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Lumen Christi Catholic School Admissions Policies & Procedures
Limits on Class Sizes
Lumen Christi is committed to maintaining small classes to promote close interaction between teachers and students. Class sizes are limited as follows:- Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Grades 1-8 – 15
- High School – 50 total in grades 9-12, no more than 15 in any grade level
Admission to Lumen Christi Catholic School is based on a determination that a given student can succeed academically in our school. In the elementary school, this determination is based on the student’s most recent academic report card, an assessment from a recent teacher, and, in some cases, individual testing administered by Lumen Christi. In the high school, student entering from schools other than Lumen Christi must submit report cards, other school records, testing reports, and letters of recommendation.
Lumen Christi has limited resources to provide learning support to students with special academic needs. It is important for applicants to provide as full picture as possible of a student’s needs to best determine whether Lumen Christi is likely to be able to offer the support necessary for academic success.
Newly admitted students are automatically placed on academic and deportment probation for the first 12 weeks.
Support for Our Mission
Lumen Christi does not require students to be practicing Catholics; nevertheless, all students are expected to participate in religious instruction and Catholic practice and formation offered at the school. In keeping with our mission to fully uphold Catholic moral law, Lumen Christi requires full support for Catholic doctrine and morals in the lifestyles and expressed beliefs of students and their parents/ guardians as a condition of receiving admission and remaining enrolled. Prospective families should review our School Handbook, available on LumenChristiSchool.org. We reserve the right to give preference in admission to families that actively practice their Catholic faith.
Non-Discrimination
Lumen Christi Catholic School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational or admissions policies.
Application Requirements
Please note all requirements listed on the PK-8 and High School application forms, which are available at LumenChristiSchool.org or in the main school office. Application and Registration fees are non-refundable; registration fees are applied to tuition.
Priority for Admission and Deadlines for 2023-24
Elementary School – Pre-K through 8th Grade
Current Lumen Christi students are automatically accepted for the next grade with acceptable academic and behavior records if the letter of intent and registration fee are submitted by the deadline for current families (Jan. 30). For current Lumen Christi 8th graders seeking admission to the high school, see below.
Siblings of current students are guaranteed acceptance if the letter of intent and registration fee, along with a complete student application for each new sibling, are submitted by the deadline for current families (Jan. 30) and there is space in the class. Families who wish to reserve space in a future pre-K or kindergarten class may do so at any time by paying the current registration fee.
Children of Holy Rosary Parishioners have first priority among non-current families if a complete application and the application fees are submitted by the parish families priority deadline (Feb. 3) and child(ren) are accepted for enrollment. Families will be notified as applications are accepted.
Other Applicants –- Priority Deadline – Applicants who are practicing Catholics and who have submitted complete applications and application fees by the new family priority deadline (Feb. 10) will receive an admissions decision by March 1 (or earlier if possible).
- Later Applicants – Children of families who apply after Feb. 10 will be admitted if their applications are accepted and space is available, giving consideration as possible for families that are moving to the area. Practicing Catholics will have priority over other applicants.
- In both cases, an offer will be honored exclusively for one week. Within that week, families must submit a letter of intent to enroll and registration fees to hold their place. After that time we may extend offers to lower-priority families and grant admission in the order that registration fees are paid.
Applications for all students entering 9th grade in 2023 are due by Dec. 15, 2022. Please note that students entering from schools other than Lumen Christi must provide the additional materials listed on the application by Dec. 15. Students who apply by the deadline will be included in the first group of acceptance decisions and notified no later than Jan. 16 of their acceptance status. Students who submit complete applications for 9th grade after Dec. 15 will be considered if space allows and will be notified sometime after Jan 16 as decisions are made.
Students in 8th grade at Lumen Christi must have an overall average of 80% or above and a good disciplinary record to be considered for enrollment in 9th grade. If high school enrollment is at or near capacity, some eligible current 8th graders may be placed on a waiting list.
Students applying for admission to grades 10-12 may apply at any time, but the date a complete application is received is a factor in the admissions decision, as explained below. Current Lumen Christi students are automatically accepted for the next grade with acceptable academic and behavior records if the letter of intent and registration fee are submitted by the deadline for current families (Jan. 30).
Factors in Admissions Decisions: Prospective high school students will be admitted based primarily on their ability to succeed academically at Lumen Christi. Where there are more students who are equally qualified to attend Lumen Christi than there are openings in a class, preferences similar to those in the elementary school will be given to siblings, Holy Rosary parishioners, and practicing Catholics, and consideration will also be given to the order in which applications were completed.
Summary of Deadlines for 2023-24- Dec. 15, 2022 – High School applications due
- Jan. 6, 2023 – Letters of Intent sent to current families
- Jan. 16 – High school admissions decisions for timely applications communicated by this date
- Jan. 30 – Current Families Deadline for Letters of Intent and Registration Fees (for both PK-8 and High School)
- Feb. 3 – Holy Rosary Parish Families Priority Deadline for Applications and Fees
- Feb. 10 – New Family Priority Deadline for Applications and Fees
- Mar. 1 – Latest date that families who applied by Feb. 11 will receive admissions decisions
- Mar. 17 – Deadline for Completing Financial Aid Applications on FACTS to guarantee consideration
Waiting Lists
Exceptions to the maximum class sizes are very limited and require approval of the board. We have little or no space to create additional class sections. Where there is no more room in a particular class, applicants will be placed on a waiting list and will be admitted as space opens up according to the same priorities as listed above. Families with students placed on a waiting list are asked to inform Lumen Christi right away if they commit to another school.
Financial Aid
Lumen Christi does not qualify for state-funded vouchers, but we do not want to turn away any student because the family is not able to pay tuition. The admissions priorities outlined above do not depend on ability to pay.
Parents for whom financial aid is an issue are encouraged to begin the process of getting a financial aid assessment through the FACTS online system early on, and – while we can and do provide additional aid on a case-by-case basis – families should expect to pay any tuition above the FACTS Calculated Need.
All financial aid applications must be completed on FACTS by Mar. 18, 2023, to be guaranteed consideration for financial aid for the 2023-24 school year. Special consideration will be given after that date to families whose circumstances change or who are new to the area.
Financial aid decisions will be communicated to families as soon as FACTS verifies its review of need. Families for whom the FACTS-based tuition amount is above their stated ability to pay may initiate an appeals process.
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