Your Future Begins Here

Step 1 - Schedule for a Tartan for a Day visit day! 

✓ Eighth grade students are invited to shadow one of our current freshmen and experience firsthand what it's like to be a Tartan! Attend classes, enjoy lunch in our beautiful courtyards, engage with students and teachers. Discover what it means to be a Holy Cross girl! 

Schedule Here

Step 2 - Create Admissions Portal

✓ In order to complete the online application you must first create your admissions account on the online portal.

✓ Once you have set-up your password and access your admissions account, please submit your application using the link provided on the admissions checklist. Access to your admissions account.

ACcess Admissions Portal Here

Please note you will receive an email subjected "Connect to Holy Cross" prompting you to set up your admissions portal password. If you experience any technical difficulties, please contact the Admissions Office.

Step 3 - Schedule Your HSPT

✓ Holy Cross requires all applicants to submit the Archdiocese of Washington’s High School Placement Test (HSPT) as a component of their admissions application. The HSPT will be administered at Holy Cross in December 6, 2025. 

Registration will become available at dw.org beginning Monday, October 6, 2025. For any HSPT related questions please contact hspt@adw.org. 

Register for the HSPT Here

Step 4 - Submit Online Application & Supporting Documents

✓ Students attending a Catholic grade school please select The Academy of the Holy Cross as one of your choices when completing the Catholic High School Student Information Form and take the HSPT at your school in December 2025.

✓ Your school will automatically send your academic transcript and teacher recommendations to Holy Cross.

✓ Online application and $60 fee due via admissions portal, by Friday, December 5, 2025.

Step 5 - Financial Aid Application (Optional)

✓ The financial aid application deadline is Monday, January 5, 2026.  To apply for financial aid please access the Facts Management portal.  

The school code is 10856.

Apply for Financial Aid Here

Step 6 - Decision Notification

✓ Admissions decision notifications of completed applications for incoming 9th graders are mailed on Thursday, February 26, 2026 and emailed on Friday, February 27, 2026. 

Step 1 - Schedule for a Tartan for a Day visit day! 

✓ Eighth grade students are invited to shadow one of our current freshmen and experience firsthand what it's like to be a Tartan! Attend classes, enjoy lunch in our beautiful courtyards, engage with students and teachers. Discover what it means to be a Holy Cross girl! 

Schedule Here

Step 2 - Create Admissions Portal

✓ In order to complete the online application you must first create your admissions account on the online portal.

✓ Once you have set-up your password and access your admissions account, please submit your application using the link provided on the admissions checklist. Access to your admissions account.

ACcess Admissions Portal Here

Please note you will receive an email subjected "Connect to Holy Cross" prompting you to set up your admissions portal password. If you experience any technical difficulties, please contact the Admissions Office.

Step 3 - Schedule Your HSPT

✓ Holy Cross requires all applicants to submit the Archdiocese of Washington’s High School Placement Test (HSPT) as a component of their admissions application. The HSPT will be administered at Holy Cross on December 6, 2025. 

Registration will become available at dw.org beginning Monday, October 6, 2025. For any HSPT related questions please contact hspt@adw.org. 

Register FOR THE HSPT Here

Step 4 - Submit Online Application & Supporting Documents

✓ Students attending a non-Catholic grade school please submit the documents listed by Monday, January 5, 2026.

• Transcript Request Form for 7th final & 8th first quarter/ semester grades.
• Two (2) Letters of Recommendations from your (1) English/ Language Arts & (1) Math or Science teacher. These forms can be sent directly to your teachers using the application portal.
• School records must be submitted to the Admissions Office via the online portal or email.

Transcript Request Form

Letter of Recommendation Form

Step 5 - Financial Aid Application (Optional)

✓ The financial aid application deadline is Monday, January 5, 2026.  To apply for financial aid please access the Facts Management portal.  

The school code is 10856.

Apply for Financial Aid Here

Step 6 - Decision Notification

✓ Admissions decision notifications of completed applications for incoming 9th graders are mailed on Thursday, February 26, 2026 and emailed on Friday, February 27, 2026. 

In order to apply for SMP

✓ Complete online application via admissions portal, by Friday, December 5, 2025.

Create an Admissions Account

✓ Submit the applicant's comprehensive psycho-educational or neuropsychological assessment that has been completed within the past three (3) years that has been completed in person by a licensed professional.

• This evaluation must include the following:
  • A diagnosis of learning difference
  • A cognitive assessment (WISC or similar)
  • An academic achievement test (Woodcock Johnson, WIAT or similar)
  • Summary and recommendations for academic and standardized testing accommodations

✓ Submit additional documentation such as an IEP, 504, or Catholic Accommodation Plan (CAP).

If documentation for the SMP Program (including a recent psycho-educational or neuropsychological evaluation) is submitted after the time of acceptance and enrollment, review and a decision on this program will not be made until the second semester of your entry year.

Please answer each of the following questions in 250 words or fewer. You may not receive any assistance writing your essays.

Essay 1: The Academy of the Holy Cross has been educating women of courage, compassion, and scholarship since 1868. Describe a time when you demonstrated courage or compassion. What did you learn from this experience?

Essay 2: The Academy of the Holy Cross offers opportunities for students to pursue their passions both inside and outside of the classroom. Describe something new, academic or otherwise, you look forward to trying at The Academy of the Holy Cross.