Preparing for High School

Beyond Cedarwood

High School Preparation

Cedarwood students have gone on to attend almost every public, private, and charter high school in Portland.
A lot happens in the fall and winter for 8th graders and their families! Here are a few things to keep in mind in preparing for your student’s transition to high school:

  • Cedarwood hosts a High School Info Night each fall
  • Local high schools host open houses and other visiting opportunities for incoming first year students in October, November, December, and January. A few have late spring opportunities. Please find a detailed list of open house opportunities below.
  • If your student plans to attend their local public high school, please plan to contact the school about registration & course selection in mid to late January. You’ll find this on the high school website, often listed under “8th Grade Forecasting”. Find your local public high school here.
  • The lotteries for Benson, Jefferson, and Metropolitan Learning Center are usually held in November/December.
  • Please confirm your family’s final high school application choices to Cedarwood by December 19, 2025 (we’ll send a reminder!)
  • Applications to local independent and private high schools are due in January and February of the 8th-grade year. The deadline for the student’s application is generally different from the deadline for academic records from the schools. Cedarwood sends student records to high schools after the mid-year reports are ready.
  • If you are applying for a scholarship or if you are applying to a school with a very different deadline for academic records and recommendations, please let us know as soon as you can.

Important Dates to Keep in Mind

List of 2 items.

  • Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT):

    The SSAT is available in-person at Oregon Episcopal School or online. Information and dates for the standard paper SSAT can be found here.

  • High School Placement Test (HSPT)

    Portland area Catholic high schools are offering the HSPT in-person in early December. 
    High School Placement Test

Open Houses

This list is by no means exhaustive, but provides a good start! It’s always a good idea to double check the school’s website for any last minute changes or updates to events.

List of 2 items.

Teacher Recommendations

Please keep in mind that most schools with an application process require teacher recommendations. When requesting teacher recommendations, please provide advance notice to give our teachers enough time to write an excellent letter on behalf of your child. These requests are made through the high school’s application portal.

Since most independent schools require recommendations from your daily lesson teacher, math teacher, and another leader or teacher at the school, in addition to school records, we will track those recommendations to ensure the deadlines are met.
3030 SW 2nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97201
(503) 245-1477
info@cedarwoodschool.org