Bishop Blanchet High School Admissions Consulting
Personalized guidance for Bishop Blanchet applicants, from the HSPT through decision day.
Cardinal Education is an independent educational consulting company. We are not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with any private or public school, including Bishop Blanchet High School.
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About the School
About Bishop Blanchet High School
Bishop Blanchet High School is a private, Catholic, coeducational college-preparatory school in Seattle, established in 1954 by the Archdiocese of Seattle as the first Catholic co-ed high school in the archdiocese. Today Blanchet serves more than 1,000 students in grades 9 through 12, backed by more than 16,000 alumni who have gone on to lead as civic, professional, and community figures. The school offers 28 AP, Honors, and University of Washington in the High School courses across eight academic departments, alongside 15 sports and 150+ clubs and activities. Ninety-nine percent of Blanchet graduates enroll in college, reflecting the school’s stated commitment to educating the whole student academically, spiritually, and personally.
Fast Facts
Location
8200 Wallingford Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
Type
Private, Catholic, Coeducational, Day School
Grades
9-12
Enrollment
1,000+ students
Application Deadline (Class of 2031)
January 5, 2027, 11:59 p.m.
Testing
HSPT required
College Enrollment Rate
99%
Academic & Community Snapshot
Average Class Size
22 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Advanced Coursework
28 AP, UWHS, and Honors courses
Faculty with Advanced Degrees
77%
Typical Homework Load
2-3 hours per night, depending on course rigor (per Niche)
Student Demographics
29% students of color (including 12% Asian, per SchoolDigger 2023-24); 70% Catholic
Accreditations
Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA); Cognia (formerly AdvancED / Northwest Accreditation Commission)
Affiliations
Archdiocese of Seattle; The College Board
Memberships
National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA); Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA); Metro League
Transit Access
Bus
Admissions Timeline & Events
Blanchet’s Class of 2031 cycle runs from early fall through late February. Every published date and window is listed below.
Tuition Assistance Application Opens (2027-28)
Wednesday, October 1, 2026 (Opens for the 2027-28 school year)
Parent Coffee & Tour with President DeSapio
Dates TBD, Oct/Nov/Dec sessions (For parents of 8th graders)
Thursday, October 15, 2026, 5:30-7:30 p.m. (Registration currently open)
Bear for a Day (8th Grade Visit Days)
Registration opens Friday, August 28, 2026; visits run late September-early January (8th graders only; space limited)
HSPT Test Date, Option 1
Saturday, November 14, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., or 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. with extra-time accommodations (Registration opens mid-October; accommodations require separate paperwork)
HSPT Test Date, Option 2
Sunday, November 15, 2026, 1:00-4:30 p.m. (Same registration window as Option 1)
Early Application Deadline
Monday, December 14, 2026
Tuition Assistance Deadline (2027-28)
Thursday, December 31, 2026 (Submitted separately from the admissions application)
9th Grade Application Deadline (Class of 2031)
Tuesday, January 5, 2027, 11:59 p.m. (Incomplete applications are not considered)
Admissions Decisions Released
Friday, February 12, 2027, 3:00 p.m. (Emailed directly to applicant families)
Accepted Student Celebration
Sunday, February 21, 2027, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Enrollment Deadline
Thursday, February 25, 2027
Class Registration (Class of 2031)
Dates TBD (Further details provided after enrollment)
What Makes Blanchet’s Admissions Process Unique?
Unlike many Catholic high schools that accept the SSAT or ISEE, Blanchet requires every ninth-grade applicant to sit for the HSPT, which is offered on two dates in mid-November, with results used not only for admission but also for direct placement into English, math, and science courses. That placement function means families should treat test preparation as more than a one-time hurdle, since HSPT performance can shape a student’s first-year course load. Blanchet’s process also runs on an unusually compressed early-winter timeline: applications close January 5, decisions arrive five weeks later on February 12, and enrollment is due within two weeks of that, leaving little room for families to weigh options after the fact.
Top Tips for Applying
- Register for the HSPT as soon as registration opens in mid-October, since Blanchet offers only two test dates: November 14 and 15, 2026.
- Choose a teacher recommendation from a core academic subject: English, mathematics, or a world language.
- Gather transcripts covering sixth grade through the first half of eighth grade well before the January 5 deadline.
- Complete both the parent statement and personal statements thoughtfully; incomplete applications are not considered.
Best Practices for Families
- Carefully rank the student’s top three extracurricular interests, since Blanchet uses these selections to gauge program interest.
- Disclose any existing learning plan (IEP, 504, or school-based plan) directly on the application, as the school itself recommends.
- Sign up for Blanchet’s admissions mailing list to stay current on registration windows and deadline reminders.
- Attend an Open House or a Bear for a Day visit before applying, since both count toward the “Step One: Visit” stage of the process.
What the Bishop Blanchet Application Requires
To apply to Bishop Blanchet, you will need to submit the following:
- 01High School Placement Test (HSPT)
All ninth-grade applicants to Bishop Blanchet must take the HSPT, which Blanchet uses both to evaluate admission and to place students in English, math, and science courses. The exam includes Language and Math sections plus a written essay, and takes about four hours to complete. Blanchet offers two test dates: Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for students with extra-time accommodations, which require separate paperwork), or Sunday, November 15, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. Registration opens in mid-October. Students should arrive at least 15 minutes early, park in the main lot, and bring student identification, two #2 pencils, and a blue or black ink pen; Blanchet provides breaks and snacks during the test. Results arrive by email directly from the testing company a few weeks later.
- 02Teacher Recommendation
Blanchet requires one teacher evaluation form, completed by a teacher in a core academic subject: English, mathematics, or a world or international language.
- 03Transcripts and Academic Records
A complete file includes an official transcript or permanent record, standardized test scores, report cards from the preceding two years, grades or progress reports from the current year, and any notice of disciplinary action (NDA). Transcripts must cover sixth grade, seventh grade, and the first half of eighth grade, submitted by the January 5 deadline.
- 04Parent Statement and Student Interests
Parents complete a statement explaining why they want their child to attend Blanchet, a list of the student’s activities and interests (clubs, organizations, team and church or community activities), any awards or honors, and a ranked list of the student’s top three areas of interest at Blanchet, spanning band, choir, fine arts, clubs, and Blanchet’s full athletics roster. The application also asks whether the student currently has a learning plan (IEP, 504, or school-based plan), has had cognitive or psychological testing in the last two years, or is requesting an Individualized Learning Plan.
- 05Student Personal Statement
Applicants write a 1-2 paragraph personal statement, in their own words, describing their passions and interests inside and outside the classroom and how they hope to grow from their experience at Blanchet.
How Cardinal Education Helps
Because Blanchet’s HSPT results shape both admission and course placement, and because the school’s early-winter timeline leaves little room to recover from a late start, Cardinal Education helps families prepare for the HSPT well before the November test dates, build out both the parent and student statements, and keep every required transcript and recommendation on track for the January 5 deadline.
Families specifically interested in how these same fundamentals apply to Asian American applicants can also see our dedicated guide to Bishop Blanchet for Asian American families.
“Trying to juggle the HSPT, deadlines, and writing a parent statement that actually stood out felt impossible. Cardinal helped us stay organized and guided us on how to show our child’s personality in his application. We’re so grateful for their help in getting our child into Bishop Blanchet.”— Parent of a 9th-Grader
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bishop Blanchet require the SSAT or ISEE?
What is Bishop Blanchet’s acceptance rate?
What testing does Bishop Blanchet require for admission?
How big is the Asian American population at Bishop Blanchet?
Does Bishop Blanchet accept mid-year or transfer applicants?
For personalized guidance through every step of the Bishop Blanchet application, from the HSPT to enrollment, reach out to Cardinal Education today.
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