The first step to becoming a Padre is submitting a completed application through Ravenna. 

Please create an account in Ravenna and choose the San Francisco Bay Area region. Search for Junípero Serra High School and select. Once your account is created, you can begin the application process. 

• Applicants are encouraged to submit applications by Wednesday, December 2. A $75 application fee is required with submission. Late applications received after December 2 will incur a $95 application fee. Applications must be submitted no later than Monday, January 4, 2021. All supporting documents must be received no later than January 25, 2021. 
• Students cannot take the online high school placement test (HSPT) through Serra if an application is not submitted. The Serra online HSPT will be administered on Saturday, December 12, 2020.
• 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.

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.

• The ARC Supplementary Application can be found in Ravenna and is due Monday, November 2, 2020 by 9:00 PM. Applicants must apply to both Serra High School and the ARC to be considered for admission to the ARC.
• The HSPT is no longer required - see step 4.

For more information on Serra's Academic Resource Center, please click here.

Due to the current COVID restrictions, we will be hosting creative, virtual events for students and parents throughout 2020 - 2021. We hope you will consider joining us and learning more about the Serra Experience.

Padre for a Day Virtual Experience

• Join us and interact / speak with current Serra Padres about on campus and distance life, tour the campus virtually, drop in on live classes (hybrid schedule) or view engaging lessons (distance schedule) that provide insight into the connection between Serra students and teachers, learn about elements of Padre life like clubs, social events, visual and performing arts, Campus Ministry, Academic Resource Center and athletics, and participate in question and answer sessions about your future Padre experience. Reserved for eighth-grade students only. Visit Ravenna to sign up.

Serra Teacher Meetups

• Extend your Padre for a Day virtual experience by attending one of our virtual Serra Teacher Meetups. Small groups of prospective students will have the opportunity to interact virtually with Serra teachers from different academic departments. These informal, intimate gatherings will allow you to speak with current Serra teachers, participate in department specific activities like a Serra student, ask questions and connect with the Padre community. Reserved for eighth-grade students only. Visit Ravenna to sign up.

Wednesday Webinars

• All of your questions about Serra High School can be answered in our Wednesday Webinar series for parents. Each of our moderated webinars lasts 30 minutes and includes one or two guest speakers appropriately equipped to speak directly to the topic for the evening. Parents can pick and choose which of the Wednesday Webinars they prefer to attend or attend them all. Wednesday Webinars are for parents only. Visit Ravenna to sign up.

Community Connections (parent exclusive event)

• We invite parents into this more intimate setting of exploration. President Barry Thornton, Ed.D. or Principal Charlie McGrath, M.Ed. will discuss in this one hour virtual visit the value of a Serra education and address your questions. Current parents will join the conversation to share their stories and answer your questions. Visit Ravenna to sign up.

Padre Admissions Chats (parent exclusive event)

• Join Director of Admissions, Julie Behn, to discuss what to expect when applying. In these intimate lunchtime gatherings, you can ask questions, learn about the application and admission process, and discover what qualities Serra looks for in a student when determining acceptance. Visit Ravenna to sign up.

Serra has made the decision not to require the HSPT this year. We recognize that being in distance learning since March has created many learning challenges for students throughout the Bay Area, and we feel the administration of this exam will place an additional burden on all our prospective students.

In lieu of the HSPT, we are asking every applicant to upload an 8th-grade writing sample, a sample that was submitted for a graded assignment. We encourage students to select a writing sample they feel reflects their best work. Writing samples can be uploaded through Ravenna and are due no later than Monday, January 25, 2021.

In lieu of the HSPT, all Serra applicants must now submit an 8th-grade writing sample, a sample you submitted for a graded class assignment. Choose a sample you think reflects your best writing. Writing samples can be uploaded through Ravenna and are due no later than Monday, January 25, 2021.

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. If you are interested in applying for financial aid, please click here for more information.

Confidential teacher recommendations from the applicant's current English and math teachers are required. These forms are due January 25, 2021 by 5:00 PM.

Recommendations are submitted through the Ravenna application system. Follow the link in the system and provide your son's English and math teachers' email addresses by adding them as delegates. 

Teachers will receive an email with a link to a secure Confidential Teacher Recommendation form. Once the teacher has completed the form, it will automatically be sent to Serra and identified as a completed step on your checklist.

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 completed application, you will be able to schedule a virtual interview date and time.

The (optional) Clergy Recommendation form should be completed by your pastor, minister, or spiritual advisor and returned to us. 

Recommendations are completed through the Ravenna application system.  Input the recipient's name and email address by adding him or her as a delegate. The recipient will receive an email with a link to a secure Clergy Recommendation form. Once the form is completed, it will automatically be sent to Serra and identified as a completed step on your checklist.

Track your progress using your Ravenna account to ensure that Serra has received all of your application materials and fees by the given deadlines.

Acceptance notifications available on Ravenna on March 19, 2021.

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 St. Junípero Serra Scholars.

St. Junípero Serra Scholars receive a $6,000 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 scores in the 90th percentile or above on multiple measures. (Serra has made the decision not to require the high school placement test (HSPT) this year. In lieu of the HSPT, all Serra applicants must now submit an 8th-grade writing sample, a sample that was submitted for a graded class assignment. See Steps 4 and 4A above.)
• 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 St. 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, writing sample (see Step 4 above), letters of recommendation and the personal interview.

If admission is offered to your son, you will have until March 26, 2021 to make a decision.

If the decision is to accept our admission offer, we ask that you register your son for the Class of 2025 by the March 26 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 19 and March 26. However, you are welcome and encouraged to reach out to us at any time during this “quiet week” with any questions.