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Everything Families Need to Know About Applying to This All-Girls’ Catholic College-Preparatory School.
Quick Answer for Busy Parents
Mercy High School Burlingame is a private, all-girls Catholic college-preparatory school sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, serving 365 students in Grades 9-12. The HSPT is required for all applicants, with no SSAT or ISEE alternative. The process also includes a required Shadow Day, teacher recommendations, transcripts, and either a family interview or a self-recorded introductory video. The final application deadline is typically in mid-January, with decisions released in March.
Why Do Families Choose Mercy High School Burlingame?
Founded in 1931, Mercy High School Burlingame is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and housed in the historic Kohl Mansion in Burlingame. Mercy is currently led by Head of School Natalie Cirigliano Brosnan, under the motto “Be known, be challenged, be transformed.” The school’s mission centers on educating young women of diverse backgrounds to reverence the dignity of each person, lead with integrity and compassion, and strive for excellence. Mercy holds accreditation from WASC and WCEA, and is part of the Mercy Education System of the Americas (MESA), an international network of roughly 40 high schools, 20 elementary schools, and 17 universities and colleges.
Mercy High School Burlingame at a Glance
| Category | Detail |
| Total Enrollment | 365 students, Grades 9-12 |
| Average Class Size | 17 students |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 10:1 |
| AP & Honors Courses | 42 total, including 19 distinct AP courses |
| Graduation Rate | 100% |
| Accreditation | WASC and WCEA; Affiliation: MESA |
How Hard Is It to Get Into Mercy High School Burlingame?
Mercy does not publish an official acceptance rate, but the admissions process is genuinely structured: the HSPT is required for every applicant, a Shadow Day is expected before applying, and the file is rounded out with teacher recommendations, transcripts, and either a family interview or a self-recorded video. Families researching Mercy alongside other Bay Area Catholic and independent schools may benefit from private school admissions consultants who understand the school’s specific requirements.
Top Tips for Applying
- Register for the HSPT early; Mercy hosts an on-campus test date, or applicants may test at any school offering it.
- Complete your required Shadow Day well before the application deadline.
- Decide early whether a family interview or a self-recorded video best represents your daughter, informed by what schools look for in applicants.
Best Practices for Families
- Attend the Open House or a Shadow Day to experience the Kohl Mansion campus firsthand.
- Submit transcripts via Mercy’s fillable PDF Transcript Form directly through your daughter’s current school.
- If applying for financial assistance, note that its deadline falls before the transcripts deadline.
Mercy High School Burlingame Admission Process
- Start the online application (a non-refundable fee applies) through the Finalsite portal.
- Attend a required Shadow Day, in person from September through December, or virtually for summer applicants.
- Register for and take the HSPT, either on Mercy’s campus or at any school offering the exam.
- Submit transcripts via a fillable PDF Transcript Form, sent directly to the student’s current school.
- Submit two required recommendations (and an optional clergy recommendation).
- Attend a Family Interview, or upload a self-recorded introductory video instead.
- Await the admissions decision, sent by email and mail.
For general guidance on assembling a strong private school application, see our full application walkthrough.
Admissions Timeline
| Event | Date |
| Early Bird Application & AMES Deadline | November 27, 2026 |
| HSPT On-Campus Test Date | December 5, 2026 |
| Final Application Deadline | January 15, 2027 |
| Financial Assistance Application Deadline | January 22, 2027 |
| Transcripts & Recommendations Due | January 30, 2027 |
| Family Interviews | January 26, 27, 28, and 30, 2027 |
| Decisions Released | Week of March 11-12, 2027 |
Families should confirm exact current-cycle dates directly with the admissions office, since deadlines can shift from year to year. See our guide to private school open houses and tours for how to make the most of an Open House or Shadow Day.
Application Requirements
Testing Policy
The HSPT (High School Placement Test) is required for all applicants, hosted on Mercy’s campus or offered at any school administering the exam. No SSAT or ISEE alternative is available.
Recommendations
Two recommendations are required: a Mathematics Placement Form from a current math teacher and a Confidential Recommendation Form from a current teacher, administrator, or counselor. An optional Confidential Clergy Recommendation Form may also be submitted.
Transcripts
Transcripts are submitted via a fillable PDF Transcript Form (Quarter or Trimester version), sent directly by the student’s current school. Families looking to strengthen grades before applying can turn to Cardinal Education’s tutoring and academic coaching programs.
Interviews & Shadow Day
A required Shadow Day gives prospective students a chance to experience Mercy firsthand. For the personal component, applicants choose between an in-person family interview or a self-recorded introductory video; one of the two is expected, not both. Either format is a chance to convey the same authenticity families bring to a personal statement.
Ready to Build Your Daughter’s Mercy Application Strategy?
Our consultants help families prepare for the HSPT and choose the right interview format.
Student Life at Mercy High School Burlingame
Academics
Mercy’s graduation requirements span English (4 years), Religion (4 years), Math (3 years), Science (3 years), Social Science (3 years), World Language (2 years), Visual/Performing Arts (1 year), and Health & Wellness (0.5 year), reflecting a broader educational philosophy. Mercy also participates in a distinctive Tri-School Program, sharing select classes with nearby Junipero Serra High School, with dedicated transportation provided between campuses. See The Tri-School Program: How Mercy Burlingame Partners with Junipero Serra High School for the full picture.
Athletics
Mercy athletics fields 24 teams across 14 sports, offering both competitive and recreational opportunities, part of a broader extracurricular program.
“Mercy Burlingame wasn’t originally at the top of our list, but the more we learned about it (and visited), the more it felt right for our daughter. The team was very hands-on, and the HSPT prep was especially helpful. We couldn’t be happier with how things turned out.”
— Parent from Mercy
Ace the Mercy Burlingame Admissions with Top Consultants in the U.S.
Mercy’s HSPT-based, holistic process rewards families who prepare thoughtfully for the required test, Shadow Day, and personal interview component. Cardinal Education helps families build results-driven strategies, informed by choosing the right admissions consultant, for each stage of that process.
Families specifically interested in how these same fundamentals apply to Asian American applicants can also see our dedicated guide to Mercy for Asian American families.
Considering Mercy High School Burlingame?
Our consultants help families navigate Mercy’s admissions process with clarity and confidence.
Related Articles:
The Historic Kohl Mansion: Mercy Burlingame’s Distinctive Campus
The Tri-School Program: How Mercy Burlingame Partners with Junipero Serra High School