Anonymous
01/13/2026 12:59
Subject: If your child did poorly on hspt, did they get in anywhere?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:As a parent of a child who will be in this process in a few years, I wish the Catholic grade schools would report out on their HSPT results. Or maybe the dioceses could do this by school averages.
Not looking for results by child, of course, but understanding if kids at our school performed well or below average, etc., would be useful information. It isn't as helpful to look at high school acceptances from our 8th-grade graduating class unless you know who has legacy, who is a recruited athlete, etc.
There’s no advantage for the school to share that info.
Plus, don’t all the 8th graders from catholic schools make it into some catholic high school (at least those who want to go to a catholic hs)?
How many grads have you encountered who didn’t land somewhere?
Anyway, my public school kid with a crummy HSPT score made into a catholic high school. Not a legacy. Had straight As in public middle school (which isn’t a flex), and played a sport decently well (but not enough to get recruited).
I have no idea how many don't land somewhere (as I said, I'm a few years away from needing to really care about this!) But this board has my head all over the place. 95th+ percentile all the way through mid-teens. And I have seen posts where people say there kid didn't get into a school and they landed at their local public and all ended up ok after a rough process. It would be interesting to see whether there are any schools whose students fare better than others (similar to how high schools share average SAT scores).
Start talking to other parents at your school. I’m sure they can allay your concerns.
Or ask the principal or other staff.
My impression has always been that kids from a parish school tend to make it into an area catholic high school…and the HSPT score plays no real role for them.
My impression is that this is generally true so long as the kid has not been a behavioral problem.
I think it depends. It's so competitive now, I don't think there are any guarantees. Also, "landing somewhere" would mean you're applying to multiple schools and most parents I know have been applying to 3 or fewer. These boards light up every year with parents anxiously asking about the chances of getting off a waitlist and the responses are usually not encouraging. I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but don't just assume Catholics school attendance in middle school will automatically gain you admission.
Anonymous
01/13/2026 12:51
Subject: If your child did poorly on hspt, did they get in anywhere?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:As a parent of a child who will be in this process in a few years, I wish the Catholic grade schools would report out on their HSPT results. Or maybe the dioceses could do this by school averages.
Not looking for results by child, of course, but understanding if kids at our school performed well or below average, etc., would be useful information. It isn't as helpful to look at high school acceptances from our 8th-grade graduating class unless you know who has legacy, who is a recruited athlete, etc.
There’s no advantage for the school to share that info.
Plus, don’t all the 8th graders from catholic schools make it into some catholic high school (at least those who want to go to a catholic hs)?
How many grads have you encountered who didn’t land somewhere?
Anyway, my public school kid with a crummy HSPT score made into a catholic high school. Not a legacy. Had straight As in public middle school (which isn’t a flex), and played a sport decently well (but not enough to get recruited).
I have no idea how many don't land somewhere (as I said, I'm a few years away from needing to really care about this!) But this board has my head all over the place. 95th+ percentile all the way through mid-teens. And I have seen posts where people say there kid didn't get into a school and they landed at their local public and all ended up ok after a rough process. It would be interesting to see whether there are any schools whose students fare better than others (similar to how high schools share average SAT scores).
Start talking to other parents at your school. I’m sure they can allay your concerns.
Or ask the principal or other staff.
My impression has always been that kids from a parish school tend to make it into an area catholic high school…and the HSPT score plays no real role for them.
My impression is that this is generally true so long as the kid has not been a behavioral problem.
Anonymous
01/13/2026 12:40
Subject: If your child did poorly on hspt, did they get in anywhere?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:As a parent of a child who will be in this process in a few years, I wish the Catholic grade schools would report out on their HSPT results. Or maybe the dioceses could do this by school averages.
Not looking for results by child, of course, but understanding if kids at our school performed well or below average, etc., would be useful information. It isn't as helpful to look at high school acceptances from our 8th-grade graduating class unless you know who has legacy, who is a recruited athlete, etc.
There’s no advantage for the school to share that info.
Plus, don’t all the 8th graders from catholic schools make it into some catholic high school (at least those who want to go to a catholic hs)?
How many grads have you encountered who didn’t land somewhere?
Anyway, my public school kid with a crummy HSPT score made into a catholic high school. Not a legacy. Had straight As in public middle school (which isn’t a flex), and played a sport decently well (but not enough to get recruited).
I have no idea how many don't land somewhere (as I said, I'm a few years away from needing to really care about this!) But this board has my head all over the place. 95th+ percentile all the way through mid-teens. And I have seen posts where people say there kid didn't get into a school and they landed at their local public and all ended up ok after a rough process. It would be interesting to see whether there are any schools whose students fare better than others (similar to how high schools share average SAT scores).
Start talking to other parents at your school. I’m sure they can allay your concerns.
Or ask the principal or other staff.
My impression has always been that kids from a parish school tend to make it into an area catholic high school…and the HSPT score plays no real role for them.
Anonymous
01/13/2026 12:18
Subject: If your child did poorly on hspt, did they get in anywhere?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:As a parent of a child who will be in this process in a few years, I wish the Catholic grade schools would report out on their HSPT results. Or maybe the dioceses could do this by school averages.
Not looking for results by child, of course, but understanding if kids at our school performed well or below average, etc., would be useful information. It isn't as helpful to look at high school acceptances from our 8th-grade graduating class unless you know who has legacy, who is a recruited athlete, etc.
There’s no advantage for the school to share that info.
Plus, don’t all the 8th graders from catholic schools make it into some catholic high school (at least those who want to go to a catholic hs)?
How many grads have you encountered who didn’t land somewhere?
Anyway, my public school kid with a crummy HSPT score made into a catholic high school. Not a legacy. Had straight As in public middle school (which isn’t a flex), and played a sport decently well (but not enough to get recruited).
I have no idea how many don't land somewhere (as I said, I'm a few years away from needing to really care about this!) But this board has my head all over the place. 95th+ percentile all the way through mid-teens. And I have seen posts where people say there kid didn't get into a school and they landed at their local public and all ended up ok after a rough process. It would be interesting to see whether there are any schools whose students fare better than others (similar to how high schools share average SAT scores).
Anonymous
01/13/2026 11:42
Subject: If your child did poorly on hspt, did they get in anywhere?
Anonymous wrote:As a parent of a child who will be in this process in a few years, I wish the Catholic grade schools would report out on their HSPT results. Or maybe the dioceses could do this by school averages.
Not looking for results by child, of course, but understanding if kids at our school performed well or below average, etc., would be useful information. It isn't as helpful to look at high school acceptances from our 8th-grade graduating class unless you know who has legacy, who is a recruited athlete, etc.
There’s no advantage for the school to share that info.
Plus, don’t all the 8th graders from catholic schools make it into some catholic high school (at least those who want to go to a catholic hs)?
How many grads have you encountered who didn’t land somewhere?
Anyway, my public school kid with a crummy HSPT score made into a catholic high school. Not a legacy. Had straight As in public middle school (which isn’t a flex), and played a sport decently well (but not enough to get recruited).
Anonymous
01/13/2026 11:31
Subject: If your child did poorly on hspt, did they get in anywhere?
As a parent of a child who will be in this process in a few years, I wish the Catholic grade schools would report out on their HSPT results. Or maybe the dioceses could do this by school averages.
Not looking for results by child, of course, but understanding if kids at our school performed well or below average, etc., would be useful information. It isn't as helpful to look at high school acceptances from our 8th-grade graduating class unless you know who has legacy, who is a recruited athlete, etc.
Not looking for results by child, of course, but understanding if kids at our school performed well or below average, etc., would be useful information. It isn't as helpful to look at high school acceptances from our 8th-grade graduating class unless you know who has legacy, who is a recruited athlete, etc.
Anonymous
01/12/2026 12:55
Subject: If your child did poorly on hspt, did they get in anywhere?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My daughter scored 45%ile and had A/B grades but amazing essays & recs. She got into ahc & sjc with FinAid. We were surprised she got accepted to sjc bc it was a competitive year and peers with higher hspt were rejected/waitlisted. No hooks coming from a k-8. She’s very happy at her HS now.
Why does SJC let it so many kids with mid scores? I respected the school but now I am disappointed.
All the hype, the time, and the effort to study for the HSPT only to find out SJC admits anyone. Why bother to study if they are the Radford of high schools?
Gonzaga and Visi have evolved away from traditional Catholic missions. To the extent there is diversity at those schools it’s largely athletic related. SJC, BO, BI, still admit unhooked immigrants. All great schools.
The lack of non athletic diversity at Gonzaga is fairly appalling. No matter how much free soup they give out.
What does this mean?
I'm not sure I agree. We knew boys who were non athletes and fit in - found their pod. I know Gonzaga values sports and is competitive - Gonzaga is where sport's dreams go to die - but I don't believe that makes a determination on admittance. Legacy, on the other hand, plays a huge part.
Anonymous
01/12/2026 12:52
Subject: If your child did poorly on hspt, did they get in anywhere?
I held test prep for 6 weekends for 4 boys. Preparation is key - I'm not saying that some kids won't do well without prep but prep does relieve test anxiety, especially if they have their heart set on specific high school.
My son did very well on the HSPT - high 90s - and went to Gonzaga. Loved every minute he spent there. Football and basketball athletes could could swing a lower HSPT score but you do want your child to feel prepared.
My son did very well on the HSPT - high 90s - and went to Gonzaga. Loved every minute he spent there. Football and basketball athletes could could swing a lower HSPT score but you do want your child to feel prepared.
Anonymous
01/12/2026 10:19
Subject: If your child did poorly on hspt, did they get in anywhere?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My daughter scored 45%ile and had A/B grades but amazing essays & recs. She got into ahc & sjc with FinAid. We were surprised she got accepted to sjc bc it was a competitive year and peers with higher hspt were rejected/waitlisted. No hooks coming from a k-8. She’s very happy at her HS now.
Why does SJC let it so many kids with mid scores? I respected the school but now I am disappointed.
All the hype, the time, and the effort to study for the HSPT only to find out SJC admits anyone. Why bother to study if they are the Radford of high schools?
Gonzaga and Visi have evolved away from traditional Catholic missions. To the extent there is diversity at those schools it’s largely athletic related. SJC, BO, BI, still admit unhooked immigrants. All great schools.
The lack of non athletic diversity at Gonzaga is fairly appalling. No matter how much free soup they give out.
I guess it’s all relative because when you come from the almost completely white feeder schools of Chevy chase and Arlington, you think it’s pretty diverse. And I’m talking the cohort of kids whose parents don’t speak English.
By the way “non athletic diversity” is so insulting. There are plenty of Black kids who aren’t athletic recruits and there are football players in the AP classes with my DS.
Free soup. 🙄 Just move on before hating on Gonzaga next time.
Anonymous
01/12/2026 09:30
Subject: If your child did poorly on hspt, did they get in anywhere?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My daughter scored 45%ile and had A/B grades but amazing essays & recs. She got into ahc & sjc with FinAid. We were surprised she got accepted to sjc bc it was a competitive year and peers with higher hspt were rejected/waitlisted. No hooks coming from a k-8. She’s very happy at her HS now.
Why does SJC let it so many kids with mid scores? I respected the school but now I am disappointed.
All the hype, the time, and the effort to study for the HSPT only to find out SJC admits anyone. Why bother to study if they are the Radford of high schools?
Gonzaga and Visi have evolved away from traditional Catholic missions. To the extent there is diversity at those schools it’s largely athletic related. SJC, BO, BI, still admit unhooked immigrants. All great schools.
The lack of non athletic diversity at Gonzaga is fairly appalling. No matter how much free soup they give out.
What does this mean?
Poster is upset that Catholic school prefers Catholics as students.
Anonymous
01/12/2026 08:52
Subject: If your child did poorly on hspt, did they get in anywhere?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My daughter scored 45%ile and had A/B grades but amazing essays & recs. She got into ahc & sjc with FinAid. We were surprised she got accepted to sjc bc it was a competitive year and peers with higher hspt were rejected/waitlisted. No hooks coming from a k-8. She’s very happy at her HS now.
Why does SJC let it so many kids with mid scores? I respected the school but now I am disappointed.
All the hype, the time, and the effort to study for the HSPT only to find out SJC admits anyone. Why bother to study if they are the Radford of high schools?
Gonzaga and Visi have evolved away from traditional Catholic missions. To the extent there is diversity at those schools it’s largely athletic related. SJC, BO, BI, still admit unhooked immigrants. All great schools.
The lack of non athletic diversity at Gonzaga is fairly appalling. No matter how much free soup they give out.
What does this mean?
Anonymous
01/12/2026 07:56
Subject: If your child did poorly on hspt, did they get in anywhere?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Is 83 for Arlington diocese schools typically good enough for public school kids, good grades. Ecs. Torn on whether to keep at public if get in b/c I’m pretty sure will need to repeat math. HSPt not high enough.
83 is a solid score
It is?
It is
Anonymous
01/11/2026 18:34
Subject: If your child did poorly on hspt, did they get in anywhere?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My daughter scored 45%ile and had A/B grades but amazing essays & recs. She got into ahc & sjc with FinAid. We were surprised she got accepted to sjc bc it was a competitive year and peers with higher hspt were rejected/waitlisted. No hooks coming from a k-8. She’s very happy at her HS now.
Why does SJC let it so many kids with mid scores? I respected the school but now I am disappointed.
All the hype, the time, and the effort to study for the HSPT only to find out SJC admits anyone. Why bother to study if they are the Radford of high schools?
Gonzaga and Visi have evolved away from traditional Catholic missions. To the extent there is diversity at those schools it’s largely athletic related. SJC, BO, BI, still admit unhooked immigrants. All great schools.
The lack of non athletic diversity at Gonzaga is fairly appalling. No matter how much free soup they give out.
Anonymous
01/11/2026 16:43
Subject: If your child did poorly on hspt, did they get in anywhere?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My DD did so poorly on this test that we had her educational tested (whatever it’s called) at Mindwell after and she was diagnosed with executive function delays and now has a bubble sheet accommodation. I am taking 10%. We were not coming from a Catholic, she had never taken the test before and she did not do any test prep (because she’s my oldest and I had no idea that you could even prep for this, so she went in cold and I take responsibility for that).
She got into both Bishop O’Connell and BI (the only 2 she applied to). She had excellent grades and recs so clearly she had something else on her application that these schools liked.
Thank you for sharing this. This gives gives me (and I believe others) some hope.
+1 DS scored 25 despite great grades.
Anonymous
01/11/2026 16:37
Subject: If your child did poorly on hspt, did they get in anywhere?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My daughter scored 45%ile and had A/B grades but amazing essays & recs. She got into ahc & sjc with FinAid. We were surprised she got accepted to sjc bc it was a competitive year and peers with higher hspt were rejected/waitlisted. No hooks coming from a k-8. She’s very happy at her HS now.
Why does SJC let it so many kids with mid scores? I respected the school but now I am disappointed.
All the hype, the time, and the effort to study for the HSPT only to find out SJC admits anyone. Why bother to study if they are the Radford of high schools?
Maybe because SJC doesn’t want a school full of test-taking robots? Maybe because a lot of kids who do well on standardized tests also aren’t the most socially strong kids. Maybe because the ability to write an essay, and recommendations from teachers, are just as important to SJC?
You seem to want SJC to just take the top 250 HSPT test scorers to get in each year. Do you realize how bleak this would make the school?