FAQs

We're here to help!

If you need help or have questions at any time, please don't hesitate to give us a call at 781.862.7850 x140.

ADMISSIONS

How do school visits work?

Our Open House and First Look Friday events are a great way to experience LCA, but if you are unable to attend one of those, our Admission team will set up a personal tour for you. The best way for a student to visit is by setting up a Student Experience Day. Students will shadow a current student for a morning of classes and see a day in the life of LCA. 

To set up your visit, call us at 781-862-7850 x185 or admissions@lca.edu!

VISIT LCA

What should I expect on my Student Experience Day?

Visiting students should arrive on campus by 7:35 am on the morning of their Student Experience Day. A member of our Admission team will greet you at the front desk and connect you with your LCA host. You will experience a day in the life of LCA by sitting in on four class blocks. We will provide you with a mid-morning snack and a lunch in our Dining Room. The day will conclude at 12:45 pm.

What is the Admission Interview like?

The Admission Interview is an informal conversation that provides students and parents the opportunity to get to know LCA on a personal level. In order to ensure that interviews are effective, interviews are scheduled as the final piece of the application process (after all paperwork and test results have been submitted). Interviews typically last about one hour. Don't be nervous!

What are the criteria for admission?

At LCA, we look for students with a proven record of academic accomplishment who will be successful in our college preparatory curriculum. In addition, we seek students interested in contributing their talents to our community and for families who value our mission.

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Where do LCA students come from?

LCA Students come from all types of feeder schools including public schools, Christian schools, independent schools, and homeschooling. 

What are the key dates in the application process?

Priority deadline is February 1, 2019. We accept applications on a rolling basis subject to availability.

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Are siblings automatically admitted?

We encourage current families to apply for their younger children, although each admission application is evaluated on its own merits. LCA does not currently offer multiple child discounts.

BOARDING & SCHOOL LIFE

What’s it like to board at LCA?

Our Boarding program provides the structure students need to thrive in their school experience along with the flexibility to explore new options. Boarding at LCA is like extending your family as you build life-long friendships with students from all over the world.

Living in community means developing skills in understanding other cultures, learning to think in new ways and having opportunities to grow as a leader.

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Why would someone choose 5-day boarding?

Five-day boarding is a great option for students who are involved in many areas of school life and want the convenience of living close to LCA. This is a great option for busy families and allows students to benefit from the structure of our program while gaining extra time each day to focus on school work. Five-day boarding is a great step toward learning the skills needed for college life.

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How late can I pick up my child?

Many LCA students stay in the building after classes end for the day. You may find Upper School students studying in the Library, on the athletic fields, or spending time with their classmates in the hallway. For Middle School students staying between 3:30-5:30 PM, Seventh Period is a supervised environment for students to do homework, access computers, play board games, or just relax. There is no charge for middle school students participating in the Seventh Period Program. 

What is the dress code?

We want students to wear clothes suitable for them to do serious schoolwork. While we don’t have a uniform, our appearance criteria help cultivate such an environment.

FINANCIAL

Can we really afford an LCA education?

Yes! LCA families have access to a great merit-based scholarship program as well as need-based financial aid.

AFFORDING LCA

Are textbooks included in the tuition price?

The cost of textbooks is in addition to the tuition price.  Many books can be purchased in either new or used condition through LCA’s online bookstore or through other distributors. Textbooks cost between $500-$800.

How are financial aid awards determined?

Families submit an application to the School and Student Service (SSS) for Financial Aid. Our Financial Aid Committee reviews the SSS information and supporting documents, taking into consideration extenuating circumstances. Awards are determined based on the demonstrated need of applying families and available financial aid funding. All information is treated as highly confidential by the committee as well as by the parents receiving the aid.

If divorced, do both parents apply for financial aid?

Yes. Both parents must submit financial aid forms and tax information.

I don't do my taxes until the April 15th deadline.

We now accept “prior prior” year tax returns. That means for the 2019-2020 academic year, families can submit either 2017 or 2018 tax returns as supporting documents. We may ask families to provide 2018 w2 forms as supplemental information.
 

Is financial aid automatically renewed?

No. It is necessary to re-apply every year. Awards may be adjusted based on family financial circumstances and tuition rates.

Does applying for financial aid affect admission?

No. Decisions regarding admission are need-blind.

What is the source of financial aid funding?

We receive no federal funding; the financial aid and scholarships provided to families are made possible through multiple private sources. Most of the money comes through gifts to our Academy Fund by parents and other donors. Other funding comes from the Academy's endowment. Giving back is an integral part of LCA. It is the expectation that some day, those who have benefited by receiving financial aid will give back to LCA, enabling someone else to receive an LCA education.

Is need-based financial aid available?

Yes. LCA offers need-based financial aid. Please check the appropriate box on the application if you are interested in applying. Forms will be posted online in January and must be completed by mid-February. Forms need to be completed and returned to the Business Office by the published dates. After carefully reviewing each application, the Financial Aid Committee makes all financial aid decisions and mails out responses to students who have been accepted for admission. 

FINANCIAL AID

Are scholarships available to new families?

Yes. Merit-based scholarships are offered each year to recognize students' accomplishments, a number of which are set aside specifically for new students. Scholarships offered are merit-based, and criteria, application process, and award amounts are posted online. It is important to follow the instructions for each scholarship carefully and to honor the published deadline date. All scholarship applications are due February 1.

TUITION AND SCHOLARSHIPS