Merit-Based Scholarship Program

City Scholars at SPS

In this Section

Program & School Overview

This Scholarship is for students who reside in Philadelphia entering Fifth through Eighth Grades. The Scholarship includes full tuition for each year a student is enrolled at the School beginning in Fifth Grade. The goal of the program is to enroll new students into the upper grades of the school and for them to benefit from the unique SPS experience and close-knit community, as a springboard for preparation into high school upon graduation.

St. Peter’s unique program for middle school aged students includes a project based curriculum, a partnership with organizations in and around Philadelphia known as our City Curriculum, and our standards based grading system. The School offers extended education each week in the Arts, interscholastic athletics, and a strong Advisory Program to support each student through the challenges of adolescence. Our class sizes are between 6-12 students and the small sizes allow for personalized learning and attention for all. Our students graduate and attend many of the prestigious high schools in the Philadelphia area, making St. Peter’s one of the premier feeder schools in the city.

Eligibility & Deadline

The application and selection process is competitive and the criteria are outlined below:

Student must be entering fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth grade for the 2023-2024 school year
Student must live in the city of Philadelphia
Student must complete an application to the School
Student must complete a Financial Aid application for EITC/OSTC qualification
Student must complete supplemental City Scholars application
Student must remain in good standing through their time at St. Peter’s
Student’s scholarship will continue through the Eighth Grade graduation from the School

STILL ACCEPTING SCHOLAR APPLICANTS FOR FIFTH GRADE ONLY.

How to Apply to be a City Scholar

Step One

School Application

Begin the Application Checklist items through Veracross, including:

Application Fee of $60
A recent photo of your child
Teacher Recommendation Form
- Grades 5 | Teacher Recommendation Form to be completed by your child’s current teacher.
- Grades 6 – 8 | Teacher Recommendation Form to be completed by both your child’s current Math and English teachers.
Records Release Form should be submitted to your child’s current school. This gives your permission for a copy of your child’s transcript from the prior two academic years to be mailed from the current school to St. Peter’s School.

STILL ACCEPTING SCHOLAR APPLICANTS FOR FIFTH GRADE ONLY.

Start an Application

Step Two

City Scholars Questionnaire

Student applicants should answer any 4 (four) of the following questions. These answers may also be emailed directly to admissions@st-peters-school.org.

Student's Full Name*

Parent/Guardian Email*

Describe two or three ways in which you demonstrate leadership.

Describe a time recently when you volunteered to help others.
Describe how you contribute to your school community.
What activities are you involved in outside of school? Explain in your own words, the reason you choose to participate in these activities.
What are you passionate about and why?
Do you look forward to coming to school and why?
What is the most challenging aspect of school for you?
What experience have you had in the past year that was important to you?

Step Three

Financial Aid

City Scholars candidates must also complete an application for Financial Aid through School & Student Services (SSS) by NAIS.

STEP FOUR

Scheduling a Visit

All City Scholar applicants will schedule a visit to the school as part of this process.

Additional Information

How many Scholars will be selected?

We will select up to five candidates for fifth grade and one student in each of the other Upper Grade classes (6th, 7th, and 8th), for a total of eight scholars. The School reserves the right to select fewer than that number based on qualification and we may adapt the total number of candidates in future years. As indicated, a recipient’s award is guaranteed through their graduation or departure from the School.

What does the application review and notification process entail?

Once an application is completed and it is determined the candidate is appropriate for the School, the Scholars Selection Committee, will review all applications and select the scholarship recipients. They will be notified on or around February 16, 2023.

Contact us with any questions

Office of Admissions
admissions@st-peters-school.org
215.925.3963