Purpose of the Cooperative Admissions Program: The Cooperative Admissions Program (COOP) is designed to assist 8th-grade students and their families as the student seeks admission to Catholic high schools. The COOP program unites the participating high schools in a cohesive process which includes the centralized registration for, and administration of a high school admissions exam. The student’s results on the admission exam are shared with up to three participating Catholic high schools of the student’s choosing. The examination provides objective information about 8th-grade students applying to the high school. In addition to the student’s admission exam results, high schools use the student’s grades from 6th, 7th and 8th grade and previous standardized testing results in making admissions decisions.
A list of all participating high schools is available by clicking here: www.njcoopexam.org.
Ninth Grade Applicant Record: In addition to the student’s admission exam results, high schools use the student’s grades from 6th, 7th and 8th grade and previous standardized testing results in making admissions decisions. Schools also consider a student’s record of attendance and conduct, as well as recommendations from teachers and/or principals.
Each applicant must have a completed Ninth Grade Applicant Record submitted to each of the high schools to which he or she is applying. The Ninth Grade Applicant Record form and instructions can be downloaded by clicking here. Many high schools have additional criteria for admission such as essays, required interviews, etc. Some schools require the completion of an application. Please consult with each school to which you are applying as to what additional items, if any, they require. Parents are requested to complete the Permission for Release of Records section, the Student Information section, and the High School Choice section of this form before submitting it to the student’s eighth-grade teacher, counselor, or principal. The Ninth Grade Applicant Record should be filled out after the conclusion of the first marking period of the student’s 8th-grade year so that those grades are included on the transcript. The Ninth Grade Applicant Record and supporting documentation should be sent to each school to which a student is applying. When all requested information has been entered on the Ninth Grade Applicant Record form, a school official should make three copies of the form and mail one copy with supporting documentation to each of the high schools indicated in the High School Choice section of the form. The elementary school is responsible for making sure the designated high schools receive the completed Ninth Grade Applicant Record no later than December 5, 2022.
Admission Notification: Each high school subscribes to the following fundamental criteria for admission of candidates:
successful achievement and effort as indicated by the official transcript of 6th, 7th and 8th-grade marks with accompanying standardized test results (where available)
recommendation of the elementary school principal and/or 8th-grade teacher
successful completion of 8th grade
record of satisfactory attendance and conduct
Many high schools have additional criteria for admission such as essays, required interviews, etc. Some schools require the completion of an application. Please consult with each school to which you are applying as to what additional items, if any, they require.
High School decision notifcations sent to applicants on Friday, January 13, 2023.