Step 1: Visit

FCS encourages interested families to schedule a visit to the appropriate campus(es) and to sit in on classes and chapels. Visiting is the best way to absorb the atmosphere of the school. Registration for each new school year begins in November for re-enrollment and December for initial enrollment.

Step 2: Fill out and return the application

Take the time to fill out the New Family Application as completely as possible. Most delays in processing come from incomplete applications. The following checklist of items to include with the application will help you ensure that your application is complete:

• copies of report cards from the previous three years, and current grades
• test scores, including special evaluations and I.E.P.s
• pastoral reference form
• student biography form (for grades 6-12 only)
• non-refundable application/evaluation fee

Step 3: Preliminary review

The FCS administrators will review the completed application, evaluate potential openings and make preliminary decisions as to whether to make appointments for interviews and testing.

Step 4: Interviews and testing

An FCS staff member will contact you to set up a time for interviews and/or testing. Please understand that during the winter and spring the school will interview and test dozens of applicants. Your flexibility in setting an appointment time is appreciated. The administrators’ interview(s) with the prospective student’s parents (preferably both parents) focuses on the school’s program and philosophy.

FCS uses the Developmental Readiness Test to evaluate kindergarten students. Elementary, middle and high school students take a group of brief individually-administered, standardized tests. The results aid the school in making decisions regarding appropriate grade placement. FCS gladly shares the results of these tests with parents.

Step 5: Final decision

FCS administrators make decisions concerning enrollment as a team. Therefore, the final decision may take up to a week after the interview/testing appointment to allow for the administrators to communicate with each other. Providing all information is complete, you can expect to hear from someone on the administrative team by phone concerning the final decision.
In making its decisions, the administrative team will consider such issues as:

• Is FCS able to meet the student’s academic, social and physical needs?
• Are the student’s parents supportive of the school’s Christ-centered philosophy so that a partnership with the school can develop?
• Is the student under his or her parents’ authority and willing to follow the school’s lifestyle guidelines?
• Does the student desire to attend FCS?

Step 6: Business office letter

Within about a week of the telephone call, if the student has been offered enrollment you will receive a letter requesting the New Family Fee along with the opportunity to sign up for additional items such as: extended care, transportation, band, etc. The Student Information Form will also be enclosed in this mailing. Please fill out and send back these forms along with your New Family Fee within two weeks.

Step 7: Acceptance letter

After the New Family Fee has been returned, you will receive an acceptance letter from your child(ren)’s campus(es) to confirm enrollment along with a release form requesting that school records be sent to FCS. Parents, please sign this form and send it off to the student’s previous school(s). Additional information concerning wardrobe, school supplies and the upcoming school year will be sent closer to the end of the current school year.

Step 8: Deposit

Payment of the first month’s tuition – due by July 1 – is the final step in your enrollment. This payment is a non-refundable enrollment deposit, but will be credited as your first month’s tuition. In some situations future students are still in the waiting pool on July 1, in which case your deposit will be due upon acceptance.