Admission

Application
Process

Admission

Thank you for your interest
in St. James' Episcopal School.

St. James’ provides a rich educational experience within a warm and diverse community dedicated to academic excellence, integrity of character and spiritual growth.

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Application

Process

Application Process

Step 1: Inquire

Complete our Inquiry Form to indicate your interest in St. James’. Our website will give you a detailed look at curriculum, program information, admission policies, and application materials.

Step 2: Visit Us

We invite you to visit St. James’ during the admission process. Please sign up online or call us to schedule your visit. Opportunities to visit include small group tours and open houses.

Admissions Calendar

  • Elementary Open House: October 28, 2026, 9am – 11am.
  • Preschool and Elementary Open House: November 14th, 2026, 9am – 11am.
  • Preschool Campus Tours: Every Wednesday from October 14 – November 18, 2026, 9am – 10am. Please note there will be no tour on November 11.
  • Elementary Campus Tours: Every Tuesday from September 22 – November 17, 2026, 9am – 10am. 

Step 3: Apply to St. James’

Priority Application Process

 Sibling applications and children of staff applications due (Preschool & Elementary): November 2, 2026.

Preschool Application Process

  • Preschool applications due: December 1, 2026.
  • Applicants for Preschool must be 2 years old to start.
  • Applicants for P3 must be 3 years old by September 1, 2027, and must be potty trained.

Kindergarten – 6th Grade Application Process

  • Kindergarten – 6th Grade applications due: December 1, 2026. 
  • Applicants for Kindergarten must be 5 years old before September 1, 2027.

Although applications are not due until December, we ask that families who are ready to apply earlier do so as soon as possible. Applications and supplemental forms can be submitted online.

Supplemental forms for this year include a parent/guardian questionnaire, a teacher recommendation form for Preschool, Kindergarten, or First through Sixth Grade, and a Transcript Release Form.

Step 4: Assessments, Classroom Visits, Family Interviews

Assessments

Our assessments allow the Admission Committee and additional faculty to observe children in academic and social settings. An assessment is just one way we learn how a child will connect with, benefit from, and add to the learning community at St. James’.

Kindergarten and 1st Grade assessments are designed to determine the developmental readiness of a child for our program. We use the Gesell Developmental Observation Assessment from the Gesell at Yale Early Childhood Program. St. James’ flies a representative from Gesell at Yale to join us on campus to conduct individual in-person assessments.

Students applying to 2nd – 6th Grade will not be required to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE).

School Visits

2nd – 6th Grade Shadow Day: Applicants are invited to spend time in their current grade to get to know their peer group at St. James’. The visit also allows us to observe children in a classroom setting. These visits will be scheduled in January and February, and may be remote depending on the requirements at that time.

Family Interviews

Family interviews are scheduled from October through January by the Admission Office after the completed application and all supplemental forms are received.

Step 5: Make Your School Decision

Preschool decisions will be sent out January 27, 2027 (Early Commitment application decisions will be shared by December 31, 2026)

    • Preschool enrollment decisions due: February 3, 2027.

K – 6th will be sent out March 12, 2027

    • K – 6th Enrollment decisions due: March 19, 2027.
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We can't wait to meet you!

Admission

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About St. James'

Admission

Our Values

Academics

Beyond School

Community

Giving

Laura petersen

Preschool Director

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
B.A. in Administration

Pasadena City College
Child Development 

Certificates/Recognition

Responsive Classroom, Child Care Center Application, Outdoor Classroom

Laura is an experienced educational leader with more than 20 years of experience in education. Throughout her career, Laura has worked with children and families across a variety of educational settings, with a particular passion for creating nurturing, engaging, and supportive environments where children can thrive. Prior to joining St. James’, Laura served as the Director of a private school in Pasadena serving children from infancy through sixth grade. She also spent 12 years at Saint Mark’s Episcopal School in Altadena, where she developed a deep understanding of the importance of strong relationships between educators, children, and families.

Laura holds a degree in Business Administration, but has always had a passion for early childhood education.  Laura believes children learn best when they feel safe, valued, encouraged, and genuinely known. Her approach to leadership centers on creating a warm and welcoming school community while supporting teachers in providing meaningful experiences for every child. Outside of her professional life, Laura is a proud mother of two children. She has also opened her home as a foster parent to multiple children, an experience that has strengthened her understanding of the individual needs, experiences, and strengths every child brings with them. Laura  is honored to serve as Preschool Director and looks forward to partnering with families to create a joyful, supportive, and enriching foundation for each child’s educational journey.