Junipero Serra High School Admissions Consulting
Expert Guidance for Families Applying to This All-Boys Catholic Day School in San Mateo, CA
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 Junípero Serra High School.
As Seen On
About the School
About Junipero Serra High School
Junipero Serra High School is an all-boys Catholic day school in San Mateo, founded in 1944 and now in its ninth decade serving the Peninsula. “Serra,” as it’s commonly known, is a college-preparatory school emphasizing academic excellence, character development, and what the school calls inclusive brotherhood. Serra is part of the Tri-School Consortium alongside sister schools Mercy High School and Notre Dame High School, which gives its 888 students, drawn from more than 130 different feeder schools, access to coed extracurricular opportunities despite Serra’s own all-boys enrollment. With 48 Honors and AP courses, an 86% faculty advanced-degree rate, and a 99% college enrollment rate, Serra pairs serious academics with one of the largest athletics programs in the West Catholic Athletic League.
Families researching Serra alongside other selective schools in the wider Bay Area private school admissions market may find it useful context.
Fast Facts
Location
451 West 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403
Type
Private, Catholic, Day School, All-Boys
Grades
9–12
Total Enrollment
888 students, from more than 130 different feeder schools
College Outcomes
99% college enrollment rate
Application Opens
September 2, 2026 (for the 2027-28 school year)
Accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC); part of the Archdiocese of San Francisco
Academic Snapshot
Honors & AP Courses Offered
48, across nearly all subject areas
AP Pass Rate
90%
Faculty Holding Advanced Degrees
86%
College Enrollment Rate
99%
Athletics & Beyond the Classroom
Sports Offered
14 sports across 38 teams (West Catholic Athletic League)
CCS Championships
93
Varsity Championships
76
Individual WCAL Championships
378
Performing Arts
More than 275 students participate
Community Service
More than 31,000 hours logged annually
Robotics
FRC Team 3045 qualified for the 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition
Admissions Timeline & Events
Applications Open
September 2, 2026
Academic Resource Center (ARC) Application Deadline
October 23, 2026
Open House
November 15, 2026
Freshman Application Deadline
November 20, 2026
HSPT Entrance Exam
December 5, 2026, 8:30 am–12:00 pm
Late Application Deadline
December 18, 2026
Supporting Documents Due (Recs, Transcripts, Clergy Form, HSPT Scores)
January 15, 2027
Applicant Interviews
January 19, 23, and 28, 2027 (in-person and Zoom)
Decision Notification
March 12, 2027, 4:00 pm
“Quiet Week” (No Contact From Serra)
March 13–19, 2027
Enrollment Confirmation Due
March 19, 2027, 12:00 pm
New Family Welcome Night
April 8, 2027
Math & World Language Placement Exams
May 3–6, 2027
Families can also get to know Serra through Padre for a Day (a student visit), Padre Previews (a family event), Walk Around Wednesday (parent-only campus walks, Wednesdays September through December), and Padre Admissions Chats (parent-only conversations with the Director of Admissions).
What Makes Serra’s Admissions Process Unique?
Serra draws applicants from more than 130 different feeder schools. Its process is built to evaluate students on a level footing regardless of where they’re coming from: a required HSPT, confidential teacher recommendations, a required student interview, and (for students who may benefit from learning support) an optional Academic Resource Center application. Families should note that HSPT registration opens only after the application itself is submitted, so the two steps happen in sequence, not in parallel.
Top Tips for Applying
- Submit your application before attempting to register for the HSPT; registration is only available after the application is on file.
- Request English and Math teacher recommendations early, since both are required.
- If your son may benefit from academic accommodations, consider the optional Academic Resource Center (ARC) application, due well before the general freshman deadline.
Best Practices for Families
- Attend the Open House or a Padre for a Day visit before finalizing the application.
- Prepare specifically for the HSPT, a distinct exam from the ISEE or SSAT used at many other Bay Area private schools.
- Treat the student interview as a substantial part of the process, not a formality; it’s required for every applicant.
What the Serra Application Requires
Serra’s own application is the starting point for every applicant, gating access to HSPT registration and every later step.
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01HSPT Testing
The High School Placement Test (HSPT) is required for admission and administered on campus on December 5, 2026, from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm. Applicants must submit their application before they’re able to register for the exam.
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02Teacher Recommendations & Transcripts
Confidential recommendations are required from the applicant’s current English and Math teachers. Transcripts are also required, with a release form available for students whose current school requires one.
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03Student Interview
A student interview is required for every applicant, offered on three dates: two in-person sessions and one via Zoom, all in January.
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04Optional Components
Families may optionally apply to Serra’s Academic Resource Center (ARC), a learning-support program, which requires IEP, 504, or psycho-educational documentation as part of that application. An optional Clergy Recommendation Form is also available for families with a parish affiliation.
Get Into Junipero Serra with our Top Admissions Consultants!
Serra’s process moves quickly once the HSPT and interview windows open, and a required student interview means presentation matters as much as test performance. Cardinal Education‘s private school admissions consulting helps families prepare for the HSPT, coach students for interviews, and manage the sequence of deadlines from application through decision day.
“As a family relocating from the Middle East, we didn’t have a clue about U.S. Admissions. Cardinal Education made it manageable. We’re so glad we had their support; our son is happy to be a Padre!”— Parent of a 9th-grade international student
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Junípero Serra High School all-boys?
What test does Junípero Serra High School require for admission?
Is an interview required to apply to Serra?
How competitive is admission to Junípero Serra High School?
What is Serra’s college enrollment rate?
Does Serra offer learning support for students with diagnosed learning differences?
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