Diocese Guide
The HSPT in the Diocese of Oakland
Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Oakland admit through the High School Placement Test (HSPT), taken once in 8th grade. Per STS Oakland registration (as of September 20, 2026), the 2026–27 sitting is Saturday, January 9, 2027. Here are the schools in the diocese and the admissions details currently available.
Browse the full best Catholic high schools in California directory, or the broader national directory by state and city.
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.
Schools with admissions details available now
Bishop O'Dowd High School
Oakland, CA
Co-ed Catholic college prep in the Oakland hills, serving the East Bay since 1951.
HSPT: Saturday, January 9, 2027
St. Joseph Notre Dame High School
Oakland, CA
Catholic college prep in Alameda with a small-school setting and strong college-going focus.
HSPT: Saturday, January 9, 2027
St. Mary's College High School
Oakland, CA
Lasallian Catholic college prep in Berkeley, serving East Bay families from Albany Hill.
HSPT: Saturday, January 9, 2027
Moreau Catholic High School
Oakland, CA
Holy Cross-sponsored Catholic college prep in Hayward serving students across the East Bay.
HSPT: Saturday, January 9, 2027
Salesian College Preparatory
Oakland, CA
College-prep Catholic high school in Richmond with a Salesian tradition and East Bay draw.
HSPT: Saturday, January 9, 2027
Carondelet High School
Concord, CA
Catholic high school in Concord, CA with an admissions process that explicitly uses the HSPT.
HSPT: Saturday, January 9, 2027
De La Salle High School
Concord, CA
Catholic high school in Concord, CA with an admissions process that explicitly uses the HSPT.
HSPT: Saturday, January 9, 2027
Holy Names High School
Oakland, CA
Catholic high school in Oakland, CA with an admissions process that explicitly uses the HSPT.
HSPT: Saturday, January 9, 2027
Dates change every admissions cycle — verify specifics with each school’s admissions office.
Applying in the Diocese of Oakland? Start your 3 days free.
Try unlimited HSPT Prep for 3 days so school comparisons and application timing are grounded in real practice.
How HSPT registration usually works
Per STS Oakland registration (as of September 20, 2026), East Bay families register for the Diocese of Oakland HSPT on that STS page. The 2026–27 sitting is Saturday, January 9, 2027; 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 the HSPT test dates page and how to register for the HSPT, and start with a free 25-question practice test to find your student’s baseline.
Useful parent guides in the Diocese of Oakland
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.
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 the Oakland/STS extended-time steps.
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 Diocese of Oakland? Start your 3 days free.
Try unlimited HSPT Prep for 3 days so school comparisons and application timing are grounded in real practice.