Frequently Asked Questions

We are thrilled you are considering ICSJ School for your family. If you have questions that are not answered on our website or in this FAQ, please don't hesitate to reach out! We welcome the opportunity to share more of our program with you and invite you to our campus to experience our environment first-hand.

GENERAL SCHOOL QUESTIONS

ICSJ leverages a co-teaching model, utilizing two full-time certified teachers in every classroom through Grade 3. As independence and autonomy grow, students move into single-teacher classrooms in Grades 4 and 5. These classrooms are supported by a dedicated learning specialist so that all reading and math instruction takes place in differentiated small groups. A departmentalized structure is used for Grades 6 – 8 as students travel to various classrooms for instruction from a specilized teacher in each subject.

In addition to one learning specialist dedicated to the 4th/5th grade classes, ICSJ employs 3 additional learning specialists who work with students in all grade levels to provide differentiation and support.

Student:Teacher Ratios:

PreK3 – 9:1
PreK4 - 10:1
Primary Grades (K - 3) - 12:1
Elementary Grades (4 & 5) - 24:1
Middle School (Grades 6 - 8) - 24:1

Student:Teacher ratios shown represent the maximum classroom size. In many cases, ICSJ School will either intentionally enroll a smaller group of students based on the learning styles and strengths present in each cohort, or split the grade level into two classrooms to maintain an ideal student:teacher ratio.

ADMISSIONS QUESTIONS

When are applications accepted?

What is the required age of admission?

Do you accept new students in grades other than PreK3?

What takes place during the Early Childhood playdate?

All prospective PreK and Kindergarten applicants are required to attend a playdate in mid-January following submission of a completed application. Enrolled early childhood students will not be in session on this day, enabling our teaching staff to fully engage with prospective students.

Parents will escort their child(ren) to a PreK classroom in groups of 8-10 where they will engage in centers and activities with ICSJ early education teachers. Parents will convene in the Parish Hall to connect with administration and current school parents before returning to the classrooms to pick up their child(ren).

What are you looking for during the Early Childhood playdate?

What takes place during a shadow day?

All applicants to Grades 1-8 are required to attend a shadow day as soon as possible after the application is complete. These days will be scheduled on an individual basis. Prospective students will peak into a "day in the life" of a student in their grade level, although the shadow period is normally between 2-3 hours. Applicants will also meet one-on-one with an ICSJ learning specialist for an individual assessment during their time here to determine his/her academic fit within the ISCJ program and possible learning supports that would be needed.

When will I receive my admissions decision?

Admissions decisions for the Early or Priority Applicants will be emailed as soon as possible after a student has completed the admissions process. Accepted students have two weeks to confirm their enrollment by submitting required paperwork and forms, and paying a $1,000 New Student Deposit.

Admissions decisions on applications submitted after the early or priority application deadlines will be emailed within a few days of the Shadow / Playdate step of the application process. Accepted students have two weeks to confirm their enrollment by submitting required paperwork and forms, and paying a $1,000 New Student Deposit.

What does it mean if our child was placed on the waitlist?

Does ICSJ offer financial aid?

Will participation in ICSJ Fundraising efforts strengthen my application?

In short, no. While we invite and welcome applicant families to attend ICSJ fundraising and "friend-raising" events prior to enrolling, we hope you engage to evaluate our culture and determine if the community is the right fit for your family. You can learn much about our community by attending mass at one of our parishes, particularly a Family Mass or the Children’s Liturgy. Your attendance at an ICSJ fundraiser will have no bearing on your application.

From what neighborhoods do you draw students?

ICSJ families represent over 28 Chicago zip codes. Approximately 30% of our students reside in the neighborhood immediately surrounding our campuses. The remaining 70% of our families travel from widespread neighborhoods, including, but not limited to, Bucktown, the Gold Coast, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, Logan Square, North Center, the South Loop, Ukrainian Village, the West Loop, and Wicker Park.

Do references from current ICSJ families strengthen my application?

While the ICSJ Admissions office welcomes references from currently enrolled or alumni ICSJ families, a personal reference is not a requirement for admission.

Part of the application process does include applicants providing the contact information for our admissions team to reach out to a current teacher and / or administrator of the child's current school to request some additional feedback.

STUDENT LIFE

Do you offer a Lunch program?

Yes. ICSJ contracts with Healthy Kids Kitchen to provide healthy lunches for our students for a fee. Families order lunches from a varied menu one month in advance and have the option to receive lunch on specific dates or for the entire month. Alternatively, students may bring a prepared, nut-free lunch from home. Please be advised that the school cannot refrigerate or warm any lunches brought from home.

Do students eat snacks at school?

PreK and Kindergarten students participate in snack time each morning. Students are assigned one day per month to bring a healthy, nut-free snack to share with the class. Classrooms are equipped with purified water filters and students are taught to pour their own water and serve themselves a family-style snack.

Students enrolled in the extended day program are also encouraged to bring a nut-free after-school snack.

How do you handle allergies/special health needs at school?

At ICSJ, we are aware of and take very seriously, that some of our students have severe (potentially life-threatening) allergies. ICSJ School employs a full-time nurse. All foods brought into the PreK and Kindergarten classrooms (snacks and lunches) should be nut-free. Students in grades 1-8 are encouraged to bring nut-free lunches and all classroom snacks must be nut-free.

Students with allergies must have an Allergy Action Plan on file with the School Nurse each year.

Do ICSJ students wear uniforms?

What special programs do you offer?

What extra-curricular programs do you offer?

Each trimester, multiple athletic and enrichment options are available to students in Kindergarten through Grade 8 to explore personal interests, develop talents, and build community after school hours. Options vary each year based on student interest and have included: Lego Master Builder Academy, cooking classes, sewing classes, Ballet, Choir, Musical Theater, Chess, Yearbook, Student Government, Volleyball, Basketball, Cross Country, Girl Scouts, and Cub Scouts. Piano and Band instruction are also available.

FAMILY COMMUNITY

What types of opportunities exist for parents to be involved in the school?

ICSJ parents are highly engaged in their students' education and school community. So much so, that ICSJ received the highest score among all Archdiocesan elementary schools for Family Engagement in the most recent 5Essentials Survey done.

Parents have ample opportunities to become involved, and the volunteering of parental time is crucial to ICSJ School. The ICSJ Parent Association is comprised of parents who volunteer their time throughout the school year to plan, organize and execute spiritual, charitable, educational, and social events for parents, students and families.

Additionally, parents have the opportunity to volunteer in classrooms for special projects, chaperone field trips, coach athletic teams, visit the class to read a book, and more! Parent volunteers also assist the ICSJ Board of Specified Jurisdiction in executing long-term plans for school facilities improvement and program development.

Do you require a fundraising commitment from each family?

Like most private schools, ICSJ relies on the time, talents, and treasures of its families for additional support. As tuition alone does not cover the full cost to educate a student, each family’s participation in ICSJ’s Annual Fund and various fundraising activities is essential for the continuation of our growth and the achievement of our goal to provide the highest quality Catholic education for your child.

ICSJ’s main fundraiser is an annual auction gala, SPARKLE, which is typically held in February.

Additional fundraisers such as school supplies kits and the Scholastic Book Fair support ICSJ funding goals throughout the year.

School families are also invited to support our ICSJ Parish fundraising efforts, however, it is never expected that you would.

Do you accept families with alternate religious beliefs?