Expert Consulting for Saint Mary’s College High School Admissions
Guidance for families applying to this Berkeley/Albany Lasallian Catholic 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 Saint Mary’s College High School.
As Seen On
About the School
About Saint Mary’s College High School
Founded in 1863, Saint Mary’s College High School is a coeducational, Lasallian Catholic, college-preparatory school with a Berkeley mailing address and campus in neighboring Albany, California. Guided by the tradition of Saint John Baptist de La Salle and the Brothers of the Christian Schools, Saint Mary’s enrolls roughly 630 students in Grades 9–12.
The school became coeducational in 1995 after 132 years as an all-male institution. Saint Mary’s is known for its three-course Epistemology series, a shared intellectual foundation taken across Grades 9, 10, and 11, and counts filmmaker Ryan Coogler ’03 (Sinners, Black Panther, Creed) among its recent notable alumni.
Fast Facts
Location
1294 Albina Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94706 (campus in Albany)
Type
Private, co-ed, day school, Catholic (Lasallian), college preparatory, Grades 9–12
Enrollment
~630 students
Testing Required
High School Placement Test (HSPT)
Academic & Admissions Snapshot
Faculty
81
College Matriculation
88% of graduates attend a 4-year college
Estimated Acceptance Rate
40% (third-party estimate; not published by the school)
Accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Athletic Conference
CIF North Coast Section
Signature Curriculum
3-course Epistemology series (Grades 9–11); History Through Another’s Eyes elective set
Want a Full Picture?
For a deeper look at Saint Mary’s admissions process and student life, read our How to Get Into Saint Mary’s College High School.
Understanding the Saint Mary’s Admissions Process: What Sets It Apart?
Every applicant takes the HSPT, but Saint Mary’s makes clear that where a student tests doesn’t affect the admissions decision: families can test at Saint Mary’s itself or at another Catholic high school and simply indicate that during registration.
Saint Mary’s also runs a distinct, limited transfer process for Grades 9 and 10 only, requiring good academic and disciplinary standing with no D’s or F’s; the school does not accept 12th grade or mid-year transfers, and transfer applications open each April separately.
Key Admissions Dates & Events
Applications Open
September 1, 2026
Panther for a Day
8:00 am – 12:00 pm (Register through the portal to select a date)
Panther Parent Preview
9:00 am – 11:00 am (Register through the portal to select a date)
Open House
October 25, 2026 (1:00 – 3:00 pm)
Application Deadline
January 5, 2027
HSPT Exam
January 9 & 13, 2027
Interview Night
January 27 & 28, 2027
Admissions Decision Notification
March 12, 2027
What the Saint Mary’s Application Requires
-
01Student Questionnaire
Submitted via the Finalsite portal, the Student Questionnaire allows 9th-grade applicants to share their personal goals, interests, and alignment with Lasallian values through short-answer prompts.
-
02Parent/Guardian Questionnaire
The Parent/Guardian Questionnaire allows parents to share insights on their child’s strengths, character, learning style, and reasons for choosing Saint Mary’s.
-
03HSPT
All 9th-grade applicants must take the High School Placement Test (HSPT), which evaluates reading, language, verbal, and quantitative skills.
-
04Recommendation Letters
Submitted electronically through the portal, recommendations are required from the applicant’s current 8th-grade math teacher, English teacher, and principal or counselor.
-
05Transcript
Parents authorize middle schools via the portal to send transcripts, including current 8th-grade fall grades and 6th and 7th-grade report cards, attendance, and conduct records.
-
06Admissions Interview
Prospective 9th graders attend an on-campus Interview Night in winter to meet with faculty. Parents accompany their child but do not interview.
Maximize Your Admissions Success at Saint Mary’s with Cardinal Education
Because Saint Mary’s compresses HSPT testing, application deadlines, interview prep, and decision notifications into a fast-moving winter window, families benefit immensely from a clear, proactive strategy.
Cardinal Education provides comprehensive, personalized consulting to ensure every aspect of your family’s application highlights your child’s unique strengths and alignment with Lasallian values. By managing every detail and deadline with precision, our consultants empower families to navigate the Saint Mary’s admissions process with confidence and secure top results.
Families interested in support tailored to Asian American applicants can also explore our Saint Mary’s Admissions Support: Tailored Guidance for Asian American Families.
“Choosing Saint Mary’s was the best decision for our family. Cardinal Education was right there with us through every step of the admissions process. Their HSPT prep, steady guidance on the application, and interview practice gave our child the push they needed to really stand out and get accepted.”— Saint Mary’s Parent
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Saint Mary’s require the HSPT?
What is the acceptance rate at Saint Mary’s?
Does Saint Mary’s accept transfer students?
Is Saint Mary’s a religious school?
What is the average class size at Saint Mary’s?
Considering Saint Mary’s College High School?
Our consultants help families navigate the HSPT, deadlines, and application process with clarity and confidence.