By the Numbers: How the Class of 2026 Achieved Record-Breaking Results | News | John Paul II High School | Texas

By the Numbers: How the Class of 2026 Achieved Record-Breaking Results

The John Paul II High School Class of 2026 has reached a new milestone in college admissions, securing acceptances to over 220 different institutions. This list includes 180 unique universities across the United States and abroad. While the diversity of these schools is notable, the class's success is a direct result of JPII's rigorous academic environment.

$29M College Merit Scholarships Earned

As the premier Catholic, coeducational, college-preparatory institution in Collin County, Texas, JPII provides a curriculum that mirrors the demands of the nation’s most competitive universities.

A Breakdown of Success

The sheer volume of acceptances highlights the senior class's versatility. The list features:

• Elite Tier & Ivy League: Cornell University, Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Notre Dame.
• Military Leadership: The United States Naval Academy and the US Merchant Marine Academy.
• Texas Powerhouses: Extensive placements at The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, and Texas Christian University.
• Specialized STEM & Arts: Schools ranging from the Colorado School of Mines to the Savannah College of Art and Design.

How They Prepared: The AP Advantage

These results are rooted in JPII’s investment in advanced coursework. The school is an AP School Honor Roll Platinum recipient, a distinction that requires high levels of student participation and success in college-level exams.

Our goal is to ensure that a JPII diploma represents more than just completed credits.

Dr. Daniel Ledbetter, Principal

"Our goal is to ensure that a JPII diploma represents more than just completed credits," said Principal Dr. Daniel Ledbetter. "When we see our students excelling in the AP Capstone program, we see them master the same research and presentation skills they will use at universities like Cornell or Northwestern."

Specific student achievements further support this model. Senior Ana Paiva became the first student in school history to earn the AP Capstone Diploma before graduation, a program that requires two years of independent scholarly research. Additionally, ten seniors were recognized as Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, placing them in the top 50,000 students nationwide.

Through our advanced tracks, they are learning how to ask complex questions and defend their findings.

Kelly Slate, Dean of Academics

Kelly Slate, Dean of Academics, noted the importance of this preparation. "We have seen the Class of 2026 move beyond rote memorization. Through our advanced tracks, they are learning how to ask complex questions and defend their findings. This level of academic maturity is exactly what elite university admissions officers are looking for."

Class of 2026 College Acceptance List

The following 220+ institutions have offered admission to the members of our graduating class:

• Abilene Christian University
• Algonquin College
• American University
• Angelo State University
• Arizona State University
• Auburn University
• Austin College
• Austin Peay State University
• Ave Maria University
• Barry University
• Baylor University
• Bellarmine University
• Belmont University
• Benedictine College
• Bentley University
• Berry College
• Bethel College
• Boston College
• Boston University
• Bowling Green State University
• Bradley University
• Brigham Young University
• Butler University
• California Lutheran University
• Central Baptist College
• Centre College
• Chapman University
• Clemson University
• Coastal Carolina University
• College of Charleston
• College of Saint Mary
• Collin College
• Colorado School of Mines
• Colorado State University
• Cornell College
• Cornell University
• Creighton University
• DePaul University
• Duquesne University
• Durham College
• East Central University
• East Texas A&M University
• Elon University
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Emory University
• Fairfield University
• Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
• Florida Atlantic University
• Florida International University
• Florida State University
• Fordham University
• Franciscan University of Steubenville
• Gonzaga University
• Goucher College
• Hardin-Simmons University
• Hawaii Pacific University
• Henderson State University
• Hendrix College
• High Point University
• Houston Christian University
• Howard Payne University
• Huston-Tillotson University
• IE University - Madrid
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Illinois State University
• Indiana University Bloomington
• Iowa State University of Science and Technology
• Kansas State University
• Kansas Wesleyan University
• Lehigh University
• LeTourneau University
• Liberty University
• Louisiana State University
• Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
• Loyola University Chicago
• Loyola University New Orleans
• Lyon College
• Marist University
• Marquette University
• McMurry University
• Miami University-Oxford
• Michigan State University
• Middle Tennessee State University
• Midland University
• Midwestern State University
• Mississippi State University
• Missouri University of Science and Technology
• Montana State University
• Mount St. Mary’s University
• New York University
• Newman University
• Norfolk State University
• North Carolina State University
• Northeastern State University
• Northeastern University
• Northern Arizona University
• Northwestern University
• Nova Southeastern University
• Oklahoma State University
• Old Dominion University
• Oral Roberts University
• Our Lady of the Lake University
• Pace University
• Palm Beach Atlantic University
• Penn State University
• Point Loma Nazarene University
• Prairie View A & M University
• Providence College
• Purdue University
• Rhodes College
• Rider University
• Sacred Heart University
• Saint Anselm College
• Saint Edward’s University
• Saint Louis University
• Sam Houston State University
• Samford University
• San Diego State University
• Savannah College of Art and Design
• Schreiner University
• Seton Hall University
• Southeastern Oklahoma State University
• Southern Methodist University
• Southwestern University
• St. John’s College, Annapolis
• St. John’s University
• St. Mary’s University
• St. Thomas University
• Stephen F. Austin State University
• Stetson University
• Tarleton State University
• Temple University
• Texas A&M International University
• Texas A&M University
• Texas A&M - Corpus Christi
• Texas A&M University - Texarkana
• Texas A&M University - Galveston
• Texas A&M University - Kingsville
• Texas Christian University
• Texas Lutheran University
• Texas Southern University
• Texas State University
• Texas Tech University
• Texas Woman’s University
• The Ohio State University
• The University of Alabama
• The University of Arizona
• The University of Iowa
• The University of Kansas
• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• The University of Tampa
• The University of Tennessee
• The University of Texas at Arlington
• The University of Texas at Austin
• The University of Texas at Dallas
• The University of Texas at El Paso
• The University of Texas at San Antonio
• The University of Texas at Tyler
• The University of the South
• The University of Tulsa
• The University of West Florida
• Trinity University
• Truman State University
• Tulane University
• United States Merchant Marine Academy
• United States Naval Academy
• Universidad de San Andrés in Argentina
• University of Alabama at Birmingham
• University of Alaska Fairbanks
• University of Arkansas
• University of California, San Diego
• University of Central Florida
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs
• University of Colorado Denver
• University of Dallas
• University of Dayton
• University of Detroit Mercy
• University of Florida
• University of Georgia
• University of Houston
• University of Kentucky
• University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
• University of Maryland, College Park
• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• University of Memphis
• University of Miami
• University of Michigan
• University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus
• University of Mississippi
• University of Missouri
• University of Montana
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• University of New Mexico
• University of North Texas
• University of Northern Colorado
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Oklahoma
• University of Oregon
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Redlands
• University of San Diego
• University of San Francisco
• University of South Carolina - Columbia
• University of South Florida
• University of Tennessee
• University of Vermont
• University of Virginia
• University of Washington
• University of Wisconsin, Madison
• University of Wyoming
• Utah State University
• Vanderbilt University
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Virginia Tech
• Wabash College
• Wake Forest University
• Washington and Lee University
• Washington State University - Pullman
• West Texas A&M University
• Wheaton College
• Wichita State University
• William & Mary
• Xavier University of Louisiana
• York University

The Class of 2026 is currently finalizing its enrollment decisions. To learn more about the pathways to success at JPII or to begin your own journey, visit https://www.johnpauliihs.org/applying-to-jpii.

About John Paul II High School

John Paul II High School (JPII) is the premier Catholic, coeducational, college-preparatory institution in Collin County, Texas, offering a supportive, faith-based environment where students excel academically and grow spiritually. JPII emphasizes a challenging curriculum, including AP and honors courses, to prepare students for top universities.