Frequently Asked Questions

List of 15 frequently asked questions.

• When can I see the school?

  All interested eighth grade students are encouraged to spend a "shadow" day at Saint Ignatius through our Campus Visit Program. The Campus Visit Program runs from September 6 - November 16, 2018. Registration for campus visits begins in early August and is completed online. Call Mrs. Karen Coleman at 312-432-8409 or Mrs. Elizabeth Carney at 312-432-8411 with any questions. Students should have permission from their grade schools to participate.

  
  Students and families of all ages are welcome to attend the Saint Ignatius Open House on November 11, 2018 from 12:00 -3:00 PM. Information regarding athletic games, theater productions, and other school events can be found on the School Calendar.

  
  While we encourage all interested families to attend our annual Open House, family or group tours may be scheduled by contacting a member of the Admissions staff.

• How do I apply?

  All interested eighth grade students must take the entrance exam on Saturday, December 1, 2018. Students may only take an entrance exam at one Catholic high school and must test at Saint Ignatius to be considered in our admission process. The entrance exam is followed by the completion of our online application, which becomes accessible to all applicants on December 1, 2018, and is due December 17, 2018.

• How can I prepare for the entrance exam?

  The best preparation is working hard in grammar school. Students should get a good night's sleep before the test and eat breakfast. Students must bring #2 pencils and $25 test fee. Petersons, Barrons and Princeton Review all publish study guides for the HSPT. Local bookstores and public libraries carry them.

• What entrance exam does Saint Ignatius offer?

  Saint Ignatius offers the STS High School Placement Test or the HSPT.

• What criteria are used to select Saint Ignatius students?

  The entrance exam score is important because our applicant pool is always a very large, diverse group of students from all over the Chicagoland area. Following the entrance exam, students will submit an online application. The application is used to submit previous report cards, standardized test scores, student and parent statements, and recommendations. Other considerations in the admission process include but are not limited to: Catholic heritage/school, family legacy/tradition with the school (sibling/parent), and adherence to policies of the school. Saint Ignatius strives to promote a 50/50 male/female population. Saint Ignatius admits students without regard to race, color, and/or country of national origin.

• When are notification letters sent?

  Notification letters of acceptance, non-acceptance, or waiting list placement are both mailed and emailed on February 1, 2019.

• When is the enrollment deadline?

  The online enrollment form including tuition deposit must be completed by March 1, 2019.

• Do you offer scholarships?

  No, we do not offer scholarships, but we do have a need-based Tuition Assistance Program. All families are invited to apply upon a student's acceptance. Applications are available online. Saint Ignatius awards over $4 million in tuition assistance annually.

  
  Saint Ignatius also partners with several external scholarship organizations. These include:

  • Daniel Murphy Scholarship Foundation: www.dmsf.org
  • LINK Unlimited: www.linkunlimited.org
  • HIGHSIGHT: www.highsight.org
  • Holy Family Scholars: www.hfschicagoscholars.com

• What courses are offered at Saint Ignatius?

  Graduation requirements and a full course listing can be found in our Curriculum and Course Planning Guide.

• How can I register for honors classes my freshman year?

  We offer placement exams for math and foreign language each spring. Some placement also depends on entrance exam scores.

• What is the tuition at Saint Ignatius?

  The tuition for the 2018-2019 school year is $19,000.

• What is the dress code at Saint Ignatius?

  The dress code is listed under the Dean's Office page.

• What is the Parent Commitment Program?

  The Parent Commitment is a contribution, over and above tuition and fees, asked of all parents each year to help cover the annual deficit.

• What kind of athletic teams do you have?

  Saint Ignatius offers 34 interscholastic and club sports for both boys and girls. Check out our Athletics page!

• What other ways can I get involved at Saint Ignatius?

  Saint Ignatius has over 80 co-curricular activities. Find out more at our Student Activities page!