Seattle Preparatory School: Strategic Prep & Admissions Consulting
Guidance for Families Applying to This Capitol Hill Jesuit College-Preparatory 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 Seattle Preparatory School.
As Seen On
About the School
Overview of Seattle Preparatory School
Founded in 1891, Seattle Preparatory School (Seattle Prep) is a Catholic, Jesuit, coeducational college-preparatory school on North Capitol Hill in Seattle. The school enrolls approximately 720 students in Grades 9–12 across 5 acres, drawing from nearly 100 feeder schools throughout the region. Seattle Prep is known for Collegio, a signature interdisciplinary program spanning freshman through junior year, and counts more than 10,000 alumni working across law, medicine, the arts, government, and business, including Broadway performer Marc de la Cruz ’97.
Fast Facts
Location
2400 11th Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98102
Type
Private, co-ed, day school, Catholic (Jesuit), college preparatory, Grades 9–12
Enrollment
720 students; average class size 22
Feeder Schools
Nearly 100 different schools represented
Testing Required
High School Placement Test (HSPT)
Academic & Admissions Snapshot
Co-Curricular Options
90+, from PULSE dance and robotics to the Global Justice Coalition and Mock Trial
College Matriculation
100% of graduates attend a 4-year college
Accreditation
Northwest Accreditation Commission
Memberships
Jesuit Schools Network (JSN), National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA)
Theatre Recognition
2x Best in Fest, Washington State Thespian Festival
Athletics Conference
Metro AAA League
Want a Full Picture?
For a deeper look at Seattle Prep’s admissions process and student life, see our full How to Get Into Seattle Preparatory School: Expert Admissions Guide for Families.
Understanding Seattle Prep’s Unique Admissions Approach
Seattle Prep is explicit that the HSPT plays a limited role in admission: the school states there is “no need to prepare” for the exam, since by virtue of being an 8th grader, applicants are already prepared, and the score represents just one piece within a multi-layered, holistic review. The HSPT does, however, help determine class placement once a student is accepted, giving the exam real weight beyond admission alone.
Key Admissions Dates & Events
Applications Open
September 2026
Catholic High School Information Night
September 30, 2026
Partner for a Day
October–December 2026
HSPT Registration Deadline
November 30, 2026
HSPT Testing Window
December 5–6, 2026
Application Video Deadlines
December 2026 (refer to the portal to schedule)
Early Application Deadline
December 13, 2026
9th Grade Application Deadline
January 5, 2027 (8:00 am)
Admissions Decisions Release
February 11, 2027
New Panther Night
January 23, 2027
Math & Language Placement Test
March 6, 2027 (for newly enrolled 9th grade)
Navigating Seattle Prep Application Requirements
To apply to Seattle Preparatory School, you will need to submit the following:
- 01HSPT
All applicants take the High School Placement Test, which informs both admission (as one factor among several in a holistic review) and class placement. The roughly four-hour exam can be taken at Prep or at any other HSPT testing site, and applicants can direct results to multiple schools during the same sitting.
- 02Transcripts
Applicants must request official academic transcripts through the portal to be sent directly by their middle school, covering the prior two academic years and the current fall term via Veracross.
- 03Teacher Evaluation Form
Request two teacher evaluations: one from a current math teacher and one from a current language arts teacher. Note that teachers writing these core academic recommendations should not be sports coaches or extracurricular teachers. The teacher completes and submits the evaluation form online via a secure link generated by Veracross.
- 04Application Video
The Student Application Video serves as the central personal component of the Seattle Prep application, replacing traditional written essay prompts. Submitted digitally directly through the Veracross portal, it offers the admissions committee a direct, multi-dimensional view of the applicant’s character, communication style, and alignment with Seattle Prep’s values.
Expert Admissions Consulting for Seattle Prep
Because Seattle Prep frames the HSPT as just one piece of a holistic review, families benefit from an application that presents a genuinely complete picture: strong grades, meaningful extracurricular involvement, and essays that reflect real fit with Prep’s Jesuit mission. Cardinal Education’s consultants help families build that complete application and navigate every deadline in Prep’s admissions calendar.
Families interested in support tailored to Asian American applicants can also explore Navigating Seattle Preparatory Admissions: Strategic Support for Asian American Families.
“Seattle Prep gave our son a rigorous academic foundation and a genuine sense of purpose through the Collegio program. Cardinal Education helped us put together a complete, thoughtful application that reflected who he really is.”— Parent of a 10th Grader
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Seattle Prep require the HSPT?
Do I need to prepare for the HSPT?
What is Collegio?
How big is the Asian American population at Seattle Prep?
Does Seattle Prep require a specific religion to apply?
Considering Seattle Preparatory School?
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