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 of the year for which they are applying.

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 3 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 January 15, 2025 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.

Early Decision Admissions Track
By submitting an Early Decision Application (prior to Thanksgiving Break) you will be eligible to schedule an individual playdate for your child as soon as the application is complete. We will keep the process moving forward and you may have an admissions decision back within a couple weeks of completing all of the steps in the application process. If you complete your application by the end of Thanksgiving break, we will aim to get through the entire process in early December and have an admissions decision returned to you prior to Christmas break. Once you have submitted a completed application, you will be contacted to arrange the next step, a playdate or shadow day depending on age, for your child.

Please note that applicants to the PreK3 program who wish to be on the Early Decision track will be asked to come to one of our Little Dolphins Tot Classes as their playdate.

Priority Decision Admissions Track
For applications submitted between December 4 and January 15, students will be scheduled for a "group playdate" or a "group shadow day" with other applicants of the same age which will take place the morning of Friday, January 17. Admissions decisions for those applicants will be provided by early February.

Please note that all applicants to the PreK3 program would ideally take part in the January 17 group playdate.

General Admissions Track
Applications completed after January 15 will be handled individually as they come in, and admissions decisions will be provided within 2 weeks of completing all of the steps of the application process, including an individual playdate or shadow day.

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.

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 2025/26 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/or continued 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.