Admissions

Not at all. One of the hallmarks of the Episcopal identity is the importance of inclusivity and personal spiritual growth. We teach students to explore their own spirituality while encouraging a wide range of perspectives. Episcopal traditions are simply the vehicle for instilling personal development and upstanding character in our students. 

St. Paul's welcomes and values people regardless of differences including, but not limited to age, race, culture, religion, socioeconomic status, perspectives, physical ability, education, family composition, sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation. 

St. Paul's percentage of BIPOC or nonwhite community members:

• 20% of students
• 10% of faculty/staff

This is an important area of growth for our school, and we are committed to making progress in the coming months and years. Through our ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, we seek to create and sustain a school culture that advances the dignity and well-being of each person and promotes a genuine sense of belonging.

Read more about how these efforts fit into our current St. Paul's strategic plan here.

We have two staff counselors for our students and faculty, including an ECC counselor and 1st - 8th grade counselor. These staff members provide private counseling, lead social emotional learning activities in classrooms, and organize age-appropriate presentations for students covering important mental health topics. Annual middle school presentations cover topics like responsible social media use, depression/anxiety, HIV/AIDS awareness, sexual education, and sexual abuse. Parents are always notified in advance of these presentations and are given the option to opt-out.

We also have a 3rd through 8th Grade Learning Specialist who works closely with teachers and parents to ensure students’ learning needs are met. The Learning Specialist helps students in one-on-one and in small group sessions while providing in class support as needed. The Learning Specialist also helps identify signs of learning differences and aids in intervention while providing recommendations for outside testing and additional resources.

We also work closely with The Children's SPOT for routine speech and occupational therapy screenings in Pre-K through 5th grade. The Children's SPOT team provides on-site therapy for many St. Paul's students and occasionally makes referrals for therapy outside the school day.

The admissions process consists of a few steps before the student file goes to the admissions committee for final consideration. We ask that all families complete the application, submit a record request form, and schedule a student visit or playdate. At St. Paul’s, we seek to find students who will thrive in our warm but rigorous academic environment. Click here to read more about how we make admissions decisions. St. Paul’s is an inclusive community that is eager to welcome a wide range of families and students from diverse backgrounds. 

We admit toddlers who are 2 years old by July 1.  Our Early Childhood program incorporates a healthy blend of work and play with a variety of activities and experiences to help children develop greater confidence and independence.  Click here to learn more about Early Childhood at St. Paul's.

The wait pool is used to fill openings during the school year and to complete the school roster year over year.  We do not rank potential applicants as we seek to balance the needs of existing classes.  If you are in the wait pool, we encourage you to at least have a completed application on file.  

We do not provide sibling discounts.  However, we encourage families to apply for tuition assistance. The Financial Aid Committee takes siblings into consideration when awarding assistance to families.  

St. Paul’s understands that an independent school education is a major investment for families to consider, and we are committed to supporting students who need tuition assistance.  You can apply for tuition assistance here.  

Starting in 5th grade, students are invited to sign up for select sports in the fall and spring including basketball, volleyball, and soccer. St. Paul’s competes in local athletic tournaments with other independent and parochial schools. 

Yes, the Early Room program begins at 7:15 a.m., and after care is available until 6 p.m. In addition, students can sign up for after school enrichment programs like music lessons and student clubs! Click here to find out more about the Extended Day program.  

Starting in Pre-Kindergarten, students attend Spanish classes to learn basic vocabulary and celebrate Spanish and Hispanic culture. Spanish instruction becomes more detailed and intensive as students progress through lower school. In middle school, Spanish classes continue with the goal of building both written and oral language proficiency and fluency. 8th grade students are given the opportunity to participate in a 3-week exchange program with a school in Madrid, Spain. 

We do not have a bussing program at St. Paul's, and families are responsible for bringing students to and from school every day. We do encourage families to setup carpools to help with traffic on surrounding surface streets. After the Kansas City streetcar extension is completed in 2025, we anticipate many of our older students will use the planned stop at 40th & Main Streets.