JUNIPERO SERRA HIGH SCHOOL
A CATHOLIC COLLEGE PREPARATORY
SErra
NO MATTER HIS PATH OR PASSION
each Padre thrives.
Serra is more
Serra High School is an exceptional Catholic college preparatory, with 80 years of excellence, that offers a rich and rigorous academic curriculum, a wide range of engaging extracurricular activities, and an environment of compassion and mutual respect. Students of all faiths and backgrounds bring their gifts and talents to campus and enrich the diversity of our school community as we teach boys to become responsible young men and honorable leaders, prepared to successfully navigate the complex world they will inherit.
than academic excellence.
It is a journey of transformation.
High school is a journey. It’s an opportunity for boys to explore newly discovered challenges and to emerge as confident, analytical and focused young men who are inspired to live meaningful, accomplished lives and who are prepared for college and the changing world. This inevitable transformation starts with challenging
AT SERRA, BOYS TAKE RISKS, EXPLORE CHALLENGES AND EMERGE AS INSPIRED AND INDEPENDENT MEN WHO ARE CONFIDENT, ANALYTICAL THINKERS. academics. Our faculty encourages each student to exercise his mind, to push himself beyond his comfort zone toward his personal best. Introducing Padres to new perspectives and ideas, teachers and staff focus on teamwork and partnership, faith and service both inside and beyond the classroom, encouraging students to explore their talents, develop their passions, and become independent thinkers and responsible leaders.
preparedAcademically
A powerful transformation takes shape through our rich academics and rigorous curriculum, designed to satisfy the needs and passions of today’s teenagers who will live, work and succeed in tomorrow’s world. Our goal is to watch every boy evolve into an inspired and confident graduate who is a critical thinker, responsible researcher, capable writer and experienced speaker, completely prepared to thrive in college and beyond.
PASS RATE FOR AP EXAMS
RIGOROUS ACADEMICS AND A KEEN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW BOYS LEARN
Our College & Career Counseling staff of six full-time counselors (including two who are LMFTs) provides support and resources starting in freshman year. Counselors guide each student to choose classes that position him for admission to his top-choice colleges and help identify schools that are best suited for his goals, personality and ambition.
OF STUDENTS TAKE 4+ YEARS OF MATH (UC REQUIRES 3) 100%
OF STUDENTS TAKE 3+ YEARS OF LAB SCIENCES (UC REQUIRES 2)
98.6% 100% OF STUDENTS TAKE 4+ YEARS OF LAB SCIENCES (UC REQUIRES 2)
The Academic Resource Center supports students with documented learning differences, empowering them to understand their strengths, become self-advocates and use their accommodations advantageously to reach their fullest potential.
86% OF JUNIPERO SERRA TEACHERS HOLD ADVANCED DEGREES
curiousIntellectually
Desire to learn, drive to succeed
When we nurture your son’s intellectual curiosity, he will be eager to learn and driven to excel. Serra’s college-prep program starts in the classroom and continues across student life with clubs, projects and activities that offer productive ways he can satisfy his inquisitive spirit. Delving into a range of subjects, he can immerse himself in clubs from Business Innovation to Stocks and Economics and from Astronomy to Coding and Robotics. At Serra, there really is something for everyone.
Academic Focus
If your son is excited about a specific academic discipline, Serra is ready to help him explore his interest and focus on his passion. He can work with his counselor to develop a strategic sequence of electives, AP courses, clubs and projects that will help your son maximize his Serra education into a concentration such as medicine, law, business, programming and more.
AVERAGE CLASS SIZE TWENTY THREE 5
SERRA’S GLOBAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM INVIGORATING
THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW
The Global Leadership Program empowers young minds and fosters independent thinking by offering personalized educational experiences for our Padres. Designed exclusively for boys eager to pursue a dynamic academic path focused on their unique passions and interests, this exceptional program allows students to choose a personally relevant issue or problem from a range of concentration areas. Faculty and community professionals mentor them as they engage, learn, collaborate and test solutions. Global Leadership participants take additional courses beyond Serra’s graduation requirements
and engage in extracurricular activities to execute a mission-focused capstone project that demonstrates their leadership skills, commitment to service and meaningful action. Select students may also have the opportunity to travel and present their projects at global forums, further amplifying the impact of their work.
Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a distinguished designation on their transcripts, recognizing their exceptional achievements and the transformative Global Leadership Program experience.
Committed to serving under-represented communities
As teenagers begin to understand the serious issues and challenges that so many people in the world experience, their sense of compassion grows and helps develop empathetic leaders. Throughout his life at Serra, your son will appreciate the value of meaningful volunteer activities and find opportunities to give of himself in his own unique ways: talking to senior citizens, distributing food, working with at-risk children and any number of other activites. Each year, students have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of service activities, both as part of the curriculum and independently.
SERRA PADRES COMPLETED 31,000+ HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE IN 2024-2025
responsibleSocially
Emotionallygrounded
FROM FRIENDS TO BROTHERS
Serra has created a welcoming, inclusive culture where every Padre can be his authentic self and feel safe and accepted for who he is. As a result, he feels safe to take risks and is empowered to grow, to learn and to become the best version of himself. All Serra teachers and staff foster our philosophy of respect, integrity, compassion and inclusion and focus on our students’ growth and confidence.
We have full-time wellness and inclusion counselors on staff to make sure that every Padre thrives. With a community rooted in these values, boys quickly belong to the Serra brotherhood, a bond of camaraderie that grows to form sincere, lasting friendships.
As part of our focus on the health of the whole person, we take time out of our regular schedule a few times each semester for special days when we plan creative activities and competitive games to help students unwind, focus on relaxation and self-care, and build their sense of community.
Mission and Brotherhood Program
Teens are bombarded with confusing messages about morality and human dignity, and we are committed to helping our students grapple with the issues that confront them. Mission and Brotherhood is a moral decision-making program that supports Padres throughout their high school experience. On the first day of school, your son will be partnered with a junior Big Brother, who will help him explore the meaning and expectations of brotherhood. Meeting regularly to build trusting and respectful relationships, this peer-led group gives your son a safe space where he can discuss sensitive situations and issues in his life.
Spiritually
centered
ROOTED IN CATHOLICISM AND INCLUSIVE OF STUDENTS OF ALL FAITHS AND BACKGROUNDS
Spirituality is part of Serra life. It is taught in theology classes and across all subjects and throughout daily life as a Padre. Our students examine Catholic social teaching, promote justice through advocacy, put their faith into action and make a difference in their world. At the heart of the school, Campus Ministry expresses our spirituality as students plan and lead liturgies, prayer services and reflective experiences, including the junior/ senior Kairos retreat, which has a lifelong impact on participants. While a Serra education is grounded in the Catholic faith, we welcome and celebrate students of all faiths and backgrounds who enrich the diversity of our community and impact the faith journeys of all our students.
Competitive Athletics
Across 16 sports and 40 teams, Serra’s coaches work with student-athletes to build healthy lifestyles, athletic skills and character attributes of commitment, collaboration, confidence and integrity. Our athletics program has garnered 89 CCS Championships and is a source of pride and camaraderie for the entire Serra community.
$539,000 IN COLLEGE ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2025
Diverse Arts Classes and Clubs
Through our Tri-School partnership with sister schools Mercy High School Burlingame and Notre Dame High School Belmont, we offer a vigorous visual and performing arts program, in which artists and performers learn the creative skills they need to grow in the visual arts, music and drama. Our Tri-School curriculum includes non-darkroom photography, 3D art, video production, beginning concert band, symphonic band, advanced jazz band, and four levels of drama classes. Beyond the curriculum, creative students can also participate in extracurricular activities such as creative clubs, Tri-School Choir and Tri-School Productions.
Fun Sports & Recreation
275 + STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
Serra offers many opportunities for students to enjoy one another and engage in healthy exercise in a dozen club activities, from basketball and beach volleyball to ultimate frisbee and Zumba. We even have a Sports Medicine Club in which students can learn essential fitness principles and apply basic skills under the direct supervision of Serra’s athletic trainer. The important thing: connect through engagement.
40 WITH ATHLETIC TEAMS
1,068
ROSTER POSITIONS
EVERY PADRE THRIVES!
96% OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN 1 OR MORE EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
14,200+
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Serra students can gain leadership experience in many ways. Some seek leadership roles as student government officers. Many others assume leadership in extracurricular activities serving as club presidents, lead actors, team captains, Serra ambassadors or retreat leaders. Academically, some take on leadership roles as mentors, tutors, editors or National Merit Scholars. We encourage all students to practice leadership skills through any of Serra’s wide-ranging leadership opportunities.
Enriched Coed Experiences
Understanding that relationships between boys and girls are vital to growth and development, Serra includes many coed experiences in our TriSchool program with our two sister schools, Mercy High School Burlingame and Notre Dame High School Belmont. Through Tri-School programs and activities, our students develop meaningful, healthy friendships while spending time with girls in classes, clubs, productions, retreats and social events.
SERRA GRADUATES WERE ACCEPTED BY THESE AND MANY OTHER COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES BETWEEN 2020 AND 2025. OUR GRADUATES ARE NOW ATTENDING MORE THAN 160 CAMPUSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD.
THE CLASS OF 2025 WAS AWARDED MORE THAN $35.2 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS . 73% OF GRADUATES RECEIVED AT LEAST ONE SCHOLARSHIP. 8/25
