Applications for the Class of 2029 are now available. 

• Applicants are encouraged to submit applications by Friday, November 22, 2024. A $90 application fee is required with submission. Late applications received after November 22 will incur a $120 application fee. Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, December 20, 2024. All supporting documents must be received no later than Friday, January 17, 2025. 
• Applicants applying after February 1, 2025 must call the Admissions Office for guidelines on applying. The application fee after February 1, 2025 is $200. 
• Students cannot take the high school placement test (HSPT) at Serra, if an application is not submitted. The HSPT will be administered on Saturday, December 7, 2024. You will not be able to register until you have a submitted application. We encourage you to apply at least a week in advance, if you wish to test at Serra.
• After completing the form, you will have the option to register for any upcoming events that the school has made available. See steps below for more information.
• In order to apply, you must create an applicant portal account. If you haven't done so, please create an account here.
   

Applications will be available on August 26, 2024.

Parents who wish to complete the application for the Academic Resource Center (ARC) must submit the required documentation (IEP, 504-Plan, and/or psych-educational evaluation, including diagnosis and testing results, with rationale and recommendation relevant to high school) for their son to be considered for membership in the ARC.

You can apply on Serra's applicant portal. If you haven't created your portal, please create your applicant portal here. If you choose not to complete the ARC application and provide the required documentation prior to receiving an admission decision, your son will not be eligible to receive services during his 9th grade year at Serra High School. Opportunities for future membership in the ARC program for future years (10th, 11th, and 12th grades) are dependent upon available space. This year the annual supplemental program fee of $2000 for members of the ARC. This fee is subject to change.

More information on Serra's Academic Resource Center.

Serra will host creative in person and virtual events for students and parents throughout the 2024-25 school year. Please visit our site regularly for updates and additions. Below are a few of the events we will be holding.

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Padre for a Day Experience

Wondering what your high school experience will be like? Immersing yourself in Padre life by participating in a Padre for a Day (PFD) visit is an important step in determining if Serra is the right community for you. 

• Check-in begins at 8:15  a.m.; event ends approximately 12:30 PM.
• Our PFD format has changed; host requests are no longer an option.
• One parent must attend the parent welcome session from 8:30 a.m.-9:15 a.m on the day of your son's visit.
• Lunch will be provided for our Padre for a Day student guest.

Please call the Admissions Office to schedule a visit if you are a late applicant. 

Padre for a Day visits will resume in September 2025.

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Padre Previews

We invite you to attend one of our Padre Previews to meet Serra students, parents and teachers who will speak to the rigor of our academic program, our extensive extracurricular programs and  Serra brotherhood. Padre Previews show you why Serra is the right choice for your son during the transformative years of high school when character is shaped and foundational values are determined. These are exciting events for parents and middle school boys considering a Padre future! 

Check out our Visit Us page for more information and registration.

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Walk Around Wednesday

 Walk Around Wednesday is a parent-only program held Wednesdays in our Admissions Center, September through December. President Michael P. Fadelli '88 and Head of Enrollment Management Julie Behn will open the meeting with an overview that covers a number of topics of interest to prospective parents; they will also entertain questions from our guests. We also include one or two Serra Parent Ambassadors who will share their unique perspective on the Serra community and their sons’ experiences. The morning will end with a short tour of the school.

Walk Around Wednesday will resume in September 2025.

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Padre Admissions Chats (parent exclusive event)

 Join Director of Admissions, Shari Wiemer, to discuss what to expect when applying. In these intimate lunchtime gatherings, you can ask questions, learn about the application process, and discover what qualities Serra looks for in a student when determining acceptance.

Admissions Chat will resume in September 2025.

The High School Placement Test (HSPT) will be held in person this fall on a date to be determined. You must submit your application before the HSPT event will show up on your event calendar via your applicant portal. Use your top navigation to access your "event calendar".

We understand that the total cost of a Serra education is a significant investment. Serra's Financial Aid program is designed to help those families who, even with their sacrifices, are unable to afford full tuition. Financial Aid applications due on Monday, January 13, 2025.

More information on financial aid. 

Confidential teacher recommendations from the applicant's current English and math teachers are required. The forms can be found on your Serra's Applicant Portal under "my applications" once you have started your application by clicking on the "new application" button on your homepage.  The forms are due Friday, January 17, 2025.

Should your school require a release form for your son's records, print and provide the following: Transcript and Confidential Teacher Recommendation Release Form.

We appreciate and value the chance to get to know you and your son beyond his application materials. This is your son’s opportunity to share with us his unique talents, accomplishments and qualities. Families will be invited into the conversation. Upon submission of your application, you will be able to schedule a virtual interview date and time that fits your schedule on our events calendar located in Serra's Applicant Portal. Interviews will be held in person at Serra High School on Wednesday, January 22 and Saturday, January 25 and on Zoom Monday, February 3, 2025.

The (optional) Clergy Recommendation form should be completed by your pastor, minister, or spiritual advisor and returned to us via email. The Clergy form is located on Serra's Applicant Portal It should be returned by Friday, January 17, 2025. If you are applying for financial aid, the Clergy Recommendation form is due Friday, January 10, 2025

Track your progress to ensure that Serra has received all of your application materials and fees by the given deadlines. To track, follow these steps:

1. Login to your Applicant Portal
2. Find and click the My Applications tab at the top
3. Click on the Application ID number at left
4. Click on the Checklist number at left

Your details will appear.

Acceptance notifications will be available on March 14, 2025 at 4 p.m. via Serra's Applicant Portal.

 

Every year, Serra identifies a select group of incoming freshmen whose academic and co-curricular achievements truly stand out. These exceptional young Padres are acknowledged as Saint Junípero Serra Scholars.

Saint Junípero Serra Scholars receive a $5,000 scholarship, renewable each year they attend Serra and meet the criteria established for the program. Students are identified by Serra's Admissions Committee to receive this honor.

The general profile of a scholarship recipient is a young man who has:

• Grades of A- or better in each of the core subjects of English, math, history and science in seventh and eighth grades
• Outstanding recommendations from teachers for his academic achievements, moral character and conduct
• High School Placement Test (HSPT) scores in the 90th percentile or above on multiple measures
• Standardized test scores from seventh and eighth grades that are consistent with his academic profile
• Demonstrated initiative and/or leadership in extracurricular and community activities

Serra is proud to welcome a new cohort of Saint Junípero Serra Scholars each year. If you have questions about this program, please contact the Admissions Office. 

At Serra, we understand that students have many gifts that a grade point average or a number on an exam might not show us. The admissions committee is interested in learning about who the student is as a person, not just a statistic. We want to learn about his goals and interests and how he can contribute to the Serra community. Serra makes every attempt to evaluate each applicant holistically and truly focus on every aspect of the application, including grades, High School Placement Test (HSPT) scores, letters of recommendation and the personal interview.

If admission is offered to your son, you will have until Friday, March 21, 2025 to make a decision.

If the decision is to accept our admission offer, we ask that you register your son for the Class of 2029 by the Friday, March 28, 2025 deadline.

Because the San Francisco Archdiocese respects each family’s need to evaluate its son’s high school decision without distraction, we will not contact you between March 21 and March 28. However, you are welcome and encouraged to reach out to us at any time during this “quiet week” with any questions.