Regis High School Admissions Consulting: HSPT Prep & Strategy
Guidance for Families Applying to Manhattan’s Tuition-Free, All-Scholarship Jesuit High School
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 Regis High School.
As Seen On
About the School
Regis High School Overview
Founded in 1914 through a bequest from Julia M. Grant, Regis High School is an all-boys, Catholic, Jesuit high school on Manhattan’s Upper East Side that charges no tuition to any student. Every one of its roughly 540 students, drawn from over 200 zip codes across the New York metropolitan area, attends on a full merit scholarship. Regis enrolls only Grades 9–12, admitting a new class each year through a highly competitive process built around the HSPT entrance exam. All coursework is taught at the honors level; Regis does not offer AP-labeled classes, though students regularly sit for AP exams independently. With a 1:10 student-teacher ratio and no tuition, Regis is often described as one of the most selective and distinctive Catholic high schools in the country.
Fast Facts
Location
55 East 84th Street, New York, NY 10028 (Upper East Side, Manhattan)
Type
Private, all-boys, day school, Catholic (Jesuit), college preparatory, tuition-free
Grades
9–12 only
Enrollment
540 students
Tuition
Free for all students (100% full merit scholarship)
Student-Teacher Ratio
1:10
Application Deadline
Monday, November 2, 2026 (for Fall 2027 entry, Class of 2031)
Academic & Faculty Snapshot
Faculty
59 total (3 Jesuit priests, 56 lay faculty)
SAT Middle 50% (3-year)
1430–1530 composite
ACT Middle 50% (3-year)
32–34 composite
AP Exam Performance (May 2025)
188 students, 317+ exams; 96% scored 3+, 74% scored 4/5
National Merit Finalists (2022–2025)
69
Athletics
9 interscholastic sports
Want a Full Picture?
For a deeper look at Regis’s admissions odds, requirements, and student life, see our full How to Get Into Regis High School: A Complete Admissions Guide for Parents.
What Makes Regis’s Admissions Process Unique?
Regis is the only private, tuition-free high school of its kind in the country, which shapes every part of its admissions process. Applicants must be baptized Catholic and score in the top 10% of the nation on the HSPT to be competitive. From an applicant pool of around 544 in a recent cycle, only 230 advance to the semifinalist interview round, and just 145 ultimately receive one of the school’s full scholarships.
Key Dates & Events
Online Application Deadline
November 2, 2026
Recommendation & Report Card Due
November 9, 2026
Regis Scholarship Exam
November 14, 2026
Semifinalist Decision
December 16, 2026
Semifinalist Interview
January 9, 2027
Admissions Decision
January 26, 2027
What the Regis Application Requires
To apply to Regis High School, you will need to submit the following:
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01Nomination or Application Request
Applicants from local Catholic schools are nominated directly by their principal or 8th grade teacher. Applicants from public or independent schools request an application themselves, confirming they are baptized Catholic and submitting a final 7th grade report card for review before receiving portal access.
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02Student Essay & Writing Exercise
The online application includes a short essay where students articulate their interest. Semifinalists also complete an in-person writing exercise. For support, our Programs in Writing and Reading (PWR) helps students develop an authentic writing voice that ensures their statement stands out.
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03Recommendations
Applicants must provide a 7th-grade teacher recommendation and a character reference detailing potential and character. To secure a strong recommendation letter, ensure recommenders highlight your child’s leadership, behavior, and academic impact on the community.
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04Transcript
A final 7th-grade report card and standardized test scores are required for review. For extra support, our tutoring and academic coaching help strengthen key skills, allowing students to demonstrate sustained academic growth well before applications are due.
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05Regis Scholarship Exam
Applicants sit for the High School Placement Test at Regis. This three-hour exam helps determine competitiveness. To succeed, engage in targeted HSPT test prep to master fast-paced sections, develop effective pacing strategies, and gain familiarity with the exam’s unique, one-time structure.
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06Admissions Interview
Semifinalists participate in two 20-minute interviews to gauge their alignment with the Jesuit mission. To communicate with confidence and authenticity, utilize our comprehensive interview preparation, which helps students discuss their interests, achievements, and reasons for applying effectively.
How Cardinal Education Helps
Regis compresses an unusually high-stakes process into a few months: an HSPT score that must land in the top 10% nationally, two short interviews, and an on-the-spot writing exercise, all layered on top of a nomination or request step that varies by the applicant’s current school.
Cardinal Education’s consultants help families prepare specifically for the HSPT format, coach students for the two distinct interview styles, and make sure need-based documentation is filed correctly and on time. Families interested in support tailored to Asian American applicants can also see our Regis High School Admissions Consulting: Asian American Families.
“Regis gave my son a transformative education and a brotherhood that has lasted well beyond graduation. Cardinal Education helped us understand a process that felt overwhelming at first.”— Regis Parent
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Regis High School really tuition-free?
What is the acceptance rate at Regis High School?
Does Regis require a specific religion to apply?
Does Regis offer AP classes?
How big is the Asian American population at Regis High School?
Does Regis provide financial aid on top of the free tuition?
Considering Regis High School?
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