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Quick Answer for Busy Parents
Saint Francis High School is a selective, coeducational, Catholic college-preparatory school in Mountain View serving grades 9-12. With demand exceeding available seats, admission is highly competitive. Families often turn to Cardinal Education to navigate this rigorous process, from strategic HSPT preparation and securing strong recommendations to interview coaching. Beyond admissions, the school is recognized for its 1,760-student body, 70-plus athletic teams, diverse clubs, and robust sustainability initiatives, preparing students for success through holistic spiritual and intellectual growth.
Why Do Families Choose Saint Francis High School?
Families choose Saint Francis High School for its balanced approach to educating the whole student, mind, heart, and spirit. Guided by the Holy Cross motto, “We shall always place education side by side with instruction; the mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heart,” the school fosters deep spiritual, intellectual, and social growth.
Parents and students are drawn to the vibrant Holy Cross Mission and Ministry programs, award-winning arts, and a competitive athletics program competing in the West Catholic Athletic League within the CIF Central Coast Section.
How Hard Is It to Get Into Saint Francis High School?
Admission to Saint Francis High School is highly competitive, as demand consistently exceeds the number of available seats each year. Because the school takes a holistic approach to evaluating applicants, it does not publish a single official acceptance rate.
Instead, the admissions committee carefully weighs HSPT performance, middle school transcripts, teacher recommendations, and a personal interview together, meaning applicants must demonstrate strength across all areas to earn a spot in the incoming class.
Top Tips for a Strong Application
- Register for the HSPT as part of the application itself, since no separate sign-up is needed.
- Submit preferred interview dates promptly; the admissions team confirms times by email in early January.
- Secure both required recommendation letters early, from a principal, VP, counselor, or core-subject 7th- or 8th-grade teacher.
Best Practices for Families
- Treat the interview as a genuine, low-pressure conversation about your child’s interests and goals.
- Ask directly about the Holy Cross Mission and Ministry programs during a visit.
- Prepare for March course scheduling if admitted, including the Virtual Academic Night and any Qualifying Placement Exams.
What Is the Admissions Process at Saint Francis High School?
Creating an account in Ravenna is the first step in Saint Francis’s admission process. There, you will be able to sign up for events and submit the required documents for your application.
- Submit Preliminary Application
- Extracurricular Interests
- Three Student Essays
- Take the High School Placement Test (HSPT)
- Schedule the Student Interview
- Designate Recommendations
- Principal, Vice Principal, or Counselor
- Current 7th or 8th grade core subject teacher
- Non-academic recommendation (optional)
- Submit Transcripts
- 7th and 8th grade transcripts
What Are the Application Requirements for Saint Francis?
Student Essay
The online application submitted through Ravenna Hub requires 8th-grade applicants to complete three student essays. These essays ask candidates to reflect on their co-curricular interests, personal background, and alignment with Saint Francis’s Holy Cross values.
How to write an effective student essay
Focus on a specific moment of growth rather than a list of activities. Authenticity is key. This is where Programs in Writing and Reading (PWR) helps students develop essential reading and writing skills that would allow them to produce compelling written outputs. Learn how to develop an authentic writing voice that helps your statement stand out.
HSPT
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 can also determine eligibility for certain honors-level courses (for example, English 1 Honors requires a National Reading Score of 85 or above).
How to prepare for the HSPT
Because the HSPT is only offered once, thorough preparation is key. Engaging in targeted HSPT test prep can help students master the test’s fast-paced sections, develop effective pacing strategies, and gain familiarity with the exam’s unique structure, all of which are vital for performing your best on this one-time assessment.
Recommendations
Saint Francis requires two electronic academic recommendations for incoming 9th-grade applicants. These forms must be completed through Ravenna Hub by a principal, vice-principal, counselor, or current 7th or 8th-grade teacher in a core academic subject (English, math, science, or social studies).
How to get the best recommendation letter
To secure a strong recommendation letter, your child must build genuine relationships with teachers. Recommenders should highlight your child’s leadership, behavior, and academic impact on the school community.
Transcript
Applicants must submit official middle school academic records. Saint Francis requires complete grade reports from 7th grade (full year) and 8th grade (first semester/trimester). This academic record is evaluated to ensure candidates are prepared for Saint Francis’s rigorous college-preparatory curriculum.
How to improve grades
If grades have been a genuine struggle, improving them before applying requires targeted, consistent support, not last-minute cramming. This is where tutoring and academic coaching help strengthen the student’s key skills months before applications are due, allowing students to demonstrate meaningful, sustained academic growth.
Interview
As part of the 9th-grade evaluation process, applicants participate in a personal 10-minute interview. These casual, conversation-style interviews are conducted on campus or via Zoom in January by a member of the Saint Francis faculty or administration to discuss the student’s interests, goals, and fit for the school community.
How to prepare for the admissions interview
Approach the interview as a natural conversation. Students should be prepared to discuss their interests, achievements, and reasons for applying to Saint Francis. Comprehensive interview preparation helps students communicate with confidence and authenticity, making a strong impression.
Have Questions About Your Child’s Application?
Cardinal Education’s consultants help families prepare for the HSPT, secure strong recommendations, and approach the interview with confidence.
What Is Student Life Like at Saint Francis High School?
Student life at Saint Francis High School is a dynamic experience centered around holistic growth, community building, and personal excellence. Rooted in Holy Cross values, students are encouraged to pursue academic curiosity, compete in athletics, engage in diverse clubs, and foster an inclusive culture.
Academics
Academic life at Saint Francis balances a comprehensive college preparatory foundation with challenging advanced coursework, allowing students to customize their intellectual pathway across diverse disciplines.
| Metric | Overview & Academic Feature |
| Graduation Requirement | 23 required total units across core subjects including English, Math, Science, and Social Sciences |
| Advanced Coursework | Comprehensive selection of Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors courses offered |
| Key STEM & Humanities | Specialized options spanning AP Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, and Computer Science |
| World Languages | Multilevel language sequences offering Spanish and Latin study |
This structured curriculum prepares graduates for higher education while providing robust academic enhancement resources to support individual student success.
Clubs & Activities
Beyond the classroom, student life offers extensive leadership and extracurricular engagement through student-run organizations and interactive campus events.
- Diverse Selection: Over 100 student clubs and co-curricular organizations operating across campus.
- Interest Focus Areas: Encompasses student leadership, performance ensembles, academic competition teams, and affinity groups.
- Skill Development: Programs are tailored to foster collaboration, practical problem-solving, and community engagement.
- Leadership Roles: Abundant opportunities for students to direct student initiatives, organize campus events, and lead peer groups.
Students actively build connections and explore personal passions in a vibrant, supportive co-curricular ecosystem.
Athletics
The Lancer athletic program emphasizes teamwork, personal discipline, and championship-level competition within prominent regional and state associations.
| Athletic Metric | Program Statistics |
| Mascot & Team Identity | Lancers |
| Program Scope | 31 sports programs featuring 73 teams across Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons |
| League & Section | West Catholic Athletic League (WCAL) member in the CIF Central Coast Section (CCS) |
| Championship Record | Over 388 league titles, 201 CCS titles, 35 CIF-NorCal titles, and 13 CIF-State crowns |
The athletic department supports athletes across all skill levels, developing sportsmanship and resilience alongside a strong legacy of collegiate athlete placement.
School Culture & Belonging
Saint Francis fosters an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives, personal affirmation, and community unity grounded in Catholic and Holy Cross principles.
- Diverse Community: Draws students from over 110 middle schools and 8 surrounding Bay Area counties.
- Affinity Groups: Dedicated gathering spaces that support positive identity exploration and peer empowerment.
- Inclusive Climate: Targeted policies and practices that promote equitable opportunities and active community dialogue.
- Holy Cross Values: Continuous emphasis on spiritual formation, service learning, and mutual respect among all community members.
These initiatives combine to ensure every student experiences a deep sense of belonging, purpose, and shared community identity.
Notable Alumni of Saint Francis High School
The legacy of Saint Francis High School is best reflected in the remarkable achievements of its graduates, who embody the school’s commitment to intellectual rigor, spiritual development, and community leadership. Across diverse fields, including athletics, science, entertainment, and medicine, Saint Francis alumni have left an indelible mark on their communities and the world at large.
- Linda Cardellini: An Emmy-nominated actress celebrated for her versatile roles in Freaks and Geeks, ER, Dead to Me, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, reflecting the creative confidence fostered through the school’s arts programs.
- K. Megan McArthur: A NASA astronaut and oceanographer who piloted the SpaceX Crew-2 mission to the International Space Station, demonstrating the foundational excellence of the school’s advanced STEM pathways.
- Daniel Descalso: A former Major League Baseball (MLB) infielder and 2011 World Series champion with the St. Louis Cardinals, exemplifying the competitive drive and discipline of Lancer athletics.
- Dr. Ajith Malige: A board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist who served as an assistant team physician for pro sports franchises, embodying purpose-driven leadership and medical innovation.
- Eric Byrnes: A former MLB outfielder turned television sports analyst for MLB Network, demonstrating how athletic excellence can translate into impactful sports journalism and broadcasting.
These distinguished graduates serve as a powerful inspiration to current students, illustrating that a foundation built on academic curiosity and Holy Cross values can lead to extraordinary success. Their accomplishments continue to define the Saint Francis legacy, demonstrating that with the right guidance and support, students are prepared to make a meaningful, lasting impact on the world.
What Families Say
Maximize Your Admissions Success at Saint Francis High School
Admission to Saint Francis is highly selective, with competition for seats intensifying every year. Because the HSPT directly impacts both admissions outcomes and initial course placement, high-level test preparation is critical.
Cardinal Education’s consultants offer a strategic advantage, guiding families through the competitive landscape by providing intensive HSPT prep, ensuring recommendation letters highlight unique student strengths, and building the confidence needed to excel in interviews and course scheduling.
Related Articles
Saint Francis High School Sustainability: A Decade of Green Campus Initiatives
Holy Cross Mission and Ministry at Saint Francis High School
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saint Francis a religious school?
Does Saint Francis require standardized testing?
Are there opportunities for international students or students coming from outside the immediate area?
What is Saint Francis High School known for?
What does course scheduling look like for admitted students?
Did You Know?
Saint Francis’s campus sustainability program has reduced energy use by more than 11% over the past decade, with solar panels now meeting 51% of the school’s energy needs.
Saint Francis gave our daughter a genuine sense of community and a rigorous academic foundation. Cardinal Education helped us prepare for the HSPT and the interview with real confidence.
— Parent of a 9th grader