Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about Applying to 9th Grade
When will the 9th grade application be available?
The online application for the class of 2029 will be available on October 4 in Ravenna Hub!
How many students usually apply for the freshman class and how many spaces are available?
We receive around 1,300 - 1,400 applications and usually have a freshman class of 450 students.
Is there a minimum GPA requirement for applying to Saint Francis?
Saint Francis does not have a minimum GPA requirement. The 7th and 8th grade transcript is one of five items that are reviewed by our admissions committee. For more information about the requirements for applying to Saint Francis, please visit the Apply to Saint Francis page on our website.
How do I register to take the High School Placement Test at Saint Francis?
Registration for the HSPT is located in the online application in Ravenna. We guarantee that students will be able to test on the date that they select on the application, regardless of when the application is submitted.
I have a coach or moderator who would like to write a letter of recommendation for my application. Where do I send this letter?
While Saint Francis requires two academic letters of recommendation, we do not require students submit any non-academic letters of recommendation. If you are interested in submitting a non-academic letter of recommendation you can complete our non-academic recommendation form in Ravenna Hub.
What is the fee to apply to Saint Francis?
The 9th grade application fee is $75. Families can request a fee waiver by emailing admissions@sfhs.com.
Can I apply for tuition assistance?
The tuition assistance application will be available in early November, 2024 and is due in early February, 2025. Please visit the tuition and financial assistance page on our website to learn more about this process.
How are admissions decisions communicated for 9th grade applicants?
Saint Francis will publish admissions decisions on Friday, March 14, 2025 via Ravenna hub. Admissions Letters will also be mailed to admitted students on Friday, March 14.
Does Saint Francis accept International Students?
Saint Francis does not have a program for students on an 1-20 visa and we do not have a residential program at this time.
Questions about Visiting Campus
Are students required to visit campus as part of the admissions process?
While Saint Francis does not require students to attend a visit date, campus tour or Open House, we recommend that students attend one of these events to experience the Saint Francis community.
How can I visit the Saint Francis campus and learn more about Saint Francis?
We are excited to welcome you to our campus every fall! We offer Future Lancer Visits (previously called shadow dates) for 8th grade students and small group tours for 8th grade families. Check out our visit and connect page for more information!
I am currently in 7th grade. Can I visit campus at Saint Francis this fall?
Our visit dates are reserved for 8th grade students who are interested in applying to Saint Francis. We wish that we could accommodate 7th grade visitors, but we recommend that you attend our Open House or virtual information night!
Are there other opportunities to visit campus outside of official admissions events?
Absolutely! We have many events on campus that are open to the larger community and we would love for you to attend. We are finalizing an online page that will highlight those events and information about how to attend. Stay tuned!
Questions about Applying to 10th or 11th Grade
How many students usually apply to transfer and how many spaces are available?
We usually receive around 70 applications to transfer each year. The number of students we are able to admit varies from year to year and is dependent on the yearly re-enrollment of our current student body.
Can I apply to transfer to campus in the middle of the year?
We only accept applications for a fall start and do not admit mid-year transfer students.
Is there a minimum GPA requirement for applying to Saint Francis?
Saint Francis does not have a minimum GPA requirement. The high school transcript is one of three items that are reviewed by our admissions committee. For more information about the requirements for applying to transfer, please visit the Transfer Application Page on our website.
Do I need to take an admissions test or interview as part of the transfer application process?
While students who apply to 9th grade are required to take a High School Placement Test and sit for an admissions interview, transfer applicants are not required to sit for an admissions test or interview. Our team will reach out if we feel we need additional information after reading your application.
What is the fee to apply to Saint Francis?
The transfer application fee is $35. Families can request a fee waiver by emailing admissions@sfhs.com.
Can I apply for tuition assistance?
The tuition assistance application will be available in early November, 2024 and is due in early February, 2025. Please visit the tuition and financial assistance page on our website to learn more about this process. We encourage transfer students to apply for tuition assistance during this time period even though it is before the transfer application opens.
How are admissions decisions communicated for transfer applicants?
Saint Francis will email admissions decisions on a rolling basis during May and June. Please feel free to email the admissions office (admissions@sfhs.com) if you have any questions.
Questions?
Simon Raines
Director of Admissions
simonraines@sfhs.com
650 968-1213 ext. 213
Katie Mitchell
Assistant Admissions Director & Shadow Program Coordinator
kathleenmitchell@sfhs.com
650 968-1213 ext. 270
Theresa Mattson
Admissions Administrative Assistant
theresamattson@sfhs.com
650 968-1213 ext. 212