How to Get Into Seattle Preparatory School: Expert Admissions Guide for Families

Quick Answer for Busy Parents

Founded in 1891, Seattle Preparatory School is a coeducational, Jesuit college-preparatory school on North Capitol Hill serving grades 9–12. With 785 students and a 100% four-year college matriculation rate, Prep emphasizes holistic admissions, including the HSPT. For Fall 2027 entry, applications are due January 5, 2027, with decisions mailed February 12. Known for its signature Collegio interdisciplinary program and award-winning theater, Prep offers a rigorous, values-driven environment for students from nearly 100 feeder schools.

Why Do Families Choose Seattle Preparatory School?

Seattle Prep traces its roots to 1891, later merging with Immaculate Conception Parish School in 1898 before Seattle College (now Seattle University) grew from the same institution; from 1919 to 1931, Seattle College’s only campus stood on the current Prep site.

Families are drawn to the school’s Jesuit values, expressed through four Latin principles woven into daily life: Cura Personalis (care for the individual person), Magis (striving for “more”), Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (for the greater glory of God), and Virtus in Arduis (strength in difficulties, Prep’s official motto).

Prep is a member of the Jesuit Schools Network (JSN), which supports more than 80 secondary and post-secondary Jesuit schools, part of a global network spanning six continents. Prep’s Regina Melonson Learning Resource Center supports students with an identified learning difference or a mental, emotional, or physical diagnosis that affects learning.

How Hard Is It to Get Into Seattle Preparatory School?

Seattle Prep does not publish an official acceptance rate. Admission is based on a multi-layered, holistic review: grades, extracurricular activities, the HSPT, reference letters, and student application video all factor in, with the HSPT representing just one piece rather than the primary determinant.

Top Tips for a Strong Application

• Test at Prep on December 5 or 6, 2026, or at another site before the end of December.
• Take advantage of an optional Panther Visit before applying to see a typical day at Prep.
• Submit every application component together, since files are processed as a single batch.

Best Practices for Elite Families

• Remember that HSPT results can be sent to multiple schools during the same test sitting.
• Ask about the Regina Melonson Learning Resource Center if your child has an identified learning difference.
• Give real weight to student application videos and recommendations, since the process is explicitly holistic.

What Is Seattle Preparatory School’s Admission Process?

Creating an account in the Prep Admissions Portal is the first step in Seattle Prep’s admission process. There, you will be able to sign up for events and submit the required documents for your application.

1. Complete Online Application
2. Submit Required School Forms
   • Transcript (7th & 8th grade transcripts)
   • Teacher Evaluation Forms (Current math & English teacher)
3. Register for Panther for a Day
4. Take the High School Placement Test (HSPT)
5. Submit Application Video

What Are Seattle Prep’s Application Requirements?

HSPT

All applicants take the High School Placement Test, which informs both admission (as one factor among several in a holistic review) and class placement. The roughly four-hour exam can be taken at Prep or at any other HSPT testing site, and applicants can direct results to multiple schools during the same sitting.

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.

Transcripts

Applicants must request official academic transcripts through the portal to be sent directly by their middle school, covering the prior two academic years and the current fall term via Veracross.

How to support academic performance: 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.

Teacher Evaluation Form

Request two teacher evaluations: one from a current math teacher and one from a current language arts teacher. Note that teachers writing these core academic recommendations should not be sports coaches or extracurricular teachers. The teacher completes and submits the evaluation form online via a secure link generated by Veracross.

How to get the best teacher evaluations: To secure strong teacher evaluations, ensure your child builds genuine relationships with teachers and mentors. Recommenders should highlight your child’s leadership, behavior, and academic impact on the community.

Application Video

The Student Application Video serves as the central personal component of the Seattle Prep application, replacing traditional written essay prompts. Submitted digitally directly through the Veracross portal, it offers the admissions committee a direct, multi-dimensional view of the applicant’s character, communication style, and alignment with Seattle Prep’s values.

How to create a compelling video: Focus on authenticity over polished production. Encourage your child to speak clearly, answer prompts directly, and highlight specific experiences that reflect Seattle Prep’s values.

Have Questions About Your Child’s Application?

Cardinal Education’s consultants help families build a complete, compelling application for Seattle Prep’s holistic review process.

Schedule a Consultation

Student Life at Seattle Preparatory School

Life at Seattle Prep extends well beyond the classroom, fostering a vibrant community where students are encouraged to pursue their passions and grow as well-rounded individuals. Through a wide array of extracurricular activities, including competitive athletics, performing arts, and student-led clubs, students find ample opportunities to build leadership skills, explore new interests, and form lasting friendships within the school’s supportive Jesuit environment.

Academics

Seattle Prep delivers a college-preparatory curriculum anchored in the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm (Context, Experience, Action, Evaluation). Underclassmen participate in the Collegio program, an interdisciplinary model combining English, social studies, and theology to build critical writing and analytical skills.

This academic progression ensures students develop strong critical thinking skills while pursuing personalized, high-level coursework.

Arts

The Fine and Performing Arts program balances foundational instruction with regular campus showcases, culminating in the annual Arts Week and Panther Arts Fest.

• Drama: Mainstage theatrical productions in the campus theater (e.g., Shakespeare in Love, Les Misérables: School Edition).
• Music: Vocal and instrumental ensembles including Choir, Jazz Ensemble, Band, and seasonal concerts like Hope & Thunder.
• Visual Arts: Studio courses in drawing, painting, ceramics, and photography.
• Digital Media & Movement: Electives and clubs covering Filmmaking, Media Literacy, and Hip-Hop Dance.

Participating in the arts enables students to discover their creative abilities while striving for artistic excellence in both performance and visual media.

Athletics

Competing in the 3A Metro League, Seattle Prep maintains an 87.5% student participation rate across 47 individual teams.

Whether students compete at the varsity level or join non-cut programs, the athletic department emphasizes leadership, personal discipline, and sportsmanship.

Faith & Service

Rooted in Ignatian spirituality, the program encourages students to become “men and women for and with others” through community prayer, spiritual reflection, and social justice outreach.

• Community Ministry: Organizes all-school masses (e.g., Mass of the Holy Spirit), prayer services, and daily chapel worship.
• Retreat Program: Four-year sequential retreat track focused on self-reflection and community, ending with the senior Kairos retreat.
• Magis Service & Justice: Four-year service requirement pairing direct community action with classroom reflection on systemic issues.
• Immersion Programs: Experiential justice trips enabling students to advocate alongside local and regional communities.

Through the integration of faith, service, and retreats, students are challenged to form a personal relationship with God while actively working to address real-world injustices.

Notable Students & Alumni of Seattle Preparatory School

Seattle Preparatory School prepares students to lead with intellectual curiosity and rigorous problem-solving skills. Graduates excel in diverse fields like performing arts, business, leadership, and public service, reflecting the school’s mission to nurture deep thinkers who make meaningful contributions. Notable alumni include:

1. Marc de la Cruz ’97: A talented Broadway performer best known for his work in the hit musical Hamilton. His career reflects the school’s emphasis on creative expression and artistic excellence.
2. Kirby Winfield ’92: A successful startup operator and angel investor. His professional leadership demonstrates the entrepreneurial spirit and analytical mindset cultivated during his time at Prep.
3. Paul Mullally ’71: A distinguished Vatican official whose career reflects the school’s deep commitment to faith, service, and global citizenship.
4. Tom Hoffer ’80: A recipient of the 2018 Henry Viscardi Award, recognized for his exceptional leadership and advocacy within the global disability community. His work embodies the Jesuit value of caring for the individual.
5. Jen Davis Wickens ’96: The CEO of Impact Public Schools, a public charter school network in Washington State. Her leadership in education reform highlights the school’s focus on service and making a tangible impact on the community.

These alumni showcase how a Seattle Preparatory School education empowers students to pursue their passions and make lasting impacts, reflecting the school’s dedication to fostering world-class discipline and resilience.

Expert Seattle Prep Admissions Consulting

Seattle Prep’s highly selective admissions process is designed to find students who fit their rigorous, Jesuit, college-preparatory culture. Because the school utilizes a genuinely holistic review—where the HSPT is evaluated holistically alongside academic transcripts and recommendations—the margin for error is slim.

At Cardinal Education, our expert consultants provide the strategic support families need to navigate this complexity. We help students craft compelling narratives, strengthen their academic profiles, and meticulously manage every deadline in the admissions calendar to ensure no detail is overlooked.

Speak with an Admissions Expert

Related Reading

What is the Seattle Prep Collegio Program? A Complete Overview

Seattle Prep’s Theatre Program: Two-Time Best in Fest Winners

Did You Know?

Seattle Prep’s campus sits on the same North Capitol Hill site where Seattle College, now Seattle University, operated its only campus from 1919 to 1931, before the university relocated and Prep continued at the location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Seattle Prep gave our son a rigorous academic foundation and a genuine sense of purpose through the Collegio program. Cardinal Education helped us put together a complete, thoughtful application that reflected who he really is.

— Parent of a 10th Grader