To enter preschool, the student must be 3 by December 31 of the school year applied for; those with birthdays between September 1 and December 31 repeat preschool the following year. For Junior Kindergarten, the student must be 4 by September 1, and for Kindergarten, 5 by September 1 of the school year applied for.

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.

As part of our transition process, all incoming Early Childhood students will receive a home visit from their teacher. These visits typically last 20–30 minutes and take place either in your home or a convenient local setting. The goal is to give your child the chance to meet their teacher in a familiar and comfortable environment. This informal visit helps the teacher begin to learn about your child’s personality, interests, and needs—valuable insight that supports the development of a trusting relationship, which is essential for a smooth transition and successful learning experience.

The final step in our transition process is School Supply Drop-Off Day, held the Monday before the first day of school. Families are invited to visit the classroom during scheduled time slots throughout the day. During this visit, students and parents will drop off school supplies, explore the classroom setup, and meet classmates and other families. This experience helps your child become familiar with their new learning environment while accompanied by a trusted adult. It's a great opportunity to ease first-day jitters and build excitement for the school year ahead.

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.

Admission is always contingent upon our ability to meet the individual needs of each student. To be considered for enrollment, applicants must complete an online application with all required documents attached. In addition, both the student and their parents or guardians must attend an in-person tour of our campus.

For Early Childhood applicants, an assessment is conducted with our Early Childhood counselor during the visit. Applicants for grades 1 through 8 are required to complete a half-day shadow visit, which takes place on a designated day during the school year.

Priority is given to children of St. James Church members, as well as siblings of currently enrolled students.

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.).

An inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning fosters deep intellectual engagement by encouraging students to explore, question, and construct understanding through hands-on, minds-on experiences. Throughout the year, teachers intentionally observe and document students’ interests, designing meaningful projects that grow organically from those curiosities. 

In addition to classroom exploration, students engage in school-wide inquiry initiatives that further enrich their learning. This approach empowers students to take ownership of their education by posing questions, investigating ideas, seeking answers, and sharing discoveries. By nurturing curiosity and creativity, our inquiry-based model cultivates critical thinking, collaboration, and innovative problem-solving.

St. James graduates are exceptionally well-prepared for the next step in their academic journey, with 95% gaining acceptance into their top-choice high school. Our dedicated faculty and administration provide personalized support to both students and families throughout the entire high school admissions process, helping them navigate each step with confidence.

Our students are accepted into many of Chicago’s most competitive and prestigious high schools, including Jones College Prep, University of Chicago Laboratory School, Lincoln Park High School (Double Honors & IB Programs), Walter Payton College Prep, DePaul College Prep, Whitney Young, Lane Tech College Prep, and St. Ignatius College Prep.

Our faculty are all state certified, have an average of 13.6 years of teaching experience and 54% of them have advanced degrees. Additionally, all St. James faculty participate in ongoing professional development.

At St. James, the Christian faith is woven into every aspect of school life. It is not treated as a separate subject, but rather as the foundation that shapes how we teach, learn, build relationships, and grow together. Everything we do is rooted in the truth of God's Word and the love of Jesus Christ.

• Early Childhood: Children learn the stories of the bible through books, play, and art.
• Grades 1-6: Students deepen their understanding of the Bible and Jesus through reading, discussion, skits, and art.
• Middle School Grades 7- 8: Students learn the faith, hope, and forgiveness of Jesus Christ through the Bible, discussion, and projects. Religion is led by Pastor Hess and Pastor Boester.
• Weekly Chapel (Kindergarten–8th Grade): Every Wednesday morning, students gather for Chapel to sing, pray, and hear God's Word. These services help center our school community on God's grace and remind students of their identity in Christ.

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, 2026
• Option B. Semi-Annual Payment Two equal payments are due July 15, 2026 and January 15, 2027
• Option C. Monthly Payment Eleven equal payments each are due the 15th day of each month from July 2026 to, and including, May 2027. An additional 3.25% of your total tuition will be charged to families choosing the monthly payment option to cover interest and carrying costs. 

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.