Admissions & Financial Aid FAQs
We want the Admission and Financial Aid processes to be as simple as possible for you and your family.
Read the answers to some of our most commonly asked questions below.
Have additional questions? Reach out to Andrea Jenkins, our Director of Enrollment at ajenkins@sles-sa.org
admissions faqs
We invite you to complete your application online. Receipt of the application and fee opens a prospective student’s admission file. The $85 application fee must be paid online via credit card or ACH before the application may be submitted.
It's never too early to begin exploring St. Luke's for your child. Applications open in August for the upcoming academic year. We have an Early Decision option in December, which places completed application files in a priority pool.
Since we often face a waitpool in certain grades, we highly urge you to begin the process early.
St. Luke’s Episcopal School began accepting applications for 2025-2026 school year on August 14, 2024. The application deadline is February 14, 2025. After this date, applications will be considered on a rolling, space-available basis.
- Students applying for PK3 must be three years old by September 1st of the enrolling year.
- Students applying for PK4 must be four years old by September 1st of the enrolling year.
- Students applying for Kindergarten must be five years old by September 1st of the enrolling year.
All Early Childhood students (PK3, PK4, K) are expected to be toilet-trained and capable of handling their own bathroom needs on the first day of school. Accordingly, there are no facilities for diaper changing.
Parents may request that their child’s application and application fee be deferred for up to one year. However, updated transcripts, teacher recommendations, and testing will be required for future admission consideration.
Available space can vary from year-to-year and depends on many different factors. It's important to know that deferring acceptance will be space-dependent. Simply delaying your child's application could mean missing out on a spot if space is not available the following year.
The scholarship shall be awarded for one academic year. A student who has received the St. Luke’s Pillar Scholarship and who otherwise meets the eligibility criteria may apply for subsequent academic years.
Students are always welcome and encouraged to visit campus during their parents' campus tour (for 1st-8th grade). Additionally, students applying for 1st-4th grade have the option to participate in a Shadow Day Visit. Applicants for 5th-8th grade must schedule a Shadow Day as part of their application process. Shadow Day Visits allow students to spend part of a school day on campus, experiencing the SLES experience first-hand. A student may register for a Shadow Day Visit once SLES has received an online application for admission for the student.
Students in PK3-Kindergarten are not recommended to attend the initial tour due to the amount of walking and length of the tour.
St. Luke’s welcomes families of all faiths and actively seeks out faculty and students of diverse backgrounds and traditions. In keeping with the inclusive spirit of Episcopal education, we encourage respect for others’ beliefs. Our goal is for students to grow in their own faith and stronger in their spiritual beliefs.
We do not require a faith statement or statements from home-church clergy. Families of all faiths are welcome.
All St. Luke’s students are required to attend daily chapel, which is our opportunity to open each school day as a unified community in prayer, song, and reflection. Parents are always welcome to attend.
Yes! After-school care (ASC) is available every day that school is in session, with the exception of early dismissal days. Students may attend ASC from 3:15 p.m./3:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on a monthly or drop-in basis for an additional fee. Additionally, we provide a robust after-school Enrichment program, with opportunities for all students to pursue a variety of interests right here at St. Luke's!
For more information about After School Care, contact Catherine Perkins.
For more information about after school Enrichment, contact Monika Oranday.
Yes! When two applicants are otherwise equal, St. Luke’s gives preference to candidates with siblings who are attending or have attended the school, are parishioners at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, or are children of our school alumni. Students in The Mustard Seed program also have priority.
PLEASE NOTE: For admission purposes, alumnus status is defined as anyone who attended SLES for three years or more.
financial aid faqs
Financial aid is a need-based financial assistance program similar to those used by many independent schools, colleges, and universities. This program allows families to apply for assistance that will help them bridge the gap of affording St. Luke's Episcopal School. Financial Aid is an annual award of tuition assistance and not a loan. Parents must reapply for Financial Aid each year.
No, all families at St. Luke's are required to make a financial investment in their child's education. Our commitment to providing Financial Aid means that we are sharing in that investment with you.
Under our existing program, 23% of our current students are receiving financial assistance. Though award amounts vary, the average is 37% of the tuition cost.
Any parent (current or new) of a PK - 8th grader may apply for Financial Aid. Many factors are considered when determining the Financial Aid award, including income, assets, unusual expenses, and the size of the family.
The school cannot estimate the Financial Aid award without the completion of a Financial Aid Application. Applications are submitted directly to FACTS, a third-party financial review agency. FACTS evaluates the application based on criteria set by the school and makes a recommendation to the school's Financial Aid Committee. The Committee notified an applying family about their Financial Aid award.
Unfortunately, the school is not able to meet the full demonstrated need of all deserving students. SLES works within its available resources to make the school accessible to as many families as possible.
Parents/Guardians submit their financial information directly to FACTS via the FACTS Portal. Application for admission and for Tuition Assistance are two separate processes at St. Luke's. Admission to St. Luke's is need-blind and does not guarantee receipt of a Financial Aid award. FACTS will notify St. Luke's when your Financial Aid Application is submitted and complete.
FACTS charges a $45 application fee, payable at the time of submitting the application.
There is no set income level to qualify for Financial Aid. Each family's situation is unique and will be carefully evaluated.
Yes, both parents (custodial and non-custodial) are required to complete the application process with FACTS for Financial Aid consideration.
Yes. Financial Aid is awarded annually. A family's financial circumstances can fluctuate from year to year, as can the overall financial aid resources of the school. The Financial Aid Committee's decision to make an award one year does not set a binding precedent for Financial Aid awards in the future years.
Tuition Assistance (TA) awards are provided with a student's enrollment contract. In order for aid to be awarded, all financial obligations to SLES much be current. Access to Financial Aid applications is kept restricted and confidential. We ask that families receiving TA awards hold these details in strict confidence. Breach of confidentiality may result in forfeiture of a (TA) award.
Once an award has been made, any parents who feel that their circumstances are exceptional and warrant further consideration should submit a written appeal to the Financial Aid Committee. Appeals should go directly to Rosa Baker at rmbaker@sles-sa.org
Should you have additional questions, please contact the St. Luke’s Office of Admissions at 210.826.0664 or admissions@sles-sa.org.