St. Pius X High School
Northwest Houston · Off I-45, near Loop 610 North
811 West Donovan Street, Houston, TX 77091Map ↗Established 1956
About this information
$22,850
Tuition · 2026–27
9–12
Grades
655
Enrollment
7:1
Student–teacher
At a glance
A co-ed Dominican college-preparatory school with 21 AP courses, an eight-day rotating block schedule of four classes per day, and a College Center that begins counseling in freshman year.
Advanced Academics
21 AP courses plus 7 Honors-only, with 79% of 2025 AP exam takers scoring 3 or higher.
Dominican Tradition
Sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Houston; Veritas ("Truth") is the school's Dominican motto.
Rotating Block Schedule
An eight-day rotation with four classes each day.
College Center Counseling
Five counselors work with students from freshman year, and seniors meet weekly in a dedicated College Center.
Tuition & financial aid
2026–27 Tuition
$22,850
Estimated First-Year Required Cost
$23,100
Payment options
Annual
Jul
Semi-annual
Jul / Dec, $571.25 fee
Monthly
Jul–Apr, $2,285/mo, $685.50 fee
Sibling discount
Half tuition for a 3rd concurrently enrolled child
Need-based aid
~30% receive need-based aid, >40% some aid/scholarship; average award >$7,500.
Merit scholarships
Merit and need-based scholarships via the admissions application
Sources
Source last checked: Sep 25, 2026
Additional & conditional costs
Required and potential costs beyond published tuition
Mandatory freshman fees
Included in estimated first-year required cost
Registration fee (new students)
$350 after April 1
Application / pre-admission costs
Not included in estimated first-year cost
Application fee
Listed in the admissions portal, not on the public website.
ISEE exam (paid to ERB)
Optional / variable expenses
Not included in estimated first-year cost
Athletics fee
Per sport
Learning for Success program
Annual · Academic support program for students diagnosed with learning disabilities.
Bus transportation
Annual
Math Bridge Summer Program (incoming 9th)
ISEE Prep Course
Per student, per 4-Saturday session
Sources
Source last checked: Sep 25, 2026
Admissions
Admissions Timeline
2027–28 cycle- Aug 17, 2026
Application Opens
- Sep 1, 2026
Financial Aid Application Opens (New Families)
- Dec 15, 2026
Financial Aid Priority Deadline
- Jan 15, 2027
Application Deadline
What's required
Entrance exam: ISEE
Teacher recommendations
Student essay
Transcripts
Visits & Events
ISEE Prep Course — Session 1
Sep 12, 2026
Student only
Sources
Source last checked: Sep 25, 2026
Academics
Advanced Coursework
28 combined
Honors & AP Courses
7
Honors Courses
Dual Credit
OfferedEngineering Design & Analysis - participant of UT Austin's "Engineer Your World" program.
Academic Model & Programs
Signature program: 8-Day Rotating Block Schedule — Four 80-minute classes per day, rotating across an 8-day cycle — a real structural difference from most Houston Catholic schools.
Grading
Class Ranking
Selective DisclosureRank not disclosed unless required for automatic college admission
Graduation Requirements
27 total creditsDesigned to meet the unique needs of students with diagnosed learning differences, while maintaining the rigor of the college preparatory curriculum.
Academic Support
Testing support • Tutoring • Academic intervention • Differentiated instruction
Good to know
Additional fees apply based on the services. Admission to the Learning for Success program requires an application, a psychoeducational evaluation no older than 3 years, any existing 504 plan or IEP, and a review by the school. Support is provided without modifying academic standards.
Sources
Source last checked: Sep 22, 2026
World Languages
French
French I • French II • French III • AP French Language
Latin
Latin I • Latin II • Latin III • AP Latin: Vergil and Caesar
Spanish
Spanish I • Spanish II • Spanish III • AP Spanish Language
Sources
Source last checked: Sep 11, 2026
College Prep
College Counseling
Dedicated "College Center" + workshop series, beginning freshman year
5 counselors, assigned by last name freshman through senior year · Counselors meet with freshmen individually starting in the first few months of school; college-specific conversations begin sophomore fall · Named programming: College Admissions 101, Financial Aid Night, Student-Athlete & NCAA Workshop · Seniors meet weekly in the College Center · Services include application/essay assistance, scholarship & financial aid guidance, recommendation/transcript requests, and college rep visits
Testing & Test Prep
PSAT readiness begins sophomore year
General SAT/ACT testing resources page maintained by the Counseling Department
College Planning
Naviance + MSA portal; Lower/Upper Division grade-banded structure
Published college-visit calendar syncs across the school website, MSA portal, and Naviance
College outcomes · Class of 2026
158
Graduates
171
Colleges Accepted To
$22M
Scholarship Offers
25
National Merit Program Awards
Sources
Source last checked: Sep 25, 2026
Faith & community
Catholic identity
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Dominican — sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Houston; Veritas ("Truth") is the Dominican motto
Mass & prayer
Daily Mass offered before school
Required, any faith tradition · Daily prayer opens/closes school day
International Travel & Mission Trips
International Mission Trip (spring break) and Domestic Mission Trip (June)
Retreats
Annual · Day retreat
Each grade participates in a mandatory Revival Day centered on prayer, recreation, food and class community-building — not an overnight retreat. Optional overnight Boys' and Girls' Retreats are also offered. Dominican Four Pillars (Prayer, Study, Community, Preaching).
Sources
Source last checked: Sep 22, 2026
Athletics
TAPPS
League / Classification
14 sports offered
Varsity/interscholastic offerings
Football • Volleyball • Cross Country • Basketball • Soccer • Baseball • Softball • Track & Field • Golf • Tennis • Swimming • Cheer • Lacrosse • Rugby
Athletic Facilities
Herzstein Gym • Parsley Field • Weight Room
Athletic Notables
Multiple district and TAPPS state titles
17 TAPPS All-State selections, 27 TAPPS Academic All-State selections (2025-26)
Dozens of student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent (2025-26)
Sources
Source last checked: Sep 22, 2026
Arts
Band
Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Marching Band courses · Veritas Cadets (Band/Color Guard)
Musical Theater
Intro to Musical Theater and Advanced Musical Theater courses · Veritas Theater's annual musical production
Dance
Intro to Dance through Dance Company courses (ballet, jazz, hip hop, modern) · Pantherettes Dance Team performs at athletics events and competes statewide
Visual Arts
Drawing I, Exploring Painting, Ceramics I/II, Design Fundamentals, Printmaking, AP Studio Art (2D, 3D, Drawing)
Theater / Drama
Acting I/II, Advanced Drama (performing ensemble), Theater Technology courses · Veritas Theater — 3 productions/year (One Act Play, musical & student-directed showcase)
Choir / Vocal
Vocal Studio course (all grades, no audition) · Chorus and Liturgical Choir open to all grade levels
Arts Notables
Multiple TAPPS One Act Play All-Star Cast & Technical Achievement awards
Student work recognized in VASE (Visual Arts Scholastic Event)
Panther Band: top-division ratings at TAPPS Music Championships
Pantherettes Dance Team selected for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Sources
Source last checked: Aug 17, 2026
School life
Campus & Setting
Main Campus
Notable buildings include the White Family Center for the Sciences & Media, Bramanti Media Center, and Auditorium
Faith Spaces
Sacred Heart Chapel
Sources
Source last checked: Aug 17, 2026
Daily Life
School Day
Rotating 8-day block schedule — 4 classes per day
2024-25 published schedule
Lunch & Dining
Daily dining services in the SPX Commons offering breakfast, lunch, and snacks, with prepaid MySchoolBucks accounts
Transportation
3 bus lines ($1,550/yr): Orange (West U/Bellaire/Meyerland), Gray (Spring Branch/Memorial/Katy), Black (Cypress/Tomball/Willowbrook)
Community Life
Advisory Program
Faculty advisor mentors a small cohort · Freshman through senior year
Student Leadership
Student Council
National Honor Society · Ambassadors & Peer Mentors
Sources
Source last checked: Sep 22, 2026
Freshman Transition & Success
Getting Started
New Student Orientation · 2 days
Structured orientation immediately before classes begin.
Ongoing / Success Support
Freshman Counseling
Dedicated 9th-10th grade counselors provide freshman support.
Summer Readiness
Summer School
Optional summer school program for incoming students; all students also complete summer reading and course-specific assignments before the school year begins. An optional Math Bridge program ($250) is also available for incoming 9th graders.
Sources
Source last checked: Sep 25, 2026
Clubs & Activities
16 activities across 10 categories
Academic & Honors, Creative & Cultural, Faith-Based, Competitive, Service-Oriented
Faith & Ministry
- Dominican Preaching Team
- Rosary Prayers
- Daughters of St. Catherine's
- Sons of St. Dominic
Cultural & Affinity
- Hispanic Heritage Club
- Asian American Culture Club
- Black Student Union
Special Interest
- Chess Club
- Environmental Club
Honor Societies
- National Honor Society
STEM / Robotics
- Robotics (RoboLions)
Yearbook
- Yearbook (Golden Echoes)
Student Government
- Student Council
Debate & Speech
- Speech & Debate
Academic
- TAPPS Academic Team
Service
- Panthers for Others
Sources
Source last checked: Sep 22, 2026
About our dataInformation comes from official school sources. Availability reflects what we could verify from published materials.