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Q
Do you have any upcoming Open Houses?
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A
Chaminade hosts two Open Houses in the fall. The first Open House is Sunday, November 7 from noon until 4:00 PM, and the second Open House is Monday, November 8 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. Prospective students in grades 4 through 8 and their parents are invited to attend either event. Most tours take between 60 and 90 minutes. Teachers, students, administrators, coaches and activity moderators will be on hand to describe our programs and answer your questions.
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Q
What is the first step in applying to Chaminade?
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A
The first step is to complete the online Request A Brochure, and we will send you the admissions information packet. You can also apply online by completing the Independent Schools of St. Louis (ISSL) Common Application. To apply online, visit the ISSL website (www.independentschools.org) and click on "Apply".
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Q
What does Chaminade consider when a student applies for admission?
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A
First, we want to make sure that the student will have a good chance to be academically successful at Chaminade. Generally, if the student has between an A and a B- average in his core academic classes and scores between the 60th and 99th percentile on standardized tests like the Iowa Basics Test or the Stanford Achievement Test, the student should be successful. We also consider the student's recommendation form, student interview, and other factors. Grades are the most important factor we consider in the admissions process.
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Q
Are you accepting applications for the 2010-2011 school year?
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A
Chaminade is now accepting day and resident student applications for all grades except 12th grade. Applications are reviewed on a first come, first served basis until the class is full. Chaminade accepts either our application or the ISSL Secondary School Application.
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Q
Do you accept the Independent Schools of St. Louis (ISSL) Application?
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A
Yes, we do for all grade levels. We encourage families who want to apply online to use the ISSL Application. Since most of the area schools who accept middle school students accept this form, completing the form online not only saves time but can be paid for online as well.
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Q
What is the application fee?
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A
U.S. students – the application fee is $50 (payable to Chaminade). For international students, the international student application fee is $150.
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Q
When will I be notified of the admission decision?
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A
Once Chaminade's admissions office has received a student's application and academic transcripts, the student and his parents would meet with our admissions office for an interview. Once that takes place, we will notify you of our admission decision within one week.
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Q
When can a student come to Chaminade for a shadow visit and/or campus tour?
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A
Shadow visits are now in progress and continue through April 29. Families interested in scheduling a visit may contact Chaminade's Admission Office at 314-692-6650. Campus tours are available most days throughout the summer - please contact our Admissions Office at 314-692-6650 or msaxer@chaminade-stl.com to schedule a tour. Most campus tours take 45 minutes to one hour. Please see the "Visit Chaminade" tab for additional information.
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Q
What kind of need-based financial aid does Chaminade offer? Does Chaminade offer any academic or athletic scholarships?
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A
For the 2009-2010 school year, Chaminade distributed over $1.6 million in financial aid. Financial aid is usually awarded as need-based direct grants that do not have to be repaid with work/study grants also available. Over 200 students receive financial aid annually.
Chaminade awards renewable academic scholarships of $2,500 to incoming 6th graders and freshmen based on grades and test scores. Students must apply by the primary admission deadlines to be considered for an academic scholarship. Chaminade does not award any athletic scholarships.
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Q
How much is tuition, and what payment plans do you offer?
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A
Chaminade’s tuition for day students for the 2010-2011 school year is $14,480. In addition, laptop fees average $700 per year, and additional class fees are $400 - $600 per year. Tuition can be paid by August 1 or can be spread out over nine months through the FACTS monthly payment plan for a $50 fee. Tuition can be paid with a personal or cashier’s check, MasterCard, Visa or American Express. Five-day resident student room and board is $14,800, and seven-day resident student room and board is $15,850.
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Q
Is an admissions test required?
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A
No if you are applying for high school, maybe if you are applying for grade 6, 7 or 8. Please contact our admissions office for additional information regarding testing.
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Q
What are your average SAT and ACT test scores?
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A
The Class of 2009's average ACT composite score was 25.7 with the middle 50% of scores falling between 24 and 28. The Class of 2009's average SAT scores were 580 for verbal skills, 625 for mathematics, and 565 for writing skills. Please note that the large majority of Chaminade students take both tests - in many St. Louis schools, only the top students take the SAT. In addition, approximately 10% of our graduating students are international students whose native language is not English.
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Q
At what grade levels does Chaminade accept students?
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A
Between 70 and 75 students begin Chaminade at the sixth grade level. Another 30 - 35 students start at Chaminade at the seventh grade level, and about 35 - 45 students enter at the freshman level. Students are accepted for eighth grade, sophomore and junior year on a space available basis.
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Q
Do Chaminade students have laptop computers?
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A
Yes, Chaminade students receive a laptop when they enter middle school and again at high school. Our students use Lenovo (formerly IBM) ThinkPad laptop computers. Parents pay a yearly lease fee for the laptop. The laptops have proven to be a very useful tool not only for our students but our teachers and administrators as well. Chaminade was the first St. Louis high school to require laptop computers, and most of our graduates feel they are much more ahead of other graduates when it comes to technology.
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Q
Does Chaminade offer any special assistance for students with learning differences or disabilities?
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A
Chaminade offers assistance for students with mild learning differences or disabilities. A student is recommended to the program by the student’s guidance counselor; if an IEP (individualized education plan) is on file, that document is reviewed. Students often receive assistance in areas such as organizational skills, study skills, or tutoring in a specific subject area.
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Q
How many students attend Chaminade and what is the average class size and student: teacher ratio?
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A
There are 515 young men in the high school and 275 students in the middle school. The average class size is 18 students and the student: teacher ratio is 10:1.
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Q
Does Chaminade offer Advanced Placement and other college credit courses?
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A
Chaminade is a leader among private, Catholic high schools in offering college credit courses. This year, Chaminade offers 22 Advanced Placement courses to sophomores, juniors and seniors, and an additional 15 courses are available for credit through local universities like St. Louis U. and UMSL.
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Q
Is there a dress code at Chaminade?
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A
Yes, Chaminade students are required to wear a collared shirt, khaki pants or shorts, a belt, shoes and socks. On special occasions, a suit or sport coat with dress shirt and tie may be required. Hair must not fall below the eyebrows in the front, the ear lobes on the sides, and the collar in the back.
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Q
When does your school day start and end? When are your facilities typically open?
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A
Our school day begins at 7:45am and ends at 2:45pm. Chaminade Hall (academic building) opens at 6:15am and closes at 9pm. Our library/media center opens weekdays at 6:30am and closes at 6:30pm. Supervised study halls are also available after school until 6pm. Our library/media center is also open Saturdays from 9am until 2pm, and Sundays from noon until 6pm.
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Q
What is your grading scale, and how often are grades updated?
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Our students are awarded percentage grades on progress reports and report cards with 93% - 100% representing an A; 85% - 92% = B; 77% - 84% = C; 70% - 76% = D; below 70% = F. Grades are usually updated online once per week – both parents and students can access these grades any time they log into our portal.
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Q
Do non-Catholics attend Chaminade? Are non-Catholics required to take religion classes?
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Yes, about 20% of our students are non-Catholic. All students are required to take religion classes, attend Mass and retreats, and participate in numerous community service projects.
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Q
How diverse is your student body?
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For the 2009-10 school year, 14% of our students are minorities, including Asians, African-Americans, Hispanics, multiracial students, American Indian and Alaskan Native. Our day students represent over 65 zip codes throughout the St. Louis area, and our resident students hail from six different countries. Our students attended over 200 different elementary and middle schools before enrolling at Chaminade.
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Q
Does Chaminade require community service hours?
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Yes, Chaminade requires students to complete service hours each year. In the middle school, studnts complete 10 - 20 hours each year. In the high school, students complete 30 - 50 hours each year. Our Campus Ministry Office assists students with locating projects best suited for them.
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Q
What sports do you offer?
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A
Chaminade offers the following sports:
Fall season: Football, soccer, cross country, and swimming/diving
Winter season: Basketball, hockey, wrestling, racquetball, and bowling
Spring season: Baseball, track, lacrosse, tennis, golf, volleyball, and water polo
While we do not require students to play interscholastic sports, almost 80% of our students do with many students playing sports in two or all three seasons. Most of our sports do not make cuts but a few sports (soccer, basketball, hockey, baseball and golf) must limit the number of players on each team.
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Q
Do I need previous musical experience to join the band program?
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A
Chaminade offers Beginner Band classes at the middle school and high school levels for students who want to learn how to play a musical instrument. Chaminade has over 200 students in our symphonic, concert, jazz, intermediate and beginner bands. Our Symphonic Band has achieved the highest rating possible in state competition for the last 25 years.
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Q
What agency accredits Chaminade?
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Chaminade is accredited by the Independent Schools Association for the Central States (ISACS). This organization accredits many of the top private schools in St. Louis and the Midwest. Chaminade is also a member of Independent Schools of St. Louis (ISSL), a group of about 35 private schools throughout the St. Louis area.