How to Apply
Thank you for your interest in Detroit Catholic Central High School.
To begin your exploration and application process, please follow the steps below.
The first step is the Potential Student Form - everything (including the Shadow Day) follows that!
Please note that the requirements listed below are general guidelines, and final application decisions are at the discretion of the Administration.
Application Process
9th Grade Applicants
No two Catholic Central students are alike, and that is part of the strength of our community. We consider each candidate as a unique individual, but there are some base guidelines that we expect of potential 9th grade students.
- A minimum of a 2.5 GPA
- Candidates should present a C or better in all core subjects (English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Foreign Language, and {if coming from a Catholic school}, Theology)
- Candidates may not have been expelled or be in the process of expulsion/dismissal from their present school
- A positive disciplinary record with positive conduct marks and teacher recommendations.
- A positive attendance record
- Standardized test scores at or above grade level
The 9th Grade Application Process
- Step 1: Potential Student Information Form
- Step 2: Shadow Day & Interview
- Step 3: Application & Materials
- Step 4: High School Placement Test (HSPT)
Step 1: Potential Student Information Form
This form is for current 8th grade students only. Submitting this form allows prospective students to move forward in the application process, and further explore our school.
If your son is not yet in 8th grade, you can sign up for our Junior Shamrock program and you will be added to our communications.
Step 2: Shadow Day & Interview
The best way to learn about Catholic Central is to visit us on campus. While you are here, you will also sit down with an admissions representative to complete that portion of your application.
Shadow Days
Fall Shadow Days are available for 8th grade students and potential transfer students. 7th graders are able to join us in the spring, as space is available. Students must first submit a Potential Student Information form in order to schedule a Shadow Day, and will submit the request form through myCC. You can request a specific host, let us know what classes you wish to see, or anything else we can help with to make sure we optimize your time on campus.
Shadowing students will check in at the main office between 7:30 and 7:45 AM, and will be ready for pickup by 1:40 PM.
Interviews
All potential students must complete an interview with an admissions representative. Most students will complete this step during a Shadow Day, but we also offer online interviews to help with scheduling.
Campus Tours
We offer a morning tour to start each Shadow Day, and also work with families to schedule individual tours as appropriate. You can schedule a tour through your myCC account, which is established after submitting a Potential Student Information Form.
Step 3: Application & Materials
The application process for the 2025-2026 school year will open October 1, 2024.
Application
- You can submit an online application to Catholic Central through your myCC account. Login here in order to start or continue your application.
- Applications and all supporting items are due by the third Friday in December in order to be included in our initial round of decisions in January. After that, decisions will be sent on a monthly, staggered basis, as determined by space remaining.
Teacher Recommendations
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Catholic Central requires a teacher recommendation from a current core subject teacher (English, math, science, or social studies).
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Recommendations are sent by the parents/guardians through myCC, and must be received by the application deadline for students to be included in the initial round of decisions.
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If your school district does not allow for teacher recommedation forms, contact the Admissions Office for an alternate recommendation form that should be sent to someone from a co-curricular activity that can speak to the student's special interests/talents.
Transcripts
- All applicants must request transcripts from their current school through their myCC account.
- Academic records should include 6th, 7th, and 8th grade report cards along with any standardized test history.
- Please note that transcripts should include first quarter or trimester grades of 8th grade. Transcripts must be received by the application deadline.
Discipline Release
- Applicants must disclose any disciplinary history in their application, and submit a discipline release form to their previous school(s). This form is sent through myCC.
Essay
- Students will submit an essay through their application checklist in myCC.
- This essay is also part of the consideration for a Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge Scholarship.
Step 4: High School Placement Test (HSPT)
Online registration for the HSPT opens September 1, 2024
Catholic Central utilizes the High School Placement Test for placement and academic scholarship qualification for all incoming 9th grade students.
Students should test in November as a primary option, with December reserved as a makeup date. January and February tests may be available, but may not allow a student to qualify for the initial round of decisions or academic scholarship. There is a $50 fee to take the test.
Students do not need to test at Catholic Central, but must select Catholic Central to receive their scores (school code 015).
Transfer Applicants
Transferring to Catholic Central can be an incredibly rewarding decision for a family. The process is more difficult than it is for incoming 9th grade students, but we are here to help!
| Grade | Summer Prior | Mid-Year |
|---|---|---|
| 9th | Normal applicant | Yes* |
| 10th | Yes | Yes* |
| 11th | Yes | Exceptional Circumstances* |
| 12th | Exceptional Circumstances | No |
*Students enrolled at schools that do not take semester exams prior to Christmas break will not be able to transfer at the semester.
Transfer candidates should present the following:
- A minimum of a 2.5 GPA
- Candidates should not present any failing grades on their transcript
- Candidates should present a C or better in all core subjects (English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Foreign Language, and {if coming from a Catholic school}, Theology)
- Transfer candidates may not be credit-deficient
- A positive disciplinary record
- Applicants may not have been expelled or be in the process of expulsion/dismissal from their present school
- A positive attendance record
- Standardized test scores at or above grade level
The Transfer Application Process
- Step 1: Transfer Consultation Phone Call
- Step 2: Potential Student Information Form
- Step 3: Shadow Day & Interview
- Step 4: Application & Materials
- Step 5: Course Selection
- Step 6: Enrollment
Step 1: Transfer Consultation Phone Call
The best starting point for a potential transfer student is a transfer consultation phone call with someone in the admissions office. Our experience lets us quickly identify potential challenges and also lets us walk through some general questions you might have.
After the phone call, we'd move to follow the steps below and begin your transfer exploration.
Step 2: Potential Student Information Form
After your consultation, the first step in applying for a transfer to Catholic Central is to submit Catholic Central's potential student information form.
Submitting this form does not "lock" you into anything. It allows prospective students to move forward in the application process and further explore our school.
Submit a potential transfer student information form online.
Step 3: Shadow Day & Interview
Shadow Days
- After we verify that you are eligible for a transfer, we will work with you to schedule a Shadow Day.
- You can request a specific host or let us know what classes you wish to see to make sure we optimize your time on campus.
- Shadowing students will check in at the main office at 7:45 AM, and will be ready for pickup/dismissal by 1:40 PM.
Interviews
- All potential students must complete an interview with an admissions representative.
- Most students will complete this step during a Shadow Day, but we also offer online interviews to help with scheduling.
Campus Tours
- We offer a morning tour to start each Shadow Day, and ask families to make this their primary tour.
- If a conflict arises, you can contact admissions@catholiccentral.net or 248-596-3880 to request a personal tour.
Step 4: Application & Materials
Application
- You can submit an online application to Catholic Central through your myCC account. Login here in order to start or continue your application.
- For semester transfers, applications and supporting documents are due by the second Friday in December. This will allow time for us to make a decision and create a class schedule for January.
- For summer transfers we need to complete the process prior to the first Friday in August.
Transcripts
- Transfer applicants must submit unofficial transcripts as part of their application process. Final transcripts must be recieved prior to beginning class.
- Transfer applicants cannot be credit-deficient and must be on track to graduate with their class.
- Catholic Central does not facilitate credit recovery or reclassification.
Discipline Release
- Transfer candidates must present a clean disciplinary record and submit a discipline release form to their previous school(s). This form is sent through myCC.
Essay
- Transfer candidates must submit an essay through their application checklist explaining why they are interested in a transfer to Catholic Central. You will submit the essay through your checklist in myCC.
Financial Aid Application
Step 5: Course Selection
Step 6: Enrollment
Common Transfer Questions
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Catholic Central does not offer merit-based scholarships for transfer students.
Need-based Tuition Assistance may be available, but funding priority is given to current and returning families so it is not guaranteed.
Families should complete the FAST form during step 4 of the transfer process (Application and Materials).
Athletic Eligibility
All athletic eligibility is determined by the MHSAA. Students should indicate any athletic interest on their application, and also discuss it with the admissions office during their consultation call.
Athletic participation does not impact our admissions decisions for transfer applicants.
Catholic Central does not arrange meetings with coaches to discuss potential athletic participation. Questions can be directed to the Admissions Office.
Reclassification
General FAQs
You can explore other general FAQs here.
