Dates, Deadlines & FAQs
Experience the Journey from Preschool through 8th grade
The application season for the 2025-2026 school year kicks off in early September, when our online applications go live. Important dates and deadlines for families applying for fall 2025 are listed below. Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Admission Office.
Admission Dates & Deadlines
September 6, 2024: Preschool-8th Applications Available
December 15, 2024: PS-8th Application Deadline
January 10, 2025: PS-8th Recommendation Forms and Transcripts Due
January 31, 2025: Financial Aid Application Deadline for applying families
January, 2025: Preschool and Pre-K Playgroup Visits
February 1, 2025: Kindergarten Assessments (Saturday morning event). Assessments for 1st through 4th grade will take place during the school day and are scheduled through your Application Portal
February 27, 2025: Preschool & Pre-K Admission Notification Emails Sent (2:00 pm)
March 4, 2025: PS and Pre-K Enrollment Contracts and Deposits Due (12:00 pm)
March 14, 2025: Kindergarten - 8 Admission Notification Emails Sent (5:00 pm)
March 21, 2024: Kindergarten - 8 Enrollment Contracts and Deposit Due (12:00 pm)
Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis. Please contact the Admission Office directly and we will be happy to discuss the possibility of submitting a late application.
Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at St. Matthew’s
St. Matthew's Parish School strives to be a welcoming and inclusive community that values diversity in all senses of the word. We are committed to making each member of the community feel that her or his whole identity is acknowledged, supported, and appreciated. We believe that an appreciation of diversity and inclusivity is essential to our mission, our goals to serve, lead, and flourish, as well as the five principles of our Character Covenant: respect, responsibility, empathy, honesty, and fairness. Building and sustaining an inclusive community will create the most powerful and effective learning environment, and will also help us learn and work as global citizens.
St. Matthew’s Parish School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Questions about the process?
How old does my child need to be to apply to…?
Preschool: students must turn 3 prior to August 1, 2025.
Pre-K: students must turn 4 prior to August 1, 2025.
Kindergarten: students must turn 5 prior to August 1, 2025.
Can my child visit the school? Is it a requirement to apply?
A requirement of the Early Childhood admission process is an observation of your child in a small group setting. All applicants to Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten will attend a small Playgroup session. These sessions, designed for each grade level specifically, take place in late January. During the Playgroup, your child will join other applicants in a classroom setting with our Early Childhood teachers.
Kindergarten applicants are asked to attend a Kindergarten Assessment on the morning of Saturday, February 1, 2025. This small group visit will allow our teachers to assess for developmental readiness while allowing the students to explore the Kindergarten classroom and play with other students.
Applicants to Grades 1 - 4 will spend time in a classroom for their assessment. Assessments take place during the school day, allowing time for the students to socialize and have fun. Visits are available between November and February.
Applicants to Middle School (Grades 5-8) are asked to come to campus for a Student Interview.
Parents of all applicants are invited to schedule a Parent Interview, which are conducted via Zoom. Once you have submitted your Application for Admission, you will be able to schedule your child’s visit, your parent interview, as well as request teacher recommendations and grade reports through the Application Portal.
St. Matthew's seeks to enroll children who will benefit from the philosophy, values, and purposes of our program. Equally important are parents who will work in partnership with the School’s faculty and administration in support of the School’s mission for the benefit of all students. We believe qualified students with actively involved parents are essential to sustaining a vital and successful school community.
What if my child is too young for Preschool? Are there any other programs offered?
Little Falcons - a 5-day per week drop-off program - is available for children who are two (2) years old by August 1 of the year they wish to begin the program. The morning runs from 8:30-11:30am, with the option for extended enrichment afternoons.
To learn more about Little Falcons, please email Kristin Sigala, Director of Early Childhood & Little Falcons.
Parents often ask if participation in Little Falcons is a prerequisite for admission to St. Matthew's Parish School. It is not. Little Falcons is an auxiliary program of St. Matthew's and admission to the School is separate and distinct. Entry into the Little Falcons program does, however, provide families a wonderful opportunity to see our School's incredible campus, experience the strong caliber of care and holistic approach to learning, and provide familiarity with our community. We encourage parents who are interested in admission to Preschool at St. Matthew's to submit an application for admission.
Younger than 2 years of age?
The Parent-Infant-Toddler program is designed for parents and children to participate together, in a community-driven atmosphere, so a parent is required to attend with every child. If you have questions about the program, contact Courtney Sheldon, Parent-Infant-Toddler Director at (310)454-1810, ext 121, or by email at [email protected].