How to Get Into St. John’s School
Key Dates and Information
- Location: Houston, TX
- Grades: K-12
- Application deadlines
- Initial application:
- Kindergarten: September 1, 2023
- Grades 1-4: October 20, 2023
- Grade 5-11: December 1, 2023
- Final deadline: January 13, 2023, unless otherwise noted
- Initial application:
- Admissions tests
- Grades K-4: individual testing through Collaborative Academic Testing Service (C.A.T.S.) required
- Grades 2-11: ISEE required
- Admissions decision: March 8, 2024
Introduction
St. John’s School (St. John’s) is a leading K-12 college preparatory school located in Houston, Texas. With abundant opportunities in and out of the classroom, it draws a diverse array of applicants. It was the 5th most sought-after school in 2023.
Creating an application to a competitive school like St. John’s can be intimidating, but Test Innovators is here to help. We created this guide to help students and families navigate the application process. We also offer Admissions Assist Courses to help you create your strongest application. Our course helps students and parents prepare for the interview, determine the best approach to written application materials, and better understand what schools like St. John’s seek in applicants.
Application
St. John’s entry point grades are Kindergarten, grade 1, grade 6, and grade 9. There are occasional openings to non-entry point grades due to current student attrition, so interested students are still encouraged to apply.
The following materials are needed to apply to St. John’s:
- Submit the initial application/ interest form
- Application fee: $150
- For Kindergarten applicants, the $150 fee is only paid by the 175 families who are selected to be tested
- Deadline:
- Kindergarten: September 29, 2023
- Grades 1-4: October 20, 2023
- Grade 5: December 1, 2023
- Application fee: $150
- Visit St. John’s (optional)
- An open house is held for grades K-5 on October 1, 2023
- Tours are available for those who cannot attend the open house
- Complete the parent meeting
- Grades K-1: parent meeting required for parents who do not have a child currently enrolled
- Grades 2-5: parent meeting will be scheduled depending on available spots
- Complete required testing and evaluations
- Grades K-1
- Individual testing through Collaborative Academic Testing Service (C.A.T.S.)
- Fee: $300
- Deadline
- Kindergarten: schedule by September 29, 2023
Grade 1: schedule by November 3, 2023
- Kindergarten: schedule by September 29, 2023
- St. John’s evaluation
- Evaluation dates are assigned to families
- Individual testing through Collaborative Academic Testing Service (C.A.T.S.)
- Grades 2-4
- Individual testing through Collaborative Academic Testing Service (C.A.T.S.)
- Fee: $300
- Deadline: schedule by November 4, 2022
- ISEE
- Deadline: schedule by November 3, 2023
- Individual testing through Collaborative Academic Testing Service (C.A.T.S.)
- Grade 5
- ISEE
- Deadline: scores must be received by January 12, 2024
- ISEE
- Grades K-1
- Complete supplemental application materials
- Grades K-1
- Teacher recommendation
- Deadline: December 15, 2023
- Teacher recommendation
- Grades 2-4
- Teacher recommendation
- Deadline: December 15, 2023
- Mid-year report card
- Deadline: January 12, 2024
- Teacher recommendation
- Grade 5
- Teacher recommendation
- Deadline: January 12, 2024
- Mid-year report card
- Deadline: January 12, 2024
- Teacher recommendation
- Grades K-1
- Submit the initial application
- Application fee: $150
- Deadline: December 1, 2023
- Visit St. John’s (optional)
- An open house is held for grades 6-8 on September 17, 2023
- Tours are available for those who cannot attend the open house
- Complete the student interview (grade 6 only) and parent meeting
- Families will be contacted to schedule the interview and the meeting
- Both in-person and virtual interviews and meetings are offered
- Take the ISEE and submit scores
- Deadline: scores must be received by January 12, 2024
- Complete supplemental application materials
- Required recommendations: English teacher and math teacher
- Optional recommendation: extracurricular recommendation
- Applicant questionnaire and writing sample
- Report cards from previous and current year
- Deadline: January 12, 2024
- Submit the initial application
- Application fee: $150
- Deadline: December 1, 2023
- Visit St. John’s (optional)
- An open house is held for grades 9-11 on September 17, 2023
- Tours are available for those who cannot attend the open house
- Complete the student interview and parent meeting
- Families will be contacted to schedule the interview and the meeting
Both in-person and virtual interviews and meetings are offered
- Families will be contacted to schedule the interview and the meeting
- Take the ISEE and submit scores
- Deadline: scores must be received by January 12, 2024
- Complete supplemental application materials
- Required recommendations: English teacher and math teacher
- Optional recommendation: extracurricular recommendation
- Applicant questionnaire and writing sample
- Report cards from previous and current year
- Deadline: January 12, 2024
For more information on applying to St. John’s, please refer to their admissions page and application checklist.
Admissions Interview
St. John’s requires a student interview for applicants to grade 6 and grades 9-11. A parent meeting is also required for all families who do not have a child currently enrolled at the school. Interviews and parent meetings are offered both in-person and virtually.
The admissions interview is an opportunity to share what makes you unique as an applicant. It is important to be ready for your interview, with a plan for how to present yourself. Test Innovators’ Interview Prep Course prepares students and parents for the interview. You will practice common interview questions, think strategically about what to highlight in your interview, and gain confidence.
In addition, we recommend researching the school prior to the interview. Read about St. John’s mission and their approach to community and inclusion. Look into the curriculum for Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School. Think about how you would like to get involved in arts and athletics at St. John’s. Speak up if you would like to participate in their study abroad programs or their clubs and organizations. If you feel excited about opportunities at St. John’s, share that in your interview and application materials.
Admissions Tests
Students applying to grades K-4 at St. John’s are required to complete individual testing through the Collaborative Academic Testing Service (C.A.T.S.).
Applicants to grades 2-11 must submit ISEE scores, which must be received by January 12, 2024.
When you are ready to begin preparing for the ISEE, Test Innovators is here. We are the only official practice partner of the ISEE. On Test Innovators’ platform, you will take full-length practice tests, and receive a breakdown of your scores after each test. You can compare your scores to the typical score range for St. John’s and other schools of interest. Based on your performance, you’ll receive a personalized Prep Plan that helps you target areas with room for improvement. You’ll also gain familiarity and confidence with the test format, helping you achieve your best results on test day.
Take a look at our ISEE Prep Guide and see how Test Innovators can help you reach your target scores.
Financial Aid Application
St. John’s understands that education is a significant investment for families and attempts to meet demonstrated need for all students. 14% of St. John’s students receive financial aid or scholarships.
Families should start the financial aid application process in December 2023. They must complete the Parents’ Financial Statement and submit additional supporting tax documents through School and Student Services. Financial aid decisions are communicated along with admissions decisions in March.
For more information on financial aid at St. John’s and how to apply, please visit their financial aid page.
Extracurricular Opportunities
Athletics
78% of St. John’s students are involved in athletics. St. John’s students can participate in the following sports:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Cross country
- Field hockey
- Football
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- P.E.
- Pickleball
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and diving
- Tennis
- Track and field
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
To learn more about athletics at St. John’s, please refer to their athletics page.
Arts
Students at St. John’s are introduced to the arts and encouraged to explore the creative process starting in Lower School, building upon that foundation over the years. 84% of St. John’s students participate in the fine arts. Lower School students are offered visual and choral arts. Middle School students can explore choral arts, dance, instrumental arts, theater, and visual arts, while Upper School students have the opportunity to explore digital media in addition to the Middle School arts categories. See more about the arts at St. John’s and ways you can get involved on their website.
Clubs and Organizations
Opportunities to participate in clubs and organizations at St. John’s are abundant. Offered clubs range vastly from groups like Cornhole Club and Improv Club, to more traditional academic groups like Model UN and Astronomy Club. Clubs and organizations are a great place to draw inspiration for your St. John’s application materials, so be sure to explore all of their options on their website.
Additional Opportunities
St. John’s highly values community service, and works to ensure students are involved in their communities at every level of education. Types of community service projects advance with students over the years, and become more student-driven.
St. John’s also offers students the opportunity to study away from the school, both domestically and abroad. Students can spend a semester at partner schools in Idaho, Washington, D.C., or Colorado, or a year abroad in France, Spain, Italy, or China. Learn more about opportunities to study at different locations through St. John’s website.
Conclusion
St. John’s has opportunities for students to grow and explore in and out of the classroom. Test Innovators is here to help you put together a competitive application.
Preparation Resources:
- Enroll in our Admissions Assist Courses for Middle School or Upper School
- Learn more about preparing for the ISEE
- Learn more about St. John’s School
Originally published on September 28, 2022. Updated on November 17, 2023.
