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Saint Joseph High School is an accredited, co-educational Catholic day school enrolling students in Grades 9-12.
We are delighted you are considering Saint Joseph High School. We believe that there is no better school in our area to prepare students for college and beyond. If you seek a rigorous academic experience, welcoming faith community, and enriching co-curricular opportunities, Saint Joseph High School is for you. Admission is open to all qualified students, regardless of sex, race, religion, creed, color, or national origin.
Please click the relevant tabs below to learn more about the admissions process for incoming freshmen, transfer students, and international students.
Application Process
Incoming Freshmen
- Submit an Application for Admission
- Complete the High School Placement Test (HSPT)
- Submit Academic Records
- Receipt of Course Placement Recommendation
Submit an Application for Admission
Applications open in early October for the following academic year. Completed applications are due in January for priority consideration. After the initial admissions decisions are made, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis as long as space remains in the cohort. The application fee of $30 is paid online through the application portal.
Complete the High School Placement Test (HSPT)
Saint Joseph High School hosts placement testing in early November, with an additional test date in early December. Students who apply after these dates will be scheduled for testing as time permits. The HSPT fee is $20, and can be paid in person on the date of the test.
Placement tests administered on both dates allow for extended time for students with special education plans, such as Individual Education Program (IEP), Individual Service Program (ISP), or Individual Language Program (ILP). A copy of the special education plan is necessary prior to scheduling the additional time accommodation. Advance reservations are required for students with an IEP, ISP, or ILP so that we can arrange the appropriate space for testing. Please contact Director of Enrollment, Sue Ushela directly to arrange extended time testing.
High School Placement Tests for applicants entering 9th Grade in the fall of 2024 take place on:
Saturday, November 16, 2024, 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 7, 2024, 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Submit Academic Records
A complete application includes a Teacher Recommendation Form, grade reports and attendance and discipline records provided by the student’s current school. Additional academic records, such as standardized test scores (SSAT, PSAT, NWEA), are also welcome. Students with an IEP, ILP, or ISP upload their plans directly to the application portal.
Applicants for ninth grade must provide transcripts of the 8th grader’s first semester upon completion of that semester (January). While most academic records will be provided to Saint Joseph High School by the sending school, parents may need to provide 8th grade records directly to the Admissions Office.
Receipt of Course Placement Recommendation
Upon completion of the High School Placement Test, the Admissions Office will send Course Placement Recommendation forms to the sending school. This form can be completed by the current principal, a teacher, or a school counselor. Though required for an application to be considered complete, the recommendation form is not a factor for admission; rather, it helps Saint Joseph High School determine the best course placement for each incoming student.
Factors for Admission to 9th Grade:
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Review of 6th, 7th and 8th-grade transcripts
- Review of the High School Placement Test results
- Results of previous standardized testing and evaluations
- Receipt of course recommendations from current principal, teacher, or counselor
- Satisfactory disciplinary and attendance history
Admission for all grades is subject to available space and to the review and recommendation of the Admission Committee. Every student must possess the educational background necessary to reach his or her fullest potential at Saint Joseph High School in order to be admitted. Submitting a complete application is not a guarantee of admission.
Saint Joseph High School reserves the right to revoke acceptance at any time for academic and/or disciplinary reasons.
Additionally, prospective ninth grade students must complete all requirements for the eighth grade before being admitted to Saint Joseph High School. Prospective ninth graders who register before the completion of their eighth grade will be admitted conditionally, pending receipt of the final transcript.
Per Diocesan Policy #5240, no registration can be considered complete until confirmation is received from the Catholic elementary school that financial obligations are current.
Hurray, I’m admitted! Now what?
Admitted students will receive a welcome packet with additional information related to next steps, which will include:
- Completing Enrollment
- Applying for Financial Aid (if applicable)
- Scheduling Classes
- Setting up a Tuition Payment Plan
- New Student and Parent Orientation
Transfer Students
Submit an Application for Admission
Applications open in early October for the following academic year.
- Application Deadline for Fall 2024: July 21, 2024
- Application Deadline for Spring 2025: December 1, 2024
The application fee of $30 is paid online through the application portal.
Students wishing to transfer to Saint Joseph High School are considered at the beginning of the semester and generally not during the semester.
Provide Academic Records
Students transferring to Saint Joseph High School must meet the same graduation requirements as all other students and must provide evidence that they are on track to graduate with their cohort.
Students wishing to transfer to Saint Joseph High School from other high schools will be considered based on their transcripts, the space available in the needed classes for the student, the disciplinary and attendance record of the student at the other school, and the reason(s) for transfer.
Take a Placement Test
Factors for Admission to 10th, 11th, or 12th Grade:
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Review of transcripts from all previous high schools
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Review of 7th and 8th grade transcripts (if available)
- Results of previous standardized testing
- Course recommendation from current principal or counselor
- Satisfactory disciplinary and attendance history
- Interview with the Director of Admission, as needed
Application for all grades is subject to available space and to the review and recommendation of the Saint Joseph High School Admission Committee. Every student must possess the educational background necessary to reach his or her fullest potential at Saint Joseph High School, and be on time to graduate with his or her cohort, in order to be admitted.
Saint Joseph High School reserves the right to revoke acceptance at any time for academic and/or disciplinary reasons.
Senior Year Transfers
- Students enrolled in local schools are generally not considered for transfer during their senior year. It is not usually feasible to meet Saint Joseph High School graduation requirements in one year.
- Students relocating to the Michiana area prior to their senior year are generally considered for admission, though submitting a complete application is not a guarantee of admission.
Theology Requirement
- Students transferring from non-Christian schools will have the Theology requirement waived for the years of attendance at another school; however, Saint Joseph High School still requires 48 credits in order to meet the graduation requirement.
- Students transferring from non-Catholic schools begin their Theology requirement with Theology 3 and Theology 4.
Do my Credits Transfer?
- Credits for home study are not generally accepted at Saint Joseph High School unless approved in advance and from an accredited homeschool program.
- The Director of Counseling will make a final decision relative to credits acceptable for transfer.
What if I’m an athlete also?
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Students interested in interscholastic athletics must adhere to all IHSAA eligibility rules and regulations.
International Students
Saint Joseph High School enthusiastically welcomes students from other countries, provided space is available in the student’s cohort and required classes. Students may apply for a short-term study abroad cultural experience, enroll in a semester, a year, or multiple years.
In general, admission requirements for international students are:
- Students must be part of a formal exchange program recognized by NASSP and the state of Indiana, or living with a relative.
- International students seeking academic credit must complete an admissions test, to be used as a factor when determining admission.
- Students will complete placement tests in English and mathematics to determine the appropriate class placement while at Saint Joseph High School.
- Students must meet the immunization requirements for the State of Indiana and those required for all students enrolled at Saint Joseph High School.
- Students must meet school attendance and disciplinary requirements as all other enrolled students.
- Saint Joseph High School considers age-appropriate international students in grades 10,11 or 12 for short-term study abroad. Students entering grade 9 are considered for admission if they intend to graduate from Saint Joseph High School and are living with a relative.
Receiving Academic Credit:
- Students who wish to receive academic credit, or who enroll for a year or more, must pay full tuition and fees.
- Students receive regular grade reports and academic transcripts.
- International students who meet graduation requirements may receive a diploma. This depends on the length of study at Saint Joseph High School and the transferability of previous credits.
- International students will begin Theology requirements with Theology 3.
English Language Proficiency:
- Students must demonstrate a command of English if they wish to receive credit for courses completed. Saint Joseph High School does not have an English as a New Language program for international students.
Host Family Requirements:
- If not living with a relative, students must identify their own host family or be a participant in a formal exchange program.
- Saint Joseph High School does not make housing arrangements for international students; however, the Director of Enrollment must approve all living arrangements in advance of the student coming to the United States.
- A guardianship form must be completed by the parents and host family, and shared with the Director of Enrollment Office.
- Students must connect with host families prior to the first day of school.
Requirements for the I-20
The Department of Homeland Security outlines the following requirements for all international student visa-holders. Students must provide the following forms to the Admissions Office in order to receive an I-20 form to study at Saint Joseph High School:
- Bank statement of the family showing sufficient funds to cover all expenses associated with attending Saint Joseph High School.
- Letter from local host family that shows they accept responsibility for the student.
- Student's complete permanent (non-U.S.) address, including parent demographic information.
- Host family demographic information, including email address and phone number.
- A birth certificate copy, translated into English.
- Completed SEVIS I-20 Information Sheet (available from the Director of Enrollment).
Note that the processing time for the issuance of an I-20 form is normally two-three weeks, though processing times vary widely and are dependent on the Embassy to which you are assigned. All applications for the I-20 must be completed by July 1 for the fall semester. Saint Joseph High School strongly recommends applying for the I-20 several months in advance of a student’s intended arrival date.