STJ Academy Admissions, Tuition & Financial Aid

We are delighted that you have found us, and hope to have an opportunity to get to know more about you and your family. We are especially proud of our Academy, our dedicated faculty and staff, and most importantly, our Student-Athletes.

Admissions Process

At The St. James Performance Academy, our admissions process is tailored to meet the unique needs of today’s Student-Athletes and tomorrow’s leaders. Our experienced Admissions team will guide you through academic program options, athletic development pathways, and sport-specific team offerings to help you find the right fit for your personal needs and goals. From your first contact, we provide personalized support to ensure you are set up for success both on and off the field. With every step, we prioritize your development as a student-athlete, making your transition to The St. James Performance Academy smooth and focused on personal development, achieving growth and excellence, and striving for positive change in every possible manner.

Key Admissions Questions

How and when should I apply?

The St. James Performance Academy application cycle for the 2026-27 school year opens on October 1, 2026 and closes on January 16, 2026. Prospective students should submit their admissions application online as soon as possible for review. If you have not connected with one of our Admissions Officers, please reach out to our Admissions Office — admissions@thestjames.com — for more information.

What qualities does The St. James Performance Academy look for in an applicant?

Due to the highly competitive nature of our admissions process, the majority of our students are well-rounded Student-Athletes who excel both academically with a good record of consistency and effort, a clear passion for the sport and a willingness to grow through intensive training and coaching. The Admissions team takes a holistic approach to review each application. The St. James Performance Academy seeks to enroll students who show extraordinary character, independence, discipline, and a commitment to academic, athletic, and personal development. Candidates should have a minimum grade point average of at least 3.0 on a four-point scale to be considered by the Academy’s Admissions Committee for the 2026-27 admissions cycle.

Do you accept non-athletes to your Academic programs and services?

For prospective students who wish to utilize the Academy’s academic programs and service only, please contact the Admissions Office - admissions@thestjames.com - for eligibility requirements.

Is an admission interview required?

A formal interview and athletic evaluation are required for an application to be considered.

What grades do you offer?

Enrollment at The St. James Performance Academy starts in 5th grade and concludes with a postgraduate program for those Student- Athletes who wish to pursue after graduation from high school.

What is a post-graduate program?

A Post Graduate program, often referred to as a “PG” or “Gap” year, is an additional year of study that takes place after a student has graduated high school. This program is designed to help Student-Athletes enhance their academic and athletic profile, making them more prepared for the rigors of college athletics.

What is the application fee?

There is a non-refundable fee of $100 to submit an application.

What documents do you require for application?

For an application to be considered, applicants must:

Complete the required fields in our online application.
Submit requested transcripts for the past two academic years.
Complete a formal interview with an Admissions Officer
Attend an athletic evaluation with an official STJ Performance Academy coach.
English Proficiency Test Scores (English Non-Native Speakers)
IEP/504 Plan and Neuropsychological Evaluation (if applicable)
Affidavit of Support & Bank Letter (International Students)
Pay $100 application fee

Do I need to submit official transcripts to apply?

Yes, electronic unofficial transcripts can be sent via email to the Admissions Office once an applicant has formally applied to the Academy. We do require international transcripts to be certified and translated to English. Official transcripts will be required by the first day of school.

Tuition

Providing a good education is one of the most important gifts. We know that an independent school education is an investment, the cost of which is a factor for some families in making their school decision. Day student tuition for the 2026-2027 school year is $37,500. We also anticipate additional expenses separate from tuition that may total over the course of the school year an additional average of $1,000. Approximate additional expenses are anticipated for miscellaneous charges such as student-athlete meal plans, student uniforms, athletic equipment, etc.

Financial Aid

The St. James Performance Academy aims to provide resources to make an Academy education possible for all families based on demonstrated financial need and the availability of funds. The St. James Performance Academy is proud to use the Clarity Application to determine a family’s level of financial need based on the information that families share in the application which includes assets, income, expenses, and debts.

Financial Aid Deadlines for New Applicants

January 16, 2026: Complete the Clarity application online.

March 10, 2026: Financial Aid award letters are released to families of newly accepted students.

Financial Aid Deadlines for Returning Families

November 15, 2025: Current families that already receive financial aid must reapply each year by submitting the Clarity application.

March 1, 2026: Re-enrollment deadline for all returning families.

NOTE: Current families wishing to apply for financial aid for the first time need to contact Douglas Homer at academybursar@thestjames.com before submitting an application.

Financial Aid FAQs

Are there any merit awards available at The St. James Performance Academy?

No, The St. James Performance Academy does not offer any merit awards. All financial aid award calculations are based on a family’s demonstrated need. Since financial aid is granted annually, families must reapply each academic year.

How does The St. James Performance Academy determine financial aid awards?

Information from the financial aid application generates an estimated amount your family can contribute to educational expenses. The Financial Aid Committee uses this estimate as a starting point to help members of the Committee make fair and objective financial aid decisions. Homeownership, family size, the number of children at tuition-charging schools, regional cost of living adjustments and other factors are considered in the evaluation of a family’s ability to pay.

How do I apply for financial aid and is there a fee?

If your family is interested in applying for financial aid, please go to the Clarity Application and create an account. The application typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete and is mobile-friendly so you can complete it from anywhere. You are also able to save your progress and return at any time. At the end of the application, if you are a US taxpayer, you will follow the steps to authorize the IRS to share a transcript of your W2(s) and personal tax return. Clarity has found that US taxpayers who have IRS.gov accounts before starting the Clarity Application have a much easier time completing this Verification process.

There is a $65 fee to submit, and you can share your application with additional schools that accept the Clarity Application for no additional charge. Simply use the dropdown menu in the application to select those schools.

Please remember to return to your dashboard after you complete and submit your Clarity Application, as The St. James Performance Academy requires you to upload additional tax documentation including your W-2s, paystubs, and 1040 filings.

If you need support during the process of completing your application, there is in-app support available through the “Help” button in the bottom left of the screen, as well as email and phone support at support@clarityapp.com or 206-210-3752, in both English and Spanish. The application itself is also fully translated into Spanish.

If our family is eligible, how much financial aid is awarded and what does it cover?

Financial aid awards will vary based on your family’s demonstrated need. Awards can range from $1,000 up to 75 percent of the entire cost of tuition for the 2026-2027 school year.

When determining a financial assistance award, The St. James Performance Academy considers the total cost of attendance. In addition to financial aid for tuition, The St. James Performance Academy gives an additional $2,500 in aid to families who are active or retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces, local, state or Federal law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians. Financial aid can be awarded to help cover other fees which can include textbooks, athletic equipment, field trips, school social events, etc. While awards do vary, we strive to help make an independent school education affordable for all families (including middle-income families who think they might not qualify).

Do I have to reapply for assistance each year?

Yes, each student’s need is recalculated annually. Therefore, parents are required to submit a new request for financial aid each year.

Do both parents need to complete a Financial Aid Application even if they are separated, divorced or were never married?

Yes, The St. James Performance Academy requires that each parent complete a financial aid application by January 15. Parents can be assured that all financial information received from one parent will not be shared with the other.

If our family does not qualify for financial aid, what options do we have regarding tuition payments?

Through The St. James Performance Academy business office, families can set up payment plans, choosing to either make three payments (in July, October and January), six payments (in July, August, September, November, December, and January), or a ten-month payment plan (beginning in May 2026 through February 2027), if the requested plan is approved by the Chief of Sports.

Families who opt to pay in full will receive a 5% discount on their child’s comprehensive tuition fee for the school year. Families who enroll a second child in the Academy will also be eligible to receive a 5% discount on the second child’s comprehensive tuition fee.

Families who are interested in education loans can contact Your Tuition Solution, a program of Springstone Financial, LLC based in Westborough, Mass., that provides low fixed rates, low monthly payments, no application or origination fees, no prepayment penalties and the opportunity to increase the original amount in future years to keep payments affordable.

Does The St. James Performance Academy offer tuition insurance?

The St. James Performance Academy has partnered with AWG DEWAR to provide families who opt pay their child’s tuition in a payment plan with comprehensive tuition insurance. The policy provides coverage of up to $30,000 of a student-athlete’s tuition in the event that a student-athlete is unable to participate due to a covered reason.

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