We use a system of rolling admissions which accepts applications at any time beginning September 15 for the next school year. We recommend that early childhood applications are submitted as early as you can as there is limited space in those classes.

At St. James, we take steps to help with this transition. The first of which is a home visit. The home visit is a short 20-30 minute visit from your child’s teacher. This serves as an opportunity for the teacher to meet your child in an environment that is comfortable for the child. This also allows the teacher to begin to develop an understanding who your child is and what they like. This information will be helpful in the beginning stages of forming a trusting relationship, an essential component for transitioning and learning in general.

The final transitional piece is the Open House. For our Preschool and Junior Kindergarten classes the first day of school is an Open House. This means that students and parents can come anytime between 8:45 and 11:30. Parents will help their child locate their cubby, sort their school supplies and then get familiar with our classroom and all of the activities and materials therein. You may chose to stay for a short time or the whole time, it is completely up to you. This transition allows your child to become familiar with a new place alongside someone with whom they are comfortable.

We are not equipped or licensed to change diapers, so it's essential that children are potty-trained for our three half-day classes. Children should show an interest in using the toilet and be able to manage themselves throughout the morning class. This helps build their developmental independence.

By the first day of school, children who are three years old should be consistently using the toilet. This means they should be in regular underwear rather than pull-ups and be able to communicate when they need to use the bathroom. 

Yes, all St. James students are expected to be in uniform each day. The purpose of our Uniform Policy is to ensure the neat and orderly appearance of our students, to reflect a positive image to the community, and to set a standard for appearance and behavior commensurate with being a Christian day school. We believe that this policy plays a valuable role in contributing to the ethos of our school and for setting an appropriate tone.

St. James is committed to serving families from every Christian tradition. We give priority to our members’ children, siblings of current students and to families who are active members of their own congregations. Admission is always predicated on our being able to meet the needs of the student.

Homework is designed to extend, enrich or reinforce classroom learning. Although homework requirements vary from elementary through middle school, all students may have homework. Parents should set aside time at home each night for homework.

In addition to regular homework, students may have long-range assignments such as research papers, science projects, etc. Students should plan accordingly and work at regular increments to accomplish long-range tasks.

Expect 10 minutes a night per grade (ex. 1st = 10 min, 2nd = 20, etc.).

We live in an information world. To be successful, students need to be prepared to do more than simply remember and repeat facts. They need to be able to conduct research and apply knowledge. An inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning emphasizes intellectual engagement and fosters a deeper understanding through the development of a hands-on and minds-on experience by the student.

Our faculty and administration guide students and parents though the high school admissions process. St. James graduates go on to succeed in Chicago’s premiere high schools. In fact, 97% get into their first choice. Some of the schools students go to include Jones College Prep, Luther North College Prep, Lincoln Park High Schools (Double Honors and IB), Walter Payton, DePaul College Prep, Whitney Young, Lane Tech and St. Ignatius.

Our faculty are all state certified, have an average of 13.6 years of teaching experience and 54% of them have or are pursing a master’s degree. Additionally, all St. James faculty participate in on-going professional development.

All students participate in daily Bible study and weekly chapel. Early childhood classes emphasize God’s love for us and His work through family and school to take care of us. At the elementary and middle school levels, in addition to teaching Bible stories, students learn how to dialogue with others who have different opinions. Our objective is that each student leaves St. James with confidence in what they believe and a willingness to share their faith with others.

Thanks to a generous scholarship fund supported by church members and school parents, tuition assistance is available for families unable to pay the full tuition. Applications are available in the office and all inquiries are managed discreetly.

To accommodate families, we offer three payment plans:

Option A. Annual Payment One payment in full is due July 15, 2024

Option B. Semi-Annual Payment Two equal payments are due July 15, 2024 and January 15, 2025

Option C. Monthly Payment Eleven equal payments each are due the 15th day of each month from July 2024 to, and including, May 2025.

Tuition at St. James covers all educational expenses including books, field education experiences, in-school speakers and use of technology in the classroom.

When students enter 3rd grade there will be an additional fee for their school-issued Chromebook, as well as any new students entering grade 4-8th.

We teach and believe Biblical stewardship, which gives on the basis of grace. Therefore, we do not mandate, nor do we require participation in our scholarship fund or our annual auction, but encourage the generous participation of our parents.