FAQ’s 2011-2012

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 2011-2012

Listed below are some of our most frequently asked questions by prospective parents and students. For your convenience, we have listed all of the questions first, followed by the individual questions and the answers.

How do I get information about Saint Mary’s?

Information about Saint Mary’s College High School and the application process for the 2012-2013 school year is available online 24 hours and day, seven days a week, on our website at www.saintmaryschs.org . Families may join our mailing list, attend one of our admission events, browse our website, or call the Admissions Office directly for information about Saint Mary’s College High School and the application process for incoming freshman  for the 2012-2013 school year.

When can I see the school?

The best opportunity for families to see and learn about the school is at Saint Mary’s Open House on Sunday afternoon, November 20, 2011 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  The campus will be open for families to visit, enjoy, and explore. Please check our website for detailed Open House program information and schedules available after November 15, 2011.

What can I expect at Saint Mary’s Open House?

This interactive experience is the best opportunity for parents and students to talk with teachers, visit classrooms, meet the administration, learn about our academic, co-curricular, fine arts, and athletic programs. All are welcome to join in the various presentations, demonstrations, and tours given on this day. Please see the “Opportunities to Visit” page of this website for other important dates for prospective parents and students.

Do you have a campus visit or shadow program?

During the fall months of September, October, and November, Saint Mary’s sponsors a campus visit program for eighth grade students. Parent drivers who assist with carpooling are appreciated and welcome. Due to the overwhelming number of inquiries Saint Mary’s receives every year from students requesting a campus visit, we arrange for small student groups to be toured by a Saint Mary’s student ambassador, rather than one-on-one shadow visits.

How do I apply to Saint Mary’s?

Both ninth grade and transfer students may apply for admission using the same online application link on the ‘Apply to Saint Mary’s” webpage. Freshman applicants may apply anytime after September 15, 2011 BUT NO LATER than Tuesday, January 3, 2012. Transfer students click here for application instructions.

Can I apply to more than one Catholic high school in the East Bay?

Yes. Saint Mary’s knows that many of our applicants will apply to more than one Catholic high school in the East Bay. We are pleased that Saint Mary’s is one of the schools of choice for so many students.

Does Saint Mary’s have a program for students with learning differences / disabilities?

Saint Mary’s does not have a specialized program that supports students with learning disabilities and/or learning differences. We strongly suggest and encourage outside programs of support or tutoring in order to ensure the student’s academic success. The only classroom accommodations that can be provided at Saint Mary’s are limited to special seating (i.e., seating in the front of the room) and extended time on tests. For all students who have a documented learning difference, a meeting with the student and parents will be set with a member of the counseling and guidance department to talk about each student’s needs and how, and if, we can address the student’s needs before families have to pay the registration fee.

When do eighth grade applicants take the entrance exam?

The HSPT (High School Placement Test) will be given at Saint Mary’s on Saturday, January 7, 2012. Students requesting extended time (and submitted proper documentation with their application) will check in at 7:30 a.m. and begin the test promptly at 8:00 a.m. Students not requesting extended time will check in at 8:00 a.m. and begin the test promptly at 8:30 a.m.

What is the name of the entrance exam given? How can I prepare for it?

Saint Mary’s administers the High School Placement Test (HSPT) produced by Scholastic Testing Service. The test measures grade level skills in reading, verbal, mathematics, language and quantitative skills. See the “Entrance Testing” webpage on our website. There are several test preparation books available at local bookstores and websites for students who want to get a sense of the test and working under a timed environment. As always, the best way to prepare for the HSPT test is for students to do all their class work, homework, and pay attention in school. Ask your eighth grade teacher what you can do to review prior to the test or whether the teacher has plans to incorporate a review into lesson plans for the entire class. Seventh graders may also want to consider registering for our Seventh Grade Pre-HSPT Practice Test by clicking here.

Does Saint Mary’s have a Financial Assistance Program?

Yes, Saint Mary’s is committed to helping as many families as possible who demonstrate financial need. Applications for financial assistance are made and awarded on an annual basis. Even with the large amount of assistance we do provide and distribute,  need is always greater than the funding available and we are not always able to help all the families who wish to attend Saint Mary’s.

To apply for financial assistance, Saint Mary’s asks families to complete the PSAS (Private School Aid Service) application by February 3, 2012.  The completed application serves two programs – the Saint Mary’s Financial Assistance Program as well as the F.A.C.E. (Family Aid To Catholic Education) sponsored by the Oakland Diocese.

Each family that submits an incoming freshman application to Saint Mary’s automatically receives an application for financial assistance in the mail from the Saint Mary’s Business Office.

How many students apply to Saint Mary’s?

Admission to Saint Mary’s is competitive. Over 400 students apply each year for the approximate 160 spaces available in the freshman class.

When will families be notified of the admission decision?

Decision letters will be sent out by mail on Friday, March 16, 2012 for incoming freshman applicants.  If accepted, students are asked to register, with a $700.00 non-refundable registration  fee, by Friday, March 23, 2012.

If accepted into Saint Mary’s, are there placement exams for Math, English, and International Languages?

Yes. There will be an opportunity for accepted freshmen to test into higher level courses in the area of English,  Math, and International Language  (Spanish or French) on April 21, 2012.  More detailed information about placement testing will be sent once a student’s registration has been received.

Do you have any programs or opportunities for sixth or seventh graders?

Yes, on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Saint Mary’s will host an Information Night for Sixth and Seventh Graders and their families.

On Saturday, May 5, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saint Mary’s will host a Seventh Grade Pre-HSPT Practice Test. Saint Mary’s provides an opportunity on this day for current seventh graders to gain a clearer sense of the fomat and types of questions that are included in the high school entrance test (HSPT).