FAQ - Applying to CDA

 

Q. When may I apply?

A. New Student Admission typically opens November 1. The Priority Application deadline is February 15. Late applications will be considered through July 31 if seats are available. A Late Application Surcharge of $100 is assessed on applications received after June 1. Admittance after the start of the school year is rarely feasible.

Q. How do I begin?

A. Before you can submit a new student application, you will need to create a CDA Account. This username and password will allow access to your account by clicking on the Family/Staff Login tab. If you have previously applied to CDA, you will not need to create a new account; login assistance is available if you have forgotten your password.

Q. Why do I need to create a family account?

A. You will need to create a family account to apply for admission, manage your personal information and access your student's grades as well as documents posted by instructors.

Q. Is this a secure site?

A. Yes, the application is submitted using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology.

Q. How do I apply for more than one child?

A. After you submit an application, you will be returned to your Family Summary page where you can apply for additional students.

Q. Must I re-enter the family information for each child?

A. No, you will only be required to enter student specific information for each application.

Q. Can I save the application and finish at a later time?

A. Yes, to complete the application, please click on the Family/Staff Login tab and login to your Family Account by entering your username and password. You will see a prompt to complete and submit the application.

Q. How much is the application fee?

A. The Application Fee for grade PreK - 4 candidates is $200 and includes admission testing. For grades 5 and above, the Application Fee is $125 and families pay ERB directly for the Independent Schools Entrance Examination (ISEE).

If space is available, late applications may be submitted. A $100 Late Application Surcharge is assessed, effectively making the grammar level Application Fee $300 and the logic/high school Application Fee $225 for applications received after June 1.

Q. How do I pay the application fee?

A. The non-refundable application fee should be paid by check (made payable to CDA) and returned to the campus to which you are applying. Please clearly indicate your child's name, grade level and campus on all correspondence.

Q. I am applying for more than one child. Do I need to write separate checks for each application fee?

A. No, it is not necessary to make separate payments for each applicant. The application fees can be combined; however, please record each child's name or initials in the memo line.

Q. There is a waiting list for my child's grade level. Must I pay the application fee to maintain his place on the waiting list?

A. No, you may wait to pay the application fee until availability is confirmed and admission testing is scheduled (grades K-4). Older applicants (grades 5 +) are encouraged to register for the ISEE even if wait listed as those test sessions are limited and may not be offered once a seat becomes available.

Q. How will I know if my child's application has gone through properly?

A. You will receive an immediate email from the the CDA server indicating that the application has been successfully submitted. If you do not receive this notice, please contact the Admission staff. Your child's application will be date stamped and processed in the order received. The Admission staff will generally contact you within a week by phone or email regarding your next steps.

Q. What other documents are needed to complete the application?

A. All candidates (regardless of grade level) must submit

  • Non-refundable Application Fee
  • Copy of the applicant's birth certificate
  • Immunization records
  • Family Pastoral Reference Form
  • Recent family photo
  • Recent student photo

Additionally, candidates for grades 1 – 4 must supply

Candidates for grades 5 – 8 must also provide

  • Results of ISEE (Independent School Entrance Examination); please see testing section for more details
  • School records (including past and current grade reports as well as the results of any past standardized testing)
  • Admission Recommendation Form.

Candidates for grades 9 – 12 must also submit

Candidates who are currently homeschooling

Q. Where do I send these documents?

A. All supporting documents should be mailed or hand delivered to the campus to which you applied. Please clearly indicate your child's name, grade level, and intended campus on all correspondence. Teacher Evaluation Forms must be mailed directly to CDA by the previous/current school. Pastoral references must also be sent directly to CDA.

Q. How is the family interview scheduled?

A. When your child's file is complete (including testing and all supporting documents), the admission coordinator will schedule a 30 - 40 minute interview with the school director. Both parents must accompany the applicant(s).

Q. When are admission decisions made?

A. For candidates who met the Priority Application Deadline of Feb. 15, admission decisions will be processed in early March (or as soon thereafter as  the applicant's file is complete). Late applicants will be considered if space is available on a rolling admission basis.

Q. What must I do to complete enrollment?

A. To secure a seat for their student, parents must sign an Enrollment Covenant (generally within a week of the acceptance notification) and set up a Smart Tuition account. The New Student Enrollment Fee is included in the Smart Tuition invoice; separate payment of this one-time fee is not required.

Q. Does CDA admit international students?

A. Coram Deo Academy International Policy and Cultural Exchange Program