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 12 - November 20, 2019. Registration for campus visits begins in early August and is completed online. Call Mrs. Karen Coleman at 312-432-8409 with any questions. Students should have permission from their grade schools to participate.
  
  The Admissions Office hosts an Admissions Coffee series in the fall and spring for parents of prospective students. 
  

  
  Students and families of all ages are welcome to attend the Saint Ignatius Open House on November 10, 2019 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 7, 2019. 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 7, 2019, and is due December 18, 2019.

• 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, among other test prep publishers, all publish study guides for the HSPT.

• What entrance exam does Saint Ignatius administer?

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

• What criteria are used to select Saint Ignatius students?

  The entrance exam score and online application contents are collectively reviewed for every applicant. The entrance exam score is important because our applicant pool is traditionally a large, diverse group of students from all over the Chicagoland area, representing a wide range of school grading scales and assessment frameworks. Following the entrance exam, students will submit an online application. The application is used to submit 7th/8th grade 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 by February 1, 2020.

• When is the enrollment deadline?

  The online enrollment form including tuition deposit must be completed by March 7, 2020.

• 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. $4.5 million in Tuition Assistance has been pledged for the 2019-2020 school year. 

  
  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. Saint Ignatius currently offers over 40 honors electives, 25 Advanced Placement courses, and a Dual Enrollment program with Saint Louis University. 

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

  Saint Ignatius administers optional placement exams for math and foreign language each spring. Math placement testing and HSPT results are considered in determining honors Science placement. Placement testing for the Class of 2024 will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2020.

• What is the tuition at Saint Ignatius?

  The tuition for the 2019-2020 school year is $19,500.

• What is the dress code at Saint Ignatius?

  Nice casual is a simplified description of the Saint Ignatius dress code. Full dress code specifications are listed under the Dean's Office page.

• What is the Parent Commitment Program?

  The Parent Commitment is a tax-deductible contribution, over and above tuition and fees, asked of all parents each year to help cover the annual deficit between tuition and school operating costs.

• 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!