Admissions FAQ
How do I spend the day?
Fifth, sixth, and seventh-grade elementary students are welcome to visit Holy Cross to experience a true school day through our Tiger Tours. Each visitor will be paired up with one of our students and follow his schedule for the day. You may request a specific student or let us pair one up for you. Visitors are asked to wear their school uniform, and lunch is provided. Parents are invited to take a guided tour when they drop their students off for their Tiger Tour experience.
What is the Application Process?
For students entering grades Pre-K through 7th,
- For the 2024-2025 application year, the archdiocese application card will be made available to Catholic elementary schools on November 10, 2023. Application cards will be distributed to students of Catholic elementary schools.
- Students not attending Catholic elementary schools may pick up a card Holy Cross or download a Non-Catholic School Application Form when they become available.
- All application cards with transcripts and standardized test scores from the past three years are due to Holy Cross on November 14, 2023. All students who attend a Catholic elementary school: your principal will forward your records to Holy Cross for you.
- Holy Cross will send a letter to all applicants in December with a time and date for their personal interview. Interviews will be conducted on January 20 and 27, 2024.
- All applicants must attend Application Day on January 13, 2024, in Holy Cross’s Student Center. Applicants will take a placement test.
- Letters of acceptance / non-acceptance will be mailed on February 22, 2024.
For students entering grades 8-12, Holy Cross follows the admission procedures of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
- For the 2024-2025 application year, the archdiocese application card will be made available to Catholic elementary schools on November 10, 2023. Application cards will be distributed to students of Catholic elementary schools.
- Students not attending Catholic elementary schools may pick up a card Holy Cross or download a Non-Catholic School Application Form when they become available.
- All application cards with transcripts and standardized test scores from the past three years are due to Holy Cross on November 14, 2023. All students who attend a Catholic elementary school: your principal will forward your records to Holy Cross for you.
- Holy Cross will send a letter to all applicants in December with a time and date for their personal interview. Interviews will be conducted on January 20 and 27, 2024.
- All applicants must attend Application Day on January 13, 2024, in Holy Cross’s Student Center. Applicants will take a placement test.
- Letters of acceptance / non-acceptance will be mailed on February 22, 2024.
What are the Admissions Criteria?
Holy Cross School seeks to attract young men who wish to develop their mind, heart, body, and soul in an environment of excellence, proven effective since 1849. Our ideal candidates will value our Catholic, Holy Cross mission and will have demonstrated the potential to benefit and flourish from our academic, spiritual, and extra-curricular offerings.
Candidates are accepted based upon the composite of acceptable criteria. No single factor determines acceptance or denial. Holy Cross School looks at the qualities of the entire person.
Admissions Requirements*
- Completion of Online Admissions Application: CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE
- Report Cards from 2 previous school years
- Any standardized testing results available
- Completion of an in-person interview with Holy Cross School Administration, Admissions Staff, or Faculty
*Applicants for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten will complete professional evaluations in lieu of report cards. The Holy Cross School Admissions Staff will schedule the appropriate evaluations with each family.
Factors considered for acceptance:
- Evidence of continuous achievement on previous school records
- Favorable reports regarding discipline, citizenship, and effort
- Involvement in school, church, community, or other extracurricular activities
- Special consideration is given to a student whose family has past or current associations with Holy Cross School
- While we are a Catholic school, Holy Cross School is open to students of all faiths and backgrounds
- All students and families participate in an interview process before acceptance
Do you offer financial assistance?
Holy Cross offers academic scholarships to students in grades 5-12. Students whose parents demonstrate a financial need may also apply for our need-based financial assistance. Holy Cross has numerous fully and partially endowed scholarships from which it can provide financial assistance to students in 5th - 12th grade who qualify. From the funds available each year, Holy Cross can award various levels of financial assistance based on need, academic achievement, extracurricular participation, community service and other various factors.
In addition to financial assistance, Holy Cross offers Work Study Credit. Recipients of Work Study Credits earn an hourly wage, which is deducted from tuition as work is completed. Because some work is strenuous and not suitable for all students, this opportunity is exclusively for older students. Work Study is awarded through the Financial Assistance application process.
What transportation options do you offer?
Holy Cross offers bus service for students in grades 5-12. Buses leave campus in the afternoon 15 minutes after dismissal. Holy Cross offers five bus routes serving Belle Chasse, Gretna, Harvey, Kenner/Metairie, and Chalmette. Bus service is an additional fee for the students who register for it.
What is a typical day at Holy Cross like?
Classes begin each day at 8:00 a.m. and the dismissal bell rings daily at 2:45 p.m. Our PreK-4th Grade students follow a separate schedule including a morning meeting, snack recess, and daily PE and Religion classes. The 5th – 12th grade school day is based on a rotating block schedule among seven classes, with four class periods held daily, each 75 minutes in duration. There is a 30-minute Academic Lab period daily allowing students to get additional help from teachers, work on assignments, and participate in club meetings. Special schedules allow for school masses and special assemblies for all of our students.