Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory (Top Ranked Private School for 2026-27)

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Quick Facts (2026-27)

Top Ranked CA School
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 1,329 students
Yearly Tuition: $17,500
Average class size: 25 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

School Facts

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Religious Affiliation

Catholic

Grades Offered

Grades 9-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory
9	338
10	374
11	319
12	298

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Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Year Founded

1852

Colors

White, Blue, Green, Royal blue, Forest Green

Summer School Offered

Yes

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Student Body

Total Students

1,329 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

48%

State avg.: 52%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

60 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

22:1

National avg.: 11:1

Average Class Size

25 students

Number of AP Courses

21 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Advanced Courses

AP Art HistoryAP Biology

AP Calculus ABAP Calculus BC

AP ChemistryAP Chinese Language and Culture

AP Computer ScienceAP English Language and Composition

AP English Literature and CompositionAP European History

AP French Language and CultureAP Human Geography

AP Japanese Language and CultureAP Music Theory

AP Physics C: MechanicsAP Psychology

AP Spanish Language and CultureAP Statistics

AP Studio ArtAP United States Government and Politics

AP United States History

Show More (5)Hide

Average ACT score

(Out of 36)

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Khaki pants and polo shirt

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

None / Rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$17,500

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

In order to keep tuition affordable and fund key aspects of SHC curriculum, we additionally count on a yearly parent pledge for each child who attends SHC. For more information, please read more about our Parent Pledge Program.

Admissions Director

Tim Burke '70

Admissions Associate

Erica Pfeiffer

Sports

Total Sports Offered

14 sports

Sports

BaseballBasketball

Cross CountryFootball

GolfLacrosse

SoccerSoftball

SwimmingTennis

Track and FieldVolleyball

Winter TrackWrestling

School Notes

Students and their families choose SHC for the strength of our academics, our diverse array of cocurricular opportunities and for the warmth of our inclusive and nurturing community. The tenets that SHC was founded upon in 1852 remain today: a commitment to serving San Francisco’s diverse youth and providing an academically rigorous, Catholic education.
We are proud of our vibrant, close-knit community, and we all work together to educate today’s youth and create tomorrow’s leaders.

School Mascot: Seamus

The Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory (SHC) community is dedicated to the intellectual and academic excellence of our students, and we strive to develop the unique talents and passions of each individual. Our devotion is illustrated in our enthusiastic and highly educated teachers, commitment to service and social justice, innovative curriculum and cutting-edge classroom technology. At SHC, academic excellence is not only measured in the range and quality of our courses, but in our students’ curiosity, drive and desire to learn. We challenge our students to stretch themselves, to experience and learn as much as they can, to honor their passions and develop their talents, to generously share of those talents and to become their best selves.
FACULTY
Approximately one hundred lay teachers, including five Christian Brothers and two Daughters of Charity comprise the professional staff. In addition to bachelor’s degrees and teaching credentials, five hold doctorates and more than seventy percent hold master’s degrees.
ACCREDITATION
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, affiliated with the Christian Brothers Education Association and the Daughters of Charity Education Association, has received full accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA).
STUDENT BODY
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory enrolls approximately 1,325 students from San Francisco and its environs. Reflecting the diversity of the Bay Area, students represent different religious, economic and ethnic backgrounds, which include Caucasian, Asian, Filipino, Hispanic, African-American and Native American.
ADMISSIONS
Approximately 1,100 eighth-graders apply for the 300+ openings in the freshman class. Admission is competitive and is based upon GPA in the seventh and eighth grades, test results from STS High School Placement Test and teacher/principal recommendations.
ACADEMIC PROGRAM
The school year, divided into semesters, begins in late August and ends in early June with a Thanksgiving break, vacations at Christmas and Easter, and observance of national holidays. A typical school day begins at 7:55 am and ends at 2:30 pm. Parents receive grades twice per semester, or approximately every nine weeks, and may view informal progress reports through PowerSchool. The Honor Roll recognizes academic excellence based on grade point average. Conversely, students whose grades fall below a 2.0 (GPA), are placed on academic probation and may not participate in cocurricular activities. Students must take six courses each semester.
SPECIAL ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Inquiry & Innovation Program
Inquiry & Innovation is a dynamic four-year program that focuses on science, technology and math using project based learning and evolving 21st century learning tools. The program inspires students to ask critical questions and discover inventive solutions to complex challenges. It includes hands-on summer workshops, leadership opportunities in technology, access to Honors and Advanced Placement courses, a vibrant humanities curriculum, and collaborative service learning. Program members are among our top applicants, displaying high academic achievement (3.5 GPA or above) and exemplary standardized test scores (especially in math and science).
De Paul Scholar Program
The De Paul Scholar Program off ers a rigorous four-year curriculum which includes accelerated content, in-depth study, interdisciplinary approaches, opportunities for learning beyond the classroom, development of leadership skills, and a service component to the poor and marginalized. Admission to the De Paul Scholar Program is predicated upon a student’s academic achievement as demonstrated by standardized test scores, grade point average and teacher recommendations. The successful applicant must also demonstrate a commitment to service and a desire to develop leadership skills. Consequently, many academically gifted students do not automatically gain admission to the De Paul Scholar Program.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory cost?

Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory's tuition is approximately $17,500 for private students.

What schools are Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory often compared to?

Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory is often viewed alongside schools like St. Ignatius College Preparatory by visitors of our site.

What sports does Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory offer?

Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory offers 14 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Winter Track and Wrestling. Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in California for most sports offered.

What is Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory's ranking?

Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory?

The application deadline for Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

In what neighborhood is Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory located?

Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory is located in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, CA. There are 2 other private schools located in Cathedral Hill.

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in San Francisco, CA is $24,348 for elementary schools and $40,742 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in San Francisco, CA is 59% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).