International and out-of-area applicants should contact our office. 

For more assistance, please contact:

• Melanie Rossi, Associate Director of Admissions for Upper School.
• Caroline Wheeler, Associate Director of Admissions for Middle School.

Yes, if you want to see your child’s score report, please send your request to admissions@menloschool.org. Please allow up to 10 business days for your request to be processed.

Yes. Please note: if your child is applying as a middle school transfer student, they must sign up for the January 26, 2025, assessment date. Middle School transfer applicants will also complete their assessment for World Language placement on the same day.

For more information, please contact:

• Melanie Rossi, Associate Director of Admissions for Upper School.
• Caroline Wheeler, Associate Director of Admissions for Middle School.

Menlo utilizes confidential proprietary benchmark scores in its evaluation process. However, we assess each applicant holistically without adhering to rigid score minimums. This comprehensive approach ensures a fair and nuanced evaluation of every candidate.

Please register through your Ravenna portal using the associated step on your checklist. Your child may register and sit for only one date. Please only book one date so that we can ensure there are enough opportunities for all applicants.

No. Students are only allowed to register and sit for one assessment date. If you need to reschedule due to illness, please contact the Admissions Office immediately at (650) 330-2001 ext. 2600.