Admissions

Becoming a Golden Knight

Thank you for your interest in St. Francis High School, a 77-year tradition of enriching the mind and heart. Guided by our mission and philosophy, we remain committed to developing young men of virtue through brotherhood, humility, respect, prayer, and service. We encourage you to explore our website, visit campus, and participate in our admissions activities and conversations.

Take the next steps to becoming a Golden Knight!

Admissions

List of 2 members.

  • Photo of Joe Monarrez

    Joe Monarrez 

    Director of Admissions | Freshman Counselor
  • Photo of Betty Dowling

    Betty Dowling 

    Registrar

Important Dates

List of 4 events.

View Calendar

Tuition & Financial Assistance Information

List of 8 frequently asked questions.

  • Tuition:

    2024-2025 School Year Tuition: $23,000
    2024-2025 Registration Fee: $1,000 for new and returning students
    Additional fees are also required for athletics, retreats and certain academic courses.
    St. Francis High School has partnered with Blackbaud Tuition Management for all tuition billing. There are three tuition payment options: payment in full, quarterly payments and monthly (10) payments. Blackbaud Tuition Management accepts tuition payments via credit/debit card (with ~2.6% Blackbaud transaction fee), ACH (payments from your checking or savings account), or check. 

  • Financial assistance:

    St. Francis High School, of La Canada Flintridge, provides need-based financial assistance to approximately 40% of its families. Qualified students who require assistance in meeting tuition costs may apply. In order for us to allocate our resources wisely and fairly, we have enlisted the help of Blackbaud Financial Aid Management. Blackbaud provides a need-based financial aid analysis service indicating their recommendation of what a family should reasonably contribute toward tuition. In addition to the Blackbaud application, all applicants must also submit the SFHS Financial Assistance Questionnaire. All information from Blackbaud and the questionnaire is kept confidential. Complete applications are reviewed by the SFHS Financial Assistance Committee, which determines the allocation of financial aid awards.

  • Incoming freshmen ONLY:

    Incoming ninth graders must apply online through Blackbaud Financial Aid Management by January 31. Parents will be asked to upload a complete copy of the family’s Federal & State Income Tax Returns (2022 IRS 1040 with all accompanying schedules) as well as 2023 W-2's and 1099s. Financial aid recipients will be notified in conjunction with their acceptance letter. Merit Scholarships are awarded based on a student’s performance on the entrance examination given at St. Francis High School.  The Merit Scholarship recipients will be notified with their acceptance letter.

  • ALL returning and transfer students:

    Families must re-apply for financial assistance each year online through Blackbaud Financial Aid Management by March 1. Parents must upload a complete copy of the family’s Federal and State Income Tax Returns (2024 IRS 1040 with all accompanying schedules) as well as 2024 W-2s and 1099s.

  • Applying for financial assistance:

    1. Parents may access the appropriate Blackbaud Financial Aid Management Application.
    2. There will be a non-refundable fee of $35 required to process your application payable only by credit card. When Blackbaud has received the processing fee, your application and all of your applicable tax return information, they will forward the completed application to St. Francis High School.

  • Items to Submit:

    Business — Schedule C or C EZ 1040
    Farm — Schedule F 1040
    Rental Property — Schedule E 1040
    LLC, S Corporation or Partnership — Schedule E 1040, Form 1120S, Schedule K-1
    Trust — Schedule K-1

Admissions Process FAQ

List of 11 frequently asked questions.

  • Do we need a recommendation from our pastor or faith leader?

    While not required, you are welcome to submit a Pastor or faith leader recommendation with your student's application. Please download it here.

  • Do you offer financial assistance?

    Yes, however this process is separate from the admissions process. An application must be sent to an outside agency no later than January 31 in order to apply.

  • Do you accept transfer students?

    St. Francis will consider transfer applicants. However, availability will depend upon the size of the class into which the applicant is applying. If a class is full, we will not accept any additional transfers. Please call or email the Admissions Team to inquire about transfer timing and space availability.

  • Do you offer scholarships?

    Yes, we offer merit awards to the top 10 scorers on the High School Placement Test (HSPT). These awards are renewable each year a student maintains a 3.5 GPA and enrolls in honors/AP coursework at St. Francis High School. These awards are entirely based on merit; there is no financial need component. The awards are only available to students who take the HSPT on our campus. Here is a summary of the awards:
    ·      Top Scorer will receive a 75% scholarship
    ·      #’s 2, 3, and 4 will each receive a 50% scholarship
    ·      #’s 5, 6, and 7 will each receive a 33% scholarship
    ·      #’s 8, 9, and 10 will each receive a 25% scholarship

  • Does my son have to test at St. Francis?

    If you are applying to St. Francis but wish to test at another site, you must submit a written request to the school where the test is taken to transfer the scores to St. Francis no later than February 1. (Parents are responsible for verifying that the test given will be the HSPT test, as we do not accept the ISEE. They should also verify that the other school will forward results to us in a timely manner, if at all) The student will not be eligible for a St. Francis Merit Scholarship if he does not test here. If a student tests at St. Francis and would like scores sent to another school, we must also have a parent request in writing the day the exam is given.

  • What test do you use?

    We use the Scholastic Testing Service High School Placement Test (HSPT), which is the one generally given at Catholic High Schools in the Los Angeles Archdiocese.

  • Does St. Francis offer extended time on the entrance examination?

    Here are the requirements that applicants must fulfill in order to be granted extended time:
    • The student must have submitted an application to St. Francis High School.
    • The student must submit a letter from their current principal, on school letterhead, indicating that they have met the qualifications for extended time and receive it regularly in their current school.
    • Both the application and letter requesting extended time must be received by the Registrar at St. Francis no later than Friday, January 5, 2024, at 12:00 p.m.
    • A student who receives extra time on the entrance exam may be considered for admission to the Directed Studies program at St. Francis.  There are a limited number of openings in this program.
    • Due to the planning required to implement this, we regret that we will not be able to offer extended time to those who do not meet our requirements and/or deadlines.
    • The granting of extended time on the entrance exam will not guarantee that a student, if he is admitted, will receive such an adjustment at St. Francis.  We expect families to submit documentation of complete psycho-educational testing by a licensed professional within the previous three years that diagnoses or reconfirms a previous diagnosis of a LD and/or ADHD and demonstrates that the condition impairs the student’s academic functioning.
    Listed below is a sample of the appropriate wording that we must have in order to grant extended time on the entrance exam:
     
    “I certify that (student name) has qualified for extended time at (current school name) and receives this adjustment regularly in our school.”

  • How do I get transcripts to St. Francis?

    Be sure you have completely filled out the “Authorization to Release Records” portion of the application before submitting it to St. Francis. Our office will forward this form to his current school and request all the necessary information. If the applicant has attended more than one school in the past three years, a separate form is required for each school.

  • What if I would like to have additional letters of recommendation sent?

    Once you have completed the application, teacher evaluations will be automatically sent to your son’s school with the request for transcripts. Additionally, you may submit the Pastor or Faith Leader Recommendation Form (optional) for your son's file. This form tells us more about the applicant, especially his character and spirituality. If you would like to have additional letters of recommendation (optional) sent, we will gladly accept up to three (from former teachers, coaches, mentors, leadership figures, alumni, etc.). There is no official recommendation form for these additional letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation may be submitted via email to admissions@sfhs.net. Letters of recommendation can also be mailed to: Registrar, St. Francis High School, 200 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada, CA 91011

  • What is the basis for admission?

    Admission decisions require 6, 7, and 8th grade standardized test scores (including the entrance exam), 6, 7, and 8th grade transcripts (academic, work habits, conduct grades, disciplinary records, and attendance), teacher evaluations, and notes from the interview. Additional, but not required, information includes the pastor or faith leader recommendation form and any additional letters of recommendation (up to three). No decision will be made on an applicant until all of the required information is received and complete.

  • What does a typical Freshman schedule look like?

    A standard Freshman schedule consists of English 9, Principles of Science, PE, World Language (Spanish or Latin), Salvation History, Geography, and Algebra I.*

    *Honors Spanish and Math are determined from placement exams.  Honors English and Honors Biology are determined by scores from the HSPT.
200 Foothill Blvd.
La Canada Flintridge, CA, 91011
Phone: 818-790-0325
Fax: 818-790-5542