Admission Process and FAQs

St. John’s largest entry point is Pre-K 3. Pre-K 4, Kindergarten, and Fifth Grade are also natural entry points, and openings in other grades vary from year to year. Applicants for Pre-K 3 must be three years old by August 1 of their enrollment year.

The admission process is designed to help both families and St. John’s determine whether there is a strong fit for enrollment. Families typically begin by completing an inquiry form and getting to know St. John’s through a campus visit, tour, or admission event. 

Families then create an online account, submit the application and fee, and use the admission portal to complete the remaining checklist requirements. Depending on grade level, these may include a parent questionnaire, parent interview, official school records, teacher evaluations or recommendations, a St. John’s campus evaluation, and/or required standardized testing. Once all required materials are complete, the Admission Committee reviews each applicant holistically.

St. John’s offers tuition assistance to students and families based on demonstrated financial need. The School does not award merit-based scholarships or awards.

Families interested in applying for tuition assistance are encouraged to visit our Tuition and Tuition Assistance pages. You may also contact the Director of Financial Assistance and Admission Lani Jones, directly at ljones@stjohnsschool.org or 214-328-9131, ext. 108 with any questions.

New families applying to St. John’s must complete the tuition assistance application no later than January 18, 2027. Tuition assistance decisions will be communicated via email immediately following the release of your enrollment agreement.

The admission process begins with an inquiry form, and families are encouraged to begin early so they have sufficient time to complete the required forms and testing. 

For the 2026–27 admission cycle, the Primary School application deadline is December 11, 2026, the Lower and Middle School application deadline is January 8, 2027, and supplemental forms and records are due January 22, 2027.

Families create an online account through Finalsite Enrollment and submit the initial application to begin the admissions process, pay the application fee and manage the Application Checklist.

After completing the form and fee, you will have access to the online Application Portal and Checklist, where you will be able to manage the steps of the application process:
•    Complete the Parent Questionnaire
•    Schedule a Parent Interview 
•    Request official school records from current school 
•    Request Current Teacher Recommendation Forms

Admission evaluation and testing requirements vary by grade level.

Pre-K 3: Students participate in a St. John’s campus evaluation and are not required to complete testing through Collaborative Academic Testing Services (CATS).

Pre-K 4–First Grade: Students participate in a St. John’s campus evaluation and complete the CATS assessment.

Second–Seventh Grade: Students visit campus and participate in activities with current St. John’s students and complete the ISEE test.

The St. John’s campus evaluation is separate from CATS and ISEE testing.

The St. John’s campus evaluation is an in-person experience that allows the School to get to know prospective students in an age-appropriate setting. For younger applicants, students participate in classroom and playground activities with other prospective students. Older applicants visit campus and participate in classroom and out-of-classroom activities with current St. John’s students. 

The CATS Test is an individual assessment administered by doctoral-level, licensed psychologists. It is designed to measure a child’s intellectual and cognitive abilities and potential. It is not an achievement test, and test preparation is strongly discouraged. 

CATS is required for applicants to Pre-K 4, Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and First Grade. Pre-K 3 applicants are not required to complete this assessment and it is separate from the St. John’s campus evaluation.

The ISEE is required for applicants to Second through Seventh Grade. Families should select St. John’s Episcopal School in Dallas, TX (School code: 447538) as a score recipient so results are sent directly to the School and included with the application. The ISEE is separate from the St. John’s campus evaluation.

A campus visit or admission event is not required for an application to be considered; however, St. John’s strongly encourages families to attend an Admission Coffee, Open House, or schedule a tour. A visit gives families an opportunity to get to know the School and determine whether it is a strong fit for their family.

Once all required application materials, recommendations, records, interviews, campus evaluations, and testing are complete, the Admission Committee reviews each applicant holistically. The School considers the full application and seeks students and families who will thrive in and contribute to the St. John’s community.

Admission decisions will be communicated by email at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 12, 2027.

St. John’s typically has a wait pool after admission decisions are released in March. When more qualified students seek admission than there are spaces available, students may remain under consideration should a space become available. The School does not rank wait pool applicants, and candidates are individually reconsidered as openings arise. The wait pool officially closes once the new academic year has begun, but wait pool candidates may be offered admission as late as early August.

Yes. Students who did not enroll in St. John’s after an admission season must complete a new application to be considered for future admission.

St. John’s graduates attend both independent and public high schools. Past students have attended a range of Dallas-area schools, including:

• Bishop Lynch High School
• Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
• Cistercian Preparatory School
• Greenhill School
• The Hockaday School
• Jesuit Preparatory School of Dallas
• Lakehill Preparatory School, Parish Episcopal School
• St. Mark’s School of Texas
• Talented and Gifted Magnet High School
• The Episcopal School of Dallas
• Ursuline Academy
• Woodrow Wilson High School.

St. John’s Episcopal School requires enrolled students to comply with the Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements. Newly enrolled students must provide proof of immunization through the Magnus Health portal. Families with questions about the School’s immunization requirements should contact the School Nurse.