How to Get Into Regis High School: Expert Admissions Guide for New York Families

Quick Answer for Busy Parents

Regis High School is an all-boys Catholic Jesuit high school on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, enrolling about 540 students in Grades 9–12. Admission is highly competitive: a recent cycle saw 544 applicants, 230 semifinalists, and 145 admitted students, an acceptance rate of roughly 27%. Applicants must be baptized Catholic, sit for the HSPT, and complete two interviews plus a writing exercise. For the Class of 2031, online applications are due November 2, 2026.

Why Do Families Choose Regis High School?

Regis was founded in 1914 through a bequest from Julia M. Grant, given anonymously through Rev. David W. Hearn, S.J., with the express purpose of providing a free Catholic education to talented boys who could not otherwise afford one. That founding mission still defines the school: 100% of students attend on full scholarship. Families are drawn to Regis’s academic reputation, an honors-only curriculum with recent class SAT scores averaging between 1400–1500, alongside its Jesuit formation built around the Profile of the Graduate at Graduation: Open to Growth, Intellectually Proficient, Religious, Loving, and Committed to Doing Justice.

How Hard Is It to Get Into Regis High School?

In a recent cycle (Class of 2026), Regis received 544 applications, admitted 145 students, and matriculated 137, for an acceptance rate of roughly 27%. Only 230 applicants advanced past the initial screen to the semifinalist interview round. Applicants must score in the top 10% of the nation on the HSPT to be competitive, and admission also weighs recommendations, grammar school performance, and personal qualities.

Top Tips for a Competitive Application

• Prepare specifically for the HSPT well before the November exam date.
• Confirm the correct entry path (nomination vs. direct request) based on your son’s current school.
• Treat the in-person writing exercise at the interview as a real evaluation, not a formality.

Best Practices for Families

• Choose a 7th grade teacher recommender who can speak concretely to leadership, not just grades.
• Prepare your son for two distinct 20-minute interviews with different interviewer types.
• Discuss the daily commute honestly, since the average Regis student travels 53 minutes each way.

What Is the Admissions Process for Regis High School?

The Regis admissions cycle is highly structured and moves quickly from fall application to winter decision.

1. Confirm Entry Path: Catholic school applicants must be nominated by a principal or 8th-grade teacher; public and independent school applicants request an application directly.
2. Complete Online Application — includes a short essay
3. Submit Baptismal Certificate
4. Delegate Recommendation — Teacher Recommendation (7th-grade teacher), Character Recommendation (principal, school counselor, pastor, or coach)
5. Upload 7th-grade Report Card
6. Take the Regis Scholarship Exam (HSPT)
7. Complete the Semi-finalist Interview — two 20-minute interviews plus an in-person writing exercise
8. Await Decision

Admissions Calendar & Key Dates

What Are the Regis High School Application Requirements?

Eligibility

Applicants must be current 8th graders, baptized Catholic, and able to demonstrate outstanding grades and leadership potential.

Nomination or Application Request

Requirements differ by the applicant’s current school, so families should confirm which path applies:

Student Essay & Writing Exercise

The online application includes a short essay where students articulate their interest in Regis. Separately, semifinalists complete an in-person writing exercise during the interview round to assess their critical thinking and communication skills.

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.

Recommendations

Applicants must provide a 7th-grade teacher recommendation detailing academic and leadership potential and a character reference from a school official, coach, or mentor that speaks to the student’s personal qualities and service-oriented mindset.

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

A final 7th-grade report card is required, alongside any relevant standardized test scores. This documentation is reviewed to ensure the candidate is prepared for the school’s rigorous, honors-only 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.

Regis Scholarship Exam

All applicants sit for the High School Placement Test at Regis. The roughly three-hour exam determines competitiveness (top 10% nationally) but is only one part of a holistic review; scores are kept confidential from families and shared only with select Catholic high schools upon request.

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.

Admissions Interview

Selected semifinalists participate in two 20-minute interviews—one with a faculty member and one with an alumnus or staff member—to gauge their alignment with the Jesuit mission and ability to thrive in the Regis 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 Regis. Comprehensive interview preparation helps students communicate with confidence and authenticity, making a strong impression.

Have Questions About Your Son’s Application?

Cardinal Education’s consultants help families prepare for the HSPT, interviews, and writing exercise at every stage of the Regis process.

Schedule a Consultation

Student Life at Regis High School

Beyond the rigorous classroom environment, student life at Regis High School is defined by a deep commitment to community and personal growth. A wide range of extracurricular activities allows students to pursue their passions, develop leadership skills, and connect with peers outside of their academic coursework.

Academics

All coursework at Regis is taught at the honors level and at an accelerated pace, promoting critical thinking, collaboration, and self-direction without relying on external standardized curricula.

This balanced structure ensures that every Regian receives a rigorous, well-rounded foundation across the humanities, sciences, arts, and technical disciplines before advancing to higher education.

Activities & Clubs

Regis fosters a vibrant co-curricular landscape where students can explore diverse personal interests and collaborate with fellow classmates in student-led organizations.

• Academic Competition & Skill-Based Groups: Model U.N., Mock Trial, Science Bowl, Quiz Bowl, Science Olympiad, Robotics/Engineering Club, and the Hearn Speech & Debate Team.
• Culture, Identity & Community Organizations: Asian Cultural Society, Diversity Club, Heritage/Black Student Union, Prism, Spanish and Latin American Cultural Society, and Gaelic Society.

By participating in these co-curricular opportunities, students develop vital skills in public speaking, teamwork, and cultural awareness that extend well beyond the classroom.

Athletics

Interscholastic athletics at Regis High School emphasize sportsmanship, discipline, physical fitness, and team camaraderie within the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) and regional competition.

Through competitive athletics, Regians learn perseverance, discipline, and effective leadership on and off the field, court, and track.

Independent Research & Global Programs

Regis offers tailored academic tracks and international opportunities designed for students seeking advanced scholarship or experiential learning outside the traditional syllabus.

• Advanced Research Electives: Formal avenues for original study, including the Science Research Project, Student Historian Project, and Latin Research Project.
• Global Education Trips: Service learning, cultural immersion, and exchange programs spanning five continents to cultivate global citizenship.
• Selective Academic Initiatives: The competitive three-year Global Scholars program and J-Term, an interdisciplinary intensive-study period held each June.

These programs provide students with invaluable real-world experience, preparing them to engage thoughtfully with complex local and international challenges.

Service

Rooted in the Catholic Jesuit tradition of being “Men for Others,” service is fundamental to the formation and daily life of every student at Regis.

This dedication to service ensures that academic excellence is always coupled with a strong moral purpose and a commitment to helping those in need.

Notable Alumni of Regis High School

Regis High School prepares students to lead with intellectual curiosity and a commitment to serving others in the Jesuit tradition. Graduates excel in diverse fields like medicine, law, entertainment, and public service, reflecting the school’s mission to nurture deep thinkers who make meaningful contributions. Notable alumni include:

1. Anthony Fauci (Class of 1958): Physician and former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
2. John O’Keefe (Class of 1957): Neuroscientist and co-winner of the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
3. Colin Jost (Class of 2000): Comedian, writer, and Saturday Night Live Weekend Update co-anchor.
4. Patrick Fitzgerald (Class of 1978): Attorney and former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.
5. Phil Klay (Class of 2001): Author and National Book Award winner for Redeployment.

These alumni showcase how a Regis High School education empowers students to pursue their passions and make lasting impacts. Graduates matriculate to prestigious colleges and universities across the globe, continuing the school’s tradition of excellence and leadership in their chosen fields.

Maximize Your Son’s Regis Application

Regis’s biggest quirk is that its admissions process runs almost entirely on its own track: a religious eligibility requirement, an HSPT score threshold, and a scholarship decision based 100% on merit, none of which resembles the typical private-school playbook.

Cardinal Education’s consultants build a plan around each of these pieces, from HSPT preparation through interview coaching, while helping families present a genuine fit with Regis’s Jesuit mission.

Schedule a Consultation

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Did You Know?

Regis students commute from 219 different zip codes across the New York metropolitan area, more than any other private day school in the country, with an average one-way commute of 53 minutes.

Regis gave my son a transformative education and a brotherhood that has lasted well beyond graduation. Cardinal Education helped us understand a process that felt overwhelming at first.

— Regis Parent