A Guide to the High School Application Process Month by Month 

 October

• Attend shadow visits.

• Attend Open Houses – go to more than just your first choice.

• Begin high school applications (most are now on the school’s online portal).

• Parents should begin and complete financial aid applications.

• Manage your application and financial aid deadlines:

  • Each school has their own application process and deadlines.

  • Each school has their own scholarship process and deadlines.

• Study for the HSPT. 

• The window to register your 8th grader for the HSPT opened on October 6. Please make sure you sign your 8th grader up and ensure that they take this test at St. Anthony Catholic School

• Registration www.adwcatholicschools.org/high-school   (make sure you type “St. Anthony,” as opposed to “Saint Anthony”

November

• 
  Prepare and review for the HSPT at home (we will also have practice sessions at the school)

• Test registration and payment must be submitted online no later than Friday, November 21, 2025

• The registration fee is based on the number of HSPT schools to which a student will apply.

• Friday, November 21, 2025: DEADLINE to Return the Authorization to Release Records Form to Sister Mary Josephine – please use the form given through St. Anthony. This sends your transcripts and recommendations to your selected high schools. 

December

January 26, 2026: TADS financial aid application due (www.adwcatholicschools.org and www.tuitionassistanceprogram@adw.org) 

• Month of December: Window closes to register or change your school choices (absolute deadline-last chance).  A change will need to be made BOTH online as well as the paper form to Sister Mary Josephine

• Each school may have its own application deadline. Do your research!

• St Anthony School will send your transcript and recommendations to all school choices as indicated on the Authorization to Release Records Form – this needs to match the schools you registered online to receive your HSPT scores. 

January

High School applications due (Dec. or Jan. depending on the school) 

• HSPT scores emailed to you using the same email address you used for the HSPT registration. 

February

• 
  High School acceptance decisions (mid/ late February) - acceptances are contingent on final grades. 

March, April, May

• Maintain excellent punctuality, behavior, and grades. 

• Make the final decision on which high school you will attend next year. You must make the deposit by the date listed to accept the position and hold your seat at the school of your choice. 

June

Graduation

• Report cards and final grades will be sent to the High School you have chosen to attend

The Big Picture

A complete HS application consists of…

1. HSPT or other placement test results

   • You will take the HSPT at St. Anthony (you must register online).

   • Any other tests, you need to find dates and register for yourself.

2. Recommendations from teachers 

   • These will automatically be provided for all schools that are part of the Archdiocesan Common Admission process. Be sure to submit the “Notes Sheet”

   • For any other schools, you will need to formally ask teachers to write a recommendation.  Please follow the recommendation etiquette (handout).  

3. Transcript of 7th and 8th grades 

   • These will automatically be provided for all schools that are part of the Archdiocesan Common Admission process.

   • For any other schools, you will need to print off the Records Release form for each high school with a parent signature and give it to Sr. Amelia.  

4. Completed application including essay

   • 100% student/parent responsibility, Must be in the student’s own words.

5. Application Fee

   • 100% student/parent responsibility, Failure to submit a timely payment will result in an incomplete application.

Some high schools also ask for an interview with the student and/or family, but most do not.  

The Common High School Admission Process & HSPT

The High School Placement Test (HSPT) is the entrance exam used by most of the Archdiocese of Washington Catholic schools. You will receive information and directions on how and when to register for the HSPT test.  

The following schools accept the HSPT for their admissions process and use the common admission recommendations and release of records forms:

• The Academy of the Holy Cross

• Archbishop Carroll High School

• Bishop McNamara High School

• DeMatha Catholic High School

• Elizabeth Seton High School

• Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School

• Gonzaga College High School

• Our Lady of Good Counsel High School

• St. John’s College High School

• St. Mary’s Ryken High School

• St. Vincent Pallotti High School

Other Archdiocese of Washington Catholic High Schools use different admissions processes.  Please contact the admissions office in the following schools to register for their entrance testing:

• Connelly School of the Holy Child – Secondary Admission Test

• Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School and Corporate Work Study Program – High School Placement Test

• Georgetown Preparatory School – Secondary School Admission Test

• St. Anselm’s Abbey School – Otis Lennon School Ability Test and School and College Ability Test

• Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart – Secondary School Admission Test

If there is a school you are applying to which is not on this list, please contact Mr. Thomasian or Sister Mary Josephine.