Eastside Catholic School Admissions Consulting
Personalized, expert support for families navigating Eastside Catholic admissions.
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 Eastside Catholic School.
As Seen On
About the School
About Eastside Catholic
Founded in 1980 by a group of Bellevue-area parents, Eastside Catholic has grown into the only coeducational Catholic school east of Seattle, serving grades 6 through 12 on its 50-acre campus in Sammamish. The school organizes its entire program, admissions included, around three touchstones: Academic Excellence, Relationships, and Servant Leadership. Unlike many selective independent schools, Eastside Catholic is genuinely mission-driven. It welcomes students of all faith traditions and operates a dedicated Options Program for high schoolers with diagnosed intellectual or developmental disabilities. That inclusive posture doesn’t mean admissions is a formality, as families still need to navigate an entrance exam, an interview, and a full application file to put their child’s best case forward.
Eastside Catholic Fast Facts
Location
232 228th Avenue SE, Sammamish, WA 98074
Type
Private, Catholic, coeducational day school
Grades
Middle School (6–8) and High School (9–12)
Total Enrollment
816 students
Middle School Enrollment
210 students
High School Enrollment
606 students
College Enrollment Rate
93%
Application Opens
September 1, 2026
Application Deadline
February 1, 2027 (for the 2027–28 school year)
Accreditation
Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS)
Catholic School Approval
Archdiocese of Seattle
Eastside Catholic Academic Snapshot
Average Class Size
17 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
Advanced Coursework
26 AP courses, 7 Honors courses
Average SAT Score
1230
Faculty Holding Advanced Degrees
45%
College Counselors
3 dedicated high school college counselors
Beyond the Numbers
Professional Memberships
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), Washington Federation of Independent Schools (WFIS), Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE)
Middle School Athletics
5 sports (Cross Country, Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, Track)
Transit
Bus service available from neighborhoods across the Eastside and Seattle
For a deeper look at how to build a competitive application, see our Ultimate Admissions Guide for Eastside Catholic School.
What Makes Eastside Catholic’s Admissions Unique?
Because so many of Eastside Catholic’s own middle schoolers stay on for high school, the number of seats open to outside applicants at the 9th-grade entry point is genuinely limited in a way that isn’t true at every private school. That scarcity, combined with an admissions committee that weighs character and community fit as heavily as transcripts, means families can’t treat this as a numbers game. We start by understanding who your child actually is, not by running them through a generic private-school playbook, and build a strategy around Eastside Catholic’s specific priorities: faith-informed leadership, service, and academic excellence.
Eastside Catholic Admissions Timeline
Application Opens
September 1, 2026
Application Deadline
February 1, 2027
Open Houses
October 18 & November 15, 2026 (2–4 p.m.)
Student Visit Days
Registration opens Sept 1, 2026
Parent & Guardian Session
Contact admissions@eastsidecatholic.org
Parent-to-Parent Events
Nov 5 & Dec 1, 2026 (6–7:30 p.m.)
On-Campus Tour (Anastasia Bennett)
Various dates (July, Aug, Sept 2026); check schedule for availability
On-Campus Tour (Laura Leach)
Various dates (Aug, Sept 2026); check schedule for availability
Virtual Tour
360° tour available on website
Homecoming Football Game
September 25, 2026 (5:30–9:30 p.m.)
NOFA Volleyball Game
October 22, 2026 (6:30–8:30 p.m.)
Virtual Principal Meet & Greet
November 10, 2026 (9–10 a.m.)
What the Eastside Catholic Application Requires
Applications are submitted through EC’s online enrollment portal, Finalsite. The core components are:
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01Entrance Exam
One exam is required: ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT, and the same score supports admission, merit scholarship review, and class placement. EC hosts the ISEE and HSPT on campus; SSAT scores are submitted separately. If you need support with the testing process, explore our comprehensive private school test prep programs.
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02Student Interview
A required conversation between the applicant and EC’s admissions team, used to round out the picture the rest of the file provides. To help your student feel confident and prepared for this conversation, explore our personalized interview coaching services.
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03Student Essay Questions
A chance for the applicant to showcase their voice, values, and unique experiences through their own writing. If you need help crafting compelling essays, learn more about our expert essay development and coaching services.
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04Teacher Evaluation & Confidential School Report
A current teacher completes an evaluation form, and the student’s current school submits a confidential report alongside an official transcript request. We can help you get strong recommendation letters that admissions officers will notice.
How Cardinal Education Helps Families Get Into Eastside Catholic
We’ve helped Puget Sound-area families navigate Eastside Catholic’s admissions process, and our admissions consulting approach starts with an honest read of your child’s actual strengths rather than a one-size-fits-all playbook. That means real preparation for whichever entrance exam fits your child best, interview coaching that draws out genuine self-awareness, and essay guidance that helps a student’s voice come through clearly.
“Cardinal Education’s deep knowledge of the Eastside Catholic admissions process was invaluable in helping our child present their best self and ultimately secure an acceptance.”— Parent, Bellevue
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to be Catholic to attend Eastside Catholic School?
Which entrance exam should my child take?
What is the Options Program?
Where is Eastside Catholic School located?
Does Eastside Catholic accept Asian American students?
Considering Eastside Catholic School?
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