Catholic High Schools Set December Date for Placement Exam

CHICAGO, IL -- The new date for eighth-graders to take the Catholic high school entrance exam is fastly approaching. The entrance exam date historically held in January, will now take place on the first Saturday in December, which this year falls on Dec. 2 beginning at 8 a.m. The Archdiocese of Chicago announced the changes to the entrance exam and recruitment policies earlier this summer, effective for the 2017-2018 school year.

The new policies are designed to allow parents and guardians of elementary school students more time to identify prospective schools and research financial aid resources. Parents and guardians can also contact their school of interest and request accommodations for students with special medical or academic needs. The Archdiocese is asking that students pre-register for the exam, although it is not required. Walk-ins will be accommodated the day of the test. Prospective members of the Class of 2022 may only take the placement exam at one high school.

Catholic high schools will administer the HSPT (High School Placement Test). Free study guides can be downloaded via Study Guide Zone. Prospective students may pre-register for the entrance exam at their first choice high school beginning Nov. 18. Pre-registration will remain open up until the date of the exam. Archdiocese officials state that it is important for students to take the entrance exam at their first choice school as merit-based scholarships are often tied with testing at a particular school. Each high school will establish its own make-up dates for students unable to attend the Dec. 2 exam. If students change their minds about their first-choice school, they may request to have their entrance exam test results sent to another school.

The fee to take the exam is $25. Cash and checks made out to the high school are accepted, which students should bring with them the day of the exam. Students are asked to arrive at their high schools of interest at 7:45 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. The exam starts promptly at 8 a.m. and takes approximately three hours to complete. Letters of acceptance will be mailed by Feb. 1, 2018.

Students should bring several No. 2 pencils. Calculators are not allowed. Entrance exam study guides can be purchased at the respective schools and local bookstores. Here is some more information on area Catholic high schools for test-taking day:

Chicago:

Mother McAuley Liberal Arts Academy (girls), 3737 W 99th St, Chicago

Mother McAuley offers testing accommodations on the Dec. 2 entrance exam. If an eighth-grade student is seeking extended time or other accommodations on the entrance exam, parents and guardians must contact Julie Alvarado, Learning Resource Coordinator, 773-298-8808 or by email at jalvarado@mothermcauley.org.

Marist High School (coed), 4200 W. 115th St., Chicago

Students should arrive at Marist at 7:45 a.m. and enter the building through the main gym entrance. Students will be dismissed from this location at approximately 12:15 p.m. Marist High School administers the HSPT Entrance Exam and study guides for this exam may be purchased at local bookstores. Be sure the study guide includes the HSPT Entrance Exam. Criteria used for decisions regarding acceptance and placement test taken at Marist and seventh and eighth grade grammar school records. Online registration is available here. For more information, contact Mrs. Alex Brown, Director of Admissions, at 773-881-5330.

Brother Rice High School (boys), 10001 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago

All test takers should enter at the north entrance of the school and report to the main gym for a brief welcome. Students seeking special accommodations the day of the exam should contact Tim O’Connell ’03, director of admissions at toconnell@brrice.org or 773-429-4312.
Pre-Registration for the entrance exam will be available beginning on Nov. 18th at Brother Rice Class of 2022.

St. Rita of Cascia High School (boys), 7740 S Western Ave, Chicago

Eighth graders taking the test should enter the building through the McCarthy Center doors in the back (west) parking lot. The exam will last approximately two hours and parents can pick up their sons between 10 and 10:30 a.m. Any student or parent with special accommodations (IEP, ICEP, 504-Plan, etc.), may contact Ed Leiser at 773-925-7482 or eleiser@stritahs.com.

Mount Carmel High School (boys), 6410 South Dante Avenue, Chicago

Mount Carmel High School invites all male eighth-grade students to pre-register for the entrance exam. Criteria used for decisions regarding acceptance and academic placement include results of the HSPT as well as seventh and eighth grade grammar school records. Those who take the exam at Mount Carmel are eligible for several scholarship opportunities. Parents of eighth graders who are taking the test are invited to attend an information session with school administrators at 8:45 a.m. The session will cover admissions and financial aid information. It will take place in the Media Center, located on the second floor of the Convocation Center. This Mount Carmel video provides more information about the entrance exam.

Leo High School (boys), 7901 S. Sangamon, Chicago

Students should enter center doors (#4) on 79th Street before 7:45 a.m. A light breakfast will be served starting at 7 a.m. Pre-register using this form.

Suburbs:

St. Laurence High School (coed), 5556 W 77th St, Burbank

Pre-register using the form. For questions about the exam or issues with the pre-registration form, contact Joe Spano at jspano@stlaurence.com.

Nazareth Academy (coed), 1209 West Ogden Ave., La Grange Park

There is no dress code on test day. Students are welcome to bring a water bottle. Pre-register using the form. While parents are not required to accompany their students, they are welcome to attend a Q & A Session with members of the administration, from 8:15-9:15 a.m. Refreshments will be served. Parents are allowed to wait in our Dining Hall for students to complete testing. Preference for admission, scholarships and financial aid will be granted to students who test at Nazareth on Dec. 2. Students who are unable to test on Dec. 2, 2017 due to illness or family emergency are encouraged to contact Sr. Terry Middendorf at 708-387-8513. Students are only allowed to take an entrance exam at one Catholic high school. For more information about the entrance exam, contact Kristen Stojetz at 708-387-8505.

Providence Catholic High School (coed), 1800 West Lincoln Highway, New Lenox

Eighth-graders who wish to take the entrance exam at Providence High School are required to pre-register. Print the completed registration form and have your student bring it the morning of the placement exam. Students may arrive between 7:30 and 7:45 a.m. For more information about the placement test or admissions, questions, please email Rachel Ellingson, enrollment director or call 815-717-3160.

Marian Catholic High School , 700 Ashland Avenue, Chicago Heights

Those who take the entrance exam at Mount Carmel are eligible for several scholarship opportunities. Pre-register to take the exam here.

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