Lower School
Grade 1
Applying to First Grade
First Grade is a natural entry point when 22 places are offered, usually to 11 boys and 11 girls. Applicants to First Grade are considered on the following criteria: teacher recommendation, group evaluation with our teachers, and Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV) results.
A parent meeting is required for all applicant parents who do not have a child currently enrolled in the School. If you applied your child for our Kindergarten last year, the parent meeting is waived. Parent meetings for First Grade must be completed by December 15. A member of the Admission Office staff will contact you to schedule your parent meeting.
For Parents of First Grade Candidates
I. We have two limitations regarding age: (1) candidates must be six years old by September 1 of the year they will enter First Grade, and (2) they must not have turned seven before June 1 of the year they will enter First Grade.
II. All candidates for First Grade are considered for admission.
III. All candidates are required to complete individual cognitive abilities testing. St. John's contracts with Collaborative Academic Testing Service (C.A.T.S.) to administer the WPPSI-IV. Please note that we require all applicants to test with C.A.T.S. Testing from other evaluators will not be considered when evaluating the student's file. This evaluation must be scheduled with C.A.T.S. by November 3.
An additional testing fee of $325 is due to C.A.T.S. at the time of registration. A candidate may not test more than once during the admission season (August to January) and may not test at more than one location.
IV. The second phase of testing occurs December 6 (last name A-K) and December 13 (last name L-Z). Math achievement and school-readiness skills are assessed during the SJS evaluation. You will receive an email with your child's scheduled testing date and time.
A parent meeting is required for all applicant parents who do not have a child currently enrolled in the School. If you applied your child for our Kindergarten last year, the parent meeting is waived. Parent meetings for First Grade must be completed by December 15. A member of the Admission Office staff will contact you to schedule your parent meeting.
For Parents of First Grade Candidates
I. We have two limitations regarding age: (1) candidates must be six years old by September 1 of the year they will enter First Grade, and (2) they must not have turned seven before June 1 of the year they will enter First Grade.
II. All candidates for First Grade are considered for admission.
III. All candidates are required to complete individual cognitive abilities testing. St. John's contracts with Collaborative Academic Testing Service (C.A.T.S.) to administer the WPPSI-IV. Please note that we require all applicants to test with C.A.T.S. Testing from other evaluators will not be considered when evaluating the student's file. This evaluation must be scheduled with C.A.T.S. by November 3.
An additional testing fee of $325 is due to C.A.T.S. at the time of registration. A candidate may not test more than once during the admission season (August to January) and may not test at more than one location.
Parents often ask how they should best prepare their child for the WPPSI-IV (or WISC) test. Please approach the test in a relaxed manner and make sure your child is well-rested and well-fed prior to the test. Parents, please be advised that evaluators will report to the schools any indication that the child has been tutored or coached. Since this is an important and valuable metric, any "test prepping" may jeopardize the accuracy of the results and can lead to the disqualification of the school admission application for your child. Please visit the CATS website for more information on how best to prepare your child for the test.
IV. The second phase of testing occurs December 6 (last name A-K) and December 13 (last name L-Z). Math achievement and school-readiness skills are assessed during the SJS evaluation. You will receive an email with your child's scheduled testing date and time.
First Grade Admission Calendar for 2024 Entry:
August 4- Application opens
October 1 - Classes Kindergarten - Class 5 Open House, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. (Parents/Guardians only, please)
September–December - Individual cognitive abilities testing administered by Collaborative Academic Testing (C.A.T.S.)
October 20 - Application deadline at 4:00 p.m. (Grades 1-4)
November 3 - Deadline to be registered with C.A.T.S. testing
December 6 - SJS evaluation (Last name A-K), 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
December 13 - SJS evaluation (Last name L-Z), 12:30 - 2:30 p.m
December 15 - CATS testing and teacher recommendation form due, deadline to complete parent meeting
March 8 - Admission decision notification
October 1 - Classes Kindergarten - Class 5 Open House, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. (Parents/Guardians only, please)
September–December - Individual cognitive abilities testing administered by Collaborative Academic Testing (C.A.T.S.)
October 20 - Application deadline at 4:00 p.m. (Grades 1-4)
November 3 - Deadline to be registered with C.A.T.S. testing
December 6 - SJS evaluation (Last name A-K), 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
December 13 - SJS evaluation (Last name L-Z), 12:30 - 2:30 p.m
December 15 - CATS testing and teacher recommendation form due, deadline to complete parent meeting
March 8 - Admission decision notification
International Families and Out-of-Town Applicants
We look forward to working with families moving to Houston from other areas of the United States and other countries. We understand that the admission process may present some challenges given your circumstances. We encourage you to submit an application as soon as possible so that we may assist you with the admission process.
Out of town families applying for Grades 2–11 can complete the process without coming to campus. All testing can be done out of state and we can help facilitate. Additionally, interviews and parent meetings can be completed over video chat.
Out of town families applying for Grades K and 1 need to be on campus for their individual evaluation. Kindergarten evaluations will be conducted on January 18, 20 and 23, so that travel arrangements can be made. Kindergarten applicants will receive notification in mid-September of your scheduled date and time. Grade 1 evaluations will be conducted December 6 (last names A-K) and 13 (last names L-Z). We require out of town families for grades K and 1 to have the WPPSI administered by CATS. If you have questions about this, please contact Tahra Peterson 713-850-4119.
Since the WISC must be completed by December 15, out of town families for grades 2-4 can schedule testing in their local area.
As a day school, St. John's policy requires that students reside with a parent, stepparent, or legal guardian. We do not offer a program for international students and do not issue I-20 visas.
Out of town families applying for Grades 2–11 can complete the process without coming to campus. All testing can be done out of state and we can help facilitate. Additionally, interviews and parent meetings can be completed over video chat.
Out of town families applying for Grades K and 1 need to be on campus for their individual evaluation. Kindergarten evaluations will be conducted on January 18, 20 and 23, so that travel arrangements can be made. Kindergarten applicants will receive notification in mid-September of your scheduled date and time. Grade 1 evaluations will be conducted December 6 (last names A-K) and 13 (last names L-Z). We require out of town families for grades K and 1 to have the WPPSI administered by CATS. If you have questions about this, please contact Tahra Peterson 713-850-4119.
Since the WISC must be completed by December 15, out of town families for grades 2-4 can schedule testing in their local area.
As a day school, St. John's policy requires that students reside with a parent, stepparent, or legal guardian. We do not offer a program for international students and do not issue I-20 visas.
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