Kindergarten Early Decision 2019-20
Children applying now for Early Decision 2019-20 were born between September 1, 2013 and August 31, 2014.
Sacred Heart is one of the few schools in Chicago that begins at kindergarten, rather than at preschool or junior kindergarten. 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 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 junior kindergarten options at other schools. Families apply in the fall after their child has turned 3. All children must be 5 years old by September 1 of the year they enter kindergarten. Families who receive early acceptance remain at their preschool for their child’s 4-year-old (or junior kindergarten) program, confident that a space is reserved for them at Sacred Heart for kindergarten.
STEP ONE: APPLY
Submit your application by December 11, 2017.
You can apply online via Ravenna beginning August 15, 2017.
STEP TWO: TOUR THE SCHOOL
If you have not yet toured Sacred Heart, please schedule a visit online or contact the Admissions Office at (773) 681-8418. If possible, your tour should take place prior to your parent interview. Admissions Coffees are scheduled on selected mornings October – May. Quick Tours are offered on selected mornings, October – February. Both Admissions Coffees and Quick Tours require reservations.
Weekday mornings, October through February
During this meeting, you will be able to ask questions and share information about your family. Both parents should attend. Your child should not accompany you unless their assessment is scheduled for the same time. Meetings are about an hour. Contact the Admissions Office at (773) 681-8494 to schedule your interview.
Weekday mornings, October through February
Your child will meet individually with a member of our Admissions staff. Kindergarten assessments are developmentally focused and center on activities such as games, puzzles and counting. Assessments last about 45 minutes. Contact the Admissions Office at (773) 681-8494 to schedule your child's assessment.
Preschool 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 preschool 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 preschool or if an observation cannot be scheduled, you will be asked to bring your child to a play party at Sacred Heart on Monday, February 12, 2018.
By January 1, 2018
Please ask your child's preschool teacher to complete a teacher recommendation for your child. Sacred Heart uses the Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools (LMAIS) Recommendation form used by many independent schools in the area. Teachers should complete the form, maintain the original for their records and send a copy to the Admissions Office. A recommendation form will be included in your application acknowledgement packet and can also be downloaded on this page.