Apply to Holy Cross

Step 1 - Sign-up 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! 

Registration for Tartan for a Day becomes available every year in August. 

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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.

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.

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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 7, 2024. 

Registration will become available at ADW.org beginning Monday, October 7, 2024.  For any HSPT related questions please contact hspt@adw.org. 

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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 2024.

✓ 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 6, 2024.

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Step 5 - Financial Aid Application (Optional)

✓ The financial aid application deadline is Monday, January 6, 2025.  To apply for financial aid please access the School & Student Services portal. 

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Step 6 - Decision Notification

✓ Admissions decision notifications of completed applications for incoming 9th graders are mailed on Thursday, February 27, 2025 and emailed on Friday, February 28, 2025. 

Step 1 - Sign-up 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! 

Registration for Tartan for a Day becomes available every year in August. 

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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.

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.

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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 7, 2024. 

Registration will become available at ADW.org beginning Monday, October 7, 2024. For any HSPT related questions please contact hspt@adw.org. 

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Step 4 - Submit Online Application & Supporting Documents

✓ Students attending a non-Catholic grade school please submit the documents listed by Monday, January 6, 2025.

• 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 to admissions@academyoftheholycross.org. 

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Step 5 - Financial Aid Application (Optional)

✓ The financial aid application deadline is Monday, January 6, 2025.  To apply for financial aid please access the School & Student Services portal. 

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Step 6 - Decision Notification

✓ Admissions decision notifications of completed applications for incoming 9th graders are mailed on Thursday, February 27, 2025 and emailed on Friday, February 28, 2025. 

In order to apply for SMRP

✓ Complete online application via admissions portal, by Friday, December 6, 2024.

✓ Submit student's comprehensive psychoeducational or neuropsychological assessment that has been completed within the past three (3) years.

• This evaluation must include the following:
  • A diagnosis of learning difference
  • A cognitive assessment
  • An academic achievement test
  • Summary and recommendations

✓ Submit additional documentation such as an IEP, 504, or Accommodation Plan.

If documentation for the SMRP Program (including a recent psychoeducational 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.

Transfer admissions will be considered on a rolling Admissions basis and do not adhere to the same timeline as 9th grade admissions. Contact the Office of Admissions to inquire about transfer availability. 

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Step 1 - 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.

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.

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Step 2 - Tartan for a Day Visit & Interview

✓ Discovering the daily life at Holy Cross is an essential part of your visit. As part of the admissions process, we look forward to conducting an interview with the applicant and their family with a member of our admissions committee.

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Step 3 - Submit Online Application & Supporting Documents

✓ Transfer students please submit the documents listed below.

• Transcript Request Form for 7th final & 8th first quarter/ semester grades.
• Two (2) Letters of Recommendations from your (1) English/ Language Arts & (1) Math 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 to admissions@academyoftheholycross.org. 
• Transfer applicants are required to submit standardized test scores they may have taken within the last calendar year.
  • EG: HSPT, Scantron, MAP Score, PSAT, etc. 

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Step 4 - Financial Aid Application (Optional)

✓ The financial aid application deadline is Monday, January 6, 2025. To apply for financial aid please access the School & Student Services portal. 

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Step 5 - Decision Notification

✓ Please be aware that transfer admissions are considered on a rolling basis and do not follow the same timeline as 9th-grade admissions. Consequently, all transfer applications will begin to be reviewed in March 2025. Once your application has been reviewed, you will receive a decision through the admissions portal.  Thank you for your understanding and patience.

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Transfer students interested in applying for our Saint Mary's Resource Program (SMRP), please note if documentation for SMRP (including a recent psychoeducational 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.

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Transfers & Athletics

Please see the information here from the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) regarding eligibility. 

 Learn more 

Please note The Academy of the Holy Cross does not provide homestays and is not responsible for selecting a host family for any international student. It will be the responsibility of the family to manage any living arrangements and determine the suitability of any host family. 

 

In order to apply, you must submit an essay as part of the application. During the online application process, you will be asked to respond to the following questions in 250 words or fewer.  

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?

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.

The Academy of the Holy Cross Open House is on Sunday, November 3, 2024 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Due date for admission application and $60 application fee.

Due date for Supporting Admissions Documents and Financial Aid application (optional).

Apply for financial aid  

 

Learn More

STEM Program workshop and interview.

Notification of decisions are mailed February 27, 2025.

Families will be notified via email February 28th

Registration deadline for the Class of 2029.