Contact Admissions & FAQ

Possibly, based on the year for which you are seeking admission.
All eighth graders applying to grade 9 who live in the metropolitan DC area must take the High School Placement (HSPT).
Transfer students do not have to take the HSPT or any other entrance exam.

We do not set a minimum national score on the HSPT; it is one factor used in determining admission. Over 52 percent of the class of 2023 scored in the 70th percentile or higher on the HSPT.

Our student population is around 1,200 in grades 9 through 12. The Class of 2023, for example, is comprised of 315 students from 84 different elementary/middle schools and home schooling. We are presently 50% female and 50% male.

No, you do not have to be Catholic to attend Bishop O'Connell.
Eighty percent of our current students are Catholic.
We welcome students of all other faiths at Bishop O'Connell.

For the 209-20 school year, a Catholic student pays $16,535 in tuition. If an older brother or sister also attends Bishop O’Connell, there are multi-student family discounts.
The amount for students of other faiths is $18,535.
Our tuition for International students is $21,200.
Tuition does not include the $325 annual registration fee.
We do offer tuition discounts for parents who are active duty U.S. military or parents teaching full time in an Arlington Diocese school.

Bishop O'Connell High School offers two types of need-based aid and one type of merit-based aid. The school does not offer athletic scholarships. Additional information can be found on our Tuition Assistance page.

We offer 160 unique courses at Bishop O'Connell High School, including 36 honors courses and 28 AP courses. We also offer Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit courses in partnership with Marymount University. We offer the most AP courses and honors courses of any private school in the area. You can view our course listing HERE.

A wide range of athletic teams, from freshman and junior varsity to varsity are offered for both boys and girls. This adds up to 46 different teams, competing in 18 different sports which vary by season. Most of our teams compete in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. Learn more by visiting Athletics.

Over 70 different clubs, organizations and interest groups are available to our students. We encourage every student to get involved in a few extracurricular activities. It’s a great way to meet other students as well as spend time with an activity you love. For additional information, please visit our Clubs and Organizations page.

• Global Studies Certificate Program
• STEM Program, including Project Lead the Way engineering curriculum.
• Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment Programs with Marymount University

During the school year, we encourage all prospective students (grade seven and higher) to schedule a time when you can spend a full or half day attending Bishop O'Connell. For additional information on our Spend a Day with a Knight Program and school tours, visit How/When to Visit.