October 2026 Parent Newsletter

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents: 

October often represents the beginning of the college application season for high school seniors. Our students will be consulting with their academic counselors as they complete applications for the prestigious UC and Cal State university systems and private schools. 

With that in mind, we have a special announcement to make pertaining to the female students at Bishop Amat. Recently, the Department of Catholic Schools announced, in conjunction with Mount Saint Mary’s University (MSMU), that Bishop Amat has been selected to participate in the Catholic College Promise program. 

The Catholic College Promise provides young women with a weighted GPA of 3.0 or
higher attending participating Catholic high schools of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
with a direct pathway to Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles. Qualified students
receive direct admission, priority financial aid consideration and personalized admission
support. Direct admission offers an even more streamlined experience than guaranteed
admission, as eligible students receive an admission offer without needing to apply. In
addition, students will have an opportunity to join the Athenian Fellows program, a
selective leadership opportunity for Catholic College Promise students who demonstrate
academic achievement, leadership, service and commitment to their communities. Families of eligible seniors will receive notification of selection on October 1, 2026. 

Additionally, I’m pleased to announce that Bishop Amat has formed a partnership with Seton Hill University (SHU) to provide additional Dual Enrollment opportunities for Lancers. This year, three classes will pilot this Dual Enrollment opportunity: AP U.S. Government, AP Macroeconomics, and AP Physics. Students in these classes will have the option of enrolling with SHU to earn college credits based solely upon the grade they receive in the AP class offered at Bishop Amat. Although the cost is more than an AP test ($235), it is a fantastic investment given that credits are linked to the course grade rather than an assessment in May. For the first time, select students in the pilot classes will have the choice to take either the AP test or enroll in Seton Hill as an alternate option. Some students will certainly opt into both opportunities! As we analyze the effectiveness and popularity of this program throughout 2026-2027, we will consider expanding the option to other AP courses next year. 

Sincerely,

Gabriel Escovar

Progress Reports

The Student and Parent Portals will be updated and Progress Reports will be available online on Wednesday, October 7. Parents must access the portal that day to review their child's academic progress. This will help them identify potential concerns early and engage in meaningful discussions with their child and the teachers.  

Teacher Conferences

Parents and guardians will have the opportunity to meet with all teachers during Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, October 21, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the Student Activity Center. Students are strongly encouraged to attend alongside their guardians, as their presence fosters open communication and ensures that they are actively engaged in discussions about their academic progress and any areas of concern.

College Applications

Applications for the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems are currently in progress and should be completed online. We provided information about college applications to seniors during homeroom on September 9, and counselors have met individually with all senior students. Please contact your student’s counselor with any questions.

The deadline for both the CSU and UC systems is November 30. Private college deadlines vary.  

College representatives have begun visiting Bishop Amat to discuss their campuses with our students. Students should listen to announcements and check posted information about these visits through the College Counseling Page on our school website. Students interested in meeting with admissions evaluators must make appointments in advance with Mr. Scott, the College Counselor. He is available during breaks and after school in the College Center located in the 400 wing.

Counselors and Coffee

On Tuesday, October 6, our second "Counselors & Coffee" event will take place in the library and begin at 8:30 am sharp. Parents of students at all grade levels are invited to attend. The event will feature a college overview led by our College Counselor, Mr. Scott. Counselors will also be available to answer specific questions about students' academic and college preparation. 

This is a valuable opportunity for parents to engage with the counseling team and gain insight into their child’s educational planning. Parents should bring their ID and check in at the front office before proceeding to the library.

National Honor Society (NHS) Applications

Juniors and seniors who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher have been invited to apply for or continue membership in the National Honor Society. All candidates must demonstrate commitment to the four NHS pillars: scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Applications and verification forms are due by Friday, October 2. For questions, please contact our NHS moderator, Ms. Katharine Guerrero, at nhs@bishopamat.org.

College Night

We are excited to continue our college events with College Night in the Student Activity Center on Monday, October 19, starting at 6 pm. All Bishop Amat students and families are welcome to attend this event which offers valuable information about college planning. Attendees can speak with representatives from private colleges, public colleges, and universities. 

In addition, a College Financial Aid Overview will also be held in the library at 6 pm and 7 pm the same evening, providing essential guidance on navigating the financial aid process.

We are also pleased to announce another college presentation during College Night: "The College Search: From Stress to SUCCESS!" by College Consultant Gary Bednorz. To accommodate more attendees, his first session will start at 5:30 pm, followed by a second session at 6:30 pm. These sessions will be held in the Seminar Room of the SAC.

College Essay Writing Workshop

College Essay Writing Workshops will take place on October 7 and 15 in room 402 at 3 pm. All seniors are encouraged to take advantage of this valuable opportunity to refine their college essays. More information will be posted in the Class of 2027 Google Classroom under "College/Career Corner” and on our College Center (@amat_collegecenter) and Counseling Department (@bishop.amat.counseling) Instagram accounts.

College Application Clinics

College Application Clinics are being offered to assist students with their college applications. Mr. Scott and our counselors will be available to help students in Room 402 from 3 pm to 4 pm on October 14, October 28, November 2, 12, 17, and 18 (Internship 101). Students should bring their Chromebooks and unofficial transcripts (given to all seniors on Sept. 9) to these sessions. 

FAFSA Workshop 

A FAFSA Workshop will be held in the library on Monday, November 9, at 6 pm. Parents of seniors are highly encouraged to attend.

CSF Peer Tutoring

CSF Tutoring is available daily in the library. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to receive personalized assistance from peers who have successfully navigated the same courses. They can help clarify complex concepts, share effective study strategies, and boost confidence.

Tutoring sessions are held:
Monday through Friday: 7:25 am - 8 am
Monday through Thursday: 3 pm - 3:35 pm

Student Europe Trip 

Mrs. George, a member of the Social Studies Department, will lead an educational adventure to Barcelona, France & Italy in June 2027. Students will have an opportunity to visit sites they have studied in their World History classes and experience the various cultures of southern Europe.  The trip will last 14 days and leave on June 5, 2027. Prices were posted on September 24, 2026. If you are interested in this student trip, please visit explorica.com. Click the STUDENT tab, and then click “Sign Up Now.” Use trip code George-3710. If you have any other questions, please contact Mrs. George at tgeorge@bishopamat.org.