Apply to Serra High School

• Create your Serra admissions account to access our applicant portal. Once registered, you’ll unlock our Events Calendar, receive important admissions updates and begin your application.
• Submit applications by Friday, November 21, 2025. A $90 application fee is required with submission. Application fees increase to $120 after the November 21 deadline. Applications must be submitted no later than Thursday, December 19, 2025. All supporting documents must be received no later than Wednesday, January 15, 2026. 
• Applicants applying after February 1, 2026, must call the Admissions Office for guidelines on applying. The application fee after February 1, 2026, is $200. 
• The High School Placement Test will be administered on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Students must complete and submit their Serra application before registering for the HSPT. We encourage you to apply at least a week in advance if you wish to test at Serra.

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 choose not to complete the ARC application and provide the required documentation prior to receiving an admissions decision, your son will not be eligible to receive services during his 9th-grade year at Serra High School. Opportunities for 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 is $2,100 for members of the ARC. This fee is subject to change.

Get more information on Serra's Academic Resource Center.

Serra will host a variety of in-person events for students and parents throughout the 2025-2026 school year.

Below are a few of the events we will be holding.
Learn more about scheduling your visit.

Padre for a Day Experience (student applicant event)

Immerse yourself in Padre life by participating in a Padre for a Day (PFD). This visit is an important step in determining if Serra is the right community for you.

Padre Previews (family event)

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 the Serra brotherhood. 

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Walk Around Wednesday (parent exclusive event)

Walk Around Wednesday is a parent-only program held Wednesdays in our Admissions Center, September through December. 

President Michael Fadelli '88 and Head of Enrollment Management Julie Behn will open the meeting with an overview of Serra and will entertain questions from our guests. 

Serra Parent Ambassadors will share their unique perspective on the Serra community and their sons’ experiences. 

The morning will end with a tour of the school.

Padre Admissions Chats (parent exclusive event)

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

The High School Placement Test (HSPT) will be held in person on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

You must submit your application before the HSPT event will show up on your Events Calendar in your applicant portal.

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.

Learn more about financial aid options.

Confidential recommendations from the applicant's current English and math teachers are required. 

The completed forms are due Thursday, January 15, 2026.

The forms can be found on your applicant portal under My Application once you have started your application by clicking on the New Application button on your homepage.

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 an 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 and on Zoom on the following dates:

• Wednesday, January 21, 2026       6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
• Saturday, January 24, 2026            9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, January 27, 2026             6 a.m. - 9 p.m. (virtual interviews)

The 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. If you are applying for financial aid, the Clergy Recommendation form is due January 15, 2026.

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

1. Log in to your applicant portal
2. Find and click the My Application tab at the top
3. Click on the Application ID number on the left
4. Click on the Checklist number on the left

Your details will appear.

Admissions decision notifications will be available on Friday, March 13, 2026, at 4 p.m. via Serra's applicant portal.

Because the San Francisco Archdiocese respects each family’s need to evaluate their son’s high school decision without distraction, we will not contact you between March 13 and March 27. However, you are welcome and encouraged to reach out to us at any time during this “quiet week” with questions.

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 27, 2026, to make a decision.

If the decision is to accept our admission offer, we ask that you register your son for the Class of 2030 by the Friday, March 27, 2026, deadline.