Application process

For admission in the 2008-2009 school year

Stage One: Application

Application paperwork will be accepted any time after the first of October.  We encourage you to apply in fall or winter, for students starting school the following school year.  All paperwork must be completed and mailed to Southwest.  First acceptance decisions will be made no earlier than February 1.

At this time applications are still being taken for all grades 9-12 for the 2008-2009 school year.

The following are to be completed and sent to Southwest:

• Application Form and non-refundable $75 application fee
• Parent Questionnaire
• Student Questionnaire, including essay
• English Teacher Recommendation
  Request from current English teacher after November 1 of the year prior to entry.
• Math Teacher Recommendation
  Request from current math teacher after November 1 of the year prior to entry.
• Character Reference
  Request from pastor, youth pastor, Bible study leader, Christian mentor, etc.; someone who is familiar with student’s spiritual development.

The following is to be sent to your student's current school:

• School Record Request
  We recommend that you allow the school 1 to 2 weeks to process.  Please request after completion of first quarter of  current year.  Home-school families, please provide all applicable  information requested on the form.

To receive a complete application packet, please stop by the admission office or call Sue Beuning, Director of Admission, at 952-556-0040, ext. 111.

The application process continues with the following steps:

• Classroom Visit / Shadow
  A half-day or full-day visit is recommended, but not required; call the admission office at SW to schedule.  Please allow 2 days notice to make arrangements for your student to shadow.
• Application for Financial Aid, if applicable
  Please complete the financial aid application online at www.tuitionaid.com (or you may call us to request a hard copy of the application, which you may fill out by hand.)  Initial deadline for financial aid application:  March 15, 2008.  
• Admission Exam
  Each student applicant must take an admission exam that takes approximately 2 hours.  Please call to reserve a spot for your student on any one of the following dates:
  Friday, January 4, 9-11 a.m.
  Saturday, January 26, 9-11 a.m.
  Tuesday, February 19, 3:45-5:45 p.m.
  Saturday, March 15, 9-11 a.m.
  Completed application, application fee, and reservation is required.  The Admission Exam must be completed prior to the interview.
• Interview
  After the file is complete with all the above, the Director of Admission will contact you to schedule a final interview. We request that both parents and the student participate in the interview; however, during this 30-40 minute session, questions are directed primarily to the student.
• Acceptance Letter
  This is mailed after the Admission Committee decision has been made.

Stage Two: Enrollment

• Enrollment Contract is signed and Enrollment fee of $50 is sent to SW to confirm your child’s place at SWCHS (does not apply to tuition payment). If acceptance occurs after July 1, the enrollment fee and the first tuition payment will confirm your child’s place.
• The Pledge of Integrity is signed and mailed to SW.
• Placements tests may be required for students who wish to enter at a math level above Algebra I or Geometry, or a language level above the first year.  A placement test date will be scheduled in late spring.  Upon request, tests and instructions are mailed to your home for a parent to proctor at a convenient time.
• Incoming freshmen are asked to attend a spring Registration Meeting at which they will register for classes.  All other students will receive their registration materials in the mail.
• Tuition and fees payments begin July 1 of the year entering SW.

Note:  Please let the Admission office know if your student enrolls at another school or chooses to discontinue the application process.

Southwest Christian High School, Inc. admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.