How to Apply

Class of 2029 Timeline

In 8th Grade 2024-2025

We are not accepting any additional applications for 9th grade for the 25-26 school year. Information for the Class of 2030 (in 8th grade in 25-26) will be updated in August 2025.

Online Application opens: August 2024

Crusader for a Day, 8th Grade Shadow Days: 5 Thursday options in October-November

Open House for families: 2 sessions on Thursday, November 7, 2024

High School Placement Test (HSPT): November 2 or December 14, 2024

Online Financial Aid application opens: November 15, 2024

Application Deadline: December 1, 2024

Application fee increases to $100 after this date and applicants will not be notified in the first round of notifications in February. Late applicants are also not eligible for the Pope Francis Merit Scholarship.

Last day for campus tours: December 5, 2024

All academic records and teacher recommendations due: December 13, 2024

Final Opportunity for High School Placement Test (HSPT) at TC: December 14, 2024

Estimated Admissions Decision and HSPT Results Release: Late February 2025

This only applies to applicants with all requirements completed on time.

Math and Spanish placement tests, if applicable: May 2025

Summer school: All 4 weeks of June

A summer school requirement would be listed on your student’s acceptance letter, if applicable. Based on HSPT results or other records, passing summer school is required for some students prior to attending TC.

Incoming Freshman Application Steps

Transfer Students should view the Transfer Student page for applicable information

STEP 1: COMPLETE AN APPLICATION

The APPLY NOW button will allow you to apply to Tampa Catholic by creating an online account. This online account allows you to submit an application to Tampa Catholic ($75.00 application fee until December 1, $100.00 after, and nonrefundable for any reason).

- Please save your log-in information, as you will use this throughout the application process. Please use the same account for your student application, Crusader for a Day, and Open House.
- During the application process you will choose your High School Placement Test (HSPT) date at Tampa Catholic, or let us know if you are taking it at another high school. Your application serves as registration for our HSPT and your application fee includes the test.

STEP 2: DOCUMENT REQUEST

After you complete an application, an admissions packet will be emailed regarding the required documents that are needed for your student to be reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

The required documents include:

The Principal, Math teacher, and English teacher evaluation forms
- You will enter names and email addresses for your student's 8th grade Math teacher, 8th grade English teacher, and current Principal in your admissions portal after you complete an application. The online recommendation form will then be emailed to them. There is no paper version of the recommendation form.
- TC will receive the evaluation as soon as it is completed online. Parents can track the status, and re-request if necessary, in the application portal. Additional recommendation letters are not accepted.
6th-8th grade academic history
- Immediately after applying, you will be emailed a “TC Records Release Form.” This must be printed, signed, and turned in to your child’s current school. Then, your child’s school will send us their academic, behavioral, and attendance records. It is the parent’s responsibility to request and ensure these records are sent to us. Academic records must come to TC directly from the school.
Student support information
- If your child has an IEP, 504, or Student Support Plan, it must be provided to Tampa Catholic along with the other requirements. If your child receives additional time for testing, the documentation must be submitted no less than 2 weeks before the HSPT. Students who have any diagnosis affecting the learning environment must provide the complete results of a psychological-educational evaluation. Information is confidential.

STEP 3: TAKE THE HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT TEST

Tampa Catholic uses the Scholastic Testing Service's High School Placement Test (HSPT) as one of the primary criteria for admission for 9th grade and then for class placement, if accepted.

HSPT AT TC: Saturday, November 2 and Saturday, December 14, 2024

- Registration for the High School Placement Test (HSPT) at Tampa Catholic is fulfilled when completing an admissions application. On the application you will select a test date and this serves as registration for the test.

- Results of the HSPT are only sent with the admissions notification (February or later) if your student took the test at TC. HSPT results are not provided to parents before this time.

- HSPT scores may be shared with other schools, at parent's request. All Catholic high schools in our area use the same test.

- The HSPT may only be taken once, retakes are never permitted. The HSPT may only be taken once, even if applying to multiple high schools.

- We do not accept other standardized tests for admission to TC.

- The test is ~3.5 hours long, including short breaks, and students must arrive on TC's campus by 7:45am. Most students are dismissed between 11:15am and 12 Noon. Additional information will be emailed closer to your student's selected test date. Calculators are not used.

- If your student requires additional time for standardized tests, submit their IEP/504/SSP indicating this at least 2 weeks prior to their scheduled TC HSPT test date. As long as this is submitted, they will receive 50% additional time on the test day. No additional accommodations are made for the HSPT.

- Studying is not required. HSPT prep books are available or you can search online for HSPT information. We advise getting familiar with the format, timing, and pace of the test. Tampa Catholic does not endorse or suggest any specific testing preparation company, method, service, or materials.

- If you are unsure of what test date you registered your student for, log in to your admissions portal. On the right-side column click “Step 1” to view your application. Scroll down to view the “Entrance Exam Date” you selected. To change the test date, please email the admissions office.

STEP 4: ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE REVIEW

The Admissions Committee reviews a student's full application file to make the final decision on admission to Tampa Catholic. For accepted students, the committee also creates a plan of proposed courses which are included with the acceptance email.

Tampa Catholic High School evaluates freshman applicants primarily based on several key criteria: HSPT scores, academic records, and recommendations. When demand exceeds space, priority is given to students who meet our admissions criteria and demonstrate a family commitment to Catholic education, achieve top testing scores, or have direct ties through siblings or parent alumni to Tampa Catholic’s 60-year legacy. While priority admissions are guided by these principles, we also welcome a diverse range of students each year, enriching our campus with new perspectives and experiences.

STEP 5: ADMISSIONS NOTIFICATION

The Admissions Department will send notification of admission status via email after the Admissions Committee review. For those who have completed all steps on time, notification is provided in February. Applicants may be accepted, accepted with required summer school, placed in a waitpool, or declined admission. If the student tested at Tampa Catholic, results of the HSPT will be included with the notification.

If accepted, enrollment steps will be included with the acceptance. This includes a $500/$600 registration fee, enrollment contract, and summer school registration (only if required.)

Diocesan Non-Discrimination Policy: Tampa Catholic School admits students regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, and/or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to the students at the school. Decisions concerning the admission and continued enrollment of a student in the school are based upon the student's emotional, academic, and physical abilities and the resources available to the school in meeting the student's unique needs. As a Catholic School, we reserve all religious rights established by law.