You're a Padre 2026-27 by Junipero Serra High School

JUNIPERO SERRA HIGH SCHOOL

A CATHOLIC COLLEGE PREPARATORY

WELCOME TO THE BROTHERHOOD You’re in!

Serra is more than academic excellence. It is a journey of transformation.

Your choice of high school is a pivotal decision that transforms your adolescent years into a foundation for lifelong success. At Serra, we understand the significance of this transitional period, and we are committed to walking with you every step of the way.

Our passionate faculty inspires students to achieve their personal best through an engaging, college-preparatory curriculum. We focus on developing critical thinking, creative problem-solving and personal growth. Our goal is to prepare compassionate leaders ready for college, career and life.

Personalized guidance is at the heart of our approach. Our counselors will work closely with you to design a tailored academic path and ultimately identify colleges matching your aspirations, all while helping you to maintain a balanced, fulfilling high school experience.

Coaches, club moderators, the Campus Ministry staff—every member of our collaborative and dedicated team—is committed to the holistic development of each Padre.

By choosing Serra, you’re joining a diverse, supportive community that celebrates individual potential. Here, you’ll be challenged to become the best version of yourself—not just a student, but a Padre committed to academic excellence and equipped with foundational values that extend to all aspects of life.

Your transformative journey starts now. Are you ready?

Choosing Serra means joining a community that celebrates and embraces differences, fosters empathy and ensures that everyone feels welcomed in our brotherhood.

Your journey begins now! Scan here to accept your offer.

Plan Your Journey

Registration Fee

Registration is due by noon on Friday, March 27, 2026. Your registration must be received by this deadline to ensure your place in the Class of 2030. Please refer to the Registration and Tuition Information document included with this packet.

Student Records and Eighth-Grade Final Grades

Acceptance to Serra is conditional upon successful completion of eighth grade, review of all middle school records and assurance that your final grades are in line with those provided during the application process. It is the responsibility of the accepted student’s family to disclose any academic or disciplinary issues that arise after the offer of admission.

The issuing school must submit official final transcripts and student records as soon as grades are posted. Please request that your school mail all records, including final transcripts, to Serra High School, Attn: Vinay Shahi, Registrar, 451 West 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403.

Should Serra not receive the final records and transcripts before we start school in August, Serra reserves the right to revoke admission based on our assessment of the final transcripts and student records, regardless of the student having started the fall term at Serra High School.

Course Registration and Elective Options

Upon completing your TADS agreement, please log into your applicant portal, navigate to “My Course Enrollment” in the top navigation bar and complete the form by April 3, 2026. This form includes class selection for your son’s freshman year.

Our four-year academic program currently includes 42 honors and advanced placement (AP) courses, offered in nearly all subject areas. Initial placement into honors courses for freshman year is determined using transcripts, teacher recommendations and HSPT scores. However, all students have the opportunity to take honors or AP classes sophomore through senior years with demonstrated ability.

Freshman Welcome

Upon completing your TADS agreement, you will receive an email directing you to register for our New Family Welcome event in your applicant portal. The event will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Each incoming freshman and his parent(s) must attend this mandatory event. We will be welcoming you to Serra and providing you with important information about joining the Serra High School community.

Freshman Courses

• Art 1: Foundation of Visual Art and History

• Intro to Digital Design (requires teacher approval)*

• Drama 1: Introduction to Performance

• Film 1: Digital Filmmaking and Screenwriting

• Music and Video Production

• Men’s Chorus (no audition required)

• Concert Band (no experience necessary)

• Symphonic Band (audition required)**

• Independent Study

Note: Electives have limited space. Priority will be given based on date and time course registration forms are received.

*Please contact Sarah Merola at smerola@serrahs.com for more information.

**Please contact Joe Murphy at jmurphy@serrahs.com for an audition.

Honors and AP Courses

ENGLISH SOCIAL STUDIES MATHEMATICS

Honors English 1-2

Honors English 3-4

Honors Senior Literature and Composition

AP English Language and Composition

AP English Literature and Composition

WORLD LANGUAGE

Honors Spanish II

Honors Spanish III

Honors French III

AP French Language and Culture

AP Chinese Language and Culture

AP Spanish Language and Culture

AP Spanish Literature and Culture

SCIENCE

Honors Anatomy and Physiology

Honors Biology

Honors Biochemistry

Honors Chemistry

Honors Physics

Honors Robotics Engineering

Honors Diseases and Human Physiology

AP Biology

AP Chemistry

AP Environmental Science

AP Physics 1

AP Physics C: Mechanics

Honors World History 1

Honors World History 2

AP U.S. History

AP Government and Politics

AP Psychology

Honors Algebra 1

Honors Geometry

Honors Algebra 2/

Trigonometry

Honors Pre-Calculus

AP Calculus AB

AP Calculus BC

AP Computer Science

AP Statistics

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

AP 2-D Art and Design

AP 3-D Art and Design

AP Drawing

AP Art History

AP Music Theory

ELECTIVES

Honors Advanced Solutions for the Global Good

Honors Philosophy

AP Computer Science A

AP Business and Personal Finrance

AP Research

AP Seminar

For more detailed information on our academic program and course progression, scan here.

AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism

ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER (ARC)

Accepted students who submitted an ARC Supplemental Application and the required documentation are automatically accepted into the ARC. Prior to starting classes, please direct all ARC questions to the Admissions Office.

All new ARC families will be invited to attend a new family orientation meeting during the first week of school. The ARC director will reach out to individual families to discuss their student’s Serra learning plan.

at Summer Serra! YOUR SUMMER, YOUR ADVENTURE!

Summer Programs

Jumpstart your Serra experience! From high school advancement classes, to one-week enrichment courses, to a variety of sports and music camps, incoming freshmen have many opportunities to be on campus this summer.

The Padre Experience

The Padre Experience, designed exclusively for incoming Serra freshmen, combines English and math components with engaging daily activities that introduce students to life as a Padre. Through group bonding, Christian service projects, wellness and recreational activities, including a campus-wide scavenger hunt and swimming, you’ll begin building strong relationships and a sense of community.

Academic Advancement Courses

Incoming freshmen who have been approved to take a summer advancement course by Assistant Principal: Academics

Rita Lee can complete a full year of Honors Algebra 1, Geometry, Honors Geometry or Spanish 1. Successful completion of the summer course will give you a head start on building your high school resume.

Christian Service

Christian service is another way to begin your Serra journey. Students will take part in a week of service with their new Padre brothers, helping out at local food banks and social service agencies. You’ll not only build your sense of social responsibility through hands-on projects and team-building activities, but you’ll also complete your required Christian Service hours for freshman year. (Students will still be required to participate in allclass Christian service events held on campus during the school day.)

Enrichment Courses

Enrichment courses are designed to pique curiosity and inspire learning. Topics include 3-D art and ceramics, Spanish language movement and expression, forensics, chemistry and cooking, digital video and music production, engineering DNA, the great French food truck challenge, medical detectives, mock trial, physics in action, robotics innovation, smart money and sports photography. Each one-week course will be led by experienced teachers from the Serra community who are excited to lend their creativity to courses that will involve hands-on learning and group projects.

Camps and Athletics Programs

What’s your game? If it’s crew, wrestling, aquatics, soccer, basketball, football or cross country, you’ll find a camp or program this summer at Serra. Music you say? We’ve got that too!

Every Summer at Serra opportunity will introduce students to other incoming Padres, who will be classmates and brothers for the next four years.

Steps for a Successful Start

Required Summer Homework

Summer homework is an important way for students to retain the skills and knowledge developed over the school year and help with the smooth transition into a new school. It is expected that students will have completed the required math and summer reading prior to the first day of classes in August.

Math

All students will have math homework over the summer regardless of math level. More information about assignments will be forthcoming.

English

Summer reading assignments are located on the Serra website under Academics on the main menu.

Required Summer Technology Orientation

Incoming students are required to complete a technology orientation program in the summer.

All students attending summer academic classes must attend the technology orientation prior to starting their summer program.

Session 1: Wednesday, June 3, 3:30 p.m.–5 p.m.

Session 2: Thursday, June 4, 3:30 p.m.–5 p.m.

Session 3: Wednesday, June 17, 9 a.m.–10:30 a.m.

Session 4: Wednesday, June 17, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Session 5: Thursday, June 18, 9 a.m.–10:30 a.m.

Session 6: Thursday, June 18, 11:30 a.m.–1p.m.

LSession 7: Tuesday, June 23, 9 a.m.–10:30 a.m.

Session 8: Tuesday, June 23, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Session 9: Wednesday, June 24, 9 a.m.–10:30 a.m.

Session 10: Thursday, June 25, 9 a.m.–10:30 a.m.

Session 11: Thursday, June 25, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Bring Your Own Laptop (BYOL) Program:

Students are required to bring a portable internet access device (e.g. Mac or PC laptop) to school daily.

Scan the barcode for minimum device requirements and examples of acceptable portable devices.

Bring your own laptop

Ordering Textbooks

Students will receive their class lists in June. You can order books online through MBS Direct, which details the textbooks required for each course, beginning in July. Some courses require online textbooks, some require physical textbooks, and some require a combination or let students decide. Each teacher selects the materials that best support the class curriculum.

If a physical book is required, MBS Direct may have used textbooks available for sale. If you are interested in purchasing used books, be sure to order early as they often sell out.

Ordering Serra Gear

Families can order Serra gear through the Padres Sideline Store. Since this is a print-on-demand company, items can take six to eight weeks for fulfillment. We recommend ordering as soon as possible. Scan to order your Serra gear TODAY!

DATES Important FOR THE CLASS OF 2030

ENROLLMENT DEADLINE Friday March 27, 2026

COURSE REGISTRATION DEADLINE Friday April 3, 2026

CLASS OF 2030 WELCOME NIGHT Wednesday April 15, 2026

CHALLENGE TESTS

WORLD LANGUAGE (MUST REGISTER DURING COURSE REGISTRATION)

MATH (MUST REGISTER DURING COURSE REGISTRATION)

Wed|Fri May 6 or 8, 2026

Tues|Thur May 5 or 7, 2026

PHYSICAL FORM DUE Tuesday June 30, 2026

* Students participating in summer sports at Serra must submit their physical form prior to the start of the summer program. Students will not be able to participate without the physical form.

IMMUNIZATION RECORDS DUE Tuesday June 30, 2026

FROSH STUDENT REGISTRATION AND PICTURES T hursday August 13, 2026

NEW FAMILY WELCOME AND PRAYER SERVICE (MANDATORY) Saturday August 15, 2026

FIRST DAY OF CLASSES Monday August 17, 2026