Choosing a School
Best Catholic schools near you: how to choose
If you are searching for the best Catholic schools near me, the answer is local before it is national: a strong school list starts with your diocese and your metro, not with a national ranking. “Best” is a shortlist, not a verdict — here is how to turn rankings into a real comparison of academics, HSPT scores, scholarships, cost, commute, and fit, and where to start in your state.
The short answer
- Start with the list: every Catholic high school in your diocese and your metro, not just the famous names.
- Compare on facts: HSPT requirements and score ranges, merit scholarships, cost and aid, college placement, distance.
- Then judge fit: one visit to a campus tells you more than one ranking.
- Test prep changes the math: a strong HSPT score is often what turns “accepted” into “accepted with merit aid.”
What “best” actually means
Rankings from Niche, GreatSchools, and similar sites are built from a blend of test scores, college outcomes, and community reviews. They are useful for finding which schools are serious — but they rank schools against each other, not against your child. A school ranked #1 in the state can be a poor fit for a quiet, arts-oriented student; a school ranked #40 can be the exact right place. Use rankings to build the shortlist, then evaluate each school on the factors below.
The comparison framework
1. Academics and college placement
Look beyond the sticker reputation: college matriculation lists, AP/IB offerings, graduation rates, and class sizes. Ask whatrecent graduating classes actually did — school websites publish this, and open houses are the place to ask directly.
2. The HSPT: requirements, scores, and dates
Most Catholic high schools admit through the High School Placement Test, but policies differ — which test, one sitting or more, whether they accept another school’s scores, and how much the score weighs against grades and the application. Check each school’s exam date and requirements on its school page, and see what the HSPT covers.
3. Scholarships and tuition assistance
At many schools the HSPT score sets merit scholarship offers — which means test prep is also a financial decision, not just an admissions one. Compare each school’s merit bands, need-based aid, and deadlines. Our scores & scholarships guide breaks down how the numbers work.
4. Distance, community, and culture
The commute is a four-year commitment. And the culture — sports, service, arts, faith life, how students actually talk about the place — is the part no ranking measures. Attend open houses; bring your child; watch how students interact. And ask current parents the questions the tour won’t answer while you’re there.
Why test prep belongs in the comparison
Because the HSPT score is used for admissions and merit scholarships, a few weeks of focused practice can change the outcome of the whole comparison. A student who walks into the exam having seen every question type (analogies, number series, logic items) scores measurably better than an equally able student seeing them for the first time. The 8-week study plan is the realistic way to do it, and a free baseline test is the right first step.
How to find the best Catholic high schools near you
When families search for the best Catholic high schools near me, they usually mean something specific: which schools are close enough to be a real option, and which of those are actually worth visiting. National rankings are a starting point, but the strongest shortlist is built from your metro — the schools your child could genuinely attend.
Start with your diocese
Your diocese is the natural boundary for the school search: it is where your local Catholic high schools, feeder parishes, and shared entrance-test dates live. Many dioceses run a single HSPT sitting that all member schools accept, which keeps the test calendar simple when you stay inside it. Browse schools by diocese to see the full local list before you compare anything else.
Search your metro, not the country
The “best” Catholic high school in America is rarely the best school for your family — the realistic field is the one within your commute. Start with the city pages for the metros you live in or could drive to — like Catholic high schools in Oakland or Salinas — then compare HSPT requirements, scholarship cutoffs, and deadlines across that shortlist. The metro grid below is the fastest way in, and our Catholic schools near me guide is the finder version: state and city grids that build the local list in one click.
How commute and fit change the ranking
Distance is a four-year commitment, not a line on a brochure. In the East Bay, families weigh Oakland schools like Bishop O’Dowd and Holy Names against options in Berkeley and San Jose — a 20-minute difference in the morning turns into an hour a day by spring, and it matters on HSPT test day, when a calm early arrival beats a long stressful drive to a school that ranks one spot higher. A school your child can stay involved in — sports, service, a friend group — usually beats a school that is technically “better” but an hour away. Visit during the actual commute window if you can.
Popular metro starting points
Catholic high schools in Chicago
16 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Saint Louis
13 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Bronx
12 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Cincinnati
12 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in New Orleans
11 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Philadelphia
11 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Milwaukee
9 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Louisville
8 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in New York
8 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in San Antonio
8 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Baltimore
7 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Brooklyn
7 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Houston
7 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Indianapolis
7 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Kansas City
7 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Los Angeles
7 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Miami
7 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Omaha
7 schools in our directory
Every metro list above links to real schools in our directory — use it to build the shortlist, then open the school pages for HSPT dates, deadlines, and requirements.
Start with your state
The school list is local before it is national. Use the directory below to build your shortlist, then open the school pages for dates, deadlines, and requirements.
Catholic high schools in Alabama
7 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Alaska
4 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Arizona
16 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Arkansas
5 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in California
103 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Colorado
8 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Connecticut
19 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Delaware
4 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in District of Columbia
5 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Florida
47 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Georgia
14 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Hawaii
7 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Idaho
4 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Illinois
58 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Indiana
25 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Iowa
25 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Kansas
14 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Kentucky
26 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Louisiana
42 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Maine
1 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Maryland
28 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Massachusetts
32 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Michigan
44 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Minnesota
25 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Mississippi
9 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Missouri
37 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Montana
9 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Nebraska
31 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Nevada
3 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in New Hampshire
8 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in New Jersey
41 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in New Mexico
1 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in New York
83 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in North Carolina
8 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in North Dakota
7 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Ohio
64 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Oklahoma
6 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Oregon
14 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Pennsylvania
68 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Rhode Island
9 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in South Carolina
7 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in South Dakota
6 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Tennessee
8 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Texas
53 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Utah
3 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Vermont
3 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Virginia
14 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Washington
17 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in West Virginia
3 schools in our directory
Catholic high schools in Wisconsin
39 schools in our directory
See every state or browse by diocese.
In Colorado, families can start with Catholic high schools in Denver to compare Arrupe Jesuit, Bishop Machebeuf, and Mullen before expanding the list to the rest of the state.
In North Carolina, families can start with North Carolina Catholic schools to compare Charlotte Catholic in Charlotte and Cardinal Gibbons in Raleigh before expanding the list to the rest of the state.
In Iowa, families can start with the statewide list of Catholic high schools in Iowa to compare Dowling Catholic in West Des Moines, Bishop Heelan in Sioux City, and Regina in Iowa City before expanding to the rest of the state.
In Florida, families can start with the statewide list of best Catholic high schools in Florida to compare Belen Jesuit and Christopher Columbus in Miami, St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Bishop Moore in Orlando, and Jesuit in Tampa before expanding to the rest of the state — or go straight to the Miami, Orlando, or Tampa city lists.
In Texas, families can start with Texas Catholic schools, or jump straight to Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, or Austin.
In Illinois, families can start with the statewide list of best Catholic high schools in Illinois to compare St. Ignatius and DePaul Prep in Chicago, Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Fenwick in Oak Park, and Marian Catholic in Chicago Heights before expanding to the rest of the state — or go straight to the Chicago, Aurora, or Joliet city lists.
In Los Angeles, families typically start with the city’s oldest high school, Loyola High School HSPT and admissions info, an all-boys Jesuit school near downtown that tests in January, then compare Cathedral, Marymount, and the other schools in the Los Angeles Catholic school directory.
In the Kansas City metro and Kansas, families can start with our best Catholic high schools in Kansas City & Kansas comparison — a ranked list covering both sides of the state line (Bishop Miege, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. James Academy, Rockhurst, St. Teresa’s, Notre Dame de Sion, St. Pius X, and Cristo Rey) plus the statewide Kansas options, with HSPT and admissions context.
Frequently asked questions
What is the “best” Catholic high school, really?
There is no single best school — there is a best school for your child. Rankings capture academics and reputation; they cannot capture fit, commute, cost, or how a school treats a particular student. Treat rankings as a shortlist, not a verdict.
Do rankings matter for HSPT scores or scholarships?
Mostly the other way around: a strong HSPT score is what unlocks merit scholarships at many schools, and schools that compete hard for families often use scholarships to attract strong testers. Compare the score range each school admits and what its scholarship cutoffs look like.
Is a higher-ranked school worth a longer commute?
It depends on what the rank buys. If the school offers stronger academics and your child will actually thrive there, a commute can be worth it. But a closer school where your child can stay involved in sports, service, and a friend group is usually the better four-year bet.
Where does the HSPT fit into comparing schools?
Most Catholic high schools use the HSPT for admissions, placement, and scholarship decisions — but not all do, and policies differ (one sitting, score acceptance, retake rules). Check each school’s exam and dates on its page before you compare anything else.
How do I find the best Catholic schools near me?
Start with your diocese, then expand to your metro: every Catholic high school in it, not just the famous names. Our state and city directory pages list the real schools in each market — Catholic high schools in Indianapolis, Louisville, and Salinas are good starting points — and each school page confirms dates, deadlines, and requirements.
What is the best Catholic high school near me?
There is no universal answer — the best school is the best fit within your commute. In the East Bay, families typically start with Bishop O’Dowd and Holy Names in Oakland and compare them against schools in Berkeley and San Jose — Archbishop Mitty admissions and HSPT dates is a good San Jose starting point. Use your city page to build the same list for your metro, then judge each school on HSPT requirements, scholarships, commute, and fit.
How do I find Catholic high schools near me that require the HSPT?
Most Catholic high schools in your metro use the HSPT, but not all do — and policies differ (one sitting, score acceptance, retake rules). Open each school’s page from your city directory and check its exam and dates; our HSPT school list is a verified starting point.
How does commute time factor into choosing a Catholic high school?
Treat the commute as a four-year cost, not a line on a brochure. A 20-minute difference in the morning becomes an hour a day by spring — and it matters on HSPT test day, when an early, calm arrival beats a longer, stressful one. A school your child can stay involved in usually beats a school that is technically “better” but an hour away.
Are Catholic school rankings or “best of” lists trustworthy?
Useful as a shortlist, not as a verdict. Rankings are built from different blends of test scores, college outcomes, and community reviews, and two “best schools” lists can disagree because they measure different things. Check what a list actually measures, then evaluate each school on the factors that matter to your family.
Do we have to live in the same city or diocese as the school?
Policies vary by school and diocese. Many Catholic high schools accept out-of-diocese and out-of-city families, sometimes with different priority, financial-aid, or transportation rules. Ask each admissions office directly — it is the only reliable source for its own policy.
Find out where your child stands before you compare schools.
A free baseline HSPT test shows current strengths and the score range to target — the first fact in your school comparison.
3 days free · cancel anytime
Catholic schools near me
Build the local list first: state and city directories that turn a near-me search into a shortlist you can visit.
What is the HSPT?
The exam most Catholic high schools use for admissions, placement, and scholarships.
HSPT scores & scholarships
How scores translate into percentile ranks and merit offers at Catholic high schools.
How to get HSPT scholarships
The score bands, deadlines, and application moves that unlock merit aid.
HSPT scholarships by city
The metro-by-metro read on where school-list width and tuition make scholarship research matter most.
HSPT vs ISEE vs SSAT
Which entrance exam your target schools use, and how the tests differ.