Mercy High School Burlingame Admissions Consulting
Expert Guidance for Families Applying to This All-Girls’ Catholic College-Preparatory School in Burlingame, 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 Mercy High School Burlingame.
As Seen On
About the School
About Mercy High School Burlingame
Mercy High School Burlingame is a private, all-girls Catholic college-preparatory day school sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, founded in 1931 and housed in the historic Kohl Mansion in Burlingame. Mercy serves 365 students in Grades 9–12, currently led by Head of School Natalie Cirigliano Brosnan, under the motto “Be known, be challenged, be transformed.” With a 10:1 student-teacher ratio and an average class size of 17, Mercy offers 42 AP and Honors courses, reflecting a distinctive educational philosophy. Mercy holds accreditation from WASC and WCEA, and is part of the Mercy Education System of the Americas (MESA), an international network of roughly 40 high schools, 20 elementary schools, and 17 universities and colleges.
Fast Facts
Location
2750 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010 (Kohl Mansion)
Type
Private, Catholic, All-Girls’ Day School (Sisters of Mercy)
Grades
9–12
Total Enrollment
365 students
Average Class Size
17 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
Colors
Blue, White, Gray, Black
Mascot
Bears
Accreditation
WASC and WCEA
Affiliation
MESA
Academic Snapshot
AP & Honors Courses
42 total, including 19 distinct AP courses
Average SAT Score
1250
Graduation Rate
100%
Athletics
24 teams across 14 sports
Families can pair these outcomes with academic coaching support to strengthen a Mercy application before it’s submitted.
Athletics & Beyond the Classroom
Mercy fields 24 teams across 14 sports, part of a broader extracurricular program. Academically, Mercy participates in a distinctive Tri-School Program, sharing select classes with nearby Junipero Serra High School, with dedicated transportation provided between campuses.
For a deeper look at Mercy’s admissions process and student life for Asian Americans, see our full Mercy High School Burlingame guide for Asian American applicants.
Admissions Timeline
Early Bird Application & AMES Deadline
November 27, 2026
HSPT On-Campus Test Date
December 5, 2026
Final Application Deadline
January 15, 2027
Transcripts & Recommendations Due
January 30, 2027
Family Interviews
January 26, 27, 28, and 30, 2027
Decisions Released
Week of March 11–12, 2027
See our guide to private school open houses and tours for how to make the most of an Open House or Shadow Day.
What Makes Mercy’s Admissions Process Unique?
Mercy requires the HSPT (High School Placement Test) for all applicants; no SSAT or ISEE alternative is offered. A Shadow Day is also required, either in person between September and December or, for summer applicants, through a virtual option. For the personal interview component, applicants choose between an in-person family interview or uploading a self-recorded introductory video; one of the two is expected, not both.
Top Tips for Applying
- Register for the HSPT early; Mercy hosts an on-campus test date, or applicants may test at any school offering it.
- Complete your required Shadow Day well before the application deadline.
- Decide early whether a family interview or a self-recorded video best represents your daughter.
Best Practices for Families
- Attend the Open House or a Shadow Day to experience the Kohl Mansion campus firsthand.
- Submit transcripts via Mercy’s fillable PDF Transcript Form directly through your daughter’s current school.
- If applying for financial assistance, note that its deadline falls before the transcripts deadline.
What the Mercy Application Requires
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01Testing Policy
The HSPT is required for all applicants, either on Mercy’s campus in early December or at any school offering the exam. No SSAT or ISEE alternative is available.
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02Recommendations
Two recommendations are required: a Mathematics Placement Form from a current math teacher and a Confidential Recommendation Form from a current teacher, administrator, or counselor. An optional Confidential Clergy Recommendation Form may also be submitted.
How Cardinal Education Helps Mercy Burlingame Applicants
Because Mercy requires the HSPT and offers families a choice between a family interview and a self-recorded video, families benefit from a strategy tailored to both components. Cardinal Education’s private school admissions consulting helps families prepare for the HSPT, choose the right recommenders, and decide which interview format best represents their daughter, informed by what schools look for in applicants.
Families evaluating Mercy alongside other options may also find our results useful context.
“Mercy Burlingame wasn’t originally at the top of our list, but the more we learned about it (and visited), the more it felt right for our daughter. The team was very hands-on, and the HSPT prep was especially helpful. We couldn’t be happier with how things turned out.”— Parent from Mercy
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mercy High School Burlingame require the HSPT?
Is a Shadow Day required to apply to Mercy?
Does Mercy require a family interview?
What is the Tri-School Program at Mercy?
Who is the current Head of School at Mercy?
Considering Mercy High School Burlingame?
Our consultants help families navigate Mercy’s admissions process with clarity and confidence.