Sacred Heart Prep
“Love. Confidence. Purpose.”
AKA: SHPAtherton (Peninsula)Catholic (co-ed)
Sacred Heart Preparatory, Atherton
“Love. Confidence. Purpose.”
AKA: SHP, Sacred Heart PrepAtherton (Peninsula)Catholic (co-ed)
- Students
- ~630
- Ratio
- 16:1
- Tuition
- $60k
Base tuition as published for 2026–27.
Admissions
- Applications open
- Late August
- Application due
- January 8, 2027
- Decisions released
- Mid-to-late March
- Enrollment
- ~630
- Student:teacher
- 16:1
- Base tuition
- $59,565
- 2026–27 school year
- Real cost
- $61k–$65k
- Flexible tuition
- ~25%
What makes this school special
- A Catholic, independent, co-ed college prep in Atherton, founded by the Society of the Sacred Heart and part of a global network of about 150 Sacred Heart schools in 41 countries
- Organized around the five Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education — faith, intellectual values, social awareness, community, and personal growth in wise freedom
- A deep course catalog (AP in 28 subjects, plus honors across departments) and Creative Inquiry, an interdisciplinary studio for student-driven projects
- Athletics as the Gators across the WBAL, WCAL, and PAL — 23 programs and 44 teams; about 43% of families self-identify as families of color
Academics
Curriculum
AP (28 subjects) and Honors
World languages
French, Mandarin, Spanish, Latin
Schedule
Semester
Signature programs
- Creative Inquiry (interdisciplinary studio)
- Global exchange network of Sacred Heart schools
- Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education
College matriculation
Boston College, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, MIT, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Pomona, Princeton, Stanford, UC Berkeley, USC, Washington University in St. Louis
See the full listAthletics, arts & activities
Athletics · WBAL, WCAL, and PAL
BaseballBasketballCross CountryFlag FootballFootballGolfLacrosseSoccerSwimming & DivingTennisTrack & FieldVolleyballWater Polo
Arts
Visual ArtCeramicsDigital ArtPhotographyFilmmakingStained GlassInstrumental MusicChoral MusicDanceTheater
Clubs & activities · 50+
The Heart Beat (newspaper)RoboticsModel United NationsDebate ClubComputer Science ClubInvestment GroupEnvironmental JusticeEsports
See all clubsLife there
Food
Two on-campus dining halls (Epicurean; farm-to-cafeteria from the school garden)
Learning support
Academic Support Center (ASC), for mild to moderate learning differences
Notable alumni
- Abby Dahlkemper (USWNT, 2020 Olympics)
- Tierna Davidson (USWNT, 2020 Olympics)
Often on the same list
Sources
- Preparatory (Grades 9-12) — enrollment, ratio, diversity, programs
- Admission — Catholic/independent/co-ed identity, Society of the Sacred Heart
- Tuition & Affordability — 2026-27 tuition, aid reach
- How to Apply — Preparatory — test-free policy, requirements, January deadline
- Departments — world languages, AP/honors
- SHP Arts — arts disciplines
- SHP Sports and Fast Facts — sports, leagues, counts
- Clubs & Activities — clubs
- Learning Support — Academic Support Center
- Alumni Athletes — named alumnae
- SHP Requirements & Policies — semester schedule, seven-period (A–G) day
- Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton homepage — motto ("Love. Confidence. Purpose.," the school's brand tagline)
Last reviewed July 2026