Cardinal Education

08/27/2026

Private school, boarding school, college. Every admissions journey looks different, but they all begin in the same place: with your family's values, your dreams, and your goals.

At Cardinal Education, we don't just help students get in. We partner with families to understand what matters most, then guide each student to grow and reach their full potential. It's an approach built on two decades of helping families achieve extraordinary results.

📩 Talk to our team today. Email [email protected].

08/25/2026

Our founder and CEO, Allen Koh, was recently quoted in The New York Times 🗞️

Asked to weigh in as an expert on selective private school admissions, Allen spoke to a difference we see every day: California's elite schools lean heavily into social-emotional learning, while many families are drawn to the structure and tradition of British education.

"In Santa Barbara, they are going to be asking you how you feel and what you think a lot."

Two decades of guiding families through the world's most selective admissions, and recognized by one of the world's most respected publications.

Read the full feature here!

For more insights on private school, boarding school, and college admissions, follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cardinal-education

One effect of moving back is that Archie and Lilibet now have the opportunity to be schooled as Britons. Here’s what that might look like.

08/22/2026

Harvard-Westlake School is one of the top private schools in the country. It's a vibrant co-educational day school in the heart of Los Angeles, California, bustling with energy across two campuses: a middle school in Holmby Hills (grades 7–9) and an upper school in Studio City. Both are packed with academics, arts, innovation labs, and sports.

Education here is an all-encompassing experience. The school offers 300+ courses, 100+ clubs, and nine student publications, all built around exploration and creativity. Art lovers will find 50+ art classes and more than 40 music and theater performances each year, and athletes can choose from 28 sports, including water polo and fencing.

If Harvard-Westlake feels like your kind of school, reach out to Cardinal Education. We'll guide you through the admissions process.

📩 Email [email protected].

08/20/2026

Step onto the Sage Hill campus, and you'll find lush greenery, striking architecture, and the buzz of student life, but this Southern California school is more than its setting.

With 35+ AP courses across STEM, arts, and humanities, students dive into their passions and are challenged to reach their potential. Beyond academics, Sage Hill emphasizes holistic growth: a four-year required service learning program, mentorship-focused faculty, a robust athletics program, and a rich visual and performing arts scene. Then there's "Spring at Sage," an experiential program that takes students across the globe after finals, built around five pillars: civic engagement, equity and justice, innovation, leadership, and sustainability.

Considering Sage Hill? At Cardinal Education, our consultants guide you through the entire admissions process.

📩 Email [email protected].

08/15/2026

Horace Mann School is one of New York City's most respected academic schools, but what really makes it stand out isn't just the rigor. It's the balance. In this video, we break down what makes Horace Mann distinctive and how to know if it's the right fit.

With 180+ courses and 20+ AP classes, the academics are seriously rigorous. But that rigor lives right alongside everything else. A serious athlete still gets a top-tier education, and a top student gets to compete at the highest level. Here, students don't have to choose between excelling in the classroom and pursuing their passions outside of it.

Curious whether Horace Mann is the right fit for your child? At Cardinal Education, we help students understand what makes a school like this distinctive and how to show up as the fullest version of themselves.

📩 Email us at [email protected] to speak with a Cardinal Education consultant.

08/13/2026

The Lawrenceville School has been around for more than two centuries, and two things have defined it: House and Harkness. In this video, we break down both traditions and what Lawrenceville really looks for in applicants.

Harkness is how they learn: every class is a discussion around a table, where students share ideas, debate, and learn from one another rather than sit through lectures. House is how they live: students are grouped into residential Houses that become a second family, shaping the community and culture of the school.

That's why Lawrenceville looks for more than just a strong student. They look for someone who will make a difference—in the classroom, in their House, and in the wider community.

At Cardinal Education, we help students show they're exactly that.

Applying to Lawrenceville? 📩 Talk to our team! Email us at [email protected] to speak with a Cardinal Education consultant.

08/08/2026

Most schools measure students by what they know. The Overlake School measures them by what they do with it. In this video, we break down what makes Overlake distinctive and what it really looks for in applicants.

Applying to Overlake? 📩 Don't just impress them, show them what you're made of.

Email us at [email protected] and speak with a Cardinal Education consultant.

08/06/2026

Lakeside School in Seattle has produced Bill Gates, Paul Allen, and some of the most quietly accomplished people in the country—and that's no accident. In this video, we break down what Lakeside really looks for in applicants.

Lakeside evaluates character just as closely as grades. Your essays and your references are all asking the same underlying question: who is this student, really? Most applicants are impressive on paper. The ones who get in can actually talk about why they do what they do, and it shows across every part of their application.

At Cardinal Education, we help students figure that out, so every piece of their application feels connected, intentional, and genuine.

Applying to Lakeside? 📩 We'd love to help you get there.

Email [email protected] to speak with an admissions consultant.

08/01/2026

While GPA, extracurriculars, and your college essay get most of the attention, letters of recommendation are just as important and often overlooked. In this video, we break down why they matter and exactly how to choose the right recommenders.

Admissions officers consider recommendation letters one of the most crucial parts of a college application. It's the only section where an adult advocates for your intellectual achievements, your character, and your leadership. A strong letter covers who you are as a student, your passions and interests, and the achievements that set you apart, which is why it's so important to ask teachers who know you well and with whom you've built a genuine relationship.

📩 Want help building a standout college application? Visit www.cardinaleducation.com/contact for the full guide!

07/30/2026

If your child is applying to a top Catholic high school, they'll likely take the HSPT, the High School Placement Test. In this video, we break down what the HSPT is, how it differs from the SSAT, and how to prepare effectively.

Unlike the SSAT, the HSPT is designed specifically for Catholic high school admissions. It's shorter, faster-paced, and focused on speed and accuracy. The test covers four areas: verbal, math, reading, and language, with nearly 300 questions in about two and a half hours. That leaves students only seconds per question, which makes time management just as important as content knowledge.

At Cardinal Education, students begin with a diagnostic test and then follow a customized prep plan. They practice with realistic exams and build the skills needed to manage time, improve accuracy, and stay confident on test day.

Don't wait until test day is near. 📩 Work with Cardinal Education today.

Email [email protected] to get started.