How to Get Into Eastside Catholic School: A Guide for Prospective Families

Given the highly competitive private school landscape in the Greater Seattle area, families find themselves wrestling with tough, anxiety-inducing questions: Are we starting too late? Will my child thrive in a large, academically rigorous environment? How do we stand out among hundreds of other accomplished families without sounding boastful?

All those concerns are completely understandable. As a parent, you’re aiming for an environment that challenges your child intellectually while also nurturing their moral compass. Eastside Catholic School in Sammamish does exactly that by integrating robust academics with a deep commitment to spiritual growth and community service.

While the Eastside Catholic School admissions process can feel like a lot (especially when balancing entrance exams, teacher recommendations, and student interviews against your own professional and personal life), understanding exactly what the admissions committee values can make this stressful ordeal an empowering journey of self-discovery for your family.

Quick Answer for Busy Parents

Students who seek admission to Eastside Catholic School need a holistic, well-rounded application. That means being able to balance strong academics with character, leadership, and, at the same time, community involvement.

While transcripts and standardized test scores (such as the ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT) establish an academic baseline, the admissions committee leans heavily on the student interview, personal essays, and teacher LoRs to understand who your child is beyond the numbers. For busy families managing the rigors of Eastside Catholic School admissions, the most critical takeaway is that this institution prioritizes educating the whole student: mind, body, and spirit.

Why Families Choose Eastside Catholic School

Families from Bellevue, Issaquah, Redmond, and across Greater Seattle choose Eastside Catholic School because of its rare synthesis of elite college-preparatory academics and a deeply grounded, value-driven community. Founded in 1980 by visionary parents who wanted a high-quality Catholic high school on the Eastside, the school later moved to a stunning, state-of-the-art 50-acre campus in Sammamish in 2008. Today, it serves over 800 students in grades 6 through 12, fostering an environment where high expectations meet high support.

In addition, Eastside Catholic is committed to inclusive education and holistic development. The school is renowned for its academic rigor, with its array of AP courses and its dual-enrollment program with the prestigious University of Washington in High School (UWHS). Yet, it is equally celebrated for its Options Program, a pioneering inclusive special education initiative that integrates high school students with intellectual and developmental disabilities into the school community.

This program shapes the school’s culture, instilling genuine empathy, patience, and leadership among the mainstream student body. Parents choose Eastside Catholic because they want their children to graduate not just with impressive college acceptances, but as compassionate, ethically grounded leaders ready to serve a complex world.

How Hard is it to Get Into Eastside Catholic School?

EC is a tough school to get into. But the good thing is, they’re more interested in who you are than just your GPA. The school most often sees its largest influx of new students at the 6th-grade and 9th-grade entry points. Because the retention rate from the middle school to the high school is extraordinarily high, the number of available seats for external 9th-grade applicants can be highly contested. The admissions committee meticulously evaluates non-cognitive characteristics (like resilience, empathy, collaborative spirit) just as closely as they review quantitative data.

To determine academic readiness, Eastside Catholic requires an entrance exam, accepting scores from the ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT. There is no publicly stated minimum score requirement; rather, the scores are used to ensure that a student can handle the fast-paced, rigorous curriculum without becoming overwhelmed. Wait pools are a common reality for many qualified candidates simply due to spatial limitations. Therefore, submitting your application ahead of the Early Application deadline in December can provide a distinct advantage.

To maximize your chances, developing a proactive, multi-year strategy and gaining a distinct competitive edge is where working with Cardinal Education Private School Admissions can be a game-changer, ensuring your child’s narrative perfectly aligns with the school’s institutional priorities.

Top Tips for Students Applying to Eastside Catholic School

• • Apply early. Take advantage of the EA deadline (typically late December for high school) to ensure your file is reviewed before spaces become limited.
• • Showcase service. Given the school’s Catholic identity, emphasize any consistent, meaningful community service or servant-leadership roles your child has taken on.
• • Demonstrate fit. Clearly articulate how your family aligns with Eastside Catholic’s pillars of academic excellence, faith, and relationships.

Best Practices for Prospective Families

• • Attend a Crusader for a Day event. Have your child participate in a shadow day to experience the campus culture firsthand and complete their interview in a comfortable setting.
• • Build relationships. Attend open houses, athletic events, or arts performances to show genuine, sustained interest in the community.
• • Prepare your recommenders. Provide your child’s current teachers with a polite brag sheet so they can write detailed, specific evaluations rather than generic praise.

Common Questions About Getting Into Eastside Catholic School

Q: Does Eastside Catholic require an entrance exam?
A: Yes, applicants must submit scores from either the ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT.

Q: Do we need to be Catholic to attend?
A: No. Eastside Catholic welcomes students of all faith traditions, though all students are required to take religious studies courses and attend school masses.

Q: Are there sibling or legacy advantages?
A: Sibling and legacy connections are considered, but only after all academic and non-cognitive factors have been evaluated. It is not a guarantee of admission.

Q: Can international students apply?
A: Yes, the school accepts international applicants who meet advanced English proficiency requirements, though financial aid is not available for international students.

The Eastside Catholic School Admissions Process

1. Submit the Preliminary Application. Create an account in the admissions portal, fill out the initial demographic forms, and pay the non-refundable application fee.
2. Complete the Student Essay. Your child must thoughtfully answer the provided essay prompts.
3. Schedule the Student Interview. Book a “Crusader for a Day” visit or a standalone virtual/in-person interview.
4. Register for an Entrance Exam. Sign up to take the ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT and have official scores sent directly to the school.
5. Request Teacher Evaluations. Delegate confidential evaluation forms to current math and English teachers.
6. Submit Transcripts. Provide the Confidential School Report and request official records from the current and past two academic years.

Eastside Catholic School Admission Requirements

Enrolling at Eastside Catholic School involves a multi-step process designed to help the admissions committee understand each applicant beyond their transcript and test scores. In this section, we will identify the key components of the application and what families should know to help them prepare for the admissions process’s rigor.

Eastside Catholic Parent Statement

The parent statement is your singular opportunity to contextualize your child’s life, highlighting their invisible strengths, explaining any past academic anomalies, and communicating your family’s educational philosophy. Eastside Catholic wants to partner with supportive, engaged parents who understand their mission.

How to write a parent statement

To write an effective parent essay, the guardian or parents must avoid merely repeating their child’s resume. Instead, rely on vivid storytelling. When choosing what to write,  focus on your child’s strengths and characteristics. Strategically plan how to frame and present your child in a manner that does not appear overly proud.

Also, make sure to highlight your family’s dedication to community service and tospiritual or ethical growth. If writing isn’t your forte, seeking expert guidance to refine your parent statement can help you strike the perfect balance between pride and humility.

Teacher Recommendations for Eastside Catholic School

Teacher evaluations carry immense weight because they offer an objective, third-party perspective on your child’s daily behavior, work ethic, and peer interactions. Eastside Catholic usually requires evaluations from current core academic teachers. They want to know if your child is respectful, intellectually curious, and capable of handling rigorous coursework.

How to get strong recommendation letters

Eastside Catholic School requires recommendations from current teachers, and so timing and courtesy are everything when requesting them. Build a genuine relationship with the teachers. Your child’s leadership in the school community is equally important as their academic performance.

Note: Approach teachers at least four to six weeks before the deadline. For the recommendation to be of value, the teachers, principal, or the school counselor must be able to talk about how your child plays a big role in the school community in terms of their leadership and how they model good behavior and excellent academic performance for their peers.

Transcript

The transcript is the factual backbone of the application. Eastside Catholic requests records from the current year and the previous two years to analyze the academic trajectory. They are looking for consistent A/B performance, particularly in core subjects, and evidence that the student is challenging themselves appropriately.

A minor dip in grades is not automatically disqualifying, but it might be perceived as a symptom of unsupported learning. Many families use our academic coaching to help students manage their executive functioning so that their transcripts show an upward trend leading into the application season.

How to improve grades

If your child’s transcript has weak spots, early intervention is critical. Admissions committees respect students who recognize their challenges and take proactive steps to overcome them. To help your student stabilize their academic performance and build a higher GPA, engaging with expert subject tutors will improve their foundational knowledge and study habits, ultimately helping your student achieve the grades that meet the admission requirements.

We provide both online and in-person tutoring for a variety of courses. However, we also acknowledge that improving your child’s grades is not a linear process. It takes a holistic change in your child’s executive functioning to truly guarantee long-term success, which our academic coaches are excellent at.

Eastside Catholic School Personal Statement

The student essay or personal statement is where your child’s voice, personality, and maturity must shine. For middle and high school applicants, this is often their first experience with high-stakes reflective writing. Eastside Catholic wants to see authenticity, self-awareness, and an understanding of what it means to be part of a community.

How to craft a compelling personal statement

To help admissions officers get a full view of applicants beyond their statistics, crafting a well-written, thoughtful candidate essay is crucial. When choosing what to write about or which areas of the students’ profiles to highlight, the key thing to remember is to remain authentic rather than trying to appear on par with professional writers. Crafting a narrative that stands out requires a unique perspective; learn more about developing an authentic writing voice to help your child resonate with admissions officers.

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized testing provides a universal metric to compare applicants from diverse educational backgrounds. Eastside Catholic requires an entrance exam and accepts the ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT. While they utilize a holistic review process and state there is no minimum cutoff, strong scores undeniably validate a strong transcript and can help secure placement in honors or advanced tracks.

How to prepare for the SSAT, ISEE, or HSPT

Familiarity breeds confidence. Because families have options, you must strategically decide which exam aligns best with your child’s testing style. Understanding the pacing, vocabulary demands, and math concepts of these exams takes months of dedicated practice. To ensure your child achieves their highest possible score on the SSAT, ISEE, or HSPT, structured and rigorous test prep can demystify the test format and dramatically reduce testing anxiety.

Eastside Catholic School Admissions Interviews

The student interview is usually the most anxiety-inducing part of the process, yet it is highly valued by the Eastside Catholic admissions team. It is a conversational assessment of a student’s maturity, intellectual curiosity, and conversational fluency. Interviews are typically conducted during a “Crusader for a Day” visit, though virtual options via Zoom or standalone in-person meetings can sometimes be arranged.

During the interview, admissions officers will ask about favorite subjects, books read outside of school, extracurricular passions, and how the student handles adversity. They are looking for eye contact, active listening, and the ability to elaborate beyond one-word answers.

How to prepare for Eastside Catholic’s admissions interviews

Practice is vital, but over-rehearsing is detrimental. You do not want your child sounding like a pre-programmed robot. Instead, practice the “framework” of good answers. Teach them how to expand a simple “yes” into a short anecdote. Have them practice shaking hands firmly, sitting up straight, and maintaining natural eye contact.

Most importantly, ensure your child has two or three thoughtful questions prepared to ask the interviewer about Eastside Catholic’s specific programs. Elevating your child’s interview presence through expert interview prep ensures they walk into the room feeling poised, confident, and ready to engage authentically.

Campus Tours and Open Houses

Visiting the 50-acre Sammamish campus is a non-negotiable step for serious applicants. Eastside Catholic hosts comprehensive Open House events in the fall, offering families a macro-view of the curriculum, athletics, arts, and spiritual life. You will hear from the administration, meet faculty, and tour the cutting-edge facilities, including the athletic complex and science labs.

Beyond the Open House, the “Crusader for a Day” program is highly recommended for students. This shadow day pairs your child with a current student ambassador, allowing them to attend classes, navigate the hallways, eat in the cafeteria, and truly feel the campus vibe. For parents, private campus tours can be scheduled with the admissions office.

How to approach campus visits at Eastside Catholic

Treat campus tours as an informal interview. Both parents and students should dress in smart-casual attire. Parents should ask insightful questions that cannot be easily answered by reading the school website. For example, rather than asking “Do you have AP classes?”, ask “How do teachers support students who are taking their very first AP class?” Your engagement, politeness to staff (including receptionists), and genuine enthusiasm are noted and added to your family’s applicant profile.

Top Tips for Admissions Interviews & Events

• • Students should dress neatly (collared shirt, khakis, or a modest dress/skirt)—aiming to mirror the neatness of the Eastside Catholic uniform code without needing to wear a literal uniform.
• • Students must know why they want to attend Eastside Catholic specifically. “Because my parents want me to” is a red flag. Mentioning a specific club, the Options program, or the robotics team shows initiative.
• • Have your child write a brief, handwritten thank-you note to their interviewer or student ambassador after their visit.

Best Practices for the Interview & Visiting Campus

• • During tours or parent interviews, let your child speak for themselves. Do not interrupt or correct them in front of the admissions staff.
• • Watch how current students interact with each other and with teachers in the hallways. This will tell you more about the school’s true culture than any brochure.
• • Use the tour to ask how the school handles academic or social struggles. A great school has clear, proactive support systems in place.

Common Questions About Interviews & Events

Q: Is the interview a deciding factor?
A: While no single element is the sole deciding factor, a highly positive or highly negative interview can heavily sway the committee’s decision.

Q: What if my child is naturally shy?
A: Admissions officers are trained to draw out introverted students. They are looking for engagement and thought, not necessarily extroversion.

Q: Should parents interview?
A: Parent meetings are often a part of the process, formally or informally. You are being assessed for mission-fit and partnership potential.

Q: How long does a shadow day last?
A: A typical Crusader for a Day visit lasts through the morning and includes lunch, wrapping up in the early afternoon.

What is Student Life Like at Eastside Catholic School?

Walking onto the Sammamish campus, one is immediately struck by the palpable sense of community. The culture is built around “Touchstones” that emphasize servant leadership, mutual respect, and high expectations. Because the middle and high schools share the same campus, there is a strong sense of continuity and mentorship; older students frequently interact with and set positive examples for the younger grades.

The school day is rigorous but balanced. Students are deeply engaged in academics, but the culture actively discourages a cutthroat mentality. Instead, collaborative learning and peer support are the norm. Faith is integrated into daily life through theology classes, regular all-school masses, and campus ministry programs, but in an inviting, non-dogmatic way that encourages students of all backgrounds to reflect on their personal ethics.

High schoolers are required to complete community service hours, cementing the idea that privilege and education come with a responsibility to uplift others. Friday nights in the fall are electric, with massive student turnouts for Crusader football games, reflecting the intense school pride that permeates the student body.

Eastside Catholic School Curriculum Overview

The academic program at Eastside Catholic is designed to be highly rigorous. High school students have access to over 40 Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, ranging from AP Calculus BC to AP Art History.

Uniquely, Eastside Catholic partners with the University of Washington to offer “UW in the High School” courses, allowing students to earn actual college credit in subjects like Mathematics and World Languages without leaving campus.

Seattle University’s Matteo Ricci program is also integrated, offering dual-credit humanities blocks. Furthermore, the hallmark Options Program integrates special education into the daily fabric of the school, allowing mainstream students to serve as peer mentors, fundamentally enriching the educational landscape for everyone involved.

Athletics at Eastside Catholic School

Eastside Catholic boasts one of the most dominant athletic programs in Washington State. Competing in the formidable Metro League, the Crusaders frequently contend for and win state championships, particularly in football and basketball. The school views athletics as an extension of the classroom, where grit, teamwork, and sportsmanship are forged. The facilities are top-tier, supporting athletes who often go on to play at the Division I collegiate level and even professionally.

Season	Boys Sports	Girls Sports
Fall	Cross Country, Football, Golf, Tennis	Cheer, Cross Country, Soccer, Swim & Dive, Volleyball
Winter	Basketball, Swim & Dive, Wrestling	Basketball, Cheer, Wrestling
Spring	Baseball, Lacrosse, Soccer, Track & Field	Fastpitch Softball, Golf, Lacrosse, Tennis, Track & Field

Arts and Music at Eastside Catholic School

The visual and performing arts are highly celebrated at Eastside Catholic, recognizing that creative expression is a vital component of educating the whole person. The curriculum includes comprehensive offerings in studio art, ceramics, photography, graphic design, and AP Studio Art.

For the performing arts, students can participate in concert band, jazz band, choir, and orchestra. The theater program is particularly robust, staging high-quality dramatic plays in the fall and large-scale musical productions in the spring. These programs emphasize technical skill, stage presence, and behind-the-scenes production, ensuring that students interested in lighting, sound, and stage management have as many opportunities to shine as the actors do.

Clubs and Organizations at Eastside Catholic School

Extracurricular involvement is highly encouraged, providing students with avenues to explore niche interests, develop leadership skills, and socialize outside of their immediate peer groups. With dozens of student-led clubs, there is truly something for everyone.

Academic and competitive clubs include Robotics, Model United Nations, and DECA, which consistently send students to state and national competitions. Affinity groups and cultural clubs foster inclusivity, while service-oriented organizations, driven by the school’s campus ministry, organize food drives, environmental cleanups, and tutoring for underserved communities. If a student has a passion that isn’t represented, the administration is highly supportive of students taking the initiative to found new clubs.

Top Tips for Student Life & Programs

• • In middle school and 9th grade, encourage your child to try at least one sport, one arts program, and one academic club to discover unknown passions.
• • Encourage your child to volunteer as a peer mentor in the Options Program; it is known to be one of the most profoundly life-changing experiences offered at the school.
• • Do not over-enroll in AP courses at the expense of sleep and extracurricular joy. Colleges want specialized excellence, not a burned-out student doing a little bit of everything.

Best Practices for Student Success

• • Teach your child to proactively attend teacher office hours or utilize the academic support center before they fall behind.
• • Engagement in retreats and community service not only fulfills graduation requirements but also deeply integrates students into the core culture of the school.
• • Attend school plays, cheer at games, and participate in Spirit Week. School pride is a massive part of the Eastside Catholic experience.

Common Questions Asked About Eastside Catholic Student Programs

Q: Is physical education required?
A: Yes, students are required to earn 1.5 credits of PE, though there are alternative pathways for student-athletes.

Q: How many service hours are required to graduate?
A: High school students must complete 100 hours of community service over four years (25 hours per year).

Q: Can middle schoolers play sports?
A: Yes, the middle school has a robust, inclusive athletic program designed to build fundamentals and teamwork.

Q: Are the arts programs competitive?
A: While high-level ensembles and lead roles in plays require auditions, there are introductory classes and roles available for beginners in all arts disciplines.

Eastside Catholic School Famous Alumni

The network of Eastside Catholic alumni is expansive and influential, particularly in the realm of professional athletics. The discipline instilled during their time as Crusaders has propelled many to national prominence.

• • J.T. Tuimoloau: An absolute force on the football field and basketball court for the Crusaders, Tuimoloau led EC to back-to-back state championships. A five-star recruit, he starred at Ohio State University as a defensive end and was a top selection by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2025 NFL Draft.
• • Gee Scott Jr.: A standout tight end/wide receiver who also won state titles at Eastside Catholic, Scott went on to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes and earned a national championship in 2024 before signing with the New England Patriots and later playing in the UFL.
• • Hunter Bryant: An exceptional high school athlete who caught 35 touchdowns at Eastside Catholic, Bryant became a star tight end at the University of Washington and later played in the NFL for the Detroit Lions.
• • Matt Boyd: A highly successful Major League Baseball pitcher who honed his formidable work ethic and talent as a youth in the Seattle area before embarking on a long career, notably with the Detroit Tigers.

Working With Cardinal Education

The journey to securing an acceptance letter from a top-tier independent school like Eastside Catholic requires a compelling narrative, academic excellence, and strategic foresight. At Cardinal Education, our expert educational consultants specialize in transforming anxiety into achievement. 

From helping students craft brilliant, authentic essays and mastering the nuances of the student interview to optimizing standardized test scores and navigating the subtle politics of the admissions landscape, we provide white-glove, highly customized support.

We do not just help your child get in; we equip them with the confidence, executive functioning skills, and academic foundation they need to thrive once they step onto campus. If you are ready to remove the stress from the admissions process and provide your child with an undeniable advantage, contact us today.

Related Articles

Eastside Catholic School Athletics: An Insider’s Guide to the Crusaders

HSPT Prep for Eastside Catholic School: Best Guide to Admissions