Central Catholic Admissions Process for Foreign Exchange and International Students

central catholic jr.-sr. hs Admissions Policy & Procedures

All schools of the Lafayette Catholic School System have been established to meet the spiritual, educational, and social needs of their students.  Although spiritual needs of Catholic students are our first concern, enrollment in the Lafayette Catholic Schools is open to all full-time students regardless of ethnic origin, race, or religious affiliation. All students are welcome with the understanding that all students participate in the Catholic religion instructional program and worship services.    

Junior High school students and students moving to the Lafayette area may be admitted for immediate enrollment to Central Catholic at any time during the school year; however, Senior High students transferring to Central Catholic from within the Lafayette area will be accepted for a start date at the beginning of the next semester.  Applications for the following school year will be accepted beginning on the first day of the previous school year.  

Completed application packets should be submitted to the LCSS Enrollment Director preferably at least two weeks before the start of school or at least four weeks before the start of the second semester. All applicants will take a Placement Test. The applicant and their parents will then participate in an Admissions Meeting with the Admissions Committee. Afterwards, the Principal, based on recommendations of the Admissions Committee, will make the final determination of acceptance to Central Catholic. 

All new students are admitted conditionally for one semester.  Students may also be accepted on probation and will be asked to sign a contract with specific terms identified. Approval is subject to change pending receipt of the student’s final records from the previous school.

Admission is based on available space and is determined for the following school year after the current families have re-registered. Admission priority is given for the following school year in the following order:

1. Registered Catholic families from the six Tippecanoe County parishes making application by June 1. 

2. Registered Catholic families in parishes outside of Tippecanoe County.

3. All other students are welcome

Approved students will be admitted in order of the LCSS Enrollment Director receiving the completed application packet.

Students with disabilities may be approved when reasonable accommodations can be made for their education.  Central Catholic Jr.-Sr. High School works cooperatively with Greater Lafayette Area Special Services to provide the best possible placement and accommodations.  None of the LCSS schools are equipped to provide one-on-one instruction or have self-contained special education classrooms.

Foreign Exchange and International students are a welcome addition to the Central Catholic community.  Applications should preferably be submitted at least three months prior to their start of school.  Central Catholic does not provide English as a second language services; and therefore, International students must demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking English.  Foreign Exchange and International applicants must provide a SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) score. A telephone interview will also be conducted with International applicants to ensure the applicant possesses the English skills necessary for a successful experience at Central Catholic. The Lafayette Catholic School System issues I-20s when the requirements stated in LCSS Policy #211 are completed.  All Foreign Exchange and International students are to physically reside with their parents or a designated guardian over twenty-one (21) years of age. 

Central Catholic Jr.-Sr. HS Admissions Process

Central Catholic Jr.-Sr. High School welcomes Foreign Exchange and International students! To make application:

1. Submit a completed application packet to include the following at least three months before the start of school.  Application, essays and the school records must be translated into English.

□  Belief Statement Signature Page (one per family)

□  Admissions Application

□  Handwritten essay from the student on why they wish to attend Central Catholic

□  SSAT Score (Secondary School Admissions Test   - www.ssat.org/ssat/test/test-locations.html)

□  Official Transcript translated into English to include:

• Academic records – to include grades to date from previous school(s).

• Discipline records – Central Catholic honors probation and expulsion decisions imposed by a student’s previous school.

• Attendance records – Students may not be accepted if they have excessive tardies or absences as determined by the Admissions Committee.  Exceptions are made for medical reasons with an appropriate note from their doctor.

• Students needing special services will be accepted if all of their needs can be accommodated.

□  $100 non-refundable application fee payable to the Lafayette Catholic School System (if wiring monies, please add $12 for receiving bank fee plus the fee your bank charges for the wire.)

Completed application packets should be directed to Angie Schrader, LCSS Enrollment Director.  They may be emailed to schrader@lcss.org or mailed to:

Lafayette Catholic School System – Development Office
Attn: Angie Schrader, Enrollment
2410 S. 9th St.
Lafayette, IN 47909

2. Interview with the Guidance Director

Because, Foreign Exchange and International students are unable to visit the school, you will be contacted to schedule a time for a telephone interview with the Central Catholic Guidance Director during the hours of    8 am – 3:30 pm Eastern Standard Time.  The purpose of the telephone interview is to learn more about the applicant. 

3. Admissions Meeting

After the telephone interview has been conducted, the Admissions Committee will meet to review the application packet. The Principal, based on recommendations of the Admissions Committee, will make the final determination of acceptance to Central Catholic.  All new students will be admitted conditionally for one semester.  Students may be accepted on probation and will be asked to sign a contract with specific terms identified.  Approval is subject to change pending receipt of the student’s final records for the previous school.

4. Requirements for the I-20

Upon acceptance, the following information is required for the Lafayette Catholic School System to process the I-20. The I-20 can be picked up at the Enrollment office by a designated person or it can be mailed, charging the cost to your tuition account. 

□  One semester of tuition must be paid in advance.  (This tuition is non-refundable unless official Consulate documentation is received stating the student was denied their F1 visa).

□  Guardianship papers in English stating that the parent(s) gives custody to the named guardian(s) while the student is attending Central Catholic.  Every Central Catholic student must have a guardian regardless of the student’s age.  The guardian must be at least twenty one (21) years of age.  The guardianship papers must also state the student will be physically residing with the guardian.  They must also be signed by the guardians and notarized. (sample available)

□  Proof of health insurance coverage in English while residing in the United States.

□  Statement from the family’s bank of sufficient funds calculated in U.S. dollars for one year’s tuition and living expenses in the United States.

□  $100 issuing fee for I-20 (if wiring monies, please add $12 for receiving bank fee plus the fee your bank charges for the wire.)

5. Completing Enrollment

□  LCSS Emergency form - The Guardian should complete and submit the form with a list of immunizations and dates received (translated into English).

□  Tuition Payment Methods Form – needed only if the student does not need an I-20 and the family chooses to pay the tuition monthly. 

Questions may be directed to Angie Schrader, Enrollment Director at 765-474-7500 or schrader@lcss.org.