At a Glance

List of 15 frequently asked questions.

• How can I know if my child is ready for Preschool?

  Every child is unique, but you can use the following to make an initial assessment about your child's readiness for Preschool:
  
  

  • Independent: Ability to play games or focus on a task for a short period of time independently (5 to 10 minutes.) 
  • Expressive: Ability to express him/herself in a way that an unfamiliar adult can understand.
  • Emotional Regulation: Ability to generally control their emotions and want to make friends.
  • Stamina: Ability to maintain physical and mental awareness by following a routine for a period of time.
  • Age: We require students to be at least 3 years of age.
  • Potty-trained: We require students to be independent in the bathroom.

• Where is your school located?

  CCS has three separate campuses. For Preschool and Kindergarten, we have two campuses to choose from -- one in Oak Lawn, IL and one in Tinley Park, IL. Both campuses serve Preschool through 8th Grade.

• Do students wear uniforms or do you have a dress code?

  Our students do not wear uniforms. Our dress code is fairly simple and is based on neatness and modesty.

• How much is tuition?

  Please see our full list of tuition and fees for more detail.  
  
  Note:  Applications for Preschool are accepted most of the calendar year.  The application fee of $250 remains the same year-round for preschool only.

• Are you connected to a church?

  Although many of our families attend churches in the Reformed tradition, we are not affiliated with any one church. Our faculty teach from a Reformed Christian perspective. However, we welcome families from many different Christian denominations. Families at CCS represent 20 denominations including Baptist, Non-Denominational, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Lutheran, Christian Reformed, and more.

• Are you recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and are you an accredited institution?

  Yes! We are registered with and recognized by ISBE. We are accredited by two organizations: AdvancED and CSI (Christian Schools International).

• What is the student-teacher ratio?

  At our PS-8 campus in Oak Lawn, the student to teacher ratio is 9 to 1. The average class size is 22 students. At our PS-8 campus in Tinley Park, the student to teacher ratio is 10 to 1. The average class size is 21 students.
  
  PRESCHOOL - Class sizes range on a daily basis, depending on full day, half day, and number of days per week. We conform to a 10 to 1 ratio, and add additional staffing appropriately.

• Is testing required for admissions?

  PRESCHOOL – Testing is not required. Through interaction with the principal during a family interview (part of the application process), the principal will determine if the child is ready for preschool.
  
  KINDERGARTEN - We offer several dates for students to come in and meet with the teacher for a casual assessment.

• What support services are available?

  CCS offers assistance through educational support specialists in our Academic Support Center (ASC). This service may include consultation, interventions, modification or accommodations to meet the student’s learning needs. We also offer social and emotional support through trained counselors.

• What are school hours?

  Half Day – 8:25am to 11:50am
  Full Day – 8:25am to 3:10pm

• Do you offer Before & After School Care?

  We do! Before Care stats at 7:00 am and After School Care is available until 6:00 pm. Students in all grade levels can attend. Please see our full list of tuition and fees for more detail.

• What special programs does your curricula include?

  Preschool and Kindergarten students participate in both music and physical education. Kindergarten students also enjoy Spanish, art, and computer instruction. These classes are taught by degreed and certified teachers. Preschool and Kindergarten students also visit the library on a weekly basis for special readings and may borrow books from the library.

• What is T.R.I.P.?

  T.R.I.P. is our Tuition Rebate Incentive Program. It is an opportunity for families to accumulate tuition credit by purchasing gift cards at a discounted rate. Click here for more details about how to enroll in this program.

• What is the Pass It On Thrift Center and how does it reduce tuition?

  Pass it On Thrift Center (PIO) is a resale shop located in Crestwood, IL. PIO is run by an all-volunteer staff. Each year, PIO provides financial support to our schools for the purpose of keeping tuition costs accessible.
  

  
  For 2019-20, PIO provided the school $900,000 for tuition reduction!

   
  Would you like to see this benefit continue?  Then we need your help!  We need our families -- students, parents, grandparents -- to support PIO by volunteering at the center.  Learn more about PIO here.

• What Medical and Dental information do I have to submit with the application?

  Students entering Kindergarten will need to submit a medical, dental, and vision form completed by their physicians. Students entering preschool will need to provide record of immunizations and a physical.  For specific information regarding immunizations, please visit the website for the Illinois State Board of Education, and view the Clarification of Immunization Status of Students document.