Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I get information about Saint Mary's?
Information about Saint Mary's College High School and the application process for incoming freshman and transfer students for the 2009-2010 school year are available 24/7 online on our website at www.saintmaryschs.org. Saint Mary's uses a private and secure online application for admission powered by infosnap. To request additional school information be mailed to you, please complete the Inquiry Form online on our website, or email Linda Yaris, Associate Director of Admissions, at lyaris@stmchs.org.
When can I see the school?
The best opportunity for families to see the school is at Saint Mary's Open House on Sunday afternoon, November 23, 2008 from 1 to 3 p.m. This is a once-a-year event. 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 1, 2008.
What can I expect at Saint Mary’s Open House?
This interactive experience is the final opportunity 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, demonostrations, 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 8th grade students. Parent drivers who can assist with carpooling are always 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. Due to the extensive construction on campus involving the Saint Mary's new athletic field complex, the Admissions Office may not be able to accommodate all requests for campus visits at this time.
How do I apply for Saint Mary's?
Applications for ninth grade admission for the 2009-2010 school year must be submitted on or before Friday, January 2, 2009 by midnight, for proper consideration. You will find all the information, instructions, and forms necessary to successfuly apply to Saint Mary's on the 'Apply to Saint Mary's' webpage beginning September 15, 2008. Once you have completed and sbumitted the applicaton, you will receive a confirmation letter from Saint Mary's.
Can I apply to more than one Catholic high school in the East Bay?
Yes. Saint Mary's knows that many of our applicants need to 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 that apply every year and look forward to the next step in their education.
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 placement exam will be given at Saint Mary's on Saturday, January 10, 2009 beginning promptly at 8:00 a.m. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. in our gymnasium. Parking is limited; drop-off or carpools are encouraged. Parents should plan on a pick up time of 12:30 p.m. This is the only date the exam will be given at Saint Mary’s.
What is the name of the entrance exam given? How can I prepare for it?
As part of the admissions process, Saint Mary's administers the High School Placement Test (HSPT) produced by Scholastic Testing Service. There are several test preparation books available at local bookstores for students who want to get a sense of the test and working under a timed environment. The best way to prepare for the HSPT test is for students to do all their class work and work hard 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 Workshop and Practice Test.
Does Saint Mary's have a financial assistance program?
Yes, Saint Mary's is committed to helping families who demonstrate financial need. To apply for financial assistance, Saint Mary’s asks families to complete the PSAS (Private School Aid Service) application in early February. 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 application to Saint Mary's automatically receives a financial assistance application in the mail fromt the Saint Mary's Business Office. You may contact them directly at 510 559-6250.
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 6, 2009 for incoming freshman applicants. If accepted, students are asked to register by Friday, March 13, 2009.
If accepted into Saint Mary's, are there placement exams for Math and International Languages?
Yes. There will be options in May for accepted incoming freshman students to test for a higher math and international language placement (Spanish or French). 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 Saturday, April 25, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to noon, Saint Mary's will host a Seventh Grade Workshop and Practice Test. Saint Mary's provides an opportunity on this day for current seventh graders to gain a clearer sense of what the high school entrance test (HSPT) will be like. They will also benefit from an introduction to testing strategies and study skills that may be used by students when preparing for standardized testing.