HSPT admissions guide
Bishop O'Dowd High SchoolHSPT, admissions and deadlines
Oakland · Diocese of Oakland
For families applying
What to know before you make a study plan.
Bishop O'Dowd High School (Oakland, CA) is a co-ed Catholic college-preparatory high school in the Oakland Hills of the East Bay, founded in 1951 and administered by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland. It serves about 1,280 students in grades 9–12 with a 14:1 student-teacher ratio, 37 AP and honors courses, and 16 sports (50+ teams, 17+ state championships).
O'Dowd admits incoming 9th graders through the High School Placement Test (HSPT). Per STS Oakland registration (as of September 20, 2026), O'Dowd is a Saturday, January 9, 2027 sitting location; registration opened September 1, 2026 and is now open through January 6, 2027; results email March 12, 2027 after 4pm PT. O'Dowd's application deadline is January 5, 2027. Tuition for 2026-27 is $28,380. This page covers O'Dowd's HSPT dates, application steps, tuition and financial aid, and how competitive admission is — plus what parents should know before applying.
Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, CA uses the High School Placement Test (HSPT) as its entrance exam, currently listed for Saturday, January 9, 2027.
Before you lock a Bishop O'Dowd High School study plan, take the free 25-question HSPT practice test to see which of the five sections needs work first.
Per STS Oakland registration, apply to Bishop O'Dowd High School, then register on the STS Oakland registration page. Many local high schools do not accept walk-ins on the day of the test. See the HSPT test dates page and how to register for the HSPT.
Admissions checklist
Dates for Bishop O'Dowd's current admissions cycle. Each line cites the page checked on September 24, 2026.
- Application deadline: January 5, 2027
Final deadline for Parts 1 and 2. Part 1 is the application form. The reduced application fee runs until December 10, 2026.
Per an O'Dowd admissions reminder, that January 5 application also includes: Parent and Student Questionnaire; Learning Difference Documentation (if applicable); Admissions Supplement.
O'Dowd application process, checked September 24, 2026. O'Dowd's application process page confirms Parts 1 and 2 are due January 5, 2027. The Finalsite inquiry form (https://bishopodowd.fsenrollment.com/portal/new_inquiry) describes the parent and student questionnaire. The school site does not name the Admissions Supplement or Learning Difference Documentation as deadline items — confirm the current packet in the applicant portal.
- Financial aid applications: January 14, 2027
Tuition-assistance applications open November 1, 2026.
O'Dowd tuition and financial aid, checked September 24, 2026. Checked October 17, 2026: O'Dowd's tuition page and application process page both say tuition-assistance applications open November 1, 2026, with a January 14, 2027 deadline. (An earlier version of the tuition page said November 15.)
- Recommendation letters and transcripts: February 4, 2027
The current school submits the requested recommendation forms and transcripts.
O'Dowd application process, checked September 24, 2026. The application process page writes “February 4” without a year, in the same step as the January 5, 2027 deadline and the 2027–28 transfer note. An O'Dowd admissions reminder states February 4, 2027.
- HSPT exam: Saturday, January 9, 2027
Required for all incoming 9th-grade applicants. Transfer students do not take this exam.
Register on STS Oakland. O'Dowd's HSPT page links registration there. You need an O'Dowd application on file to test at O'Dowd.
O'Dowd HSPT page, checked September 24, 2026
- Admissions decisions: March 12, 2027
Decisions are emailed after 4:00pm. Enrollment opens March 13, 2027, after 3:00pm. Sibling families may enroll after 4:00pm on March 12.
O'Dowd application process, checked September 24, 2026
Bishop O'Dowd Office of Admission: admissions@bishopodowd.org (O'Dowd HSPT page. The HSPT page lists admissions@bishopodowd.org for questions. The office name is how O'Dowd signs its admissions reminder.)
Before the HSPT, take the free HSPT practice test and compare the Oakland sitting on HSPT test dates.
Applying to Bishop O'Dowd High School? Start your 3 days free before Saturday, January 9, 2027.
Try unlimited HSPT Prep for 3 days to see what is already solid and what to practice first for Bishop O'Dowd High School's entrance exam.
How to prepare for the Bishop O’Dowd HSPT
Per STS Oakland registration (as of September 20, 2026), O’Dowd’s current-cycle HSPT sitting is Saturday, January 9, 2027. Start with the free HSPT practice test to see which of the five sections needs work, then use the HSPT test dates page and how to register for the HSPT if you are also applying elsewhere in the Bay Area — those pages cite the live STS Oakland registration URL for the Diocese of Oakland sitting. Many local high schools do not accept walk-ins on the day of the test.
East Bay families comparing O’Dowd with South Bay options often start with Archbishop Mitty in San Jose. For percentile and merit-aid questions, see HSPT scores and scholarships.
Location and campus
Bishop O'Dowd High School
9500 Stearns Ave
Oakland, CA 94605
O'Dowd sits on a 20-acre campus in the Oakland Hills. The front office is open 8am–4pm; admissions can be reached at (510) 577-9100.
See the San Francisco Bay Area Catholic high schools and HSPT dates.
Comparing cost and merit aid? See the Bishop O'Dowd High School scholarships, tuition, financial-aid deadline, and HSPT scholarship details.
Worth knowing
Per STS Oakland registration (as of September 20, 2026), East Bay Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Oakland administer the HSPT on Saturday, January 9, 2027 at Bishop O'Dowd, Carondelet, De La Salle, Holy Names, Moreau Catholic, SJND, St. Mary's College HS, and Salesian. Registration opened September 1, 2026 and is now open through January 6, 2027. Results email March 12, 2027 after 4pm PT. Many local high schools do not accept walk-ins on the day of the test. See the HSPT test dates page and how to register for the HSPT.
Key dates and details
| Entrance exam (HSPT) | Saturday, January 9, 2027 (per STS Oakland registration, as of 2026-09-20) · STS Oakland registration |
| Exam requirement | Per STS Oakland registration (as of September 20, 2026): East Bay Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Oakland administer the HSPT on Saturday, January 9, 2027. Registration opened September 1, 2026 and is now open through January 6, 2027. Results email March 12, 2027 after 4pm PT. Many local high schools do not accept walk-ins on the day of the test. (per STS Oakland registration, as of 2026-09-20) · STS Oakland registration |
| Application deadline | January 5, 2027 |
| Open house | November 8, 2026 (11:30am–2pm) |
HSPT sitting and registration window: per STS Oakland registration (as of September 20, 2026). Other dates as listed on the school’s website when we last checked (2026-09-20). Dates change every admissions cycle — confirm with Bishop O'Dowd High School’s admissions office before planning around them. See how HSPT Prep reviews school information.
Verified current-cycle sittings are on the HSPT test dates page. We do not invent days — confirm Bishop O'Dowd High School’s date with the admissions office before you register.
Tuition and financial aid
| Tuition (2026-27) | $28,380 |
| Registration deposit | $1,100 non-refundable enrollment deposit |
| Total with fees | $29,480 |
Families are also asked to make a $2,400-per-year tax-deductible Parent Pledge. About 30% of students receive financial aid; tuition-assistance applications open November 1, 2026 and close January 14, 2027.
Tuition figures come from Bishop O'Dowd's Tuition & Financial Aid page when we last checked (2026-08-23). Confirm the current year’s costs with Bishop O'Dowd High School’s admissions office.
School profile
| Students | 1,280 students (school site) |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Athletics | 16 sports, 50+ teams, 700+ student-athletes, 17+ state championships |
College outcomes
- 93% of students go on to attend a four-year college; 98% graduation rate (Niche)
- Average SAT 1300 and average ACT 30, self-reported by 283 / 113 reviewers (Niche)
- Niche college-preparation grade: A+
O'Dowd does not publish a public text matriculation list (college destinations live in their Naviance portal). Niche's popular-college counts are interest votes, not attendance — we do not present them as matriculation data.
Bishop O'Dowd About page (At a Glance)
What to know about Bishop O'Dowd High School
- Founded: 1951
- Heritage: Co-ed Catholic college prep, administered by the Diocese of Oakland
- Mascot: Dragons
Acceptance rate: Bishop O'Dowd High School does not publish an official acceptance rate; third-party estimates put it around 35–40%. O'Dowd draws roughly 800–900 applications a year for a freshman class of 300–325 (Wikipedia) and gives priority to applicants from Diocese of Oakland elementary schools. The HSPT is required of all incoming 9th graders — so test prep matters for the application.
What parents say: Niche. We don’t publish parent reviews ourselves — those platforms do.
Accommodations and testing setup at Bishop O'Dowd High School
If your child has an IEP, 504 plan, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, or another documented need, ask Bishop O'Dowd High School’s admissions office how HSPT accommodations are approved before registration closes. Start with the HSPT accommodations guide, then confirm whether the school handles extended time, separate room or small group testing, ADHD accommodations, dyslexia accommodations, and documentation through the school or the diocese.
How to prepare for the Bishop O'Dowd High School entrance exam
Bishop O'Dowd High School uses the HSPT — a five-section, ~300-question exam covering verbal skills, quantitative skills, reading, math, and language (see What is the HSPT?). Start with a free HSPT diagnostic, then focus on three things:
- Start 8–12 weeks before the exam date. Short daily practice builds the speed the HSPT’s pacing demands.
- Practice the unfamiliar question types first. Analogies, number series, and logic items aren’t taught in most middle schools — they’re the fastest points to gain.
- Treat the first sitting as the only sitting. Most schools accept one attempt, and at many schools the score also drives merit scholarships.
Parent guides for families applying to Bishop O'Dowd High School
How to register for the HSPT
Apply to the high school, register for the sitting, then practice. East Bay families use STS Oakland registration. No invented dates.
Catholic high school application essay
Prompts vary by school. Ask each office for this cycle’s questions, then use a process for common prompt types — not canned samples.
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.
HSPT scores and scholarships: what is a good HSPT score?
The average HSPT score is the 50th percentile. What it means for admissions, what counts as a good score, and how schools use scores for merit aid.
How Catholic high schools use HSPT scores
Admissions, placement, scholarships, and why the same percentile can carry different weight at different schools.
Can you retake the HSPT?
Why most schools treat the HSPT as a one-sitting test, and what to do instead of planning on a second try.
HSPT accommodations for IEP and 504 students
What families should ask for, when to ask, and the Oakland/STS extended-time steps.
Common questions
What entrance exam does Bishop O'Dowd High School require?
Bishop O'Dowd High School admits through the High School Placement Test (HSPT), a five-section exam covering verbal skills, quantitative skills, reading, mathematics, and language, taken in the fall or winter of 8th grade.
When is the Bishop O'Dowd High School entrance exam?
Per STS Oakland registration (as of 2026-09-20), Bishop O'Dowd High School is listed for Saturday, January 9, 2027. Confirm arrival details with the high school test center before planning around the sitting.
How should my child prepare for the Bishop O'Dowd High School entrance exam?
Start 8–12 weeks before the exam date with short daily practice, and focus first on question types middle schools don't teach — analogies, number series, and logic problems. Most schools accept one sitting, so the first attempt counts.
How do I register for the HSPT at Bishop O'Dowd High School?
Per STS Oakland registration (as of September 20, 2026), families register for the Bishop O'Dowd High School sitting at https://stsusers.com/stsusers/registration/static/oakland.php. Registration opened September 1, 2026 and is now open through January 6, 2027. Many local high schools do not accept walk-ins on the day of the test. See hsptprep.app/guide/how-to-register-for-the-hspt and hsptprep.app/hspt-test-dates. Confirm arrival details with the high school test center.
How long is the Bishop O'Dowd High School HSPT?
The standard HSPT has about 298 questions across five sections and usually takes about two and a half hours, not including check-in or breaks. Ask Bishop O'Dowd High School for its test-day arrival and dismissal window because local administration details can differ.
Can students use a calculator on the HSPT at Bishop O'Dowd High School?
The standard HSPT mathematics and quantitative sections are designed to be completed without a calculator. Families should still read Bishop O'Dowd High School's current test-day instructions so the student brings only permitted materials.
Does Bishop O'Dowd High School offer HSPT accommodations?
Students with an IEP, 504 plan, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, or another documented need should contact Bishop O'Dowd High School before registration closes. Ask what documentation is required and whether extended time, small-group, separate-room, or other arrangements are available.
When is the Bishop O'Dowd High School application deadline?
The school's website listed January 5, 2027 when we last checked (2026-08-23). Deadlines can shift each admissions cycle, so confirm the current application cutoff with the admissions office.
What is Bishop O'Dowd High School's acceptance rate?
Bishop O'Dowd does not publish an official acceptance rate. Based on the commonly cited figure of roughly 800–900 applications a year for a freshman class of 300–325, the implied acceptance rate is about 35–40% (Wikipedia). O'Dowd gives priority to applicants from Diocese of Oakland elementary schools, and the HSPT is required of all incoming 9th graders — so test prep matters for the application.
How much does Bishop O'Dowd High School cost?
For 2026-27, tuition at Bishop O'Dowd High School is $28,380, plus a $1,100 non-refundable enrollment deposit ($29,480 total). Families are also asked to make a $2,400-per-year tax-deductible Parent Pledge. About 30% of students receive financial aid; tuition-assistance applications open November 1, 2026 and close January 14, 2027.
Where is Bishop O'Dowd High School located?
Bishop O'Dowd High School is at 9500 Stearns Ave, Oakland, CA 94605 — a 20-acre campus in the Oakland Hills (East Bay). Front office hours are 8am–4pm; phone (510) 577-9100.
Does Bishop O'Dowd High School have a separate tuition-aid step?
Bishop O'Dowd High School lists tuition aid or financial assistance as a separate admissions step. Families using aid should ask the school for the exact forms and timing instead of waiting until after the exam.
Compare other Catholic high schools near Oakland
Entrance-exam dates, score-sharing rules, application steps, and scholarship policies can differ even between nearby schools.
Applying to other schools too? See the full Catholic high school application guide, other Oakland schools, or the best Catholic high schools in California.
Get ready for Bishop O'Dowd High School's entrance exam — start your 3 days free.
Try unlimited practice for 3 days to see whether the highest-risk sections are already solid or need work before this school's exam date.