JUNIPERO SERRA HIGH SCHOOL
A CATHOLIC COLLEGE PREPARATORY
NO MATTER HIS PATH OR PASSIONeach Padre
SErra
thrives.
Serra is more than academic
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.
excellence.
It is a journey of transformation.
At Serra, boys take risks, explore challenges and emerge as inspired and independent men who are confident, analytical thinkers. the changing world. This inevitable transformation starts with challenging 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
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
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.
Rigorous academics and a keen understanding of how boys learn
Our College & Career Counseling staff of six full-time counselors (including two who are MFCCs) 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 3+ YEARS OF LAB SCIENCES (UC REQUIRES 2)
93.5% 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
Intellectually
curious
57% OF PADRES ARE ENROLLED IN HONORS AND AP COURSES
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
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.
responsibleSocially
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
30,000+ HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE IN 2023-2024
groundedEmotionally
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 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
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 peerled group gives your son a safe space where he can discuss sensitive situations and issues in his life.
centeredSpiritually
Rooted in Catholicism and gifted by 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.
56% OF SERRA PADRES ARE CATHOLIC
COMPETITIVE ATHLETICS
Across 14 sports and 38 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 88 CCS Championships and is a source of pride and camaraderie for the entire Serra community.
$1.8Million IN ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED IN 2024
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
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.
275+ STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
38 WITH ATHLETIC TEAMS
650
ROSTER POSITIONS
30 TRI-SCHOOL CLASSES
every Padre thrives!
96% OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN 1 OR MORE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
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.
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.
14,000+ ALUMNI WORLDWIDE
SERRA GRADUATES WERE ACCEPTED BY THESE AND MANY OTHER COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES BETWEEN 2019 AND 2024. OUR GRADUATES ARE NOW ATTENDING MORE THAN 160 CAMPUSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD. THE CLASS OF 2024 WAS AWARDED MORE THAN $27.7 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS . 72% OF GRADUATES RECEIVED AT LEAST 1 SCHOLARSHIP.
each Padre thrives.
Serra welcomes new students who have the academic foundation to be successful in our college-prep program and who will strive to become active and positive members of Serra’s campus community.
OPEN HOUSE • SUNDAY,
NOVEMBER 3, 2024, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Our annual Open House is a dynamic, information-packed event that reflects the spirit and energy of the Serra campus community. Your family will meet and talk with our teachers, staff, coaches and student leaders to learn about the diverse range of clubs and organizations available to your son. We are proud to facilitate an inspiring afternoon when you can experience why so many boys and their families choose Serra for these four important and formative years.
Go to www.serrahs.com/visit to register for Open House.
PADRE FOR A DAY PROGRAM
Immersing yourself in Serra as a Padre for a Day is an energizing and engaging way to experience the Padre brotherhood. On your visit, you will tour the school, speak with students and teachers, and visit classes to gain real insight into Padre life. You’ll witness the connection between Serra students and teachers and learn about clubs, social events, visual and performing arts, campus ministry, the Academic Resource Center, athletics and more. This program is offered from September through December.
Go to www.serrahs.com/visit to schedule your PFD experience.
FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS
We are committed to providing financial aid to families who want their son to become a Padre but who need assistance to afford a Serra education. We grant aid solely on the basis of financial need for families who qualify; 53% of our families receive some level of financial assistance.
For information about this program and to access the online application, please visit the Serra website at www.serrahs.com/affordingserra. Tuition for 2024-2025 is $28,200.
DATES Admissions FOR INCOMING FRESHMAN STUDENTS
Padre for a Day September through December
Freshman Application Available Monday 8/26/24
Affordability Webinar
10/17/24
Academic Resource Center (ARC) Application Deadline Friday 10/25/24 Open
Freshman Application Deadline
Freshman High School Placement Test (HSPT)
Freshman Late Application Deadline Friday 12/20/24
Financial Aid Application Due Friday 1/17/25
Application Checklist Items Deadline Friday 1/17/25
Applicant Interviews (on campus)
Applicant Interviews (on campus)
Padre Peek: Last Glance Event
Decision Notification Friday 3/21/25
Freshman Registration Deposit Due Friday 3/28/25
New Family Welcome Night Wednesday 4/9/25 6 p.m.
Junípero Serra High School admits students of all races, colors and national origins and/or ethnic origins to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at this school. Serra does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national and/or ethnic origin, or in the administration of educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other school-administered programs.