St. Ignatius College Preparatory Top Admissions Consulting for Prospective Families
Guidance for Families Applying to This Sunset District 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 St. Ignatius College Preparatory.
As Seen On
About the School
St. Ignatius College Preparatory: An Introduction
Founded in 1855 by Jesuit priest Anthony Maraschi, St. Ignatius College Preparatory (SI) is a coeducational, Catholic, college-preparatory school in San Francisco’s Sunset District, one of the oldest secondary schools in California. SI enrolls approximately 1,500–1,600 students in Grades 9–12, guided by the Jesuit philosophy of cura personalis (care for the whole person) and the pursuit of magis, a thirst for the more and the greater good. Known locally as “SI,” the school is currently building the New Learning Commons, a 165,000-square-foot facility that represents the most ambitious construction project in SI’s history.
Fast Facts
Location
2001 37th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94116
Type
Private, Co-Ed, Day School, Catholic (Jesuit), College Preparatory, Grades 9–12
Enrollment
1,500–1,600 students
Testing Required
HSPT (High School Placement Test)
Academic & Admissions Snapshot
Athletics
66 teams; 70%+ of students participate; West Catholic Athletic League
Athletic Highlight
Men’s rowing has won 3 national championships, SI’s most successful program
Learning Support
Center for Academics and Targeted Support (CATS), for students with learning differences
HSPT Testing Locations
SI or another Catholic high school (Riordan, Junipero Serra, Mercy Burlingame, Notre Dame Belmont, Sacred Heart Cathedral)
Classroom Snapshot (per 25 students)
17 spend 4 years in a major co-curricular; 15 lead a retreat or complete 200+ service hours; 12 graduate with honors
Major Campus Project
New Learning Commons, 165,000 sq ft, targeted to open spring 2027
Want a Full Picture?
For a deeper look at SI’s admissions process and student life, read our How to Get Into St. Ignatius College Preparatory: Navigating Competitive Admissions.
What Sets the St. Ignatius College Prep Admissions Process Apart?
SI is explicit that the HSPT is one test on one day among several factors in the admissions decision, though it also helps determine initial Frosh-year course placement in English, math, and biology.
Applicants can take the HSPT at SI itself or at another participating Catholic high school; testing location has no bearing on the admissions decision, since all participating schools share results. Because SI can only accommodate up to 700 applicants for its own December 5 test date, families should register early through the online application.
Key Admissions Dates & Events
Applications Open
September 9, 2026 (12:00 pm)
Application Deadline
November 16, 2026 (11:59 pm)
The Wildcat Experience
September–October 2026
CATS Information Night
November 11, 2026 (7:00 pm)
High School Placement Test
December 5, 2026
High School Placement Test (Extended Time)
December 12, 2026 (with extended time & accommodations)
Admissions Video Deadline
December 15, 2026 (11:59 pm)
Open House
February 7, 2027 (4:00–5:30 pm)
Admissions Decision Notification
March 12, 2027
Admitted Students Night
March 15, 2027
Enrollment Deadline
March 19, 2027 (6:00 am)
What the SI Application Requires
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01Student Statement
The online application submitted through the MySI portal requires 8th-grade applicants to complete a student statement. These written reflections ask candidates to articulate why they want to attend SI, highlight their personal interests and co-curricular pursuits, and show how their goals align with St. Ignatius’s Jesuit mission of cura personalis and becoming people “with and for others.”
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02Parent Statement
Completed inside the MySI online portal, the parent statement gives families an opportunity to share insights into their child’s character, personal development, and intellectual curiosity. This section allows parents to demonstrate how their family values align with SI’s faith-filled, service-oriented Jesuit education.
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03HSPT
Required for all applicants and registered for directly within the online application. Students applying to multiple Catholic high schools within the San Jose, Oakland, or San Francisco Dioceses need only take the HSPT once. Subject-area HSPT scores also play a key role in placement for freshman honors-level courses in core subjects like math, biology, and English.
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04Recommendations
SI requires a confidential recommendation for 9th-grade applicants. This evaluation is requested directly by the SI Admissions Office from the student’s current middle school principal, counselor, or 8th-grade teacher. Applicants may also submit an optional Confidential Clergy Recommendation Form if active in a faith community.
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05Transcript
The SI Admissions Office directly requests official academic records from the applicant’s middle school. Requirements include complete report cards from the 7th grade (full year) and 8th grade (first term/semester). This academic record is evaluated to ensure candidates are prepared for St. Ignatius’s rigorous college-preparatory curriculum.
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06Admissions Video
Required for all 8th-grade applicants as part of the MySI online application. Submitted directly through the portal, this short video allows the admissions committee to see the applicant’s personality, interests, and character beyond test scores. Candidates respond to specific prompts, with the committee prioritizing authenticity and clear communication over video production quality.
Expert Admissions Consulting for Your St. Ignatius Application
Because SI treats the HSPT as both an admissions factor and a course-placement tool, families benefit from genuine preparation rather than treating the test as a formality. Cardinal Education’s consultants help students prepare for the HSPT, craft strong parent and student statements, and navigate SI’s timeline with confidence.
Families interested in support tailored to Asian American applicants can also explore our Navigating St. Ignatius College Prep Admissions: Advice for Asian American Applicants.
“SI pushed our son academically while building genuine character through service and community. Cardinal Education helped us prepare for the HSPT and put together strong parent and student statements.”— Parent of a 9th Grade SI Student
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SI require the HSPT?
Does it matter where I take the HSPT?
What is the New Learning Commons?
How big is the Asian American population at SI?
Does SI support students with learning differences?
Considering St. Ignatius College Preparatory?
Our consultants help families prepare for the HSPT and build a complete, compelling SI application.