ADMISSIONS

Is your family committed to Christ?

Our families value our commitment to Christ in all that we do. Our school motto, Soli Deo Gloria, means “To the glory of God alone.” Children memorize entire chapters of Scripture regularly and are taught to live according to them. We often hear the story of parents who are pulled aside by their children’s Sunday school teachers and asked how these children know so much. We pray and work so they will translate what they learn here into a life of service to Christ. If you share these values, you probably will fit well at Ambrose.

Are you committed to well-behaved children?

Our standards within the school are loving and structured. We believe all children are created in the image of God and we deeply respect the uniqueness of their personalities. All children are prone to misbehavior on occasion, so we don’t expect your kids to be perfect (or even close). We do expect parents to support our teachers and administration as we lovingly but firmly discipline children who are acting out. If you value a partnership with a school that will uphold high standards, you will do well at The Ambrose School.

Do you value academics and a Christian work ethic?

Our school is generally recognized in the community for the academic standards we uphold. This comes with a standard of work that requires a little more of both parents and students. Parents are often called upon to be actively involved with their young children as they do homework. Many parents find that by the 4th or 5th grade, the Latin, history, and other subjects exceed their ability to help. However, parents still remain actively involved to ensure they are diligently working to prevent frustration from poor study habits. While some families may find it difficult to trade off some recreational or entertainment time to focus on academics, our graduates commonly thank us for their training.

Some misunderstand our work ethic. We do not desire or expect children to work excessively. Certainly, children need time to play. For this reason, we restrict the amount of homework allowed each week.

For those who wonder why we have higher expectations: Hundreds of families have found that their children thrive in our environment because they enjoy being challenged. What expectations characterize your family? If you are serious about finding an educational partner with you in preparing your child for life, we invite you to visit and see what’s possible.

Do you value a broad-based education or do you see education as a relatively generic commodity, with slight distinctions?

Some families want a mainstream education like they had. If you were satisfied with your education (assuming you were educated in a mainstream public or private school) and don’t see any reason to want more, then you probably won’t find our form of education appealing. From our uniforms to our study of the great books to our emphasis on writing, we are different from most schools.

Often, the people who most identify with classical Christian education are those who went to school in the eastern or southern United States, Europe, or any of the British or French commonwealths. A vestige of classical education remains in most of these areas, particularly in the preparatory schools. Because classical Christian education takes time to appreciate, those with a background in traditional Western education more quickly identify with the advantages gained in what has been called a “Western liberal arts” education.

If you are attracted to education that reaches beyond training to enrich the minds and the spirits of students as they learn to love learning, then you should consider our school.

Does your family love learning and books?

The most consistent success factor for children at The Ambrose School is the learning environment at home. Families who read and love to learn send children to our school because they want the world of language, books, history, science, and math to be an integrated whole. They want their children to use their love of knowledge to explore and seek Truth. Families that do not have many books in their home and that rarely visit a library or bookstore probably will not find our value compelling.

Having said this, many families discover the world of literature and information through their children’s experience at our school. If you would like to develop a love of books, knowledge, and learning in your home, Ambrose can provide a great start.

Feel free to contact our Admissions Director if you have your own questions. We would love to hear from you.

K-6 Student Admission Requirements

A child must have reached the age of four years by the first day of school in the year in which he would be entering Pre-Kindergarten; five years of age by the first day of kindergarten; six years of age by the first day of first grade.

If a child has successfully completed the previous school year and his schoolwork and behavior compare favorably to The Ambrose School’s standards, he will be placed in the grade for which he is applying. However, if there is evidence that the child may not be adequately prepared for the next sequential grade level, he may be required to repeat the previous grade.

The student should understand that his parents have delegated their authority to the school during the school day. Therefore, the child is subject to the instruction and discipline of the teacher and the Head of School in their prescribed roles at The Ambrose School.

The Ambrose School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its admissions, scholarships, hiring, or other school-directed policies.

7-12 Student Admission Requirements

If a child has demonstrated academic strength in his or her previous school year and his or her schoolwork and behavior compares favorably to The Ambrose School’s standards, he will be placed in the grade for which he is applying.

Student acceptance will be based upon a student interview, parent interview, and the student’s academic ability.

The Ambrose School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its admissions, scholarships, hiring, or other school-directed policies.

Parent Requirements

Parents should have a clear understanding of our unique classical educational approach. Parents should carefully read the informational materials about the school. We also strongly encourage each parent to read the book by Douglas Wilson, “Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning,” as one of the best texts for explaining the kind of program we offer at The Ambrose School.

Parents are required to cooperate with all the written policies of The Ambrose School. This is especially important in the area of discipline and schoolwork standards, as well as active communication with the respective teachers and administration. In addition, parents are strongly encouraged to become active volunteers in other areas of the school.

Please contact our Admissions Director at admissions@theambroseschool.org or submit an inquiry by clicking on the box below.

Steps to Admission

1. Request information or sign up for a tour. For specific questions, email admissions@theambroseschool.org or call (208) 323-3888.

2. Apply: Complete our online application and submit the application fee.

3. Records: For students above the 2nd grade, copies of standardized test scores and academic records (report cards or transcripts) are requested prior to student testing.

4. Parent interview: This typically takes 45 minutes to an hour and is designed for just the parents. Children are welcome to attend if no childcare can be provided. You will be notified within 5 days of acceptance and proceed to testing.

5. Testing: This typically takes 30 – 60 minutes for grammar school, and sometimes longer in the upper school. Enrollment is based upon student assessment.

6. Notification: Families will be notified of their student enrollment acceptance/rejection via email within 10 business days after taking the assessment.

Considerations for new family acceptance:

• An active family faith that aligns with our Statement of Faith.

• An understanding of classical Christian education.

• Family support.

• A student’s test results.

• For older students, their contribution to our school community.

None of these are “litmus tests.” Rather, we consider all factors when admitting a new student.

Attending The Ambrose School is a privilege. Students and families are enrolled at the direction of the Administration and Board. We reserve the right to refuse admission or continued enrollment to anyone.

Open Enrollment for the following school year

Apply by February 15:

• Applications received by February 15 are considered as a group in mid-April.

After February 15:

• Any student application received after February 15 is considered for admission in any remaining openings.

Applications during the school year:

We consider applications during any time of the year. Due to our unique curriculum and high standards, the later in the year students apply for admission, the more difficult it becomes for students to succeed. Grammar school students generally can succeed if they enter during the first semester (before January 1st). High school students must generally be enrolled during the first four weeks of the semester, but can, on occasion, be enrolled mid-year.

Applications after the second week of September of the student’s junior year:

We do not allow new students entering after this time to graduate from The Ambrose School unless they were previously enrolled at a classical Christian school. We can allow students to complete the coursework, but they will not graduate.

Re-enrollment of current families

Re-enrollment of current students occurs automatically at the end of January through FACTS, our tuition management system.

If you are a current family and have a new student, please apply below.

Your child’s education will help shape who they become.

Please consider the lifelong value your child will receive at The Ambrose School. We realize you have many educational options, and we work diligently to keep our costs as low as possible.

Payment plans help fit tuition into your budget.

We provide an interest-free payment plan to help families budget tuition into their monthly expenses. Tuition for the year can be paid in one lump sum to receive a discount, or in monthly payments.

Tuition and Fees 2024-25

Tuition and Fees 2024-25 Bridge