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Quick Answer for Busy Parents
Moreau Catholic High School is a private, coeducational, Catholic day school in Hayward, CA, serving grades 9-12. Admission requires the High School Placement Test (HSPT), an admissions interview, three recommendations, and transcripts. The final application deadline is January 5, the HSPT is administered January 9, and decisions are released March 12.
Why Do Families Choose Moreau Catholic High School?
Founded in 1965 and dedicated to the legacy of Blessed Basil Moreau and the Congregation of Holy Cross, Moreau Catholic High School enrolls 844 students at a 13:1 student-teacher ratio on its Hayward, CA campus. The school is accredited by both the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and offers 26 Honors and 26 AP courses across departments including English, Mathematics, Science, Theology, World Languages, and Technology & Media Arts (TAMA). Families are drawn to its reported 99% college enrollment rate, its four guiding themes (Building Respect, Educating Hearts and Minds, Being Family, and Bringing Hope), and its selective Saint André Program for academically driven students. Moreau operates its own shuttle service and BART Youth Clipper Card access, making it reachable across the East Bay.
Accreditation & Recognition Snapshot
| Category | Detail |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Accreditation | WCEA and WASC |
| Student-teacher ratio | 13:1 |
| Advanced coursework | 26 Honors, 26 AP courses |
| College enrollment | 99% of graduates |
How Hard Is It to Get Into Moreau Catholic High School?
Moreau Catholic does not publish a current official acceptance rate. Admission is weighed across the required HSPT, transcripts, three recommendations, and an in-person interview with both student and parent/guardian. Because HSPT results aren’t released until March 12, the same day as decisions, families are effectively building the rest of their application, essays, recommendations, and transcripts without knowing their test result in advance.
Top Tips for Applying
- Submit the application before the December 11 courtesy deadline if possible, well ahead of the January 5 final deadline.
- Register for the HSPT as soon as an application is on file, since it’s offered only once per cycle.
- Consider the school’s own 8th Grade HSPT Workshop or 7th Grade Practice HSPT to prepare in advance.
Best Practices for Families
- Attend a Family Admissions Tour, Open House, or Mariner for a Day shadow visit before applying.
- Line up all three required recommendations (Principal/Counselor, English teacher, and Math teacher) early in the fall.
Moreau Catholic Admission Process
- Submit the online application beginning September 1.
- Request 3 recommendations: current Principal/Counselor, current English teacher, current Math teacher.
- Upload current 7th and 8th grade unofficial transcripts (screenshots are not accepted).
- Register for and take the HSPT in person on campus (January 9); an application must be on file first.
- Attend the required admissions interview with a parent/guardian (January 13).
- Submit all remaining materials by February 3: transcripts, recommendations, and admissions essays.
- Optionally apply for financial assistance through Clarity by February 2.
- Receive an admissions decision March 12 (after 4:00 p.m.) and enroll by March 20.
Admissions Calendar / Key Dates
| Milestone | Date |
| Application opens | September 1 |
| Courtesy application deadline | December 11 |
| Final application deadline | January 5 |
| HSPT (entrance exam) | January 9 |
| Admissions interview day | January 13 |
| Financial assistance (Clarity) deadline | February 2 |
| Transcripts, recommendations, essays due | February 3 |
| Admissions decisions released | March 12 (after 4:00 p.m.) |
| Enrollment deadline | March 20 |
Moreau Catholic Application Requirements
Recommendations
Three required: one from the applicant’s current Principal/Counselor, one from a current English teacher, and one from a current Math teacher. Once the application is submitted, the online portal automatically sends recommendation requests to each contact.
Transcripts
Current 7th and 8th grade unofficial transcripts, uploaded directly by the applicant’s current school. Moreau Catholic does not accept screenshots of a transcript.
Testing (HSPT)
The HSPT is required and administered once, in person on campus. An application must be on file before a student can register. Results are emailed to families on March 12, and students may direct their scores to multiple schools during registration. See our guidance on acing the HSPT and common HSPT questions for preparation strategy.
Interview
Both the student and a parent/guardian interview with a Moreau faculty or staff member on the designated Admissions Interview Day.
Ready to Build a Standout Moreau Catholic Application?
Cardinal Education consultants can help with every step, from HSPT prep to the admissions interview.
Student Life at Moreau Catholic High School
Academics
Moreau’s academic departments include English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Theology, World Languages, Technology & Media Arts (TAMA), Visual & Performing Arts (VAPA), and Physical Education, alongside the selective Saint André Program, a rigorous pathway for students of exceptional academic promise, scaffolded across all four years to support a strong transition into high school and beyond.
Athletics
Moreau fields 16 sports across 25 teams, including football, soccer, water polo, and lacrosse. See our overview of competitive sports in private school admissions for how athletics can factor into an application.
Arts
The Visual & Performing Arts (VAPA) department spans Dance, Instrumental Music, Theatre Arts, Visual Arts, and Vocal and Choral Music.
Community & Faith Life
Moreau’s four guiding themes, Building Respect, Educating Hearts and Minds, Being Family, and Bringing Hope, shape a community the school describes as ethnically, culturally, socioeconomically, religiously, and gender diverse. Students take part in a shared student newspaper (Explorer) and yearbook (Voyager) tradition.
Transit
Moreau operates its own shuttle service and accepts the BART Youth Clipper Card, making the Hayward campus accessible across the East Bay.
What Families Say
Allen was so patient with us. We applied so late, but we felt very accommodated. He walked us through what the admissions team cared about, and helped us show what we needed to show in the short time we had. We’re really glad we had that guidance along the way.
— Parent from Moreau Catholic
Get Into Moreau Catholic High School with the Best Admissions Consultants
Moreau Catholic’s HSPT-driven, interview-inclusive process rewards families who prepare early and thoroughly. Cardinal Education’s private school admissions consultants help families do exactly that, from HSPT prep through the admissions interview. Asian American families in particular may want to start with our look at Moreau Catholic’s demographics and fit for AAPI applicants.
Ready to Apply with Confidence?
Cardinal Education helps families put together a genuinely strong Moreau Catholic application, start to finish.
Related Articles
Moreau Catholic High School Admissions Timeline: Key Dates and Deadlines
The Saint André Program: Moreau Catholic’s Pathway for Academically Driven Students