Metro Guide
Catholic high schools in Chicago that use the HSPT
The Archdiocese of Chicago runs one of the largest Catholic school systems in the country, and its high schools — from selective college preps to neighborhood schools — nearly all admit through the HSPT, typically offered in early December of 8th grade.
Schools with admissions details available now
St. Ignatius College Prep
Chicago · Archdiocese of Chicago
A Jesuit college prep in Chicago’s Near West Side, consistently among the most selective Catholic high schools in Illinois.
Loyola Academy
Chicago · Archdiocese of Chicago
The largest Jesuit high school in the country, in Wilmette on Chicago’s North Shore.
Holy Trinity High School
Chicago · Archdiocese of Chicago
Catholic college prep in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood, serving students across the city.
Resurrection College Prep High School
Chicago · Archdiocese of Chicago
All-girls Catholic college prep on Chicago’s Northwest Side.
Aurora Central Catholic High School
Chicago · Diocese of Rockford
Co-ed diocesan Catholic college prep on a 43-acre campus in west Aurora, founded by the Diocese of Rockford in 1968.
HSPT: December 5 or December 12, 2026 (alternate: Saturday, January 9, 2027 at 8:00 a.m.)
Marian Catholic High School
Chicago · Archdiocese of Chicago
Co-ed Dominican Catholic high school in Chicago Heights, in the Chicago southland.
DePaul College Prep
Chicago · Archdiocese of Chicago
Catholic high school in Chicago, IL with an admissions process that explicitly uses the HSPT.
Fenwick High School
Chicago · Archdiocese of Chicago
Catholic high school in Chicago, IL with an admissions process that explicitly uses the HSPT.
Josephinum Academy Of The Sacred Heart
Chicago ·
Catholic high school in Chicago, IL with an admissions process that explicitly uses the HSPT.
Mother Mcauley Liberal Arts High School
Chicago ·
Catholic high school in Chicago, IL with an admissions process that explicitly uses the HSPT.
Mount Carmel High School
Chicago · Archdiocese of Chicago
Catholic high school in Chicago, IL with an admissions process that explicitly uses the HSPT.
St Rita Of Cascia High School
Chicago · Archdiocese of Chicago
Catholic high school in Chicago, IL with an admissions process that explicitly uses the HSPT.
Trinity High School
Chicago ·
Catholic high school in Chicago, IL 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.
Other schools to include in your comparison
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Applying in Chicago: 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 Chicago schools tie merit awards to HSPT percentile — how the scholarship math works.
If cost is a primary filter, read chicago catholic high school scholarships before narrowing the list. It reframes this metro around scholarship comparison instead of generic score advice.
For a statewide comparison, see the best Catholic high schools in Illinois.
For the complete directory of Catholic high schools in Chicago — every school in the NCES snapshot, not just the HSPT-tracked ones — see the Chicago city directory.
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 Chicago
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 Chicago
Which Catholic high schools in Chicago use the HSPT?
We currently track 14 schools in this area, including St. Ignatius College Prep, Loyola Academy, and Holy Trinity High School. Open each school page for the admissions details we have and verify the current cycle directly with the school.
When do Chicago 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 Chicago 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 Chicago?
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 Chicago 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 Chicago? Start 3 days free.
Try unlimited HSPT Prep for 3 days before comparing schools, deadlines, and scholarship ranges.
3 days free · cancel anytime