Metro Guide
Catholic high schools in San Francisco Bay Area that use the HSPT
Bay Area Catholic high schools span three dioceses — San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland — and several of the region’s strongest schools are among the most selective Catholic high schools in the country. Most admit through the HSPT, but exam dates, application deadlines, and score-sharing rules vary by school. Families applying to multiple Bay Area schools should start by checking which schools share one HSPT sitting and which require separate registration steps.
Schools with admissions details available now
St. Ignatius College Preparatory
San Francisco · Archdiocese of San Francisco
Jesuit college prep in San Francisco’s Sunset District, serving the city since 1855.
HSPT: December 5, 2026 (9:00am-12:30pm)
Archbishop Mitty High School
San Jose · Diocese of San Jose
Co-ed Catholic high school in San Jose known for academics, arts, and athletics.
HSPT: January 9 or January 23, 2027 (9:00am)
Archbishop Riordan High School
San Francisco · Archdiocese of San Francisco
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 · Archdiocese of San Francisco
All-boys Catholic high school in San Mateo on the Peninsula.
Bishop O'Dowd High School
Oakland · Diocese of Oakland
Co-ed Catholic college prep in the Oakland hills, serving the East Bay since 1951.
HSPT: January 9, 2027
St. Joseph Notre Dame High School
Oakland · Diocese of Oakland
Catholic college prep in Alameda with a small-school setting and strong college-going focus.
St. Mary's College High School
Oakland · Diocese of Oakland
Lasallian Catholic college prep in Berkeley, serving East Bay families from Albany Hill.
Moreau Catholic High School
Oakland · Diocese of Oakland
Holy Cross-sponsored Catholic college prep in Hayward serving students across the East Bay.
HSPT: High School Placement Test (HSPT) – Moreau Catholic will be administering the HSPT in person, on campus on Saturday, January 10th, 2026 .
Salesian College Preparatory
Oakland · Diocese of Oakland
College-prep Catholic high school in Richmond with a Salesian tradition and East Bay draw.
Holy Names High School
Oakland ·
Catholic high school in Oakland, CA with an admissions process that explicitly uses the HSPT.
Dates change every cycle — each school page lists when we last checked, and you should confirm specifics with the school’s admissions office.
Applying in San Francisco Bay Area: what to know
- One test, several schools.Most families apply to 2–4 schools. Ask each school whether they accept HSPT scores from another school’s sitting — policies differ by diocese.
- The calendar is compressed. Open houses run September–November, applications are typically due in November, and exams follow in late fall — see the full application timeline.
- Scholarships ride on the exam. Many San Francisco Bay Area schools tie merit awards to HSPT percentile — how the scholarship math works.
If cost is a primary filter, read bay area catholic high school scholarships before narrowing the list. It reframes this metro around scholarship comparison instead of generic score advice.
New to the test? Start with What is the HSPT? and the 8-week study plan, or try the free practice test.
Useful parent guides for families applying in San Francisco Bay Area
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.
Common questions about the HSPT in San Francisco Bay Area
Which Catholic high schools in San Francisco Bay Area use the HSPT?
We currently track 10 schools in this area, including St. Ignatius College Preparatory, Archbishop Mitty High School, and Archbishop Riordan High School. Open each school page for the admissions details we have and verify the current cycle directly with the school.
When do San Francisco Bay Area Catholic high schools give the HSPT?
Most Catholic high schools test between November and January, but the exact calendar varies by school and diocese. Compare the school pages first, then confirm each date before registering.
Can one HSPT score be sent to several San Francisco Bay Area schools?
Sometimes, but score-sharing policies are local. Ask where the student should test, which recipient codes or forms are needed, and whether any school requires a separate sitting.
Do HSPT scores affect scholarships in San Francisco Bay Area?
Many Catholic high schools use HSPT percentiles when considering merit awards, but score bands, award amounts, and renewal rules differ. Ask every admissions office the same scholarship questions.
How early should students start preparing for a San Francisco Bay Area HSPT date?
Six to eight weeks of short, consistent practice is a practical default. Start with a five-section baseline and plan around the earliest exam date on the school list.
Applying to Catholic high school in San Francisco Bay Area? Start with a free practice baseline.
Use the free diagnostic to see where your student stands before comparing schools, deadlines, and scholarship ranges.