Admissions Process

Choosing a school for your children is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a parent. We are so pleased that you're considering Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph School. We are confident you will find ICSJ to be a welcoming school with bright and colorful classrooms full of kind and engaged students being taught by teachers who are not only highly qualified, but who also love teaching here!

VISIT OUR SCHOOL

The admissions process at ICSJ School typically begins with a tour during the school day, giving you an opportunity to really see our school community in action. We invite you to join us for one of our group admissions tours which are set up throughout the fall and early winter. Or, if those dates don't work, we are happy to set up an individual tour on a day that works better for you. TO RSVP FOR AN UPCOMING ADMISSIONS TOUR, OR TO SCHEDULE A PERSONAL TOUR, CLICK HERE.

AGE OF ENTRY TO OUR SCHOOL

While PreK3, PreK4, and Kindergarten are the traditional entrance points for new ICSJ students, we welcome applicants at any grade level. Applicants for early childhood grade levels (PreK3, PreK4, and Kindergarten) must meet the Age of Admission Requirements for their entrance grade level (3, 4, or 5 years old, respectively) before September 1, 2024.

ADMISSIONS CRITERIA

Admission is determined through a combination of factors, including availability of space in the specific grade-level; capacity of resources in the specific grade-level; observations made by school staff during either an organized "playdate" for rising PreK3, PreK4, and Kindergarten students, or a "shadow day" for grade-level students; recommendations from teachers or caregivers at the applicant's current school or day care; and a comprehensive review of the student’s academic standing (for grades K - 8).

Applicants must be in good academic, disciplinary, and financial standing in their current school for admission to be considered.

ADMISSIONS PROCESS

Immaculate Conception - St. Joseph School offers 4 Admissions Tracks and you may choose which track on which to submit your application based on how early you would like to secure your place with us. Generally speaking, the sooner you can come in for a tour and subsequently submit an application, the sooner we will usher you through the entire process and get an admissions decision back to you.

While submitting an application by December 8, 2023 is recommended, ICSJ welcomes applications throughout the year. Applications will be categorized by "track" based on when they were received and completed in full. Applications will be processed as they come in and priority will be given to those who were submitted in the earlier tracks.

Priority Decision Admissions Track

Applicants on the Priority Decision Admissions Track must submit an application by December 8, 2023 and attend a group "early childhood playdate" or a "grade-level shadow day" on Friday, January 26, 2024. These applicants will receive an admissions decision by early February, 2024 and will lock in their spots with a deposit by early March, 2024. All incoming PreK3 applicants received prior to December 8 will remain on this track.

Early Decision Admissions Track

In addition to the Priory Admissions Decision Track, ICSJ is pleased to offer an Early Decision Admissions Track for rising PreK4 students and older. This track will allow for an admissions decision prior to Christmas, and will lock in their space with a deposit by early January.

To stay on the Early Decision Track one must complete their application prior to Thanksgiving. Applicants on this track will attend an individual playdate or shadow day in November or December of 2023 and receive an admissions decision prior to Christmas break.

General Admissions Track

Any applications coming in after December 8 will be considered on the General Admissions Track. Depending on when the application comes in, the applicant may be scheduled for the January 26 Playdate, or they may be scheduled for an individual Playdate/Shadow Day in February or after. Processing of these applications will be done as quickly as possible and an admissions decision will be provided within one week after the playdate or shadow day has been completed.

Please reach out to our Admissions Director, Jodi Thyen, with any questions.

COMPLETING AN APPLICATION

An application to ICSJ will not be considered complete until the ICSJ Admissions Office receives the following elements:

An application for admission (done online)
A $100.00 non-refundable application fee (paid online or by check to the office)
A copy of the child’s birth certificate (Please note - an original, certified document must be submitted/brought to the office and will be immediately copied and returned)
A photo copy of the child’s baptismal certificate (if applicable)
School transcripts and standardized test scores (applicants to Grades K-8)
Enrolled ICSJ family referral form (optional)

Please note that our application includes a request for 1-3 contacts (current or former teachers, day care providers, etc.) who know the student well enough to complete a recommendation form on their behalf. Only students who have NOT been in any organized day care or school setting may use a babysitter for their recommendation, or skip this part of the application.

Upon submission of an application to ICSJ School, your student(s) will be scheduled for an on-campus playdate/shadow day. Details regarding this event will be sent directly to applicants.

PRIORITY CONSIDERATIONS

The following factors will be considered in determining priority for admission:

Children with a sibling currently enrolled at the school.
Families who have been active registered parishioners of Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph Parish for at least two years.
Families who are committed to continuing their child’s education at ICSJ through grade eight.
Families who are registered parishioners of neighboring Catholic churches.

APPLICATION REFERENCE FORM

Applicants who know currently enrolled ICSJ families are encouraged to request and submit references. While this does not ensure a higher priority in the admissions process, referrals from current families give the Admissions Team a more complete picture of your application. Please complete the Family Referral Form on the "Apply Now" page.

AGE OF ADMISSION

A child entering school must be in compliance with the age requirements of the State of Illinois. Children must have their birthday on or before September 1st of the current school year. A child must independently and successfully use the toilet in order to attend preschool. Pull-Ups or other similar products are not acceptable.

PreK3 - 3 years old before September 1^st

PreK4 - 4 years old before September 1^st

Kindergarten - 5 years old before September 1^st

TRANSFER STUDENTS (Including Mid-Year Transfers)

Applicants must be in good academic, disciplinary, and financial standing in their current school for their application to be considered. Student consideration requires completion of the inquiry form, including submission of school transcripts and standardized test scores. Should it be determined that capacity is available in the grade, the student will be invited for a shadow day and a formal academic assessment. ICSJ will consider mid-year transfers on a capacity availability basis in accordance with ICSJ academic admission standards.

If you are interested in a mid-year transfer to ICSJ School during the 2023/24 school year, please visit this page now.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

All new and transfer students to ICSJ School will be admitted on academic and disciplinary probation for their first year of attendance. If it has been determined that a student's needs are greater than what our school can provide, Future enrollment and attendance is subject to administrative approval.

In accordance with archdiocesan policy, school authorities may amend these policies in order to fulfill the school’s mission to be a model urban educational experience.

ICSJ admits students of any race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students in this school. Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender or national and ethnic origin in administration of educational or employment policies, athletic or other school administered programs.