Archdiocese of Chicago · Preschool through Grade 8
Students arriving at the St. Gerald School entrance

Your child's place at St. Gerald starts here.

Applying is simpler than you might expect. Here's exactly how it works, what it costs, and the support available to make a St. Gerald education possible for your family.

The Process

Four simple steps to enrollment

  1. Step 1: Inquire

    Say hello

    Fill out our quick inquiry form and we'll be in touch with everything you need to get started.

  2. Step 2: Tour

    Come visit

    Take a personal tour, meet our teachers, and picture your child here. It takes about 30 minutes.

  3. Step 3: Apply

    Submit your application

    Complete our short online application and share a few records. We'll guide you through every field.

  4. Step 4: Enroll

    Welcome to the family

    Register, complete enrollment, and get ready for a warm welcome to the St. Gerald community.

Tuition & Fees · 2026–2027

Tuition and fees

Annual tuition, 2026–2027
Annual tuition 2026–2027
1 child $6,900 / yr
2 children $11,550 / yr
3 or more children $15,050 / yr
Preschool (PK3 & PK4) — 5 half days $4,600 / yr
Preschool (PK3 & PK4) — 5 full days $6,900 / yr
Preschool (PK3 & PK4) — 3 or 4 days Available upon request

Preschoolers count toward family pricing too.
Tuition is paid monthly, August through May.

About our Early Childhood Program (Preschool 3, Pre-K, Kindergarten) →

Annual fees

Fee 1 child 2 children 3 children
Registration (per student) $50 $100 $150
Curriculum (per student) $300 $600 $900
Chromebook insurance (K–8) / Classroom support (PreK) (per student) $50 $100 $150
Technology (per family) $280 $280 $280
Lunch & recess (per family) $100 $100 $100
Blackbaud (per family) $50 $50 $50
Total fees $830 $1,230 $1,630

K–8 fees are due in mid-July on Curriculum Day.

Ways to lower your cost

  • Manna gift cards — Earn tuition credit equal to the rebate your gift card purchases generate.
  • Active parishioner credit — 50% of your parish contributions back as tuition credit, up to $750 per family per year.
  • Volunteer credit — Earn $10/hr in tuition credit helping at lunch and recess.
  • Family fundraising — The $650 per-family fundraising commitment can be fully offset by selling Giant Heart Raffle tickets ($25 each).
  • ✓ Family pricing saves multi-child families up to $5,650/yr
  • ✓ Preschool siblings count toward family pricing
  • ✓ Financial aid available — see below
Scholarships & Financial Aid

A high-quality Catholic education is within reach.

Our scholarships help make Catholic education more accessible for public school families, opening doors to strong academics and faith-filled learning. St. Gerald offers your child a safe and supportive learning environment with character and leadership development opportunities at every grade level.

Up to $2,500 per child Awarded based on financial need.

Who can apply

  • Students who attended public school in the prior year
  • Families demonstrating financial need
  • Preschool and Kindergarten siblings enrolling with an eligible older student

How to apply

  1. Complete the scholarship application. Scholarship application (opens in a new tab)
  2. Complete the FACTS Financial Aid Application. Open the application (opens in a new tab) →
  3. Schedule a tour and/or shadow day.
  4. Complete enrollment documents.

Every family's situation is different. Call our office at (708) 422-0121 — we'll help you find the support that fits. Se habla español.

The St. Gerald Difference

“When you invest in a St. Gerald education, you're not just paying for academics. You're giving your child a community that will know them, believe in them, and help them grow into their best self.”

  • Faith & Character Values that last a lifetime
  • Academic Strength Prepared for top high schools
  • Real Value Affordable, with aid available
Questions

Frequently asked questions

Do we have to be Catholic to attend?

Not at all. St. Gerald warmly welcomes families of all faiths and backgrounds. Our Catholic identity shapes the character and community of the school, and every family is embraced as part of it.

What ages and grades do you serve?

We serve children from Preschool (age 3) through Grade 8, in one connected community where older and younger students grow alongside one another.

How much does tuition cost, and is aid available?

See the tuition table above for current rates. Scholarships of up to $2,500 per child are available based on financial need — especially for families switching from public school — plus tuition credits every family can earn. Our office will walk you through what you qualify for.

How do I apply?

It's four steps: inquire, take a tour, submit a short online application, and enroll. Our office guides you through each stage, and you can start any time by planning a tour.

What are class sizes like?

Classes are intentionally small so every child is known by name. Teachers are able to give individual attention and adapt to how each student learns best.

Do you offer before- and after-school care?

Yes. Our Extended Day program offers supervised care before school (6:00–7:50 AM) and after school (2:30–6:00 PM) for enrolled students, and is often open on half days. Call the office for registration and rates.

How experienced are your teachers?

Combined, St. Gerald teachers have over 500 years of teaching experience. Average experience is over 18 years.

Do classrooms have aides?

Each class is staffed by a full-time teacher. Preschool, Kindergarten and 1st grade also have teacher's aides for the benefit of our youngest students. Class size averages 20 students per room.

How many students attend St. Gerald?

Current enrollment is over 320 students.

What extracurricular activities are available?

Cooking Club, Dance Club, Art Club, Children's Choir, School Band, Yearbook, Service Club, the National Junior Honor Society, altar servers and Scouts, plus parish sports through the St. Gerald Athletic Club: basketball, volleyball, soccer and flag football.

What kind of families attend St. Gerald?

St. Gerald is proud of our diversity. Families of all ethnic, economic and religious backgrounds are welcome at our school. Many students are the 2nd, 3rd or 4th+ generation in their family to attend St. Gerald.

How can parents get involved?

There are many ways to become involved in the St. Gerald community and meet other parents, including the Home School Association, the Holy Name Society (men's club), the School Advisory Board and the Athletics Committee.

Does St. Gerald have a STEM program?

STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) is incorporated into classroom learning and extracurricular activities. St. Gerald is evaluating opportunities to add even more STEM and STEAM (adding the arts) activities to its curriculum.

How does St. Gerald do academically?

St. Gerald prides itself on the academic achievement of our students. Strong test scores are one indicator of academic excellence; others are our students’ recent achievements at local academic bowls, spelling bees, and academic recognition awards and scholarships.

The best next step is a visit.

A tour takes about 30 minutes — and it's the best way to know if we're the right home for your child. We'd love to meet you.