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Tips for applying to Catholic Schools

1. In October visit schools’ websites, download application information
and set up date to shadow school.
  • Recommendation: Apply to more than one school.
Diocese of San Jose
Bellarmine (408) 294-9224 http://www.bcp.org
Mitty (408) 252-6610 http://www.mitty.com
Notre Dame (408) 294-1113 http://www.ndsj.org
Presentation (408) 264-1664 http://www.pres-net.com
St. Francis (650) 968-1213 http://www.sfhs.com
St. Lawrence (408) 296-3794 http://www.saintlawrence.org
Diocese of San Francisco
Riordan (415) 586-8200 http://www.riordanhs.org
Sacred Heart (415) 292-3122 http://www.sacred.sf.ca.us
Immaculate Conception (415) 824-2052 http://www.icacademy.org
Mercy (415) 334-0525 http://www.mercyhs.org
Sacred Heart Cathedral (415) 775-6626 http://www.shcp.edu
St. Ignatius (415) 731-7500 http://siprep.org
Stuart Hall (415) 292-3155 http://www.sacred.sf.ca.us/SSHS
Sacred Heart Atherton (650) 322-1866
Notre Dame Belmont (650) 595-1913 http://www.ndhsb.org
Mercy Burlingame (650) 343-3631 http://www.mercyhsb.com
Woodside Priory (650) 851-8221 http://www.woodsidepriory.com
Serra (650) 345-8207 http://www.serrahs.com
Diocese of Oakland
St. Joseph Notre Dame (510) 523-1526 http://www.sjnd.org
Saint Mary’s (510) 526-9242 http://www.saintmaryschs.org
Moreau (510) 881-4300 http://www.moreaucatholic.org
Bishop O’Dowd (510) 577-9100 http://www.bishopodowd.org
Holy Names (510) 450-1110 http://www.hnhsoakland.org
St. Elizabeth (510) 532-8947 www.saintelizabethhighschool.com
Carondelet (925) 686-5353 http://www.carondelet.pvt.k12.ca.us
De La Salle (925) 686-3310 http://www.dlshs.org
Salesian (510) 234-4434 http://www.salesian.com
Diocese of Monterey
Santa Catalina School (831) 655-9300 http://www.santacatalina.org
Notre Dame Salinas (831) 751-1850 http://www.notredamesalinas.org
Mission College Prep (805) 543-2131 http://www.missionprep.org
St. Francis Central (831) 724-5933 http://www.stfrancishigh.net
2. Fill out the application, and sign up for a date to take the HSPT®

3. In general, take the test at the school that is your first choice.
  • Have your scores sent to all the schools that you are applying.
4. With regard to the letter of recommendation:
  • Have your principal and one other teacher fill out the form.
  • For your extra, non-school letter, ask someone who has known you for several years (scoutmaster, coach, music teacher, youth minister, etc) to write a letter.
5. Student’s personal statement in application package:
  • Don’t exceed the maximum number of words or characters stated.
  • Say why you want to attend the school and what you can offer the school, how you can make it a better place.
  • Perhaps talk about some of your talents/ accomplishments/interests.
  • The essay question is one way schools assess writing skills – SASO can help.
6. The schools take many factors into account when making a decision about accepting a particular student:
  • 7th and 8th grade grades
  • 7th and 8th grade standardized test scores
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Scores on the HSPT®
  • Religion of the student and family
  • Middle school attended
  • Application essay/personal statement
7. You will be notified in mid-March.
  • The school will send you the HSPT® results along with a letter indicating the school’s decision.
8. The day before the exam:
  • The week before the exam start hydrating yourself with filtered water.
  • Get exercise.
  • Eat a healthy dinner the night before.
  • Get a good night’s sleep.
  • Eat a high protein breakfast the morning of the exam.
  • Relax.
  • Have fun and good luck!