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 we track and what they’ve published.
Schools we track in this diocese
St. Ignatius College Preparatory
San Francisco, CA
Jesuit college prep in San Francisco’s Sunset District, serving the city since 1855.
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory
San Francisco, CA
Co-ed Catholic prep in downtown San Francisco, in the Lasallian and Vincentian traditions.
Archbishop Riordan High School
San Francisco, CA
Co-ed Marianist Catholic high school in San Francisco.
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.
Applying in the Archdiocese of San Francisco? Start with a free practice baseline.
Free daily HSPT practice from 1,500 real-format questions, with a weekly progress report for parents.