Most private high schools in Orange County use grade 9 as their main entry grade, so grade 8 is the application year. The pace of that year is set by three kinds of dates: application opening and deadline dates, entrance exam dates, and decision dates. Below, first confirm three points, then review the verified dates at six schools, and finally follow the month-by-month task list.
Three points to confirm before starting
Point 1
Which test each school on the list requires
Catholic high schools use the HSPT (High School Placement Test) for admission and placement; independent schools mostly use the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) or the SSAT, and some schools require no test. Different tests mean different timelines.
Point 2
Early or regular application
Early applications have earlier deadlines and earlier decisions; regular applications allow one to two more months of preparation. Schools differ in the reply deadline after early admission and in whether early admission is binding.
Point 3
Whether to apply for financial aid
At most schools, the financial aid deadline matches the admission deadline, and some are earlier, so build both into the same schedule.
Key dates at six schools (fall 2027 entry)
JSerra Catholic High School
HSPT- Applications open
- September 1, 2026
- Early deadline
- November 1
- Regular deadline
- January 15, 2027
- Test dates
- January 9, February 6
- Decisions
- Early: November 20; regular: February 12
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
HSPT- Applications open
- September 1, 2026
- Priority deadline
- November 15, then rolling review
- Test dates
- January 16, January 20, January 30
- Decisions
- Priority admission December 1, then as files are reviewed
The HSPT is taken after admission and is used for placement and scheduling.
Servite High School
HSPT- Early deadline
- December 4
- Regular deadline
- February 5, 2027
- Test dates
- January 23, February 6
- Decisions
- Early: before Christmas; regular: no later than February 20
Rosary Academy
HSPT- Early deadline
- December 4
- Test dates
- January 16 (makeup date January 23)
- Decisions
- Early: about one week after the interview
Mater Dei High School
HSPT- Applications open
- September 1, 2026
- Early Acceptance deadline
- December 7
- Test dates
- January 16, January 21, January 30
- Decisions
- Early Acceptance: January 22
Sage Hill School
ISEE or SSAT- Applications open
- September 1, 2026
- Application deadline
- January 31, 2027 (test scores due the same day)
- Test dates
- Scheduled by the student
Dates were checked in September 2026 against each school website; items not stated on the websites are not listed. Dates from September to December are in 2026, and dates from January to February are in 2027. For dates at other schools, see each school's application guide page.
Monthly tasks from September to the following February
Sep2026
Set the list, schedule visits, ask recommenders
- Opens: September 1Applications open at JSerra, Santa Margarita, Mater Dei and Sage Hill
- Opens: September 1Santa Margarita Shadow Day scheduling opens
- To do: Set the list by testing, tuition and commute, including reach, match and likely schools
- To do: Ask the English and math teachers and a school administrator for recommendations
Oct2026
First ISEE, begin writing
- Opens: October 1JSerra financial aid application opens
- Test: Students taking the ISEE test for the first time in the fall season (August to November)
- To do: Begin the student essay and the parent letter
Nov2026
First round of early deadlines
- Deadline: November 1JSerra early deadline
- Deadline: November 15Santa Margarita priority admission deadline
- Decision: November 20JSerra early decisions released
- To do: HSPT students take one practice test
Dec2026
Second round of early deadlines, interview preparation
- Decision: December 1Santa Margarita priority admission decisions released
- Deadline: December 4Servite and Rosary early deadlines
- Deadline: December 7Mater Dei Early Acceptance deadline
- To do: December 7–10Rosary early interviews
- Test: The ISEE winter season (December to March) allows another attempt
Jan2027
The busiest testing month
- Test: January 9JSerra HSPT
- Deadline: January 15JSerra regular deadline
- Test: January 16Mater Dei, Santa Margarita and Rosary HSPT
- Decision: January 22Mater Dei Early Acceptance decisions released
- Test: January 23Servite HSPT; Rosary makeup date
- Deadline: January 31Sage Hill application and test score deadline
Feb2027
Regular deadlines and decisions
- Deadline: February 5Servite regular deadline
- Test: February 6Final JSerra and Servite HSPT sessions
- Decision: February 12JSerra regular decisions released
- Decision: By February 20Servite regular decisions released
January also includes additional HSPT sessions at Santa Margarita (January 20 and January 30) and Mater Dei (January 21 and January 30); applicants choose one session. After decisions arrive, families still need to compare admission offers, manage waitlists and reply to schools on time. For essays, interviews and decisions, see the guides and service below:
Recommendations and materials checklist
| School | Three recommendations | Interview | Parent letter | Transcript | Test scores | Application fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JSerra Catholic High School | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | $75 |
| Servite High School | ✓ | Student and parents on campus | — | — | HSPT | $65 |
| Rosary Academy | ✓ | Student and family | — | Records release form | HSPT | $75 |
| Mater Dei High School | One teacher recommendation | — | ✓ | Grade 7 and first grading period of grade 8 | Grade 7 and 8 standardized test scores | $80 |
| Sage Hill School | ✓ | Student alone, about one hour | — | — | ISEE or SSAT | — |
Three recommendations means the English teacher, the math teacher, and a principal, counselor or school administrator (JSerra also accepts a recommendation from a pastor or faith mentor). Mater Dei also requires a student letter. A dash (—) means the school website does not state the item on its application page; it does not mean the item is not required. Follow each school's requirements for the current year.
Using this timeline
Schools adjust their dates every year, so follow each school website for the current year before applying. This page was checked in September 2026, and items not stated on the school websites are not inferred. When the list includes schools not covered on this page, add their dates to the same timeline and plan backward from the earliest deadline.
