High school entrance process begins for many Catholic schools
Registration for the High School Placement Test (HSPT) opens on Sept. 1 for 8th-grade students seeking to attend a Catholic high school in September 2024.
The HSPT, held this year on Friday, Nov. 10, is part of the Cooperative Admissions Program (COOP). The COOP is designed to facilitate the high school admissions process for students and families using a common entrance examination.
Because students applying to the high schools come from many different middle school programs, the HSPT provides a common measure and objective data that is helpful in admissions decision making, Barbara Dolan, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Newark, said.
“The High School Placement Test provides high school admissions personnel with useful information as they evaluate an applicant’s preparedness for their school’s academic program,” Dolan said. “Beyond the admissions process, the HSPT scores are used by the high schools to plan programs and provide resources that will help first-year students have a successful start to their high school years.”
The deadline to register is Oct. 28.
The 2023 HSPT Exam will be administered Friday, Nov. 10, at designated Catholic school testing sites in New Jersey and New York, across Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, Morris, Rockland, Sussex, and Union Counties. A make-up exam date will be held on Nov. 18 in select locations.
Seventeen high schools in the Archdiocese of Newark participate in the Cooperative Admissions Program.
Some private high schools in the Archdiocese opt to use their own entrance exam. If considering one of these schools for your student, it is important to confer directly with their admissions representatives to ensure you are aware of any deadlines and requirements specific to that school. If a school is not listed, contact their admissions office directly for exam information.
For over 50 years, academic high schools nationwide have used the Scholastic Testing Services High School Placement Test to assist with admissions, scholarship selection, and curriculum placement.
Register for the test online at www.njcoopexam.org or by calling 888-921-COOP (2667). The registration fee of $70 includes reporting scores to three high schools of your choice. A student requiring extended time must submit an eligibility form and documentation by Oct. 18.
Once the student has taken the HSPT, a Ninth Grade Applicant Record form must be submitted to each high school to which they are applying.
Individual high schools may have additional requirements for applicants such as an application, essay, student interview, etc. Please be sure to consult directly with the school(s) to confirm those requirements. You may also view a summary of each school’s admissions information by referencing the High School Guide.
Why choose a Catholic School?
Catholic schools provide an opportunity to realize the threefold purpose of Christian education among young people – message, community, and service. The Catholic school advantage is reflected in the philosophy that permeates the total education program and challenges students to improve the world by sharing Christ’s message of love and salvation. All the Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Newark are college preparatory, which means their instructional programs meet or exceed requirements outlined by the New Jersey Core Curriculum Standards. Each school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools or the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools and the Archdiocese boasts an extremely high college matriculation rate. Typically, 98.5 percent of the Archdiocese’s graduating seniors go on to pursue a college education. The remaining 1.5 percent of the graduates opt for technical or military training, a gap year program, or enter the workforce directly.
Archdiocese high schools educate a diverse group of students. The enrollment breakdown includes 55 percent Caucasian, 19 percent African American, nine percent Asian, and 17 percent other groups or multiracial, with 22 percent of the overall student population identifying as Latino.
Choosing the right school
Deciding which high school your child will attend is a major decision. Sixth grade is the time for families to start considering which high school would be most appropriate for the student. At this grade level, the approach should be low-key and not pressured. Seventh-grade students should begin thinking about the environment and the activities that are important to them. Eighth-grade students will experience many opportunities to finalize the decision on which high school will best meet their needs.
High School Expo Night will be held in September. Parents and students are invited to meet with representatives from many Archdiocesan High Schools from 7-8:30 pm on the following dates and locations:
- Tuesday, Sept. 19, St. Thomas the Apostle School, 50 Byrd Avenue, Bloomfield
- Tuesday, Sept. 26, Academy of St. Paul, 187 Wycoff Avenue, Ramsey
- Wednesday, Sept. 27, St. Peter’s Preparatory School, 144 Grand Street, Jersey City
- Thursday, Sept. 28, St. John the Apostle School, 541 Valley Road, Clark
Attendees will learn about academics, extracurricular activities, and how each school puts faith into action. Current students and admissions representatives will be available to answer questions. Parents can also explore financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
For more information, please contact the Office of Schools at 973.497.4260 or visit catholicschoolsnj.org.
Featured image: Courtesy Canva.
