Diocese Guide
The HSPT in the Archdiocese of San Francisco
Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of San Francisco admit through the High School Placement Test (HSPT), taken once in 8th grade. Each school publishes its own test dates and registration process — here are the schools in the diocese and the admissions details currently available.
Schools with admissions details available now
St. Ignatius College Preparatory
San Francisco, CA
Jesuit college prep in San Francisco’s Sunset District, serving the city since 1855.
HSPT: December 5, 2026 (9:00am-12:30pm)
Archbishop Riordan High School
San Francisco, CA
Co-ed Marianist Catholic high school in San Francisco.
HSPT: boarding & international students apply HERE Important Dates Crusader For A Day - September 15th, 16th, 23rd, 30th October 2nd, 6th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 20th Application Deadline - December 1, 2025 HSPT at Riordan - December 6, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Junipero Serra High School
San Mateo, CA
All-boys Catholic high school in San Mateo on the Peninsula.
Dates change every admissions cycle — verify specifics with each school’s admissions office.
How HSPT registration usually works
Registration runs through the high schools themselves, not the diocese: families typically register for the exam at their first-choice school, and many schools share scores with the other schools a student applies to (confirm each school’s policy). The exam is taken once, usually between late November and January — see the full application timeline, and start with a free 25-question practice testto find your student’s baseline.
Useful parent guides in the Archdiocese of San Francisco
HSPT timing: when to start prep
How far ahead to start, based on your test date, school list, and how much prep your child can realistically sustain.
4-week HSPT study plan
A realistic one-month plan for families starting late but still trying to move the score before test day.
HSPT study schedule for busy 8th graders
How to fit HSPT prep around homework, sports, and the real-life schedule most families are actually managing.
What is a good HSPT score?
A cleaner admissions-focused read on what different percentile bands actually mean to a family.
How Catholic high schools use HSPT scores
Admissions, placement, scholarships, and why the same percentile can carry different weight at different schools.
HSPT accommodations for IEP and 504 students
What families should ask for, when to ask, and how documentation usually fits into the process.
How to help a child with HSPT test anxiety
How parents can lower stress without turning prep into a second source of pressure.
Applying in the Archdiocese of San Francisco? Start with a free practice baseline.
Take the free diagnostic first so school comparisons and application timing are grounded in a real section-by-section baseline.