Ms. Olga M. Martinez
(305) 667-1623, ext. 248
omartinez@olla.org
The goal of the admissions process at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy is to objectively assess each applicant, giving each an equal opportunity to be accepted to the school. Our main priority is to select students that can meet the demands of the school's rigorous curriculum.
Our Lady of Lourdes Academy has an open admission policy. In adherence with the Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Miami, no person, on the grounds of race, color, disability or national origin, is excluded or otherwise subjected to discrimination in the receiving of services. Nor does the school discriminate in hiring, promotion, discharge, pay, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral and other aspects of employment on the basis of race, color, disability, age, gender, or national origin.
Each family is required to complete the online application, available on this Web site, which will automatically register the student to take the Entrance Exam in January of every year. Every student applying for ninth grade at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy must take the Entrance Exam at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy. Transfer students do NOT take the Entrance Exam. Students transferring from another country must have the appropriate status, in order to attend school in the United States.
We encourage prospective students and families to browse through our Viewbook, which will acquaint you with our school programs and offerings. Click HERE .
Applications are no longer being accepted for the 2013-2014 school year.
All applicants for ninth grade must complete an online application for admissions, and sit for the Our Lady of Lourdes Academy Entrance Exam.
All applicants, regardless of grade, must upload the following documents, as part of their application to Our Lady of Lourdes Academy: birth certificate, Certificate of Baptism, Certificate of First Communion and Parish Envelope.
Students who complete the online application are automatically registered to take the Entrance Exam. (Only students applying for ninth grade admission take the Entrance Exam.) The application fee is $50, which is paid, electronically, upon completion of the online application.
Prospective families are invited to attend our Annual Open House to learn more about the school. Open Houses are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Nov. 16. More information will be posted on this Web page, as the Open House date nears.
The Entrance Exam, for prospective ninth grade students, tests reading comprehension, language art skills and mathematics. In addition, all candidates are required to write an essay. In addition to the Entrance Exam mandated by the Archdiocese of Miami, applicants take a Math and English supplement, to provide us a more comprehensive overview of a student’s abilities.
The Bernadette Scholars Program is a rigorous program of studies, at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, designed for highly-motivated and intellectually-gifted students to excel in academics. In addition to taking the most challenging courses offered at the school, Scholars will participate in enrichment opportunities, both cultural and extracurricular, ensuring they graduate as successful, well-rounded, strong, Christian women. Scholars will have the opportunity to earn 18 to 24 college credits, prior to graduation, thus having the potential to enter college with sophomore status. Scholars will be prepared to be among the top candidates for admission into major colleges and universities.
The top 10% of the incoming freshman class, based on all Our Lady of Lourdes Academy admissions assessments, is invited to be a part of the Bernadette Scholars Program, an AP/Enrichment Program at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy.
Non-Scholars who perform exceptionally well during the freshman year, who earn at least a 4.0 cumulative GPA, while completing all honors classes in the core subjects (English, math, science and social studies), and place in honors English, math, science and AP European History for the sophomore year will be evaluated for possible induction into the Program, at the beginning of the sophomore year.
What academic subjects are tested on the exam?
The examination tests reading comprehension, language art skills and mathematics. In addition, all candidates will be required to write an essay.
What factors will determine a candidate’s acceptance to Our Lady of Lourdes Academy?
A candidate’s acceptance to Our Lady of Lourdes Academy is contingent on the following:
-Entrance Exam Score
-Math Supplement Score
-English Supplement Score
-7th and 8th Grade Grades
-Attendance/Tardiness History
-Principal Recommendation
-Current School Record
Since tuition assistance is NOT given to first year students (ninth graders or transfers), a family's ability to pay the full tuition is also taken into consideration. Applicants must be Catholic.
Should I have my daughter tutored for the Entrance Exam?
No. We strongly discourage parents from having their daughters tutored. The purpose of the Entrance Exam is to determine whether a student is sufficiently prepared to handle the rigor of our curriculum, not just pass the test. Please be advised all students will take two supplements, in the areas of math and English, to provide us a more comprehensive overview of a student's abilities.
Is preference given to applicants with siblings currently enrolled in Our Lady of Lourdes Academy?
All things being equal, preference is given to applicants with siblings currently enrolled at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy.
Is preference given to daughters of alumnae or sisters of alumnae?
All things being equal, consideration is given to daughters and sisters of alumnae.
If my daughter is not accepted, what can I do to change this?
Unfortunately, our acceptance decisions are final. Due to space constraints, we are limited in the number of students we can accept. Unaccepted students are placed on a "weighted" waiting list, and they will be tapped, in order of rank, as other students rescind their acceptance.
Can my daughter reapply the following year?
Yes. There is, however, never a guarantee she will be admitted, as we lose few students and can only accept in accordance to our enrollment capacity.
Is there a quota on the number of girls who can be accepted per parish and school?
No. There is no quota. Each applicant has an equal opportunity for acceptance.
How do students apply for grades other than 9th grade?
The application is the same. Admissions decisions for upperclassmen, however, are not made until after the in-house re-registration process is complete. Transfer students do NOT take an Entrance Exam. They must submit the following supporting documents: official transcript, most recent report card and written statement indicating why student wishes to transfer to Lourdes Academy.
Are scholarships given to incoming freshmen?
The five highest scorers on the Entrance Exam/Supplements will receive a $1,500 credit toward tuition, during their freshman year.
Is financial aid/tuition assistance given to incoming freshmen?
No. The school does not offer tuition assistance to first year students -- freshmen or transfers.
When will admissions decisions be mailed?
Decisions for the Class of 2017 will be mailed to the parents on Feb. 22, 2013, as mandated by the Archdiocese of Miami; 240 students will be accepted.