St. Augustine High School is owned and operated by the Order of St. Augustine in the Province of St. Augustine, in California. Five members of the Order of St. Augustine serve as Members of the Corporation.
The High School Placement Test (HSPT) is given to 8th grade students seeking admission to Saints as a first time 9th grade student. Only students applying for the start of the 9th grade for the following academic year are required to take the placement test.
The HSPT is currently scheduled for Saturday, January 10, 2026. By completing an application to Saints, applicants are automatically registered for the HSPT at Saints. As a reminder, only students that take the HSPT at Saints are given priority for both admission and tuition assistance. Students that take the HSPT on our campus are eligible for merit based scholarships based upon their HSPT score.
Students are required to take the HSPT at their preferred school. However, if a student or family changes their mind Saints will transfer their HSPT scores to their new school of choice. Any family that desires their scores to be sent to a different school must contact our admissions office. Similarly, if you test at a different site, including those out of state, you must contact their admissions office and request that your test scores be sent to St. Augustine High School.
In the event that a student cannot attend the January 10, 2026 testing date at Saints, we urge you to contact our Director of Admissions, Paul Sipper psipper@sahs.org to make arrangements for a possible make up exam.
The admissions process requires several key pieces and it is important to note that the HSPT is important, but not the sole determining factor for admission to Saints. Data provided from the HSPT aids in the placement of students into particular classes for the freshman year only.
Following the admissions process by logging in through our myschoolapp platform is vital to monitoring and completing the admissions checklist
2026 HSPT Testing Format:
Parents’ Guide to the HSPT from STS
We ask that students arrive to campus by 7:30 a.m. to check-in. The test is expected to end at approximately 11:30 a.m. This is the estimated time allotted for the testing sections. Actual test time may vary, depending on the timing of each testing group. Actual times may vary for the reading of instructions, the distribution and the collection of materials.
Please note: If applicants require additional testing time, learning documentation must be submitted along with the admission application no later than January 6, 2026. Learning documentation must be either an IEP or private, formal psycho-educational evaluation indicating an intellectual testing component, as well as an academic component and diagnosis and report, issued by a licensed psycho-educational specialist. Please note that 504 plans do not qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the HSPT impact admission to Saints?
The High School Placement Test is only one factor in determining admission to Saints. The St. Augustine High School Admissions and Academics staff utilize the data from the HSPT along with report cards and teacher recommendations to help determine the best possible course placement for incoming 9th graders. Years of working with the HSPT data has helped our staff determine trends that help in placement into the courses where your student can build a foundation, be challenged, and excel through our various academic programs.
We are concerned about the potential learning loss due to Covid-19 and distance learning. Will this be considered when evaluating the HSPT for admission?
Yes. However, please understand that the HSPT publishes scores in relation to both a national and local percentile. The local percentile places your student’s scores in direct relation to the population of test takers on that campus and on that day. (students applying to Saints) Additionally, please remember that the HSPT data is far more valued for proper course placement than admission, and that would still hold true this year when potential learning loss due to distance learning may impact course placement as indicated by the HSPT scores.
We have been told the HSPT is linked to scholarships, is that true?
Yes, the HSPT scores have historically provided the data to award our merit based scholarships. Traditionally, the top 10 test takers are awarded the Principal’s Scholarship. The Principal’s Scholarship is a $10,000.00 per year scholarship awarded in the form of a tuition credit. The Principal’s Scholarship is valued over 4 years at $40,000.00.
What time will my student be finished?
Students are expected to finish the exam at approximately 11:30 a.m.
Where do I meet my student when he is done?
Students may be picked up from the main gate area on Nutmeg Street.
My student is unable to test on the scheduled date, what do I do?
A make-up High School Placement Test (HSPT) is NOT currently scheduled. However, you are encouraged to reach out to the Admissions Office before January 10 for a possible make-up exam date or alternatives.
My student is sick on the scheduled date and missed the HSPT, what do I do?
Thank you for your consideration in keeping your son home to protect all of us from his potential illness. Don’t worry, reach out to the Admissions Office options for your student will be provided.
Are calculators or other forms of technology allowed for the math portion?
No technology, including calculators, are permitted for any portion of the HSPT. Your student does NOT need to bring a calculator or any other device for the day of the test.
My student has completed the HSPT, what is the next step?
The checklist provided through your myschoolapp account will help guide you along the process. If you have not done so already, you should schedule your student’s interview. Interviews are planned for January 31st and time slots are available directly from your myschoolapp checklist. Interviews last about 10 minutes and provide our admissions staff with the opportunity to meet your student and get to know him a little bit.
If you need to reschedule your interview you may do so on your myschoolapp account or contact our admissions department for assistance.
Do I need to submit my student’s report card or any recommendations?
Requesting report cards and recommendations are easy and are done electronically through your myschoolapp account. You will need to know the email contact information of the school registrar or front office staff as well as the email addresses of the Principal or counselor, English teacher and math teacher.
I have completed all of my checklist items, now what?
Decision letters will be mailed mid-March. The decision letter will contain a copy of your student’s HSPT results, financial aid award (if necessary) and vital information about the next steps. Additionally, a decision will be posted on your myschoolapp account. We ask that once you are accepted that you log into your myschoolapp account and let us know your decision as soon as possible.
*Students that qualify for a merit based scholarship based on their HSPT score will be notified by phone and by mail by the third week of February