ADMISSIONS
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Admissions process
Preschool Applicants
– All applicants must submit a complete application packet for each child with the Application fee of $250. A refund of 50% will be issued only if student is not offered enrollment.
– Students entering Preschool must be the age of their class by August 31st and should show an overall readiness to begin Preschool.
– Once the completed packet has been received, you will be contacted to schedule an on campus visit and family interview.
– Decision letters will be mailed within one week of the interview.
– All preschool students must be fully potty trained.
Kindergarten & Elementary Applicants
– All applicants must submit a complete application packet with Application/Registration fee of $350. A refund of 50% will be issued only if student is not offered enrollment.
– Students entering Kindergarten must meet the minimum age requirement (age 5 on or before August 31st) and should show an overall readiness to begin school.
– Students entering 1st grade through 5th grade will be required to submit a copy of their most recent report card and standardized test score. Teacher recommendation forms from their current school are also required.
– Once the completed application packet is received, you will be contacted to schedule admissions testing, an on campus visit, and a family interview.
– Decision letters will be mailed within one week of the testing.
– If the student has an IEP or 504 plan, we must have copies of the diagnosis and plan. We will determine if we have adequate resources for your child’s success in learning.
– We do not offer in-class shadowing, but can provide a guided tour of the classes.
Middle & High School Applicants
– All applicants must submit a complete application packet with Application/Registration fee of $350. A refund of 50% will be issued if student is not offered enrollment.
– Once the completed packet is received, you will be contacted to schedule admissions testing, an on campus visit, and a family interview.
– Middle School and High School students will be required to submit a copy of their most recent report card and standardized test scores. Teacher recommendation forms and pastor recommendation forms are also required.
– Decision letters will be mailed within one week of testing.
– If student has an IEP or 504 plan, we must have copies of the diagnosis and plan. We will determine if we have adequate resources for your child’s success in learning.
– We do not offer in-class shadowing, but can provide a guided tour of the classes.
– Rarely are students admitted into High School after the first four weeks of the school year. In addition, students are rarely admitted for their senior year of high school.
Admissions STANDARDS
The Admission process for each grade level has slightly different requirements: however, they share a common goal. We want to get to know your child and your family. The admissions standards of Gaston Christian School are designed to help identify students who will likely be successful in this type of program. The following criteria is used when evaluating student applications:
- Aptitude and/or academic achievement in the average to above average range
- Age-appropriate development, socially and emotionally
- Amenable to instruction and correction
- Desire to attend Gaston Christian School
- Parents/guardians who are supportive of the school, the Statement of Faith and Mission Statement
*Due solely to the limited resources of the school, we regret that we are not equipped to meet the needs of students who may require unique or specialized learning programs. If your student has an IEP or special learning plan, we will need complete documentation to determine if we can meet your child’s needs for success in learning.
Gaston Christian School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The school does not discriminate in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, financial aid, athletic, and other school administered programs.
TUITION RATES AND FEES
Registration/Testing Fees (new students): $250 per student for Preschool; $350 per student for K-12.
This is paid when the application is submitted. A refund of 50% will be issued if the student is not offered enrollment after testing. Registration/Testing fees are not refundable or transferable if enrollment is offered.
Reenrollment fees (returning students): $75 per student if reenrolled by January 31, 2020; $140 per student if reenrolled by February 28, 2020; $250 per student if reenrolled March 1, 2020 or later. Reenrollment fees are not refundable or transferable if enrollment is cancelled.
TUITION RATES
SCHOOL
TUITION
SUPPLY FEE
Preschool – 3 Days (M-W-F)
$3168 (Half Day)
$4140 (Full Day)
$180
Preschool – 5 Days
$3840 (Half Day)
$5520 (Full Day)
$180
Half Day Kindergarten
$4,860
$360
Full Day Kindergarten
$6,600
$468
Elementary (Grades 1-5)
$6,600
$576
Middle School (Grades 6-8)
$8,292
$600
$125 – Technology Fee (8th grade only)
High School (Grades 9-12)
$8,940
$600
PER-FAMILY FEES
1st & 2nd Year Enrolled
3rd Year Enrolled & Following
Facility Charge
$300
$150
Security Fee
$50
$50
Fees for Advanced Placement courses (Grades 11 and 12) are $190 per course and include the cost of the exam. Band participants (Grades 5-8) pay $185 per year for instructional fees. Band and AP course fees are not charged until the classes begin and may be added to your normal billing cycle from the time the class starts until the end of the school year.
DISCOUNTS
Family Discount – Full tuition is billed for the oldest child in the family. Tuition for all other children, except preschool, is discounted 10%. This discount is for tuition only and does not apply to any other fees. (K-12 only)
Minister’s Discount – Full time, ordained ministers may qualify for a tuition discount of 50% per child. Please see the “Minister’s Discount” application online for more information. (K-12 only)
Referral Stipend – A referral stipend of $250 is available to current school families who refer a new family if that family enrolls and remains enrolled for the school year. The stipend is issued as a credit applied to the referring family’s tuition. Stipends are prorated if the new family leaves before the year is completed. (K-12 only)
Military Discount – A 10% tuition discount is available for families who have at least one parent on active military duty. Please see the “Active Military Discount” application online for more information. (K-12 only)
Legacy Discount – A $1,200 discount per student is available for full-time enrolled children of GCS graduates. Students enrolled less than full time are prorated as follows: Half-day Kindergarten– $900; Full-day Preschool (Three Day)- $800; Half-day Preschool (Five Days)- $700; Half-day Preschool (Three Days)- $600. (Available only to alumni not receiving staff or minister’s discounts)
REFUNDS
Students are considered enrolled for the entire school year; therefore, budgets and staffing are set accordingly. The early withdrawal of a student creates an opening which Gaston Christian may not be able to fill. Students who cancel enrollment by May 31, 2019, will not be billed tuition, facility charges or supply fees for the 2019-2020 year. Enrollments canceled or students withdrawn any time after May 31, 2019, will be assessed a $500 withdrawal fee in addition to payment based on a per diem rate for the number of days the student was enrolled. The official date of withdrawal is the date the withdrawal form is completed and submitted to the school office.
TUITION ASSISTANCE
Students must be enrolled for the 2019-2020 school year to be considered for tuition assistance. Gaston Christian uses an outside service, FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment (FGAA), to evaluate the applicant’s need for assistance. The GCS Financial Aid Committee reviews the recommendations provided by FGAA and approves grants based on the determined need and the availability of funds budgeted for tuition assistance. The majority of the budgeted assistance is assigned to applications completed by May 1; however, later applications are considered if funds are available. Applications for assistance are submitted online. FGAA charges a $25 processing fee to the applicant.
FACTS
Opportunity Scholarship Program
Income Eligibility Guidelines
PAYMENT OPTIONS
You may choose one of the following options for paying tuition, supply fees, and facility charges:
- One payment due on June 1, or at the time of enrollment if after June 1.
- Two equal payments due on June 1 and December 1.
- Twelve equal payments June through May. If the student enrolls after June, monthly payments are divided equally over the months remaining between the month of enrollment and May.
Please indicate your choice of billing options on your enrollment/reenrollment form.
Monthly statements are mailed during the third week of each month and will list the charges due at the beginning of the next month. Payments may be mailed, paid in person, paid by bank draft, or paid online through RenWeb. Please see the Business Office or website for more information on payment options.
DELINQUENT accounts
Payments are due on the first day of each month. A late payment fee of $30 is added for payments received after the tenth of each month. Students may be ineligible to attend class if accounts fall more than 30 days past due. Report cards will not be released and web access will be suspended if accounts are not current.
A $25 fee is charged for checks that are returned for insufficient funds.
ADMISSIONS
FINANCIAL AID
All new families must complete the admissions process and be fully enrolled at Gaston Christian School before applying for financial aid.
- Step 1: Navigate below and click on the FACTS link to complete the online application
- Step 2: Submit your Federal Form 1040 Income Tax Return, W-2 forms, and supporting documentation for non-taxable income to FACTS. You can upload documents by logging into your online account or fax them to 866-315-9264. Draft or preview copy tax documents will not be accepted.
Please allow 2 weeks for your application and supporting tax documents to be processed before contacting FACTS.
Gaston Christian School does accept the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship.
Deadline for Financial Aid is May 1st. Applications received after the deadline will be processed based on the availability of funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides how much financial aid I will receive?
Gaston Christian is solely responsible for determining the final award. The analysis completed by FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment serves as a recommendation only.
How can I check the status of my application?
Once you have completed the online application, you will be able to log on to www.online.factsmgt.com to check the status of your application. Application deadlines are set by the school or institution awarding the scholarships. If you are applying after a given deadline date, please contact the school to ensure that you application will be accepted.
Why do I have to provide this personal and confidential information?
FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment must verify your expenses and household income to assist your institution in making an informed decision about the amount of financial aid needed for each family.
Does GCS offer scholarships?
Gaston Christian School does not award athletic or merit scholarships. However, Gaston Christian School does accept the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship
FINANCIAL AID Criteria
- Financial assistance is available to students currently enrolled in grades K-12 at Gaston Christian School. Preschool students are not eligible for financial aid.
- Student must be in good standing academically and behaviorally.
- Grantees must re-apply for financial aid each year.
- An award of financial aid in one year does not imply that financial aid will be awarded in succeeding years, nor does it imply that the amount of aid granted will be the same in succeeding years.
- Completion of the financial aid application is not a binding agreement that any assistance is available or will be granted.
- For GCS families, who have unexpected needs after the May 1 deadline, the financial aid application may still be submitted. Any aid will be dependent on the availability of funds in the financial aid budget.
OUR CAMPUS
There are approximately 900 students in the PK3 – grade 12 program on the school’s 66 acre campus.
Gaston Christian School
1625 Lowell Bethesda Rd. Gastonia NC
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