Sacred Heart remains one of the few schools in the Chicago area that begins at Kindergarten, rather than at preschool or JK. At Sacred Heart, we are hesitant to rush children into the atmosphere of a “big kids” school too early. Instead, we believe that Chicago offers many excellent preschool options for families and that young children are often best served in the more intimate atmosphere of a small program tailored exclusively to the special needs of early childhood.
Early Decision is for families who are confident they are interested in Sacred Heart or who wish to consider Sacred Heart at the same time they investigate JK options at other schools. Families apply in the fall after their child has turned three for admission in the fall after their child has turned five. (All children must be five years old by September 1 of the year they enter Kindergarten.) Families who receive early acceptance remain at their preschool for their child’s four-year-old (or Junior Kindergarten) program, confident that a space is reserved for them at Sacred Heart for Kindergarten. Please call the Admissions Office if you have questions.
We are no longer accepting applications for
Kindergarten Early Decision, 2009-10.
Children applying now for Early Decision were born between
September 1, 2003 and August 31, 2004.
Procedures
Complete an application. By December 15, 2007 Complete all sections of the application form, making sure that it is signed by both parents (or the custodial parent if parents are divorced). Return the application to the Admissions Office with an application fee of $75. The Admissions Office will acknowledge the receipt of your application. Application forms are available through the Admissions Office or can be downloaded from this website. You may also apply online for a reduced fee of $60.
Schedule your parent visit. October 2007 through February 2008 After you have received the letter from the Schools acknowledging your application, call the Admissions Office to arrange for your parent visit. This private appointment will allow you to tour the campus, discuss the Schools' program and philosophy with the Director of Admissions, and share important information about your child. Appointments last about an hour and are typically scheduled for mornings when school is in session. It is preferable for both parents to attend the interview.
Schedule your child's visit. October 2007 through February 2008 Your child will meet individually with Mrs. Kimberly Swise, our Assessment Coordinator, for a brief developmental assessment. You are welcome to stay with your child during the assessment, which lasts approximately 45 minutes. Your child's visit may be scheduled with the Admissions Office on most weekday mornings when school is in session.
Submit a teacher recommendation for your child. Due after January 1 but must be received by February 29, 2008 Your child's preschool teacher will be asked to complete a teacher recommendation for your child. Sacred Heart uses the Chicago Independent School Recommendation form, which, as its name suggests, also is used by many other private schools in the area. Teachers should complete the form, maintain the original for their records, and send a copy to the Admissions Office. Recommendation forms will be mailed to you in December and are due in the Admissions Office no later than February 29. A Consent to Release Information form also is mailed with the recommendation.
Pre-school Observation January and February, 2008 Pre-school observations allow us to become better acquainted with children in an environment where they feel comfortable, safe, and know the classroom routine. We will schedule a time to visit your child's pre-school in January or February. Visiting arrangements will be made directly with the school, but you will be informed regarding the date. If your child is not enrolled in a pre-school or if an observation cannot be scheduled, we may ask that you bring your child to a small group play party at Sacred Heart scheduled on Friday, Febraury 29.
Admissions Decisions Announced March 20, 2008; Contracts Due: April 4, 2008 Admissions decisions for Early Decision, 2009-10 academic year, will be mailed on March 20, 2008. Accepted families wishing to enroll their child will be asked to submit an enrollment agreement with a deposit of $2000 in order to reserve their space. In order to finalize enrollment, families must submit a final enrollment agreement and deposit in January, 2009. Deposits are non-refundable but are applied toward the first year's tuition.
Financial Aid and Early Acceptance Financial Aid is awarded to families on the basis of need as determined by the School and Student Service for Financial Aid in Princeton, New Jersey. The School and Student Service requires each family applying for financial aid to submit a series of forms related to its financial status during the previous calendar year. For example, a family applying for aid for academic year 2008-09 would provide information from the 2007 calendar year. Federal tax documentation from the same year is required to substantiate need. For these reasons, it is impossible for the Schools to make outright financial aid commitments to families at the time of Early Decision. However, families may wish to complete a sample application in order to know what they would have qualified for had they been applying for the coming academic year. While this is not a financial commitment, it may help families in deciding whether Sacred Heart could be the right school for them in the future.
For the 2008-09 academic year applications should be submitted by March 1, 2008.
