Class of 2030

UPDATE FOR PROSPECTIVE CLASS OF 2030 FAMILIES:

We are thrilled to share that on Commitment Day (January 30, 2026) - the first day that high schools could begin accepting registrations for incoming freshmen per Archdiocesan regulations – 118 eighth graders officially registered to attend Mercy McAuley! This represents a 36% increase compared to the first day of the registration period last year! Our Class of 2030 Wolves come from 31 different elementary schools. They are a bright, talented group of young women, and we cannot wait to see all that they accomplish at Mercy McAuley!

As part of our commitment to providing a personalized education where every student is known, our Class of 2030 is currently FULL. However, a waitlist will be maintained in the event a spot becomes available. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please contact Kevin Brinkman, Director of Admissions, at brinkmank@mercymcauley.org. If a spot opens up, we will contact waitlisted students in the order they were added to the list. (Note: If you have not yet applied for admission to Mercy McAuley, you will need to complete the admissions application and submit HSPT scores and elementary school records in order to be considered for admission; see details below.)

Applying for Admission

1. Create a Parent Portal Account (Required)

2. Complete Admissions Application (Required)

A completed Admissions Application must be submitted to be considered for admission to Mercy McAuley. The application, which only takes a few minutes to complete, must be completed within your Parent Portal Account. The deadline to submit the Class of 2030 Admissions Application is November 22, 2025.

*We do NOT require teacher recommendation letters as part of the admissions application process.

3. Register for the High School Placement Test (Required)

The High School Placement Test (HSPT) is required to be considered for admission to Mercy McAuley. The test will be administered at all Cincinnati area Catholic high schools on Saturday, November 22, 2025. The deadline to register for the test is November 19, 2025.

When registering to take the test, the registration form will require you to designate up to three high schools to receive your scores. To have your scores sent to Mercy McAuley, you must designate “Mercy McAuley High School" where indicated. (Even if you are taking the test at Mercy McAuley, you must still select Mercy McAuley to have your scores sent to us.) There is a $30 fee to take the test. At Mercy McAuley, doors will open at 8 a.m. and all students should arrive no later than 8:15 a.m. The test will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m.

Accommodations - For any students who require test accommodations, the form FOUND HERE must be completed by their grade school principal and submitted to Kevin Brinkman, Director of Admissions, at brinkmank@mercymcauley.org no later than November 8, 2025.

4. Submit Records Release Form (Required)

In order to be considered for admission to Mercy McAuley, we must receive a copy of your student's elementary school records from her elementary school. Submit the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Release of Records Authorization to your daughter’s elementary school by November 1, 2025. The form can be obtained from your daughter’s elementary school (if she currently attends a Catholic school), or it can be downloaded below:

English Version - Records Release Form

Spanish Version - Records Release Form

5. Submit FACTS Financial Aid Application (Required to be considered for financial assistance)

Financial assistance is available through the Circle of Mercy Education Aid Fund. Families who wish to apply for Mercy McAuley financial assistance must complete and submit a FACTS financial aid application by November 22, 2025. You will not be considered for financial assistance if you do not submit this form. There is a one-time, non-refundable fee of $35 to submit the FACTS application. FACTS is an independent service used throughout the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to determine financial need. Mercy McAuley will use the FACTS form as the basis for distributing assistance. Visit the FACTS site for details and to apply for financial assistance.

6. Submit Catherine McAuley Scholarship Application (Optional)

The Class of 2030 may apply for a renewable $1,000 Catherine McAuley Scholarship. Applications for the Catherine McAuley Scholarship must be submitted by November 22, 2025. Finalists in each of the four categories will be asked to participate in interviews with school leaders on the evening of December 4, 2025. More information and application details about the Catherine McAuley Scholarship can be found HERE.

To submit your application(s) for the Catherine McAuley Scholarship, log into your Parent Portal Account HERE. (When logged in to your account, you will see an upload button for the Catherine McAuley Scholarship within your admissions checklist.)

7. Register for HSPT Prep Course (Optional)

Mercy McAuley offers a 4-week prep course to help 8th graders prepare for the High School Placement Test (HSPT). The course covers academic content on test, familiarizes students with test format, teaches test-taking strategies, and eases apprehension about the test. There is a $100 fee for the four-week course. Space is limited, and registration is required.

The course will be held from 9 - 11 a.m. on the four Saturdays leading up to the HSPT:

October 25, 2025
November 1, 2025
November 8, 2025
November 15, 2025

Explore Mercy McAuley!

Shadow Days

One of the best ways for 8th graders to experience Mercy McAuley is to attend a Shadow Day! On Shadow Days, our 8th grade guests are paired with a Student Ambassador for the day and will see firsthand what it's like to be a Wolf! Guests will attend classes, meet teachers and students, learn more about sports and extracurriculars, and they'll experience the amazing school spirit of our Pack! Lunch is provided to all 8th grade guests, who will leave with a special Mercy McAuley T-shirt and other giveaways.

Our 2025 Shadow Days are scheduled for the following dates.* Each Shadow Day is from 7:40 a.m. to 3 p.m. except where noted.

Monday, September 8
Friday, September 19
Monday September 22 - *2:00 pm Dismissal
Monday, September 29 - *2:00 pm Dismissal
Friday, October 3 (8th Grade Guests will attend an all-school assembly.)
Wednesday, October 15 (8th Grade Guests will attend an all-school assembly.)
Friday, October 31 (8th Grade Guests will enjoy Howl-o-Ween festivities!)
Wednesday, November 5
Monday, November 10 - *2:00 pm Dismissal
Wednesday, November 12 (8th Grade Guests will attend a College/Career Fair with all students.)
Monday, December 8 - *2:00 pm Dismissal (8th Grade Guests will attend an all-school Mass in the morning.)

*If these dates and times do not work for you, we are happy to arrange an individual Shadow Day. To make arrangements, please contact Kevin Brinkman, Director of Admissions, at (513) 681-1800 x2272 or brinkmank@mercymcauley.org.

Parent Coffee Walk & Talk Tour

On the morning of each of the 11 primary Shadow Days listed above, eighth grade parents are invited to learn more about Mercy McAuley from our school leaders in a personal setting. Join us for a coffee from White Oak Coffee House and a tour led by a Mercy McAuley administrator immediately after dropping off your daughter. This is a chance to tour the school, meet our school leaders, have conversation about our core values, our academic and extracurricular offerings, and get answers to your questions.

These walk & talk tours are held on the scheduled Shadow Days, which makes it convenient for parents who are dropping their daughter off to shadow. If you plan to attend the coffee session, please indicate this on the Shadow Day registration form.

Open House

Wolf Walk & Talk

Grade School Nights

Questions?

If you have any questions about Mercy McAuley, upcoming events, and/or the admissions process, we are always happy to talk with you in person, via email or phone. Please contact Kevin Brinkman, Director of Admissions, at (513) 681-1800 x2272 or brinkmank@mercymcauley.org.