ADMISSIONS

Sacred Heart School of Halifax offers rolling admissions with popular entry grades including JK, 1, and 2. The school’s acceptance rate is typical, aligning with many institutions, and may require an interview and entrance exam. Families and alumni describe the admissions process as personal and accommodating, with tours enhancing decision-making.

Page Contents

Insider community voices
Facts and analysis
Qualitative insights
- The admissions process is personal and accommodating.
- Tours and visits enhance decision-making through firsthand experiences.

Insider community voices

Hear directly from Sacred Heart School of Halifax community as they share insights into the Admissions.

Alum

Ailin Chant

Gives three reasons to recommend the school to other families.

Leadership

Dennis Phillips

Offers advice to parents currently searching for a school.

Facts and analysis

VISITING THE SCHOOL

Sacred Heart School of Halifax does not have any upcoming open houses. You can ask them for a personal tour instead.

Outside of school events, like open houses, you can schedule a tour of the school (visit website). If arranged on a regular school day, a tour may provide a realistic view of school life.

Why it matters

A school visit offers a firsthand look at the environment, culture, and daily life of the school. It provides an opportunity to ask questions, observe interactions, and verify your expectations directly. It's a vital part of an informed choice.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Sacred Heart School of Halifax offers rolling admissions.

See the deadline distribution for all other schools we cover below.

Application deadline by enrollment type(s)

Month	Sacred Heart School of Halifax	Other schools
Month	Rolling admissions	Fixed deadline	Rolling admissions
September	Day admissions	0%	90% of all other schools have rolling admissions
October		Less than 1%
November		1%
December		7%
January		2%
February		1%
March		2%
April		Less than 1%
May		Less than 1%
June		Less than 1%
July		0%
August		Less than 1%

Why it matters

The admissions timeline helps you plan and prepare for key milestones, including school visits, application submission, and acceptance notifications.

ENTRY GRADES

The highest number of new enrollment openings include Grade(s) JK, 1 and 2.

The highest number of openings across all other schools we cover include Grade(s) JK, 7 and 9 (for the same grades offered at Sacred Heart School of Halifax).

Breakdown by grade

Entry grade	Number of openings available: Day
Entry grade	Sacred Heart School of Halifax	Average of all other schools
Gr. 10	-	12
Gr. 11	-	12
Gr. 12	-	13
Gr. 7	6 - 10	17
Gr. 8	6 - 10	9
Gr. 9	4 - 8	23
JK	8 - 10	15
SK	6 - 8	9
K	-	14
Gr. 1	6 - 10	10
Gr. 2	6 - 10	8
Gr. 3	6 - 10	8
Gr. 4	2 - 4	8
Gr. 5	2 - 4	9
Gr. 6	2 - 4	9
Gr. 7	6 - 10	17
Gr. 8	6 - 10	9
Gr. 9	4 - 8	23

Why it matters

Popular entry grades may offer more opportunities for peer integration and more extensive orientation programs at the school. Applying to these grades may increase the chances of admission and support a smoother social and academic transition for the student.

ACCEPTANCE RATE

78% of all applications are accepted.

Acceptance rate at Sacred Heart School of Halifax is typical of the schools we cover.

Breakdown by grade

Grade	Acceptance rate: Day
Grade	Sacred Heart School of Halifax	Average of all other schools
Gr. 10	-	39%
Gr. 11	-	38%
Gr. 12	-	36%
Gr. 7	78%	39%
Gr. 8	76%	36%
Gr. 9	79%	42%
JK	65%	41%
SK	67%	36%
K	-	24%
Gr. 1	45%	39%
Gr. 2	86%	37%
Gr. 3	50%	37%
Gr. 4	83%	38%
Gr. 5	44%	38%
Gr. 6	62%	37%
Gr. 7	78%	39%
Gr. 8	76%	36%
Gr. 9	79%	42%

What Sacred Heart School of Halifax says it looks for in students

Sacred Heart students are kind to their peers and teachers, intellectually curious, and socially conscious young women and men who show their school spirit in ways that are relational and constructive. Sacred Heart seeks students who want to be engaged in learning and who seek to develop their unique extracurricular gifts and talents. Becoming who one is meant to be is the key to success at Sacred Heart, and this requires self-awareness, interior listening, kind and constructive feedback, and a global outlook.
Why it matters

A school's acceptance rate gives you an indication of how competitive the admissions process is. Understanding this can help you set expectations and make strategic decisions about where to apply. Please note that the acceptance rates provided here are approximate.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The admissions process may require an interview and an entrance exam.

See grade-by-grade admissions requirements at Sacred Heart School of Halifax and how they compare with other schools.

Breakdown by grade

Grade	Required by Sacred Heart School of Halifax					% of schools requiring
Grade	Interview	SSAT	SSAT (out of province)	Entrance exam	Entrance essay	% of schools requiring
JK		-	-	-	-	Interview: 35%, Exam: 4%
SK		-	-	-	-	Interview: 36%, Exam: 5%
K		-	-	-	-	Interview: 40%, Exam: 8%
Gr. 1		-	-	-	-	Interview: 51%, Exam: 15%, Essay: 2%
Gr. 2		-	-	-	-	Interview: 52%, Exam: 18%, Essay: 2%
Gr. 3		-	-	-	-	Interview: 52%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 20%, Essay: 3%
Gr. 4		-	-	-	-	Interview: 54%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 21%, Essay: 4%
Gr. 5		-	-	-	-	Interview: 55%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 24%, Essay: 5%
Gr. 6		-	-	-	-	Interview: 59%, SSAT: 2%, Exam: 25%, Essay: 7%
Gr. 7		-	-		-	Interview: 61%, SSAT: 2%, Exam: 27%, Essay: 10%
Gr. 8		-	-		-	Interview: 62%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 26%, Essay: 10%
Gr. 9		-	-		-	Interview: 49%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 23%, Essay: 11%
Gr. 10		-	-		-	Interview: 47%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 19%, Essay: 11%
Gr. 11		-	-		-	Interview: 47%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 19%, Essay: 12%
Gr. 12		-	-		-	Interview: 42%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 15%, Essay: 10%

What Sacred Heart School of Halifax says about the application process

Application fee: $0

Registration fee: $3,000

Deposit: $1,000

Description:
Prospective families can complete the online application which is easy, free, and takes very little time. Once the Admissions Department receive the application, they will be in touch to arrange an in-person or online tour, and an appointment for the child’s admissions assessment.
Why it matters

Understanding admission requirements is crucial as you assess your fit with a school and the likelihood of acceptance. These requirements often reflect the school's educational priorities.

Qualitative insights

These insights are based on conversations with parents, alumni, and school leadership. Handpicked and curated by our editor, they offer a close look at how the school is experienced and perceived by those who know it best.

The admissions process is personal and accommodating.

Insights from applicants and parents indicate that Sacred Heart School of Halifax prioritizes understanding each student as an individual, ensuring they feel welcome and supported throughout a personalized and fair admissions process.

The admissions process was more conversational than formal. As an international student, I expected something intimidating, but instead, the team took time to know me as a person, not just my grades. They wanted to see if the school was right for me, not just if I was right for the school. That approach set the tone for the years that followed—it was always about genuine connection and fit.

—Kogie Esteban, alum, MSc Chemistry Candidate (see full interview)

The key is finding a school that can accommodate your child’s specific needs.

—Mary Shakespeare, parent (beginning in Gr. 9) (see full interview)

The admission process for me was quite smooth. I applied to Sacred Heart for grade 10 so remember feeling nervous when I went in to write my entrance exam, but everyone was so kind, and the environment was so welcoming that my nerves quickly went away. My one piece of advice is Sacred Heart isn’t looking for you to be anything but yourself. They aren’t looking for you to fit into a mold so don’t try to. When you’re applying to Sacred Heart being your honest self is the best way to see if the school is a good fit for you. The admissions officers will help you throughout the entire process, including scholarship applications, and be able to show you what Sacred Heart is all about to see if it’s truly a place for you.

—Ailin Chant, alum (2014-2017) (see full review)

I would like to think that we have a good perspective on this because, while I don't remember all the precise details of the application process, what I do know is that if any applications should have been complicated, it would have been ours. We were living in Southeast Asia when we applied for our four kids to go to Sacred Heart. So the sharing of transcripts and generally trying to 'map' our kids prior learning experience to relevant benchmarks for Sacred Heart would have been outside the standard application process they would have to do. My main recollection is that, in spite of that, the application process felt like a welcome sign of things to come: not that it was trivial or effortless, simply that it was a fair, reasonable, and open process with people who were a joy to work with.

—Gord Cooper, parent (beginning 2015) (see full review)

I would advise someone planning on applying for admission to reach out to the school and set an appointment to meet with a representative of the school. I would also encourage them to go on a tour of the school. The school also offers prospective students to spend a part or whole day at the school. The admission officers are very easy to work with are very open and willing to answer any questions you may have. My experience with the application process was very stress-free. After I went on the school tour, I had no doubt that Sacred Heart School of Halifax was the right school for our boys. This has been proven right.

—Vurain Tabvuma, parent (beginning 2017) (see full review)

The admission process at Sacred Heart was surprisingly personal and welcoming. It felt more like a genuine conversation rather than an evaluation. The admissions team truly wanted to understand who I was as a person, not just look at my grades or achievements. That made the experience feel thoughtful and encouraging rather than stressful. My advice to the applicants is to be authentic, open, and share what genuinely excites you, both inside and outside the classroom. They want to know the whole person.

—Kogie Esteban, alum (2018-2020), MSc Chemistry Candidate (see full review)

The admissions process was a very easy and positive experience. The staff are very helpful, efficient, and kind. The admissions officer always followed up in a very timely manner and was extremely helpful and getting us through the process and ensuring we had all our documentation in order for that day.

—Mary Shakespeare, parent (beginning 2019) (see full review)

Tours and visits enhance decision-making through firsthand experiences.

Feedback from families suggests that touring Sacred Heart School of Halifax and engaging in its visiting opportunities are instrumental in helping prospective students and parents assess the school’s fit, thanks to the facilities and welcoming atmosphere leaving positive impressions.

I first heard about Sacred Heart School of Halifax through a colleague, who strongly recommended it to me. I met with the head of admissions, and took a tour. The tour is what really made the difference. Once I saw the incredible facilities, the smaller class sizes, the well-behaved students, and the exceptional quality of their work, I was sold.

—Vurain Tabvuma, parent (beginning in SK) (see full interview)

The advice I would give is to find a school that’s willing to accommodate whatever variety of needs you have and can show you their game plan for how they’re going to do it. When we were choosing a school, we had narrowed it down to three schools that were similar in size and quality of education. I visited each school, spoke with admissions, and tried to get a good sense of what each offered.

—Mary Shakespeare, parent (beginning in Gr. 9) (see full interview)

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ADMISSIONS

Page Contents

Insider community voices

Ailin Chant

Dennis Phillips

Facts and analysis

VISITING THE SCHOOL

Why it matters

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Application deadline by enrollment type(s)

Why it matters

ENTRY GRADES

Breakdown by grade

Why it matters

ACCEPTANCE RATE

Breakdown by grade

What Sacred Heart School of Halifax says it looks for in students

Why it matters

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Breakdown by grade

What Sacred Heart School of Halifax says about the application process

Why it matters

Qualitative insights

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My Shortlist

BUILD YOUR SHORTLIST

EVALUATE YOUR SCHOOLS

TRACK IMPORTANT DATES

ADMISSIONS

Page Contents

Insider community voices

Ailin Chant

Dennis Phillips

Facts and analysis

VISITING THE SCHOOL

Why it matters

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Application deadline by enrollment type(s)

Why it matters

ENTRY GRADES

Breakdown by grade

Why it matters

ACCEPTANCE RATE

Breakdown by grade

What Sacred Heart School of Halifax says it looks for in students

Why it matters

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Breakdown by grade

What Sacred Heart School of Halifax says about the application process

Why it matters

Qualitative insights

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