FAQs

List of 19 frequently asked questions.

• Who applies to St. Luke's?

  • Students who have demonstrated a consistent record of academic success
  • Students seeking an educational setting with high academic standards
  • Students who want to be actively involved in the life of the school (e.g. performing and creative arts, athletics, student government, student affinity groups, Model UN, WSLX, etc.)
  • Students from towns in Fairfield and Westchester counties. Thirty towns are represented by families at St. Luke's School
  • Approximately 50% of applicants attend public schools and 50% attend independent or parochial schools
  • Candidates represent different gender, racial, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds

• What are the most important aspects of my application?

  You are the most important part of the application! In addition to a consistent record of academic success, the Admission Committee seeks students who possess these six habits for success: work hard, act honorably, take risks, ask questions, embrace differences, and demonstrate a concern for others. Through teacher and personal recommendations, a current transcript, demonstrated involvement in extracurriculars, a personal interview, and student essays, the Admission Committee assesses each student's ability to thrive in the St. Luke's community. Standardized testing (ISEE, SSAT, PSAT, or any standardized testing completed in school) is used to support our assessment of student potential. Students with special talents should not hesitate to submit portfolios or videos of independent work or activities.

• What is the average class size?

  The average class size ranges from 13-16. 
  
  

• What is the faculty profile at St. Luke's?

  • 70% Faculty with advanced degrees
  • 44% Faculty with five years or more at St. Luke's
  • 50% of Faculty serve as athletic coaches
  • 12% Faculty and Staff of Color

• What is the ratio of boys to girls at St. Luke's?

  At St. Luke's 52% of the students in grades 5 through 12 are male and 48% are female. In the 2021-2022 school year, St. Luke's enrolled 309 males and 281 females.
  
  

  • Middle School:  125 Males,  98 Females
  • Upper School:  184 Males,  183 Females

• What is the geographical distribution of students?

  Each day, St. Luke's students arrive from thirty different towns in Connecticut and New York. The top six towns represented are New Canaan, Darien, Ridgefield, Wilton, Stamford, and Norwalk. The bordering towns of New York (Pound Ridge, Bedford, Katonah, and Cross River, to name a few) represent approximately 10% of the student population.
  
  Transportation is provided by the State of New York for all students living within a 15 mile radius of St. Luke's School. For students residing in Connecticut, St. Luke's works with an independent transportation company that serves families living in Bridgeport, Westport, Weston, Fairfield, Norwalk, Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, and Rowayton.  Students meet at designated stops and are picked up and dropped off at designated times in the morning and afternoon.

• What percent of applicants are accepted to St. Luke's?

  Admission to St. Luke's is competitive and in any given year acceptance rates will vary by grade. Typically, St. Luke's accepts about one-third of its applicants.

• How many new students join each class at St. Luke's?

  St. Luke's accepts students to grades 5-11 each year. The primary entry points in the Middle School are 5th and 6th grades. In the Upper School, our primary entry points are 9th and 10th grades. For the 2021-2022 school year, St. Luke's School welcomed 129 new students to the community, including 29 in 5th grade, 25 in 6th grade, 11 in 7th grade, 17 in 8th grade, 32 in 9th grade, 8 in 10th grade, and 5 in 11th grade.

• What is the St. Luke's academic program like?

  St. Luke's School offers a rigorous and dynamic curriculum where collaboration breeds creativity and innovation throughout the community. Led by inspirational teachers, students are exposed to a large selection of course offerings in each of the core academic areas: History, English, World Languages, Science and Math. In the performing and visual arts, students have a rich selection of choices that range from Advanced Music Theory to Advanced Acting to Ceramics. 
  
  SLS also offers three signature Upper School Scholars programs for students who are interested in greater depth and research in particular fields: Classical Scholars, Global Scholars, and STEM Scholars. These selective programs require advanced coursework in their disciplines, and Scholars create year-long capstone research projects that they present at our annual Scholars Symposium in the spring of senior year.

• What services are available for additional help and educational support?

  Educational Support and Services:
  St. Luke's offers the Educational Support and Services (ESS) program to assist students and offer guidance for parents as they work together to understand how children learn best. Students and parents benefit from a full-time learning specialist who works with students to find the tools necessary to succeed in school.
  
  
  

• How does academic advising work?

  Each student in grades 6 through 12 (5th graders’ advisors are their homeroom teacher) has an advisor who acts as the primary liaison between home and school. The advisor works with students individually as well as in a group setting. Advisory groups meet twice a week and allow time to discuss issues pertinent to student life: academics, leadership, citizenship, social and emotional well being, conflict resolution, etc.
  
  The cornerstone of Upper School Advising is the SLC or “Student Led Conference.” SLCs are student-led parent/advisor conferences where students share their understanding of their strengths and weaknesses and their short and long term goals. Students discuss and review comments with their advisor ahead of time to prepare a list of productive items for discussion. Through SLCs, students gain ownership of their learning and take responsibiltiy for their overall progress. 
  
  St. Luke's also has a full-time Director of Studies who works on curriculum development, planning and scheduling. The Director of Studies guides advisors during the course selection process for students. In addition, the Director of Studies works with families in grades 8-10 to support academic planning and develop individualized course plans for Upper School students.

• What is the college counseling process like at St. Luke's?

  By design, the College Counseling office is in the main hall of the Upper School. That way our College Counselors get to know all of the students in grades 9-12 by face and by name, and students are comfortable with the process ahead. Upper School academic planning begins as early as 8th and 9th grades, when parents and students meet with the Director of Studies.
  
  College Counseling formally begins in the 10th grade with a parent meeting to discuss the overall process, coursework and standardized testing. Unique to St. Luke's, our College Counseling team takes the entire 11th grade class on a college trip at the start of junior year to give students a framework on how to evaluate college selections. Throughout junior year, St. Luke's College Counselors conduct a variety of sessions to prepare students for all aspects of the college application process. In this highly personalized experience, the College Counselors dedicate themselves to getting to know each student well.
  
  Prior to the start of senior year, the College Counseling team also offers essay-writing and interview workshops so students are prepared for the completion of the process. The College Counselors encourage both students and parents to come to them whenever they have questions - the doors are always open. For more information visit the College Counseling section of the website.
  
  
  

• Where do St. Luke's School graduates go to college?

  St. Luke's students attend a variety of the most selective colleges and universities all around the country and the world. Please view our list of colleges and universities where St. Luke's graduates from the Class of 2021 attend. Or, download a copy of the St. Luke's School College Profile.
  

• How do students use technology at St. Luke's? 

  St. Luke’s embraces technology tools that improve student efficacy and learning outcomes in a developmentally appropriate way. We feel students should develop expertise here at school with the tools that they will use at college and in the workplace and understand what it means to be a Digital Citizen.

   

  St. Luke’s provides the following technology to students:  

   

  Fifth and sixth grade students receive Chromebooks - laptops that pair a simplified operating system with cloud-based online applications. 

   

  Seventh through twelfth grade students receive a Macbook Air laptop for use in school and to take home. Students use this technology for digital books or lessons, as well as to research, write, or create using more sophisticated applications, such as those for editing video and audio.

   

  All students and teachers use Google Docs, which allows for easy collaboration with fellow students and teachers. Paired with our school website’s Learning Management System, these tools allow many classes to provide online experiences where students may learn outside of class, at their own individual pace.

• What is the dress code at St. Luke's?

  St. Luke's promotes the personal pursuit of excellence in every aspect of school life. We believe an important component of this pursuit is a dress code for students and faculty that sets high standards and creates an environment conducive to learning. We have a dress code that emphasizes pride in our community through neat and appropriate appearance at all times.
  
  Permitted
  

  • Traditional collared button-down dress shirt
  • Traditional button polo shirt
  • Traditional dress tie or bow tie (optional)
  • Crew-neck or V-neck sweaters with a polo or button-down shirt underneath
  • Turtleneck sweaters
  • Blazers with a button-down shirt underneath
  • Chinos (khaki-style pants) in any color
  • If a shirt is tucked in, it must be worn with a belt
  • Corduroys and capri pants
  • Any "school uniform" style skort of appropriate length
  • Solid-colored tights, stockings, or leggings with a skort
  • Close-toed shoes, including sneakers
  • Quarter-zips and vests with a polo shirt or button-down shirt underneath

  Not Permitted
  

  • Hats, sweatbands, and bandanas (unless for religious or cultural purposes)
  • Casual t-shirts and/or graphic tees with any writing
  • Rugby shirts
  • Outer coats, raincoats, or down vests
  • Jeans, denim, cargo pants, overalls
  • Yoga pants, drawstring style pants, pajama or flannel pants, sweatpants, athletic shorts
  • Crocs, slippers, sandals, or flip-flops
  • Oversized or undersized clothing
  • Sweatshirts of any kind
  • College attire of any kind (see below for note)

  Before Thanksgiving Break and after Spring Break, students may wear non-athletic Bermuda shorts. After Spring Break, seniors may wear college sweatshirts.
  
  Throughout the year, St. Luke's students also enjoy occasional dress-down days, Spirit Week-themed dress days, and athletic attire days in recognition of an upcoming contest. Some formal days may be designated, with the option to wear a blazer on special occasions throughout the year.
  
  

• What is the St. Luke's policy on rules and discipline?

  Behavior at St. Luke's is guided by the Honor Code. Written by students, the four pillars of the Honor Code are Integrity, Respect, Kindness and Responsibility. 
  
  St. Luke's Honor Code
  As members of the St. Luke’s community, we will maintain and encourage integrity at all times. We will be honest in what we say and write, and we will show respect for ourselves, each other, and all property. We will treat everyone with kindness, and we will accept responsibility for our actions.
  

  
  At the start of each school year, the St. Luke’s Honor Code is read, discussed, and signed by students in their advisory groups. The Honor Code acknowledges each student's responsibility concerning matters of academic integrity and behavior. 

  
  
  

• Are students allowed to have cars on campus?

  Only Seniors are permitted to drive to school. They are allowed to leave campus during their free periods, as long as they sign in and out with the receptionist.

• What is the cost of tuition at St. Luke's?

  Tuition for 2021-2022 is $45,160 for grades 5 through 8 and $47,640 for grades 9 through 12. 
  

  
  There are additional fees for books, Parents' Association dues, and grade-level activities which cover day and overnight field trips and special classroom programs. Some Afterschool Activities (such as skiing and paddle tennis) require a fee for participation. 
  
  

• Is tuition assistance available at St. Luke's?

  Financial need should never discourage a student from applying for admission to St. Luke's. In 2021-2022, St. Luke's awarded over $3.9M in Tuition Assistance to families demonstrating financial need. These awards support approximately 17% of the student body. Awards are determined annually on an individual basis and distributed to qualified applicants. All awards are based on financial need; no academic merit or athletic scholarships are given. For more information about the Tuition Assistance Program at St. Luke's, please visit the Financial Information section of our website.
  
  For families interested in learning more about financial aid, please visit the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) website.  Here families will be introduced to the process through the School and Student Services for Financial Aid (SSS) which is used by St. Luke's and many of the local day and boarding schools.
  
  St. Luke's School administers fee waivers for required application procedures, including for the Standard Application Online (SAO) fees and the Ben D. Wood grant to the cost of the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE).