FAQs

Bishop Shanahan High School, the premier Archdiocesan Catholic High School in Chester County, is known for its academic excellence, robust student life, and faith-centered community. It is a co-ed school that assists students through their faith journey and grows leaders. We are “People of God; People for Others.” We offer twenty-one AP courses, university credits with three universities, twenty-one Varsity sports, and a renowned Fine Arts Department, all in a faith-filled environment.

The full admissions process is outlined here. It is simple and convenient! The BSHS Admissions Team is here to assist you with each step, as well as answer any questions you may have. We love welcoming new families to the Shanahan community!

We encourage 8th grade students to take part in a Shadow Day, where they will become immersed in the full Shanahan experience for a day. They will meet teachers, new friends, and enjoy lunch on us! BSHS also hosts a Personal Tour Day each fall and spring - all are welcome! More information is available here.

Choosing where to go to high school is an important investment in your child's future. At BSHS, we work with families to discover their best path to affordability. The tuition for the 2023-2024 school year is $9,950. Click here to learn more.

Bishop Shanahan is committed to helping families afford a Catholic Education. There are six special scholarship opportunities, including the Saint Francis Xavier Scholarship. Click here to learn more!

Yes! Please apply for tuition assistance through FACTS. Additional scholarship and financial assistance is available here. Shanahan also offers a sibling discount, as well as discounts for 11th and 12th graders who dual enroll with TCHS.

We encourage you to apply for financial assistance as soon as possible. Applications for the upcoming school year open on October 1. The priority deadline for application is December 31. Awarding continues on a rolling basis until funding is depleted. Therefore, early applications are recommended.

Applications are initially processed by FACTS and then their review is sent to the financial aid committee at BSHS. Awards are then determined and families are notified if they are eligible to receive financial assistance for the following school year. Please click here to view more information on financial aid and to access the application.

Click here to view our full course catalog. 

The student to teacher ratio is 17:1. There are about 20-27 students in a class and approximately 225 students per grade.

Click here to view the many wonderful opportunities for your child to get involved. There’s something for everyone at BSHS!

Bishop Shanahan is known for its excellent Fine Arts Department that encourages students to become more creative! From choir to band to the fall musical, students have many opportunities to hone in on their musical abilities and have chances to perform. Click here to read more about the Fine Arts Department. 

The athletics department offers boys and girls sports throughout the fall, winter and spring. Click here to view the full list and click here for coaches’ contact information.

No, you do not have to be Catholic or Christian to attend. Students of all faiths are welcome!

At Bishop Shanahan, we are “People of God; People for Others.” Students who choose to attend Bishop Shanahan are academically driven, enjoy student life activities, and appreciate value-based education. Our students come from various backgrounds, but have something in common: they all have chosen to attend BSHS. As students, they enjoy deepening their faith, growing as scholars, and participating in interesting activities.

The Freshman Year Core Courses are as follows: Theology I, English Language Arts I, Themes in World History, Algebra or Geometry, Conceptual Physics or Biology, World Language/Academic Strategies, Related Arts/Introduction to Studio Art, and Information Technology I.

Level placement for incoming ninth grade students is determined through a careful review of students’ academic transcripts, standardized test scores, and for students coming from our partner schools, recommendations from eighth grade math teachers. If it is determined that a student requires additional testing for proper placement, the Office for Academic Affairs will reach out to schedule the appropriate tests. Student rosters are shared with families in mid-August; if at that time parents/guardians have questions or concerns about a student’s placement, they will have the opportunity to sign up for an appointment with the Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs.  

Please note a student’s level placement is not necessarily permanent. Ninth grade students placed in the College Prep (CP) level who thrive and express an aptitude and desire to succeed at the Honors (H) level will have the opportunity to change levels during the course selection process for the next academic year. Click here to learn more.

100% of students who apply to college are accepted and attend higher level institutions. Click here to view college resources as well as our graduate profile. The most recent graduating class received more than $41 million in college scholarships.

Yes, peer-to-peer tutoring is provided by students in the National Honors Society. They are available before school, after school, and during their lunch period to offer assistance. Many of our students take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. Faculty also offer support one-on-one, or in a small group setting. Click here to learn more.

11th and 12th have the opportunity to participate in the Technical College High School (TCHS). Through this program, they can earn college credit with hands-on experience. This dual enrollment at the TCHS Brandywine Campus is popular at BSHS for Allied Health and Teacher Leadership Academy.

STEM Pathways inspires the next generation of innovators by empowering students to be creative, collaborative and critical-thinking problem solvers. This program takes an interdisciplinary approach to learning, where rigorous academic concepts are coupled with real-world applications. Click here to learn more.

The Eagle Business Academy is a four-year academic pathway that addresses college and career readiness skills. Students will gain knowledge in the business field of study and cover all high school prerequisites for acceptance into competitive post secondary institutions. Graduates will leave prepared to commit to business as developed leaders in the ever-changing global economy. Click here to learn more. 

There is no entrance exam; rather, we request academic transcripts for review before acceptance. We do encourage rising freshmen to participate in the 8th Grade Scholarship Exam, which is an opportunity to earn a merit scholarship. 7th graders are welcome to take a practice exam the spring prior. While this is by no means required, it is a wonderful opportunity for all 8th grade applicants to sit for this exam.

The first round of acceptances will be sent to students who have completed the application process in November in mid-December. After the initial decisions are shared, applications will be reviewed and families notified on a rolling basis.

Students who attend BSHS come from various educational backgrounds. Some students have attended Catholic school, while others have attended PREP programs, and still others might not have taken any Catholic courses. Our Theology faculty members are aware of the variety of backgrounds, and are happy to meet students where they are. Each year, the Theology curriculum introduces a new theme, allowing all students to begin on the same page.