General Admissions Policies
at Lakewood Catholic Academy

Lakewood Catholic Academy admits students of any sex, race, creed, color, national and Ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded to students at the school.

Prioritization of Admissions

In the event that there are more applicants than space available for admission to Lakewood Catholic Academy, the following priority policy is applicable.

1. The first priority for new enrollees is given to the siblings of students who are currently enrolled at Lakewood Catholic Academy.  To qualify for such priority, families must be in good financial standing with the school (current on tuition payments). Such families have the opportunity to register new students for the following academic year during the month of January, prior to the beginning of open registration.

2. The second priority for new enrollees is for members who are certified to be in good standing at St. Clement, St. Luke, or Transfiguration parishes, each of which provides financial support to LCA and is a recognized supporting parish. “Good standing” is defined by the particular parish in which the family is a member, and families seeking admission to LCA should contact their respective parishes for specific information regarding parish requirements.

3. The third priority for new enrollees is for families with children currently enrolled in the Holy Family Learning Center and in good financial standing with the Center (current on tuition payments).

4. The fourth priority for new enrollees is for families who are Roman Catholic and who (a) are parishioners of a Catholic church other than St. Clement, St. Luke or Transfiguration or (b) are not in good standing at St. Clement, St. Luke or Transfiguration parish.

5. The fifth priority is for families who are not affiliated with a parish of a Roman Catholic Church.

These priorities apply for all grade levels at Lakewood Catholic Academy, including the Early Childhood Education Program (preschool).

Non-Catholic Student Policy

Lakewood Catholic Academy is pleased to accept students of any religious faith. Because religious instruction is an integral part of the mission of Lakewood Catholic Academy, all students must be present at all religious functions in which the students are engaged during school hours. All students are expected to participate in classes of religious instruction.  There are no exceptions to this policy, which is fully supported by the Diocese of Cleveland and the Lakewood Catholic Academy Board of Directors.

Transfer Student Policy 

All transfer admissions are subject to the approval of the Principal and are based on criteria that include acceptable school records in academic, psychological, attendance and conduct matters.  Transfer admissions are also based on space availability.  The Lakewood Catholic Academy administration holds the right to require specific assessments for entrance into its academic program. All transfer students are accepted on probationary status for their first year at the school.

Admission for Kindergarten Students

Students applying for acceptance to kindergarten must be five years of age by September 30th of the year as verified by a birth certificate. A readiness screening, conducted in the spring prior to kindergarten entrance, is required for admittance.

Admission to the Early Childhood Program

Students applying to Lakewood Catholic Academy’s Early Childhood program must be three or four years of age by the first day of school of the entering year, as verified by a birth certificate. All preschool students must be fully daytime toilet trained.

Wait Listing

Lakewood Catholic Academy’s strict adherence to maximum class sizes may require a waiting list to be established. In such a case, the list will be generated for each grade on a first-come, first-served basis, in accordance with the described admission prioritization stated in this Admission Policy.

Students with Special Needs

Lakewood Catholic Academy makes every effort to meet the needs of each student. The school is not, however, equipped to respond to the needs of students with significant learning or behavioral disabilities.  Parents are asked to supply all pertinent information that would impact the school’s ability to provide for the child’s needs. Special academic and/or psychological evaluation may be required at the discretion of the Principal.

In all cases, only a paid registration fee and completed paperwork assure a space in class. If you have paid a registration fee and for any reason we are unable to provide a space, the registration fee will be refunded.  The registration fee is non-refundable in other cases.