Admissions information
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Welcome to St. James Episcopal School! We are delighted that you are considering becoming part of our school family. For more than 70 years, St. James has been serving our community by providing an exceptional education rooted in Christian values, where students are encouraged to grow academically, spiritually, socially, and emotionally.
At St. James, faith is the foundation of everything we do. We strive to create a nurturing environment where every child develops not only a love of learning but also a personal relationship with God. Our mission is to provide a supportive and inspiring atmosphere where students learn to love and love to learn.
As you explore our campus and community, you will quickly discover that our students are the heart of St. James. They are kind, compassionate, intelligent, and supportive of one another. Coming from a variety of backgrounds and faith traditions, our students share a common joy in learning, discovery, and personal growth. We are committed to developing confident leaders who are prepared to make a positive difference in the world.
Our faculty and staff are among the most dedicated educators you will find. They are passionate about teaching, committed to the success of every child, and devoted to providing guidance, encouragement, and care both inside and outside the classroom. Each member of our team embraces the responsibility of modeling the character, integrity, and compassion we hope to instill in every student.
The Parent/Student Handbook has been designed to help you become familiar with our school's policies, procedures, and expectations. We encourage you to read it carefully and refer to it throughout the school year. Please take time to review the information with your child so that together we can provide a safe, respectful, and successful learning environment for everyone.
While this handbook and our website provide an introduction to St. James Episcopal School, nothing compares to experiencing our campus in person. We invite you to visit and see firsthand the caring community, dedicated teachers, and joyful learning environment that have made St. James a trusted choice for families for generations.
We look forward to welcoming you to St. James Episcopal School and are excited to partner with your family in your child's educational journey. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a campus visit, please contact our Admissions Office. We can't wait to welcome you into the St. James family.
Blessings,
St. James Episcopal School Administrative Staff
Niki Weston
Head of School
nweston@sjesdelrio.org
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No formal assessment is required for this age group, however the Gesell Observation for Readiness may be administered if deemed necessary. As part of this assessment, applicants are evaluated for age appropriate developmental readiness including fine and gross motor skills.
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The Gesell Observation for Readiness will be administered if deemed necessary, to evaluate the child’s developmental, academic, social and behavioral readiness for Kindergarten.
Staff members are trained by the Gesell Institute of Human Development, to administer this observation to help determine a child’s developmental progress and readiness for promotion.
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A cumulative assessment of the St. James curriculum will be administered to all applicants requesting entrance into the 1st – 6th grades. Test administrators will also observe the student for social, emotional and behavioral skills.
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It is our policy that students who enroll in pre-kindergarten or a higher grade must be potty trained and must be able to take care of all personal bathroom needs (including wiping) independently. We are not able to meet the needs of children who are not fully potty trained. If a problem persists, we will need to review the appropriateness of the student’s placement.
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SJES admits a limited number of non-English speakers to our pre-school and kindergarten. In grades first through fifth, English proficiency is required in order that the quality of instruction is maintained. English proficiency will be determined by a reading/math test and an interview.
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In grades with more than one class, the placement of your child is a Head of School decision. There are many factors that influence the decision of how children are placed.
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Acceptance for admission to St. James Episcopal School will be probationary for six weeks to determine whether a child’s needs can be met by the academic program at SJES. St. James Episcopal School reserves the right to make the final decision regarding admittance, grade placement, and promotion.
Admission Requirements
St. James Episcopal School reserves the right to ask any student to leave if the student is not benefiting from or adjusting to the school program.
Admission Policy
St. James Episcopal School shall admit students of any sex, race, color, religion or national or ethnic origin, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at St. James Episcopal School.
The School observes the students chronological age in determining grade placement (a cut-off date of September 1st is used to determine grade level). No exceptions or waivers will be granted without permission from the Head of School.
Students applying for acceptance to St. James shall provide past scholastic records and will be given an appropriate readiness or achievement test deemed necessary and administered by the St. James staff for grades 1st-6th.
Applicants may be evaluated by the Head of School to determine proper grade placement; taking into account the student’s level of achievement, his/her chronological age, and other social, physiological, and developmental considerations.
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
The school shall not exclude students because of race, creed, national origin, or insofar as possible, socio-economic status, in its admission process to the school, or in the administration of any of its educational, financial aid, scholarship, or student activity programs. St. James Episcopal School shall make every good faith effort to encourage an inclusive student body. The school’s non-discrimination policies is displayed at the school and published on our website and in our advertising materials.