The Explore placement exam is offered for prospective 2012 Freshmen. It is an assessment of each student’s knowledge in the core curricula. Utilizing each student’s results of the exams, the St. James Academy Counseling team can recommend the appropriate level of courses to begin the student’s high school career.

The test is administered Saturday, January 7 or January 21, 2012*. No reservations are required; check in begins at 8:00 a.m.  There are four test segments which typically last until 11:30 a.m. with a mid-morning break after the second segment. A community-building pizza party concludes the morning so students are dismissed by 12 Noon.

Each student should bring a calculator and at least 2 pencils. The fee is $15.

By mid-February, every student who took the St. James Academy placement exam receives a St. James Academy Freshman enrollment packet.

When the test processing is complete, the Counselors make course recommendations. At the Registration Night on February 29, those recommendations are distributed to each student along with their results.

Prospective freshmen who did not take a placement exam will meet with the Academic Counseling Team to discuss the recommended courses for their 9th grade year. If you took a placement/admissions test at another high school, but would like to receive the St. James Academy admissions packet, please contact the Recruiting Office at (913)254-4228. Enrollment is processed with test scores other than the Explorer.

*Scholarships are awarded to the top 1-2% of scorers in the group. (For fairness to all students, only those testing on January 7 at St. James Academy will be eligible for St. James Academy’s placement test scholarships.) The Archbishop’s, President’s and Principal’s scholarships range from $150 - $300, applicable to the next school year’s tuition. Some are renewable for subsequent years, provided the student remains in good standing.

Placement Exam Q & A.

Which test will my student take?
Incoming 9th graders take the Explore Test in early January.  This test is the first
of a 3-part testing program also including the PLAN Test and the ACT Test that students
will then take as 10th and 11th graders.  Additional information specific to the test can be
found at www.act.org/explore/index.html .

How should they prepare for the test?
The most important aspect of standardized testing is to get a good night’s sleep,
eat breakfast and to make sure that students listen to the instructions carefully.  While
there are practice materials available for purchase, we recommend that students try their
best and don’t get overwhelmed with this test.

How will the results be used?
This test is not an “admissions test” which will indicate acceptance to St. James
Academy.  We use the scores to make recommendations to parents for course selections
as well as to recognize exemplary performance with scholarships.

What if my student does poorly but is a good student?
This sometimes happens because a student is nervous or just doesn’t perform well
on standardized tests.  Parents have the ability for incoming 9th graders to provide
additional information from 8th grade teachers in order to enroll in advanced courses if
the test results don’t indicate ability.

What if my son/daughter takes the test somewhere else?  Do they still need to take the
test at St. James Academy?
Test results are reciprocal amongst the Catholic high schools of our Archdiocese. 
Just ask the testing school to forward those results to us.  In addition, we are happy to
provide results to other schools for students who test with us.

What about the scholarships?
Scholarships may be awarded to students who perform at the highest levels. 
Students must test at St. James Academy on the first day the test is offered, in order to
qualify for these awards.

I have more questions.  Who do I call?
You should feel free to contact Mr. Terry Kopp, our Director of Guided Studies.