Roman Catholic High School is a boys-only private Roman Catholic college preparatory day school located at 301 North Broad Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1890, the school enrolls approximately 970 day students in grades 9-12 and provides a rigorous academic program within a disciplined Catholic environment.
The school combines college preparation, faith formation, athletics, leadership, service, and extracurricular activities. Roman Catholic reports that 96% of graduates attend post-secondary institutions, with graduates continuing to universities that include the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Notre Dame, and West Point.
School profile
| Characteristic | Information |
|---|---|
| School type | Private Roman Catholic college preparatory day school |
| Founded | 1890 |
| Location | 301 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 |
| Student population | 970 day students |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Gender enrollment | Boys only |
| Advanced Placement courses | 11 |
| Average class size | 14 students |
| Advanced-degree faculty | 60% |
| Students receiving aid | 20% |
| Endowment | $49 million (USD) |
| Endowment per student | $0.07 million (USD) |
| Post-secondary attendance | 96% of graduates |
| Varsity sports | 17 |
| Extracurricular activities | More than two dozen clubs and activities |
Mission and educational approach
Roman Catholic continues the mission of Thomas E. Cahill by providing a rigorous curriculum in a disciplined Catholic environment. Here, young men of all backgrounds can tap into new opportunities - and unlock their full potentials.
At Roman Catholic High School, students grow in demonstrable faith, called to seek out their relationship with God - and an understanding of their neighbors, local and global. Taking part in service activities, personal reflection, and group retreats, students enter Roman from diverse backgrounds and experiences - and leave as gentlemen recognized throughout the region.
The school’s educational model links academic development with character formation. Expectations of respect, resilience, and responsibility are intended to shape students’ daily conduct and prepare them for future leadership.
Academic program
Roman Catholic High School is a private school offering AP courses. The school provides a college preparatory curriculum designed to challenge students academically while offering individually focused support.
Roman prepares every student to excel, thanks to state-of-the-art facilities, long-tenured staff, and individually focused support. The school reports 11 Advanced Placement courses and an average class size of 14 students.
With a 96% college matriculation rate to universities that include UPenn, the University of Notre Dame, and West Point, a determined Roman Gentleman can reach any goal.
“The curriculum is rigorous, yet the teachers are always willing to offer extra help and support when needed.” Roman parent
College preparation and outcomes
Roman Catholic describes itself as a college preparatory school, and its reported graduate outcomes emphasize continued education after high school. 96% of graduates attend post-secondary institutions.
$27M received in college grants and scholarships.
The school’s alumni include NFL and NBA professionals, House representatives, bishops, playwrights, and Olympic gold medalists.
Advanced Placement courses
Advanced Placement courses are part of the academic offering. The school profile lists 11 AP courses, allowing students to pursue more challenging coursework in selected subjects.
Classroom experience and student support
The school presents its academic environment as rigorous but supportive. Individually focused support is intended to help students manage demanding coursework and develop the habits required for higher education.
The published school profile lists an average class size of 14 students and 60% of faculty members with advanced degrees. These figures describe a school that combines a substantial student enrollment with relatively small average classes.
Academic rigor. Faith-focused. Affordable excellence.
Student life and extracurricular activities
Roman Catholic students can participate in athletics, clubs, student government, service activities, retreats, and other programs. Engaged in one of 17 varsity sports, or seeking responsibility within more than two dozen extracurricular clubs and activities, Roman Gentlemen are tasked with decision-making, teamwork, and long-term planning.
Extracurricular participation is presented as an important part of personal development. Students are given opportunities to practice leadership, collaborate with peers, and take responsibility for long-term projects.
“The extracurricular activities and student government helped me become more confident and outgoing.” Roman student
Athletics
Roman Catholic offers 17 varsity sports. Athletics is described as part of a broader culture in which excellence, teamwork, resilience, and responsibility support students’ development beyond the classroom.
Clubs, leadership, and service
Students may seek responsibility through more than two dozen extracurricular clubs and activities. These opportunities include leadership, student government, service, and other areas of student interest.
Service activities, personal reflection, and group retreats support the school’s Catholic mission and encourage students to consider their responsibilities to their local and global communities.
School culture and identity
Philadelphia knows a Roman Catholic High School student not just by his iconic Purple and Gold uniform - but also by the confidence of a young man growing in talent, leadership, and character. This is a school where boys become brothers.
Where excellence in academics and athletics drives students further. And where expectations of respect, resilience, and responsibility mold today’s young men into tomorrow’s role models.
Lead with respect. Rise with resilience. Live with responsibility.
The school’s identity is built around a single-gender educational setting, Catholic values, academic ambition, and a strong sense of community. Students from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to develop their talents while growing in faith and character.
Admissions
The application is the first step to our admissions process. Please complete that here as step one. Step two should be to coordinate when your son will be taking the HSPT test if he will be an incoming 9th grader.
On this SchoolAdmin site, you will be able to complete your son's application as well as check off and upload items such as school records, teacher recommendations, sport/activity interest forms, financial aid application, sign up for shadow days, and much more.
More information on the HSPT exam specifically can be found on our website here. Lastly, I invite you to check out the Admissions Homepage on our website. Here, you can read through the viewbook, see upcoming important dates, and learn all there is to know about Roman.
HSPT and entrance testing
Incoming ninth-grade applicants should coordinate when they will take the HSPT test. Families should confirm the current testing process and admissions requirements directly with the school before registering.
Entrance-test rules are set by the school or diocese and can differ even within the same city. Confirm whether each school requires the HSPT or another entrance test for the current cycle.
Application materials
The admissions process may involve school records, teacher recommendations, sport and activity interest forms, and a financial-aid application. Families should keep application, transcript, recommendation, financial-aid, and scholarship deadlines separately organized.
Ask whether one HSPT sitting can be shared with other schools in the same diocese. Compare the daily commute as well as tuition, aid, academic programs, and school size.
Shadow days, tours, and school visits
Shadow days provide prospective students with an opportunity to become familiar with the school experience. Families can also review the school viewbook, check upcoming important dates, and learn more about Roman through the admissions homepage.
Financial aid and affordability
The school profile lists 20% of students as receiving aid. Roman Catholic also reports that graduates received $27M in college grants and scholarships.
Financial aid is one of the materials that may be included in the admissions process. Families comparing schools should review tuition, aid, academic programs, student support, enrollment size, and admissions deadlines together rather than considering any single factor in isolation.
Comparison indicators
| Indicator | Roman Catholic High School | Top 30 Private Day Schools | Top 50 High Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIT, Stanford, and Ivy League placement | 25% | - | 23% |
| HYPMS placement: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Stanford | 11% | - | 10% |
| Endowment per student | $0.07 million (USD) | - | $0.23 million (USD) |
| Endowment | $49 million (USD) | - | $137 million (USD) |
| AP courses | 11 | - | 13 |
| Students receiving aid | 20% | - | 24% |
| Average class size | 14 students | - | 13 students |
| Advanced-degree faculty | 60% | - | 65% |
What families may compare
Families considering Roman Catholic High School can compare its boys-only format, Philadelphia location, grades 9-12 structure, college preparatory curriculum, AP offerings, class size, athletics, extracurricular opportunities, Catholic identity, financial aid, and admissions requirements.
Entrance-test rules, application deadlines, transcript requirements, recommendations, scholarship procedures, and financial-aid policies should be confirmed for the current admissions cycle.
The most relevant practical considerations include the daily commute, enrollment size, academic programs, student support, tuition and aid, entrance-test policy, and the role of test scores in scholarship consideration.
Community and long-term development
Through academics, athletics, service, reflection, and leadership, students are expected to develop both competence and character. The school describes this process as helping young men grow as students, leaders, and men.
See your son grow as a student. See your son grow as a leader. See your son grow as a man.
“I could not be happier with my son’s education at Roman. They’re invested in my son’s educational experience as well as his growth as a Catholic man in Philadelphia.” Roman parent