Let the joyful
Research shows the foundation for lifelong learning is built during the elementary and middle school years. During this time, the importance of progressive skill-building through carefully planned grade-by-grade curriculums is so important.
That’s why, at Palisades Episcopal School, we devote all our energy and resources to serving students during their precious formative years. We strive to provide an engaging, hands-on program that best develops the educational, social and emotional needs of young learners.
because you
help me develop
my talents.
Research shows the foundation for lifelong learning is built during the elementary and middle school years. During this time, the importance of progressive skill-building through carefully planned grade-by-grade curriculums is so important.
That’s why, at Palisades Episcopal School, we devote all our energy and resources to serving students during their precious formative years. We strive to provide an engaging, hands-on program that best develops the educational, social and emotional needs of young learners.
The result? A joyful love of learning that carries PES students through high school and college as confident, compassionate and contributing members of the community.
Some Hallmarks of a JK-8 Education:
- Students enjoy purposeful, immersive, age-appropriate activities that support their learning in a safe social environment.
- Middle school students are role models for the entire student body, resulting in greater confidence, self-esteem and a deep sense of belonging. At PES, students serve on committees that give input on school matters, mentor and tutor younger students, captain athletic teams, lead school performances, and more.
- There is a vibrant sense of community where every child is known by every teacher, administrator and other students, which creates a nurturing environment where help and encouragement are always close at hand.
- As 8th graders make the transition to high school, they are academically and socially prepared for the next step of their educational journey. All PES graduates have been admitted to their best-fit high school and are thriving as campus leaders, scholars, athletes and artists.
PES seeks intellectually curious and self-reliant students who will thrive in an academically challenging environment and uphold the school’s values of appreciation and respect for others. The Admissions Committee looks carefully at student visits, transcripts and school reports, teacher recommendations and assessment results to identify students who meet these criteria. Once these students have been identified, the Committee must select a limited number of students for admission to each grade, based on spaces available at that grade level and the School’s admission policies and priorities.
PES strives to maintain a diverse student population at each grade level. Due to the fact that there might be more applicants than available spaces in particular grade levels, it might not be possible to admit all comparably qualified applicants in a given year.
PES begins accepting applications on September 1st for the upcoming school year. PES admits students on a rolling admissions basis and applicants with a completed admissions file will be notified promptly of an admissions decision.
Teacher recommendation forms will be filled out during the online application process. These confidential forms will be emailed directly to PES from your child’s current teacher.
Apply online HERE! Complete the application and submit it with the application fee ($180 for JK-K; $90 for 1-8). We normally expect Junior Kindergarten applicants to be at least four years old upon entry, Kindergarten applicants to be at least five years old upon entry and 1st grade applicants to be at least six years old upon entry. Upon receipt of an application, the Advancement Office will contact you to coordinate the following next steps.
If you are applying for grades 1-8, we will submit the release of records request form, that you sign when filling out the online application, to your child’s current school beginning in January. All official transcripts should be sent directly to PES from your child’s current school.
Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten
Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten applicants attend admissions visits and complete an admissions screening. These visits are designed to be an enjoyable play time for the children and an opportunity for the Advancement staff to meet and observe visiting children in a relaxed setting. These visits begin in January.
First – Eighth Grades
Applicants in grades 1-8 spend the day at PES for an admissions visit and screening, and meet with faculty for an informal interview.
you because I
get to learn
with my friends.
PES admits students of all races, colors, national and ethnic origins to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded, or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other School administered programs.
Palisades Episcopal School (PES) is committed to making a PES education accessible to all admissions qualified students. With this goal in mind, PES has implemented an Indexed Tuition plan offering a range of tuitions based upon demonstrated family need. To determine a family’s level of financial need, PES uses the Clarity Application.
Tuition amounts include all fees except fees for athletics, performing arts and large middle school field trips. A 2% discount is given if the full annual tuition is paid by July 1st or upon enrollment if a student is enrolled after July 1st.
*Tuition amount for families who do not apply or qualify for Indexed Tuition.
A $750 tuition deposit is due each year. This deposit is applied toward the student’s tuition.
A one-time $500 registration fee for new students is due upon enrollment.
Tuition Insurance (1.7% of tuition) is required if tuition is not paid in full on or before July 1st, or upon enrollment if a student is enrolled after July 1st.
- Middle School Athletic Fee – $200 per sport
- Performing Arts Fee (Spring Musical participants) – $200
- Middle School Overnight End of Year Field Trips – $250-450
- Afterschool Fees – from $30/Day to $345/month
- Bus Fees – $120 monthly
Half-Day Junior Kindergarten | $1,405-7,025* |
Extended-Day Junior Kindergarten | $2,001-10,005* |
Kindergarten | $3,137-15,685* |
First-Second Grade | $3,181-15,905* |
Third Grade | $3,219-16,095* |
Fourth Grade | $3,250-16,250* |
Fifth-Eighth Grade | $3,261-16,305* |
For most families, investing in an independent school education requires careful financial planning. We seek to admit talented and motivated students, regardless of family resources. Therefore, all interested families are encouraged to apply for admission to PES. We offer need-based financial assistance for families who feel the full tuition cost is out of their reach. We are here to help you determine the best options for your family with this very important educational investment.
Before receiving financial assistance, each applicant must apply and receive admission to the school. The Admission and Indexed Tuition process may occur simultaneously. In order to assess what a family can afford for educational costs, PES uses Clarity as an objective and independent third party. Clarity calculations are the baseline for our Indexed Tuition determinations, but we also take into consideration our school’s policies and the resources available for returning families as well as prospective families.
Joyful
In the spirit of building a community of lifelong learners, PES is hosting the following event(s):
- 2024-2025 Community Education Events
- Details to be shared by early fall
- 2025 Spring Musical
- May 1 & May 2, 6:30 p.m.
Little Explorers offers children ages 3-5 years old and their caregivers exciting, hands-on learning experiences. Classes will explore the wonders of Science. Our 2024-2025 Little Explorers Series is now open for registration!
Visit pescharlotte.org/littleexplorers for details and to register.
