8th Grade - What to Know - High School Application Process

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by McQueen

Guidance for eighth-grade families navigating high school admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic, including updated procedures, scholarship expectations, and key timing. Covers how to start the high school application process, manage teacher recommendation forms and academic record requests, and review acceptance letter timelines. Provides instructions for private and Catholic high schools, including shadowing options, required academic materials, submission steps, and placement testing basics with noted dates and registration considerations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Updated High School Information

High School At-a-Glance

Private High School Information

Shadowing

Academic Records

Catholic High Schools

Testing Information for Catholic High Schools

Independent and Other Religious High Schools

Welcome to 8th Grade! This will undoubtedly be a different year for everyone, due to the pandemic. Schools are having to change their admissions process and we will adjust accordingly. We have made every effort to provide you with the latest information available and will inform you via email when we receive updated or new information. This is an exciting year for your student, and we will do our best to make it as normal as possible. Hopefully, you have had a chance to do preliminary research based on our previous meetings and have narrowed down the list of possible high schools. You are now ready to start the High School Application Process! It will soon be time to submit the teacher recommendation forms and academic record requests to Holy Trinity, register for the high school placement tests, and submit applications. Please make sure you pay attention to the due dates for both applications and requests for letters of recommendation and records. Late applications may be accepted by high schools and late requests for letters of recommendation and records will be completed by Holy Trinity, but your student may be at a disadvantage due to late submittals. Most high schools mail their letters of acceptance in late winter/early spring. Along with admittance to their school, your student may be offered academic or music/arts scholarships. You will then make the final decision as to which high school will be your home for the next four years. Now, on to some important topics: I. Updated High School Information: The High School At-a-Glance spreadsheet reflects the information we have for this year’s Open House and application due dates. The At-a-Glance can be found on the school’s website, under the Parent tab. Click on the hyperlink to connect to each high school to learn more about their programs and to access forms. Please note that the information listed is current as of printing. High schools can change dates at their discretion, so please consult their websites for updates. Note that the At-a-Glance is slightly different this year. It is broken down into three separate sections: Private High Schools with December deadlines, Private High Schools with January deadlines, and Public School Special Programs. Please pay special attention to the recommendation form deadlines for each. II. Private High School Information: 1. Shadowing: Shadow days are encouraged and are excused absences from Holy Trinity. However, many schools are not allowing in person shadows this year. You will need to contact admissions offices of the high schools you are considering and ask if they will have in person or virtual shadow days. 2. Academic Records: Academic records summarize your child’s academic standing. High schools review a student’s academic records when considering admission. High schools typically require the following: • Your child’s Middle School transcript (Grades 5, 6, and 7) • Your child’s 8th grade First Trimester report card • Your child’s latest standardized test scores • Two or three Teacher Recommendation forms Some schools also require: • An essay written by the applicant • Personal interview/Parent interview • Music auditions if your student will play an instrument in high school 3. Catholic High Schools: To Submit Teacher Recommendation Forms for Catholic High Schools: • Download the required copies of the Teacher Recommendation Forms, along with the Records Release Form, from the high school’s admissions site. • Complete the personal information section of the form (name, date of birth, address) . Please make sure to sign the forms where necessary. • Place forms in an envelope, addressed to the attention of Elisabeth Albaugh, in the Head of School’s office at the Daisy Lane Campus. • The recommendation forms will then be distributed to the appropriate teachers, who will in turn complete the recommendation forms. Upon completion, all recommendation forms and academic record

FAQs

What should families prioritize during the start of the high school application process?

Submit teacher recommendation forms and academic record requests, register for required placement tests, and submit applications while tracking all due dates closely.

How are shadow days handled for private schools during the pandemic?

Shadow days are encouraged and treated as excused absences from Holy Trinity, but many schools may not allow in-person shadows, so families must ask admissions about virtual or in-person options.

What academic records and materials are typically required by high schools?

Commonly required items include the middle school transcript (Grades 5–7), the 8th grade first trimester report card, latest standardized test scores, and two or three teacher recommendation forms.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by McQueen