High School Entrance Exam

How to Apply to Ateneo de Cebu, UP High, Science High, and Other High Schools in Cebu

A step-by-step guide on how to apply for admission to Ateneo, UP High, Science High, UC Junior Science High School, CNU, and other high schools in Cebu, including requirements and entrance exams.

This page contains the requirements, application procedures, and information on entrance exam dates for the following schools:

1. Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu 
2. Cebu City National Science High School 
3. UP High School Cebu  
4. Cebu Normal University 
5. Philippine Science High School – Central Visayas Campus 
6. University of Cebu Junior Science High School 

Ateneo de Cebu

Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu has started accepting Grade 7 applicants for School Year 2024-2025. Below, you’ll find the examination dates, the list of requirements, and the procedure for admission.

Admission Procedure

Ateneo de Cebu has a very convenient online portal dedicated to admissions. This is where you can see the list of requirements, fill up the application form, upload the requirements for review, pay the application fee,  view the exam schedule, and even see the results of the application. Except for the exam itself, there’s no need to even go to Ateneo because almost everything can be done through the portal.

Here’s what to do:

1. Go to their admissions portal and create an account. You can do this even if your child isn’t applying yet; for example, as early as when your child is in fifth grade, you can create an account here so you can already have an idea of what the requirements will be.
2. In the “Inquiry” tab, you can view a list of requirements. Just select the school year first — it will usually be the ongoing school year UNTIL they start accepting applications for the next school year, and then it will show the next school year — and then select the grade level you’re interested in using the drop-down list and press the “Show Requirements” button. Prepare digital/scanned copies or clear photos of these requirements.
3. Also in the “Inquiry” tab, under the “Show Requirements” button, it will say: “Ready to apply? Click here to continue.” The “here” word will contain a link to the application form.
4. Fill in the application form online and upload the required documents where specified. 
5. Within the application form, you will be asked to provide the email address of both the guidance counselor of your child’s current school and your child’s current class adviser. This is because the portal will be sending directly to them an online form that they can fill up in relation to your child’s behavior and school performance. At no point will you be able to see this form but you will get a notice via email saying “Recommendation letter received” if your child’s class adviser/guidance counselor has already filled it in.
6. After submitting your application, you will be advised to pay the application fee. It’s currently Php700, which you can pay directly to the Ateneo cashier, but if you like, you can also pay it online through the portal, but there will be a “convenience fee” of Php250, making the total application fee Php950 if you pay it online.
7. The Ateneo admissions team will review your application and also check if you’ve paid the application fee. Within a couple of days, you will receive an email telling you that your child has been scheduled for an entrance exam. (You’re supposed to be able to choose from several dates but there was only one date available in our case. If you do have questions or if you need to change dates, there is an email address you can send your concerns to.)
8. Go to Ateneo on your scheduled date for the entrance examination.
9. Within 5 working days, you will receive an email informing you whether your application was accepted or rejected. If accepted, you may reserve a slot by paying an Php8,000 reservation fee, which is deductible from the total school fees.
10. They will make an announcement when enrollment starts.

Examination Dates

For School Year 2024-2025, there are eight examination dates scheduled for applicants to Grade 7 (Junior High School). The exam will take place on the following dates:

• January 27, 2024 (Saturday)
• February 17, 2024 (Saturday)
• March 9, 2024 (Saturday)
• March 23, 2024 (Saturday)
• April 13, 2024 (Saturday)
• April 27, 2024 (Saturday)
• May 11, 2024 (Saturday)
• May 25, 2024 (Saturday)

Requirements for Application to Ateneo de Cebu

Filipino Students

These are the requirements for application for admission to Grade 7 (Junior High School) at Ateneo de Cebu for Filipino students:

• PSA birth certificate
• Report card of last completed grade level
• Latest report card of the current grade level for evaluation of application
• 2×2 most recent picture with white background
• Recommendation from guidance counselor and class adviser

Filipino Students

These are the additional requirements for students who are Filipino but studying abroad:

• PSA birth certificate/birth certificate from abroad. If the birth certificate is not in English, it must be translated to English and duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy (or Apostille Stamped) in the student-applicant’s country of origin or legal residence, both in English and in their national alphabet.
• Passport of both parents
• Photocopy of applicant’s Philippine passport and/or Certificate of Recognition as a Filipino citizen if the applicant has dual citizenship
• Complete school records of all grade levels attended (from Kinder to last grade level attended) – must be duly signed by the school principal and, if not in English, authenticated in the same manner as the birth certificate (see above)
• Certificate of Enrollment for the current school year or Certificate of Completion of the applicant’s last completed school year
• School profile of the current school
• School accreditation from the education agency where school is located

Filipino Students

In addition to the documents listed above, non-Filipino applicants must also submit the following:

• Passport biodata page
• Valid visa
• Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) / I-CARD (photocopy of front and back portion), if available
• Special Study Permit (SSP) for a foreign student enrolled in the Philippines of the current school year, if available

Cebu City National Science High School

The details for application for School Year 2024-2025 were published by Cebu City National Science High School (CCNSHS, located in Labangon, Cebu City) last February 15, 2024 on their official Facebook page. Read below for a quick idea on which students are qualified to apply to CCNSHS, the application period and exam/interview dates, and the application requirements.

Who are qualified to apply?

Science High is technically a public school but it only admits students who belong to the upper 10% of their Grade 6 graduating class. The guideline for School Year 2024-2025 specifies that the school will accept applicants who are:

“graduating pupils from public and private elementary schools with grades at least 87% in English, Math and Science, and at least 85% in other subjects in the First and Second grading periods; and belongs to the upper 10 percent of the graduating class.”

Dates for Application, Exam, and Interview

If your child is applying for admission to Cebu City National Science High School, these are the dates you should take particular note of:

• Application period (acceptance of documents from aspirant-students): February 12, 2024 to March 27, 2024
• Written exam: April 13, 2024 (Saturday)
• Results of written exam to be released: April 19, 2024
• Interview: April 27, 2024 (Saturday)
• Final results to be released: May 17, 2024

Requirements for Application to Cebu City National Science High School

These are the documents that applicants must bring to the Office of the Head Teacher:

1. Certified true copy of the report card authenticated by the elementary school principal – since applicants need to have certain minimum grades during the first and second grading periods in order to qualify for the written exam, then presumably the report card to be submitted should contain your child’s grades for both the first and second quarter
2. Certification from the school principal that the applicant belongs to the upper 10% indicating his/her rank and the total population for Grade 6

Applicants may bring these documents to the Office of the Head Teacher on official working days, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The last day for doing so will be on March 27, 2024.

Upon submission of the two documents listed above, applicants will be handed, and asked to fill in, an application form.

Additionally, a valid ID must be brought by the applicant during the written exam and the interview. 

University of the Philippines High School Cebu

UP High School Cebu started accepting applications for Grade 7 (Junior High School) for School Year 2024-2025 last December 1, 2023. While UP High has traditionally only accepted applicants within a certain income bracket and children of employees, they have also just very recently started giving a limited number of slots to children of UP alumni and students with excellent athletic abilities. 

The application guidelines are available at the official Facebook page of the UP High School Cebu Admission Test but here’s a quick run-through.

Who can apply to UP High School Cebu?

There are four categories of students who may apply to take part in the UP High School Admission Test:

1. Democratized access – students from a family with a total gross annual income of Php300,000 or less;
2. Children of full-time UP Cebu personnel;
3. Children of UP Cebu alumni; and
4. Applicants under the Varsity Athletics Admission System (VAAS)

Regardless of category, each applicant must meet the following criteria (with additional criteria for each category listed in the next few subsections):

• has not previously studied in another high school;
• has a computed mean grade of at least 85 for Math, Science, English, Social Studies, and Filipino at the time of application; 
• has NO grade below 80 in any subject; and
• has a conduct grade of B or equivalent.

Democratized Access

In addition to the minimum grade requirements detailed above, students applying under the Democratized Access category must meet the following criteria: 

• come from a family whose total annual gross income is P300,000.00 or less

Children of UP Cebu Personnel

In addition to the minimum grade requirements detailed above, students applying under the category for children of UP Cebu personnel must meet the following criteria: 

• must be a child of a full-time UP Cebu personnel
  • the child may be legitimate, illegitimate and legitimated, or adopted
  • the full-time personnel may be permanent, temporary, regular, incumbent, substitute, casual or contractual
  • children of UP personnel who have rendered at least one year service may apply for the waiver of the income requirement for applicants
  • children of personnel who have rendered less than one year of service need to fulfill the requirement of having less than Php300,000 total annual gross income for the entire family

Children of UP Cebu Alumni

In addition to the minimum grade requirements detailed above, students applying under the category for children of UP Cebu alumni must meet the following criteria: 

• must be a child of a UP Cebu graduate
  • the child can be legitimate, illegitimate and legitimated, or adopted
  • the parent can be a graduate of a UP Cebu degree or associate program (college), junior high school, or senior high school

Athletes

In addition to the minimum grade requirements detailed above, students applying under the Varsity Athletics Admission System (VAAS) category must meet the following criteria: 

• have competent athletic ability
• pass the VAAS screening

Application and Exam Dates

If your child is applying for admission to UP High School Cebu for School Year 2024-2025, take note of the following important dates:

• Application period – December 1, 2023 to April 15, 2024
• Giving out of test permits – April 18, 2024
• Junior High School Admission Test (JHSAT) – April 21, 2024 (Sunday)
• Release of results to examinees – April 30, 2024

Procedure for Application

Here are the steps in the UP High School Cebu application process for Grade 7 (Junior High School) for School Year 2024-2025:

1. The applicant (student) and their parent(s) must personally appear together at UP High School Cebu.
2. Together, they submit the requirements, a long folder, and a fastener. If everything is in order, an application form will be given to be filled out.
3. The applicant (student) fills out the Application Form — they will be taken to a separate room to do this themselves (i.e. without the help of their parent/s).
4. While their child is filling up the application form, the parent(s) can head across the street to the UP Cebu cashier to pay the application/testing fee of Php300.
5. A faculty member interviews the applicant and their parent/s separately.

Requirements for Application to UP High School Cebu

These are the documents required for ALL Grade 7 (Junior High School) applicants to UP High School Cebu for the School Year 2024-2025. Additional requirements per category are detailed in the next subsections.

1. 2 copies recent 2×2 photo with name tag
2. Certified True Copy of the Grade 5 report card – should be signed by the principal or adviser
3. Certified True Copy of the latest available Grade 6 report card – should be signed by the principal or adviser
4. clear vicinity sketch/map of the applicant’s residence

Democratized Access

In addition to the four documents required for all applicants listed above, students who are applying under Democratized Access must also submit the following requirements: 

• Documents related to family income
  • For parent/s who are employed, copy of BIR Form No. 2316 of the latest year
  • If one of the parents is unemployed, both parents need to submit a notarized affidavit stating the source of income of the family and the family’s total annual gross income
  • If both parents are not working, a certification of “No/Low income” from the BIR
  • For parent/s engaged in business, copy of the business tax of the latest year
  • For OFW parents, copy of the latest contract (POEA-Certified) which specifies the compensation;
  • Certification as single parent (if applicable) from DSWD or a photocopy of the DSWD ID
  • Certification as recipient of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program from DSWD, if applicable
• Copy of the electric bill and internet bill (if any) for the last two months
• Photograph of the applicant (1) in front of their house and (2) inside their house, showing the full interior

Children of UP Cebu Personnel

In addition to the four documents required for all applicants listed above, students who are applying as children of UP Cebu personnel must also submit the following requirements: 

• Proof of dependency – can be birth certificate bearing the parent’s name or proof of adoption

Children of UP Cebu Alumni

In addition to the four documents required for all applicants listed above, students who are applying as children of UP Cebu alumni must also submit the following requirements: 

• Proof of graduation by parent/s from UP Cebu, such as diploma or academic certificate
• Proof of dependency – can be birth certificate bearing the parent’s name or proof of adoption

Athletes

In addition to the four documents required for all applicants listed above, students who are applying under VAAS must also submit the following requirements: 

• Proof of athletic involvement signed by the coach or principal
• Other documents that may be requested by the VAAS screening committee

Cebu Normal University (CNU)

Cebu Normal University (CNU) has already started accepting applications for Grade 7 (Junior High School) for the incoming School Year 2024-2025. Here’s what you need to know.

Dates to Remember

The application period for Grade 7 will be from February 1, 2024 to March 27, 2024.

Admission exams for applicants to Grade 7 will be held on the following dates:

• April 27, 2024
• May 11, 2024
• May 25, 2024

Procedure for Application

1. The applicant goes to CNU and submits the requirements.
2. If everything is in order and the applicant is qualified, they will be advised to pay the testing fee at the accounting office.
3. Proceed to the Testing Center, present the signed admission form, and fill out the registration form and logbook.
4. The Testing Center will then provide the testing schedule, list of requirements, and test guidelines.
5. The applicant takes the exam and then waits for the list of Qualifiers for Interview to be released.

Requirements for Application to Cebu Normal University

These are the documents required for application for admission to Grade 7 at Cebu Normal University:

• Latest available report card with a grade point average (GPA) of 85 or above
• Original Certificate of Good Moral Character
• PSA-issued Birth Certificate (present original for verification, submit photocopy)
• Valid ID
• 1 piece long brown envelope with plastic cover
• 2 pieces 2×2 picture
• Testing fee of Php 300

Philippine Science High School - Central Visayas Campus

The Philippine Science High School (PSHS) – Central Visayas Campus (located in Argao, Cebu) conducts its application process very early in the school year. They have now completed the application process for Grade 7 (Junior High School) for School Year 2024-2025. However, if your child is still in Grade 5 and you’re looking for information about the relevant dates and requirements in anticipation of School Year 2025-2026, you will find the information below still quite helpful. 

Dates to Remember

• Application period: June 13, 2023 to October 13, 2023
• National Competitive Examination: November 18, 2023

Who are eligible to apply for admission?

Applicants for admission to Grade 7 at Philippine Science High School – Central Visayas Campus need to meet the following criteria:

• A Filipino citizen with no pending or approved application as immigrant to any foreign country
• Grade of 85% or better in Science and Mathematics
  • If the applicant’s grades in Science or Math are below 85%, then he/she must provide evidence that he/she belongs to the upper 10% of the graduating batch.
• Will not be more than 15 years old by June 30, 2024
• Has at least a satisfactory (or equivalent) Character Rating in his/her Grade 5 report card
• Has not previously applied for admission to PSHS
• Preferably in good health and fit to undergo a rigorous academic program

Procedure for Application

Applicants can apply in person at PSHS or via their online platform. 

Requirements

These are the documents required for application for admission to Philippine Science High School:

• Fully accomplished application form
• Recent 1×1 ID pictures
• Certified True Copy of Grade 5 Report Card – certified by class adviser or principal
  • PSHS asks for the Grade 5 report card because their application period is so early that most students will not have completed their first grading period for Grade 6 by the time they apply.
  • IF student’s final grades in Science or Math are below 85%, certification/proof that he/she belongs to the upper 10% of the graduating batch
• Php300 processing fee for private school students
  • Public school students are exempt from paying this fee.
  • Students who are on full scholarship at a private school may also be exempt from paying this fee and must submit a certification from the school stating that he/she is on full scholarship.

Those who will be applying via the PSHS online platform will need to prepare scanned/digital copies of these requirements (including the picture) for uploading to the portal.

University of Cebu Junior Science High School

The University of Cebu (UC) has a separate science class that they describe as “the first private science high school in the Visayas.”

The UC Banilad Junior Science High Program has now started accepting applicants for admission to Grade 7 (Junior High School) for School Year 2024-2025. 

Requirements for Application to University of Cebu Junior Science High School

These are the documents required for application for admission to Grade 7 (Junior High School) at University of Cebu Junior Science High School:

• 2×2 picture with white background
• Photocopy of recent school student ID
• Certified True Copy of report card with grades from 1st to 2nd/3rd quarter
  • No grade must be lower than 80% in all subjects
  • The GPA must be at least 83% 
  • Present the original and one photocopy of the report card CTC

Application Procedure

Admission examinations are held every Saturday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 NN at the SHS Guidance Center.

In order to be scheduled for an examination, submit the requirements to the UCB-SHS Building (beside Alicia Apartelle). Submission of requirements is from Monday to Thursday only.

Applicants from public schools who pass the admission test automatically become Educational Service Contracting (ESC) grantees.