Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL

» What is your spiritual foundation?

We are a non-sectarian school guided by a mission statement and six core principles: Our mission statement reads, “Collegiate prepares talented, diverse students to pursue a College education, a lifetime of learning and the responsibilities of citizenship with character, confidence, imagination and excellence.

Six core principles guide our faculty’s daily interaction with Collegiate students:

» Commitment to achieve academic and personal excellence
» Determination to fulfill individual potential
» Creativity and independent thought
» Adaptability to change
» Balance in development of mind, body and spirit
» Respect for each individual

Within our diverse community we are able to celebrate the heritage of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists while emphasizing the moral and ethical strands common to all major spiritual heritages. » top

» Only the most privileged children attend private schools.
Is that true at Collegiate?

Collegiate is home to students and families of all types of backgrounds. In order to assure a diverse student population, Collegiate distributes more than $1.2 million in financial aid annually. The school attracts talented students from varied socio-economic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds. Twelve percent of Collegiate students are students of color. » top

» Why should I consider private education?

Private schools, more accurately referred to as independent schools, treasure their independence because it allows them to maintain higher standards and more challenging curriculum. Due to its manageable size, Collegiate is able to offer a wealth of extracurricular opportunities that allow students to develop leadership skills while working closely with other students and caring faculty. Larger public and parochial schools frequently require students to focus upon a single extracurricular area in order to participate. Collegiate students are able to test a variety of activities in order to discover their talents; it is not unusual for a student to be on several athletic teams, participate in a drama production, and write for a student publication. We expect our students to participate in the life of the school beyond the classroom walls. Ultimately, the school’s independence to create a challenging curriculum, to hire the most talented faculty, and to select students from families who value rigorous academic preparation and active involvement in extracurricular activities creates a more dynamic environment.

The National Association of Independent Schools, which Collegiate is a member, offers valuable perspectives on the value of independent school educations at http://www.nais.org. Even a good public or parochial school has a much higher student/teacher ratio than Collegiate. Those schools have many activities but only the best of the best get to participate. Exceptional students receive the majority of attention at the public/parochial schools but the majority is treated as a generic group. At Collegiate, your student is known as an individual.
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» How would you describe the diversity of your student population?

Fourteen percent of Collegiate students are students of color, and the school’s generous financial aid budget assures socio economic diversity. In addition, our students represent 30 different zip codes across Kentucky and Indiana. » top

» Is Collegiate too small?

A 2002 study by the Department of Education entitled The Condition of Education, suggests that small schools with small classes lead to higher-achieving students. Small means that each teacher knows your student who will receive more personalized attention. Class sizes that average 15 students allows for greater opportunities to speak during class discussions and for more opportunities to write and receive written feedback from the instructor; as a result, critical thinking skills, public speaking, and written expression can be better developed through daily practice.

Small means a student has the opportunity to participate in multiple extracurricular activities without having to choose one over another or being required to specialize. Collegiate is small by design. We expect our faculty to know students well, to interact with students in multiple arenas as guides and mentors. Because of our size, we are able to offer individualized college counseling beginning in grade nine. Rather than desperately trying to think of what to write in college recommendations, Scott Prince, our Director of College Counseling selects which unique aspects to emphasize because he knows so much about each student. » top

» My child wants to go to school with his friends?

"Being afraid to leave one’s friends is also one of the worst blunders of adolescence. A whole new set of friends is waiting, and as certain as the sun rises you will have a new set in less than three weeks … The consequences of following the crowd … are blighted hopes, undeveloped abilities and unrealized potential."
Loren Pope, author of Colleges That Change Lives, says a child who is excited about the learning environment he/she attends is naturally more invested in his/her success within that environment. While we expect that most Collegiate parents and students have reached a consensus on the best environment for each student, there comes a time in life when adults are able to see the “big picture” better due to life experience and must take primary control of decisions as important as the best academic, social, and leadership environment for a child. » top

» Collegiate is an all girls’ school, isn’t it?

Collegiate initially accepted boys in the primary grades, but was a girls’ school until 1972 when the Lower School became coeducational. Today, Collegiate is nearly 50/50 in its overall boy-to-girl ratio. » top

ADMISSIONS

» How does Collegiate select the students it admits?

Each of the three divisions of the school has an admissions committee that evaluates each applicant based on his/her academic ability and character. The committee of teachers and administrators takes into consideration a student’s maturity, attitude towards learning and behavior. It also looks for independence, passion for a subject/ discipline and concern for others. Standardized testing, parent statements, and teacher recommendations give the admission committee further insight about each applicant. » top

» May we sit in on a class?

With advanced notice, opportunities are available for both parents and students to spend time in our classrooms and discover firsthand the type of relationships being formed within the Collegiate community. Contact Lynne Age, Admissions Assistant at 479-0340 to schedule a personal meeting today. » top

» Why do you require an admission test?

Collegiate uses standardized testing to evaluate a student’s ability to perform inside and outside the classroom. In our admissions process, we place equal value on the student’s campus interview, his/her record of academic achievement, teacher recommendations, extracurricular involvement, written statements provided by the student/ parent and the success of a shadow visit. » top

» I like Collegiate but this is really my son/ daughter’s decision and I don’t want to pressure him/ her?

It is good to allow the student to contribute to the decision. You want the student to feel good about the decision, but you also need to make sure he or she is considering the right issues in making the decision. When was the last time you allowed your child to make a $15,000 decision on his/ her own? » top

» When will we hear a decision about a complete application?

Unlike other schools in Louisville, Collegiate operates on a rolling admission calendar. As soon as the admission application is complete our admission committee of faculty and administrators will meet and determine a decision: Accept, Wait List, or Deny. Families are notified of the admission decision within 10 days of filing a complete application. Our first acceptances usually occur in early January but we continue to admit qualified students through the spring if space is available. » top

STUDENT LIFE

» Is there a dress code?

Lower, Middle and Upper School students wear uniforms. We believe a uniform prevents distracting fashion competition among students and maintains a more focused academic environment. Ultimately, we value intellectual statements more than fashion statements and independent thought more than superficial individuality revealed through attire. » top

» How much homework will my child have each night?

Homework is dependent upon divisional level but is age appropriate for the specific students grade level. The majority of lower school students complete their work during the academic day but could have up to 30 minutes per night. In middle school, a student can expect between thirty minutes and one hour of homework per night. In the upper school, students can expect between one and two hours of homework per evening, per class, and more if the course is an advanced placement course. » top

» Is it hard for a new student to fit in and be accepted?

For most student, no. Each year we enroll approximately 100 students from 20 different schools. Our student body is made up of children from more than 30 zip codes including Indiana. Collegiate is a melting pot when it comes to adding a variety of students and families.» top

COSTS

» What is your tuition? What does tuition cover?

2007-08
Kindergarten - $11,300
Lower School - $14,800
Middle/Upper - $16,500

Please keep in mind that the fees included in tuition represent a value of more than $1,600 per student. They are KG, Lower School and Middle School textbooks, Lunch, Interim trips, Technology equipment and access, Field trips for all classes, Athletic uniforms, Visual Art supplies, Physical Education uniform and Co-curricular activities for Middle School and Upper School (Chess team, Mock Trial, Drama activities). Note: you need to ask other schools what the fees are that are not listed and are in addition to their tuition in order to obtain a comparable cost comparison.» top

» Does our family have to pay the tuition cost all at one time?

There are a variety of ways in which tuition can be paid. All of the plans require payment of a non-refundable enrollment fee of $1,000, which must accompany the Enrollment Contract. This deposit will be credited to the first tuition payment.
» see Affording Collegiate: Tuition & Fees
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» If our family cannot afford the entire tuition cost,
what can we do?

Collegiate awards $1.2 million in financial assistance annually.
» see How do you apply for financial aid?
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