Independent Schools of St. Louis - The Most We Can Do For Our Children

ISSL Secondary School Test

The following ISSL secondary Schools use a common entrance exam and a shared application. To apply to any one or more of these schools listed below an applicant needs to register and take the SSAT (see information for registering under ISSL Secondary School Test) and complete either the online or paper version of the Standard Application.

Learn more about the Standard Application Online (SAO)

ISSL Participating Schools and contact information:

Chaminade College Preparatory School
425 South Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63131
314-993-4400 | SSAT Contact Email

Crossroads College Preparatory School
500 DeBaliviere Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63112
314-367-8085 | SSAT Contact Email

John Burroughs School
755 South Price Road, St. Louis, MO 63124
314-993-4040 | SSAT Contact Email

Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School (MICDS)
101 North Warson Road, St. Louis, MO 63124
314-995-7367 | SSAT Contact Email

Saint Louis Priory School
500 South Mason Road, Saint Louis, MO 63141
314-434-3690 | SSAT Contact Email

The St. Michael School of Clayton
6345 Wydown Boulevard, Clayton, MO 63105
314-721-4422 | SSAT Contact Email

Thomas Jefferson School
4100 South Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63127
314-843-4151 | SSAT Contact Email

Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School
801 South Spoede Road, St. Louis, MO 63131
314-432-2021 | SSAT Contact Email

Visitation Academy
3020 North Ballas Road, Town & Country, MO 63131
314-625-9103 | SSAT Contact Email

Westminster Christian Academy
10900 Ladue Road, St. Louis, MO 63141
314-997-2900 | SSAT Contact Email

Whitfield School
175 South Mason Road, St. Louis, MO 63141
314-434-5141 | SSAT Contact Email

NOTE: For information on how to apply to other ISSL high schools and secondary schools go to the “Member Schools” link on the ISSL home page.

Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT)

The Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) is an admission test required by many of the finest independent schools around the world, including many in St. Louis.

The SSAT is a timed, multiple-choice aptitude test which includes the following:

  • a brief unscored writing sample
  • a quantitative (math) section, which measures computational skills
  • a verbal section which measures understanding of synonyms and analogies
  • a reading comprehension section which measures a student’s ability to read quickly and to comprehend what has been read.

The test generally takes approximately three hours and is given regularly throughout the winter months in St. Louis.

ISSL secondary schools who use the SSAT recommend that students take the exam by February 5, 2011 but families should verify test and application deadlines with each school they are considering. NOTE: Applications to the schools are generally due by Friday, January 21, 2011.

The test is available in two versions:

  • The Lower Level test is taken by students who are applying to Grades 6-8.
  • The Upper Level is test taken by those students who are applying to grades 9-12.

The SSATB offers two test forms; the National Test and the Regional/Flex Test. Within the SSAT testing year (August 1-July 31) the National Test can be taken more than once and on any of the National Test dates; the Regional/Flex Test can be taken only once.

  • The National Test is given in St. Louis in November, December, January, February and March.
  • The test location has no bearing on the admission process at a family’s school of choice. In addition, the date of test administration does not in anyway affect a student’s scores. There is no advantage to a student that takes an earlier administration of the test.
  • Score reports can be sent to as many schools as needed, either before or after viewing the child’s score. Score reports ordered online are free and unlimited.
  • The registration deadline for National Test dates is three weeks prior to the test date. The late registration deadline is two weeks before the test date and an additional fee applies; late registration is only available online.
  • The registration deadline for a Regional/Flex Test date is one week prior to testing. There is no Late or Standby Registration for a Regional/Flex Test.
  • SSAT does not accept walk-in registrants; all students must be registered prior to testing. Some national test sites allow standby registrations, which enable families to register up until and including the morning of the exam. Standby registration is only available online. An additional fee applies and space at a testing location is not guaranteed.

Families may go to www.ssat.org or to www.ssat.org/st.louis for complete information about the National and Regional/Flex Tests, test dates, test registration and special accommodation information. Registration for the 2010-2011 SSAT opens August 23.

Download 2010-2011 SSAT National and Flex Test Schedule and Registration Information