Applications open September 21
apply
/əˈplī/
from the Latin phrase applicāre, meaning “to fold, join, or attach to.”
To make a formal request, put to use, be relevant, or concentrate one’s effort.
Opening the door to math (and more!)
Each year, kids and families find out about us from all sorts of channels, with many of them coming from some sort of direct or indirect experience. Families have attended one of our math festivals or our summer camp, have frequented a math circle that happened to feature one of our teachers, or have been immersed in a summer sleep away camp focused on math. And many of our families heard about us from a friend.
These sorts of personal referrals may not reach drastically vast numbers, and we’re good with that. Word of mouth, one way or another, is an important impetus for community.
The application process
We open our admissions portal on Ravenna in the fall, and host two weekend visit days so you can get an initial sense of what the school is like. Our application consists of the usual elements (transcripts, recommendations) plus a few Proof specific pieces (student and parent questionnaires; a math diagnostic test; and a fun, problem-solving oriented Ollie).
Based on these initial documents, we then invite a subset of students to visit us during a school day, where they can attend morning meeting, meet a few Proofniks, and go to a couple of demo classes. Decisions are typically released in mid to late March, with responses due one week later.
Key dates for admissions
-
Monday, September 21
Applications open on Ravenna
-
Saturday, October 3
Admissions open house, 10:00am–11:30am
-
Sunday, December 6
Admissions open house, 3:00pm–4:30pm
-
Tuesday, January 5
Applications due
-
Monday, February 22
Financial assistance applications due
-
February – March
Visit days for select applicants
-
Friday, March 12
Decision day!
-
Friday, March 19
Enrollment + deposit due
Key dates for admissions
2026–2027
Monday, September 21
Applications open on Ravenna
Saturday, October 3
Admissions open house, 10:00am–11:30am
Sunday, December 6
Admissions open house, 3:00pm–4:30pm
Tuesday, January 5
Applications due
Monday, February 22
Financial assistance applications due
February – March
Visit days for select applicants
Friday, March 12
Decision day!
Friday, March 19
Enrollment + deposit due
authentic
/ˌôˌTHenˈtik/
from the Ancient Greek, rooted in both authentikos (“original, genuine”) and authentēs (“acting on one's own authority”)
faithful to one's own character and spirit, even when it’s hard to do so
Who should apply
We’re a school for kids who love math, but there are lots of ways to love math. Some kids arrive with a lot of enrichment from math circles and summer programs, some with a deep affection for mathy puzzles and word games, and some with a real interest in maps, chess, and social deduction games. Others have really liked math competitions and have been relatively advanced in school-based math. Each year we admit kids who are ready for a challenge, whether that’s calculus or algebra 1. We encourage families to consider what kind of math kid they have.
Underlying all Proofniks is a genuine curiosity about the world, which by necessity requires some level of humility. It’s what helps kids move from IDK to IW2K—not “I don’t know” but “I want to know.”
» Note that applicants need to be at least 11 years old
before the start of 6th grade. «
Advice about applying
We’ll give you the same counsel we give seniors applying to college: Use the application process to figure out what you want and what you value, and why you are applying to any given school.
Authenticity matters. You want to gain admission based on who you are and who you might become because of a specific school. Embrace a recent “failure,” and see it as helping you set a goal. And reason through any advice you get along the way, before accepting or rejecting it.
Proofnik
/pro͞of nik/
from the old era, circa 2015, meaning one who is dedicated to demonstrating something is true, no matter how ridiculous
a peculiar sort of kid who loves math, demonstrates curiosity and care, and sometimes exhibits a harmless, impish relationship with language
Equal Opportunity Fund
for qualifying families
The Equal Opportunity Fund at Proof School aims to provide comprehensive financial assistance packages to qualifying families. EOF families typically pay less than 1% of a given year’s tuition, but we also recognize that participation in school goes beyond this; as such, the EOF aims to support the important work students do both inside and outside the classroom.
We work closely with families supported by EOF to make sure their child(ren)’s experience at Proof School is positive!
Supporting daily life at Proof School
- Daily transit fare between home and school. For students who commute to and from school via public transportation, the EOF fully covers transit fare by loading Clipper credit directly to the student’s youth Clipper card. Transit fare is determined based on the student’s home address and commute routine.
- Lunch provided at school. Students are welcome to order school lunch through the usual school lunch order form, with no charge to the family regardless of how many days of lunch the student orders.
- “Proofwear” such as hoodies and shirts. When the Parent Association organizes their annual sale of Proof-branded shirts and hoodies, each EOF-supported family is invited to order one shirt and one hoodie/jacket per student with no charge.
- A computer for use at both school and home. The school coordinates with the family to make sure the student has regular access to a suitable computer at school and at home.
- Full coverage of fees for overnight trips and fee-charging after-school activities. While tuition covers most school expenses, there are separate charges for overnight trips and occasionally after-school activities. All additional school activity fees are fully covered by the EOF.
College applications
- Typical SAT and AP exam fees. The EOF covers testing fees for SAT and AP exams that are taken at Proof School.
- Application fees to 10 colleges and travel subsidies for visiting top-choice schools. Students are encouraged to request fee waivers from the colleges that they apply to and/or via Common App, if applicable. The EOF will cover up to 10 college application fees beyond what is covered by fee waivers. In addition, the EOF will cover up to $700 of qualifying travel expenses to visit 1–2 top choice colleges that have already admitted the student; typically these trips will be for the student to attend college-organized visit days.
Additional support
- A project fund for high school students to pursue individual interests. Proof School encourages all students to undertake projects through which they can explore interests, turn their ideas into reality, and expand their capabilities in personally meaningful areas. To this end, the school provides $250 per year in funding for each EOF-supported high schooler, to cover project expenses including tools, materials, and digital subscriptions.
- Financial support for therapy as needed. When EOF-supported students need therapy beyond what is covered by their family’s health insurance, the school can work with the family to arrange for ongoing therapy through a licensed provider who is paid for or subsidized by the school.
Financial assistance
We’ve been meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need since we started. Admission is need-blind, which means financial assistance is determined only after a student is admitted. Our goal is simple: enroll every student we admit, regardless of financial circumstances. We have never charged a fee to apply.
Each year families receive financial assistance ranging from 10% to 99% of tuition; our Equal Opportunity Fund takes into consideration the full cost of being a Proofnik, which includes Proof swag, class trips, a laptop, and even college application fees.
Equal Opportunity Fund
for qualifying families
The Equal Opportunity Fund at Proof School aims to provide comprehensive financial assistance packages to qualifying families. EOF families typically pay less than 1% of a given year’s tuition, but we also recognize that participation in school goes beyond this; as such, the EOF aims to support the important work students do both inside and outside the classroom.
We work closely with families supported by EOF to make sure their child(ren)’s experience at Proof School is positive!
Supporting daily life at Proof School
Daily transit fare between home and school. For students who commute to and from school via public transportation, the EOF fully covers transit fare by loading Clipper credit directly to the student’s youth Clipper card. Transit fare is determined based on the student’s home address and commute routine.
Lunch provided at school. Students are welcome to order school lunch through the usual school lunch order form, with no charge to the family regardless of how many days of lunch the student orders.
“Proofwear” such as hoodies and shirts. When the Parent Association organizes their annual sale of Proof-branded shirts and hoodies, each EOF-supported family is invited to order one shirt and one hoodie/jacket per student with no charge.
A computer for use at both school and home. The school coordinates with the family to make sure the student has regular access to a suitable computer at school and at home.
College applications
Typical SAT and AP exam fees. The EOF covers testing fees for SAT and AP exams that are taken at Proof School.
Application fees to 10 colleges and travel subsidies for visiting top-choice schools. Students are encouraged to request fee waivers from the colleges that they apply to and/or via Common App, if applicable. The EOF will cover up to 10 college application fees beyond what is covered by fee waivers. In addition, the EOF will cover up to $700 of qualifying travel expenses to visit 1–2 top choice colleges that have already admitted the student; typically these trips will be for the student to attend college-organized visit days.
Additional support
A project fund for high school students to pursue individual interests. Proof School encourages all students to undertake projects through which they can explore interests, turn their ideas into reality, and expand their capabilities in personally meaningful areas. To this end, the school provides $250 per year in funding for each EOF-supported high schooler, to cover project expenses including tools, materials, and digital subscriptions.
Financial support for therapy as needed. When EOF-supported students need therapy beyond what is covered by their family’s health insurance, the school can work with the family to arrange for ongoing therapy through a licensed provider who is paid for or subsidized by the school.
Tuition
Tuition is set annually by the Board of Directors in the spring, and reflects our investment in world-class faculty, vibrant facilities, and a terrific neighborhood in downtown San Francisco.
Middle school tuition
$54,570
High school tuition
$60,620
Proof School
/pro͞of sko͞ol/
from the ancient era, circa 2013, conceived as a place of learning committed to math, new ideas and challenges, and a whole lot of wholesome fun
An equal opportunity educational institution, where all qualified applicants receive consideration for admissions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law; also, a place where being kind > being smart