How to Apply GWAC | GEMS World Academy Chicago

Welcome!

Thank you for your interest in GEMS World Academy Chicago. We are committed to enrolling students and families who are supportive of our mission to prepare students to be resilient, empathetic, and morally responsible contributors to the local and global communities. Our aim is for you to find our admissions process to be thoughtful, personal, seamless, and comfortable. Our admissions team is here to help you at any point; no question is too small.

Now Enrolling for In-Person Instruction for the 2022-23 school year.

Enrolling now for in-person instruction only, five days a week. No hybrid or alternating days off.

Ready to apply

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The 2022-2023 Admissions Cycle, Dates & Deadlines

The dates of our admissions are most closely aligned with other independent schools in Chicago.

Application Submission Deadline: January 15, 2022 (After this date, we move to a rolling admissions phase and accept qualified applicants if space is available.)
Application Profile Completion Deadline: February 15, 2022
Admissions Decision Notification: Week of March 7, 2022
Admissions Decision by: March 21, 2022

GEMS ADMISSIONS

The Application Process

School Visit

Prospective families will have the opportunity to tour the school while class is in session, meet faculty and staff, and learn more about our mission, values, philosophy, and approach. Please note that all visitors to the building must provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within the last 72 hours. Masks are required at all times.

Visit

Apply

Apply online here. After you submit the application, we will guide you toward a complete application. Requirements vary by grade, but include submission of historical school records, test scores, and report cards, a parent meeting with admissions, and teacher recommendation(s), and a grade-appropriate assessment:

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Decision

Decisions are issued as soon as all application requirements are met and tuition has been set for the upcoming school year.

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Enroll

If your child is admitted, you will be provided with a link to pay the enrollment deposit and sign the enrollment agreement. Enrollment is not secured until both the agreement and deposit are received. Our enrollment deposit is 10% of tuition.

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Admissions Requirements

After you submit the application, we will guide you toward completion of the application process. Requirements vary by grade level, but include submission of historical school records, test scores, report cards, a parent meeting with admissions, teacher recommendation(s), and a grade-appropriate assessment:

Preschool-kindergarten: playgroups conducted by our early learning staff
Grades 1-4: school visit/shadow day and GEMS assessment
Grades 5-10: school visit/shadow day and ISEE, SSAT, ACT, Aspire, or PSAT scores
Grades 11-12 Diploma Program: school visit/shadow day and ISEE, SSAT, ACT, Aspire, or PSAT scores, world language assessment (where applicable)

Please note our COVID-19 plan and policies below. All visitors to the school must provide proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test within the last 72 hours, and be masked during the entirety of the visit.

Please click here to view the GEMS 2021-2022 COVID-19 updated plan.

Please click here to view the GEMS COVID-19 Policies and FAQs document.

To inspire inquiring, knowledgeable, reflective, and intercultural learners to become morally responsible leaders.

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